Hello good folks of PoTN!
After my initial review/comparison of the Luma Loop vs Black Rapid RS-7, Greg from Luma Loop has contacted me via pm and told me of a revised version of the Luma Loop and that i would be receiving a beta version of this as soon as it's available.
According to Greg:
Yours is a production beta unit (i.e. the design is 100% complete, but the ones we are shipping out now are the ones we use to lock down the actual production steps - the quality and hardware and everything is the same as production Loops)...
well, i'm happy to announce, that it has come... and i am very impressed over the improvements...
many of the concerns regarding the loop has been addressed with some very interesting and nifty features... so without further delay, here goes... and as usual, taking review from top down...
Shoulder Pad "Banana":
 | HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'image/png' |
Mk I (lf) vs Mk II (rt)
the most noticable improvement of the "banana" is that it has been widened... this will help keep the banana over your shoulders but then again, with all straps, when you lift and move the camera around to shoot, they will move... i have since sold my RS-7 loop because i like the minimalistic and effective design of the LL... and i have to admit, the neoprene also grips better on my shoulder.
second, if you look closely, you will notice that the leather loop that connects the D-Ring has been widened from 7/8" to 1"
LL still opted to use the screw method to assemble the D-Ring onto the banana ends but i have no complaints as they have proven themselves to work fine in my days of walking all around with my camera.
Another noticeable difference is the leather used on the banana... it is thicker and seems more dense.
aesthetic changes were that the LL logo looks like it's laser etched on leather versus simple embossing...
also, they've logo'd the edge of the neoprene...
| HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'image/png' |
i did not know that they could do that... lol...
Banana Hardware:
| HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'image/png' |
the old Plastic D-ring has also changed to 1/8" thick dual d-ring method and they've removed the sliding locking buckle and replaced it to a metal ladder lock sliding buckle.
this is a great improvement as i found that the plastic lever lock buckle easily came loose.
the metal ladder lock buckle is a bit more time consuming to make adjustments but once you set your length, you don't need to make much changes to the loop length so this is fine.
this system works... in two folds.
remember those old army belts that uses 2 d-rings that lock onto each other? this is the same. the dual locking metal d-ring locks and holds the webbing in place very well... then the sliding ladder lock buckle also holds in place very well, in part, because of the next improvement... webbing.
Webbing:
| HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'image/png' |
Mk I (lf) MkII (rt)
they've stayed with the 1" webbing tape...
the LL Mk I webbing tape was still superior to the Black Rapids because they were better quality with a higher density webbing...
the Mk II is taking that and making it even thicker...
the new webbing is a bit more flexible and not as rigid as MkI but the increased thickness and texture works well together with metal or plastic hardware... this is the same adjustment system as the stock camera straps... the texture of the webbing, along with the tension work with each other to lock the buckle and length in place.
i would like to have seen the open end of the loop folded and stitch tacked but this webbing and hardware combo will NOT slip...
Side Release Buckle:
| HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'image/png' |
Mk I (lf) Mk II (rt)
keeping with their original design, the 1" side release buckle is still there... and again, i repeat, better positioning versus the BR-7 (especially for those who sling their camera to the right hip) because the buckle is in front of your chest, not behind you.
same model, Duraflex Rock Lobster buckle was used... again, this never failed in my use of the LL with lenses such as the 70-200 Mk II on my 7D.
Camera Attachment:
this is where the biggest improvement has been made.
firstly, the buckle system they've used in the past was fine for my use, again, never failed... worked well, ease of removing and light weight... furthermore, metal does not come in contact with my camera.
the new method... wow...
| HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'image/png' |
again, a 1/8" thick metal ring connects to a swiveling male insert that has a push button release.
let me go back and compare this to the BR-7...
| HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'image/png' |
the LL system is definitely improvement because it seems to be machined out of a steel rod and the D-ring is securely fixed to the male cylinder.
| HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'image/png' |
the push button basically enables 4 ball bearings to retract and the female cap can slide out and apart from the loop.
nifty feature... yes, added weight but heck there was certain amount of concern over plastic buckles so this is a great solution imo.
i tried to see how easy it was for another person to snap it off... i assembled the loop and put it on my mannequin and tried to prop it off...
see, this is the nifty feature... gravity and design is in your favor...
when the camera is on your loop, the male rod and button is positioned right under the d-ring loop so without lifting the camera and pivoting the D-ring+webbing loop aside, you really cannot access the button with ease...
... continued...
| 
