Shooting events is like running a marathon, it often feels like it's never ending. At the end of the day you are sore, dirty, and you may have blacked out for a portion of it from dehydration. Using an ergonomic camera sling for one or both cameras is a great solution for saving your neck and back and also keeping your cameras secure on your body. This is a no-brainer investment if you are an event shooter and may change your life if you haven't been using one.
For a long time I shot events with just the straps that came with my DSLR's. Partly because of stubbornness to spend more money and partly cause I thought I looked dumb. That thought was the only dumb part of the idea, in retrospect. Since the perfect lens doesn't exist (the 24-300 F/1.8), it's common to carry two cameras with two different lenses to cover every angle and get every shot. They may even be two different cameras with different cropped sensors to further the reach of your longer lenses. I myself would carry a camera like the Canon 7D with the 70-200 and the 5D MK II with the 24-70. In total this was about 10 lbs of weight dangling off of my body for 8-14 hours a day. Not only was this awkward to carry and operate two cameras with, but the weight of both cameras really caused unnecessary soreness the next day. With a camera strap like the Black Rapid Yeti Dual Camera Sling Strap I was able to distribute the weight across my body and have easier access to either camera when I needed it. Plus the cameras are safe and secure next to you person and not constantly falling off of your shoulder.
So I decided to lend our studios Yeti Straps to a friend and photographer Kara Proehl, a destination wedding photographer that could give me her two thoughts on using a strap. Here is the review:
About Kara
My name is Kara Proehl and I am a traveling portrait, wedding, and lifestyle photographer based out of St. Louis Missouri, serving the world. I currently shoot most often with a Nikon D800 and D3s at the same time and have been looking for an alternative to carry both. I've tried other harnesses but being a petite person, they swallow me alive. Until I found the Yeti, I've worn one camera strapped to me and carried the other by hand. I've used my trusty Elle straps from Black Rapids for years but now I can finally take the load off and go hands free when needed. Recently, I had the chance to take the Yeti with me to shoot a destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico. It was great timing because I had concerns about setting my camera down in the sand while shooting.
The Shoot
The day of the wedding, I woke up to a beautiful sunny morning and calm skies. I shot most of the getting ready shots with one camera and used my Elle strap. By the 3pm ceremony, dark clouds were swirling and I had a large amount of ground to cover, dotted with plenty of family members clamoring for their iPhone shot. The Yeti allowed me to be super mobile in a new setting - no putting the camera down on a chair and having to find it once the wedding began, I had everything I needed at my fingertips. I could run, duck, and move around easier than ever before. As the ceremony progressed, I realized it was going to be over quickly, and I was going to need to protect my equipment! As the couple made their recessional, the sky opened up, and if it wasn't for the Yeti I believe I would have lost my D800. With both cameras strapped to me, I was able to get the couple's money shot AND bolt to safety under a tarp with both of my bodies and my favorite lenses! What more can you ask for from a piece of camera equipment - the money shot AND safe gear!
I really had the chance to see the Yeti in action as I got down and dirty in the sand the next day, when I had the chance to invite the couple back out for a beach session. FINALLY, I didn't have to bring a towel with me to set camera 2 on while I worked and talked with the client. The Yeti kept both cameras at my side and safe from the sand. I could walk out into the water without worrying that I might drop camera 2. It felt like I could walk on water whenever I had it on.
Here are a few more thoughts on the Yeti in the field:
Walking: I couldn't believe how nicely the cameras stayed at my side while walking. I expected them to swing much more than they did.
Shooting: One of the other surprises about the Yeti was that it did not feel out of balance while I shot with each camera separately. The harness is so cozy and comfy that I felt balanced at all times. The straps easily move up and any way I wanted to hold the camera.
Changing lenses: OMG this was the other amazing thing about the Yeti. Trying to change lenses before was always a risk and a physical challenge. With the dual straps, I never had to worry that the body would fall and I could even let it swing down at my side as I handled the lenses. Can I marry this thing? I will use this thing for every dual camera shoot from here on out. It keeps my equipment safer, makes me more comfortable, and most importantly, allows me to enjoy and execute my job with more joy and efficiency.
On Using The Factory Strap
What is a factory strap? Wait, my neck remembers the red marks, the soreness, and by the end of the day I was headed to the chiropractor. I haven't had to deal with any of that in a long time thanks to the Black Rapid strap.
On Using the Black Rapid Yeti
How else I can I explain how easy it is? Take it out of the box. Put it on. How far down do you want your cameras to hit? I like them right on my hips. Adjust accordingly and put it back on. Easy. If you want to adjust it with the cameras already on the strap, I found that taking the entire harness off and setting it on a bed or table to make adjustments worked perfectly.
Comfort Level
This is by far the most comfortable camera strap I have ever used. Factory straps are dead to me already after using the Elle the last year for both myself and all of my second photographers, but the Yeti is my new best friend. Sorry Elle, you'll just have to wait for me to call. Yeti stays in place like a champ thanks to a rubber lining on the underside of the strap, and there is additional padding that fits nice and cozy against my collarbone and shoulder, without getting too cozy in the front, if you know what I mean, ladies . If you need it, Black Rapid offers a slim version as well but this one worked great for me. The actual camera straps seems a little loose at first, but once you have bodies saddled up they are perfect. They move effortlessly with you and once you make the proper adjustments, the cameras are right where they need to be exactly when you need them.
Durability/Peace of Mind
The Yeti is amazing because it is sturdy and simple. It's tough and you can trust it to do its job. Like a great old pair of shoes or a lumberjack.
