BlackRapid Straps

Discussion in 'Digital Cameras & Equipment' started by Nancy AK, Jan 3, 2019.

  1. Nancy AK

    Nancy AK Member

    Ive been using a Peak Design Strap and looking for something a little more comfortable, at Pixelmania I noticed there were quite a few BlackRapid straps. Are these more comfortable and is there a particular one you recommend? Thank you
     
  2. gary

    gary Member

    i use the black rapid sport model, recommended by dennis, he is our resident black rapid expert
     
  3. RedOctober25

    RedOctober25 Member

    I use the Black Rapid Sport and really like it. I’ve also started using the BR Teth-R for my cell phone.


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  4. mSummers

    mSummers Member

    I have an older mode they don't appear to make anymore, but I love it. The nearest equivalent appears to be the Sport Breathe. They used to make a ladies model with an S curve in the front for better ergonomics but I don't see that on their website anymore.

    The thing I don't like is their tripod soccer screw system. Instead, I removed the black rapid swivel clamp hardware and replaced it with a Really Right Stuff quick release that snaps into the bottom of the newer Really Right Stuff tripod plates and L brackets.
     
  5. Nancy AK

    Nancy AK Member

    Thank you everyone. I’m going to get a BR Sport. Jeff, I’ve been looking at the BR cell phone tether too. Mike, I’ll have to look up what you are using, is this something I could use with my MeFoto Roadtrip tripod plate? I kind of worry about just having that swivel screw, I know there’s a lockstar that can be added.
     
  6. mSummers

    mSummers Member

    I'm not familiar with the MeFoto line. If they use Arca-Swiss style plates, then it may be compatible, but you have to get the RRS QD Strap Swivel and a RRS plate that's compatible with the swivel. If the MeFoto uses an area Swiss style plate, I recommend calling RRS and talking with them to confirm what you're looking at works with your tripod. The folks at RRS are super helpful.
     
  7. ddindy

    ddindy Member Staff Member

    Late, as usual. I have a bunch of Black Rapid straps that I have acquired, used and sometimes worn out. My strap of choice is the RS-4. They've just released an updated version, but I haven't seen one to compare it to my original version.

    You're MeFoto tripod, like most modern tripods, uses an Arca-Swiss plate, so the RRS gear should work with it.
     
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  8. Nancy AK

    Nancy AK Member

    Yes, mine is the Arca-Swiss style. I’ll check it out and give them a call. So you can use a RRS plate with any tripod that’s Arca-Swiss?
     
  9. Nancy AK

    Nancy AK Member

    Dennis, thanks. I’m thinking about getting a battery grip so attachment won’t be an issue there. Don’t know if I need an L Bracket?
     
  10. gary

    gary Member

    L brackets are handy, i put them on all my bodies, have for years, it just makes going vertical fast and easy, i use a lot of kirk products plates, all my ballheads are acratech, wouldn't have any other, and yes all arca swiss plates work together
     
  11. Nancy AK

    Nancy AK Member

    Thank you Gary. I’ll check them out.
     
  12. mSummers

    mSummers Member

    All Arca Swiss plates should be interchangeable, but I would still call and double check. I remember reading a compatibility issue with one manufacturer years ago not working with another, but I don't remember the issue or the manufacturers involved.

    I recommend L brackets because you can keep the center of gravity over the center of the tripod which is much more stable than using one of the drop slots in the head to go vertical. Plus you can use the alignment marks on the bracket to get the centerline of the camera in exactly the same place so when you go from landscape to portrait, you save time re-composing because you aren't lower and off to one side. Like you are in a drop slot.

    RRS has L brackets for just about every camera made with and without manufacturers battery grips. I don't think they make variations for third party grips so you may have issues if you go that route.
     
  13. Nancy AK

    Nancy AK Member

    Thank you I appreciate the advice and information. I’ll start looking. I’ll probably get a Nikon Grip, haven’t read good reviews on 3rd party grips.
     
  14. RedOctober25

    RedOctober25 Member

    Nancy... the cool thing about the BR Teth-R is that it does not require you to adhere it to the phone or case (though I do have mine adhered to my case). It allows you to transfer the Teth-R from case to case. I also like that the tab is large enough to use with a carabiner clip.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  15. Nancy AK

    Nancy AK Member

    Jeff, thank you. I was hoping it would work without attaching it to the case or phone. I’m going to order one now, I’ve had one in my Amazon cart for awhile ;)
     
  16. RedOctober25

    RedOctober25 Member

    Just keep in mind that if you let it loose (sandwiched between the phone and the case) it can slide around a bit. It also will depend on the style of case you use. If the case has a fully open bottom where it only clips onto the corners, it might slide out. But if it looks like mine (Photo below) or similar, I feel like you’d be fine.[​IMG]. The Teth-R comes out the bottom where the power port is located (and can’t really slide left or right).


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  17. Nancy AK

    Nancy AK Member

    Thank you. My case is an Otterbox Symmetry and I think it will work.
     
  18. ddindy

    ddindy Member Staff Member

    I'll put in another plug for Kirk Photo. I've bought all of my L-brackets directly from them, and since they're in northern Indiana, anything I order early in the day makes it to Indianapolis the next day.

    That said, RRS is also a highly regarded brand, and you might like the quick-release system that @mSummers mentioned. The Kirk brackets don't have anything like that that I know of, so I have to screw my Blackrapid connector into the tripod socket that Kirk provides on the bottom of the brackets. That also means that I have to unscrew it when I mount it on the tripod. :(
     
  19. Nancy AK

    Nancy AK Member

    Thanks Dennis. I’m going have to do some researching on L Brackets/plates , and see what these set ups look like. I’m definitely going to get a grip and some sort of L Bracket, I don’t think I want to get any 3rd party L Bracket. That’s the only thing I don’t care for with the BlackRapid straps is the connector and connecting to a tripod, so I see the need to have some sort of adapter, etc.
     
  20. Nancy AK

    Nancy AK Member

    Thank you. I can use this set up and not have to unscrew the connector to attach it to a tripod?
     

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