OP/Tech's Dual Strap in action during a wedding with my review

My review is simple.

I will never shoot another wedding without it again. Period. My upper back and neck thank me so much for using this. There are some minor cons but without question for me, the pros completely outweigh them.

Pros:
-Excellent distribution of weight across your shoulders
-Very easy access to two different bodies
-Cost, far cheaper that some alternatives
-Holds snug to your chest and feels very secure

Cons:
-You have to use OP/Tech's neck strap when you convert back to a single camera setup
-When shooting a shot above your head, you can not reach as high as your arm will reach, only takes about 10 seconds to disconnect but for some shots the opportunity is gone.
-When squatting down, the lens on the body not being used can touch the ground. I got around this by just putting the camera in my lap as I squat down. When I stand up it moves to my side with no issues

Here a few pictures from a wedding I shot in June that my cousin took of me with the dual strap in action. Here are a few pics from the actual wedding itself.

Thanks for the review and sample pics. I use OpTech's straps normally so this is of interest to me.

How challenging is it to put the contraption on?

It's your last bullet (cameras hitting the ground when kneeling) that would be a concern for me.

Peacefield wrote in post #10663355
Thanks for the review and sample pics. I use OpTech's straps normally so this is of interest to me.

How challenging is it to put the contraption on?

It's your last bullet (cameras hitting the ground when kneeling) that would be a concern for me.

Very easy to put on. Nothing more than putting on a back pack and then clicking the cameras in. The straps ends that click together are reversed (male/female) so as long as you put the ends on your body correctly, the lenses will always face out when attached to the dual setup.

With my lens hitting the ground point, I was a little nervous as well but I think its just a natural reaction to secure your camera when you squat down. I have yet to hit my lens on the ground and I am at 5 weddings with my OP/Tech dual.

If you like this also check out the Spyder Holster, I tried one at the Beckstead seminar recently. The Spyder does much the same thing, but puts the weight around your waist and stops the cameras swinging around so much. If I didn't like cameras on my shoulders i'd get one.

I'm using the Black Rapid dual strap which is a similar concept .. I'd never go back to regular neck straps again.

EDIT: I've just looked at the pics of you in action and you may benefit from adjusting the bodies a bit higher on the straps.

mmahoney wrote in post #10663661
I'm using the Black Rapid dual strap which is a similar concept .. I'd never go back to regular neck straps again.

EDIT: I've just looked at the pics of you in action and you may benefit from adjusting the bodies a bit higher on the straps.

I did try a few different heights and if I move them any higher, I will lose more ability to raise the camera above my head, which I do a lot of. Its a give and take.

CTP wrote in post #10663687
I did try a few different heights and if I move them any higher, I will lose more ability to raise the camera above my head

Pretty much the same situation with the BR dual straps .. but whenever I need to shoot overhead (not often, only during reception dances) I just unclip the body and use without a strap.

I find that's a good trade-off as I'm kneeling / crouching far more often and the higher position keeps the bodies off the ground.

As always, give & take along with personal preferences are the important considerations.

How do you keep that flash from slamming into your testicles?

RT McAllister wrote in post #10664365
How do you keep that flash from slamming into your testicles?

Very carefully?

+1 for loving my dual harness and +1 for pretty much your list of Pros & Cons. I use the one by Camera Slingers (world's WORST web site, I don't know what they are thinking.)

kja wrote in post #10669234
+1 for loving my dual harness and +1 for pretty much your list of Pros & Cons. I use the one by Camera Slingers (world's WORST web site, I don't know what they are thinking.)

Right on, kja!

So… I'm not the only one that noticed the typos and very difficult navigation?

Worse still, are my email requests for information that have gone unanswered for the last week and a half.

I usually send a request for info before purchasing from an unknown vendor. My theory is, if you can't even get a reply before buying, think about the ensuing frustration you’re in for if and when you have issues with either delivery or the product itself.

- Mike.

Peacefield wrote in post #10663355
It's your last bullet (cameras hitting the ground when kneeling) that would be a concern for me.

Me too...

tim wrote in post #10663603
If you like this also check out the Spyder Holster, I tried one at the Beckstead seminar recently. The Spyder does much the same thing, but puts the weight around your waist and stops the cameras swinging around so much. If I didn't like cameras on my shoulders i'd get one.

and this is why I love my spider holster. I can kneel or squat or even lay down - as long as I'm not on my side - and I know the camera is not going anywhere.

This looks like a good dual strap system... but the cameras look like they hang kind of low. They don't bang into you as you're walking?

I have one of these as well, love it for weddings!!!

It should be noted that it costs less than $30, less than $40 with shipping. The competing straps are all over $100 (and usually $150 or more).