Keeping the Camera and Strap in Place
I was amazed at how the cameras did not swing as I moved around, and I am a high energy, fast moving shooter. The shoulder strap stayed nice and snug and I only had to reach up to adjust the padded shoulder straps once or twice.
Noteworthy Cons
The only thing I noticed is that the left side seems to stretch out a bit after a while, but that can be quickly remedied by adjusting the strap.
Conclusion
The Yeti is my favorite option for any photographer looking to carry 2 cameras in the field. It can handle full size bodies and lenses like no other.
What straps are you using that have made your life easier?
Sorry to break up this infomercial, but since the title is being condecending to anybody who dares to not have a sling, to me it's common sense that the screw in the tripod holder was designed to keep the camera in a stationary position and not meant to be slung around at weight several times of the camera and the lens all day on a single point. It's even worse when you have a vertical grip which may not be as strong so sooner or later, either the screw is going to come loose or the base of the camera is going to get damaged in my opinion. And what if you need to use the tripod? you have to unscrew the whole thing, put it on the tripod, then screw it back in? Comeon.
They do have other straps that have padded shoulder straps and even a similar one that puts an L bracket so you get extra support and can still use the tripod.
My Capture sling uses an Arca Swiss plate, so it slots straight into my tripods.
And I've never even heard of anyone ever having a problem with a screw breaking loose on a swing. Ever.
I have never heard of a regular strap breaking off either (ever) so I guess we're even, but I would argue the possibility of the screw coming undone accidentally is more with this way.
^ first class mullygrubber. If you wanna use your factory strap more power to ya but there are better options for the rest of us who are willing to keep an open mind. my experience with using a sling has been nothing but pleasant and safe for my equipment
I bounced a body and a 70-200 when the factory strap broke. Never again.
I've never had a strap break but my CarrySpeed, Capture and Black Rapid straps I've been using for years now with no issues including keeping a 300mm 2.8 on one body and running around a track. It's not because I'm concerned the factory strap will break, it's because the others are more comfortable, distribute weight better, and are a little more smooth and fluid pulling them up and down. I've also never had a screw come undone but I do make sure I tighten them in there pretty good to.
Most of the straps are figuring out the tripod plates so you can keep the plate on and still use the system. The only thing I could see as being an issue is a larger lens (300mm+ 2.8/500mm+ 4) and using the mount in the body rather than on the lens simply because the weight is going to pull down but I think that would be more stress on the lens mount on the body than the screw mount on it's base.
I've been using Black Rapid straps since 2009 in all my bodies and large lenses, I've never had an issue with or without grips. For tripod mounting I use the FastnR which allows you to keep all my Manfrotto RC-2 plates on the cameras while having a secure mounting point for the sling. Personally I would never go back to the regular strap.
I have my Canon 50D w/ a vertical grip and a 24-70 f2.8 on a Joby Sling (which is padded). I've had it like that for over a year. I spent last summer living on an island in the pacific riding a bicycle every day with my camera on the sling. I never had a problem and my camera weighs a bunch. And your complaint about the tripod... I used a tripod all of the time, especially at night because I was 2500 miles from a major light source. I was shooting the sky every night. Removing the sling in the pitch black became a seamless process for me and I never felt like it was a pain.
I lived on that same island for several months the year before and had my camera without the sling. And I HATED lugging my camera around because of how uncomfortable it was. I ended up rigging up a pouch like thing onto my bicycle baskets so that the camera could sit in the basket and not on my shoulder. Wasn't the best if it randomly started raining (which it would) or if I need to put beer in my basket (which I would) or if I saw something suddenly that I wanted to shoot.
Change is scary, but you might want to give it a try. You might find out it works better for you.
if i am out shooting a portrait session I NEVER use a tripod, The screw attachment also has a rubber washer which basically acts to prevent the sling from backing out. I have NEVER had my sling loosen at all in the 2 years of using it. I will never go back with a regular camera strap.
Absolutely, Mansgame... I was all about these straps (and going to buy one) until in my research I found page after page warning of the connection problem, and on sites like amazon there are so many heartbreaking reviews of people who've lost thousands of dollars from the straps connection piece wiggling loose and letting the camera fall to the ground. These cameras were designed to have the straps connected to the side, it makes sense that to alter someone elses design will cause problems. Unfortunately these problems are very expensive ones.
i use a cheap $18 copy of the blackrapid rs-7 from dx.com. I've modified it by instead of using the screw to the tripod mount i use paracord between the carabiner and the neckstrap-mount. Makes for a better angle and makes it much easier to shoot vertical. Also the strap that goes under your arm is a must or i will have to adjust it constantly.
no joke, i need that female version for my man-boobs lol
Haha
So while you were shooting a wedding, another photographer was shooting you using this sling thingie?
The stylist took the photos for this article
There is a baseplate by custom SLR the m-plate that we use so bottom does not need to be removed for tripod mounting on our last remaining BlackRapid sling. We have used many types of slings, including most of BlackRapids offerings but have found perfection with our Spider Pro Holsters. Not only do they allow do go strapless for long reaches or tripods, but they have enough movement to prevent damage while not flailing around your body while you move/work.
I have a BlackRapid sling, and it was pretty bad. The ergonomics were shot to hell. It sat weirdly. It swung around. It was just awkward to use. It's still in a drawer somewhere in my house.
Got in on the Capture Pro kickstarter, and I couldn't be happier. https://peakdesignltd.com/ - far less embarrassing than playing commando dressup with a Spider holster, too.
If you just want a light sling for something like an x100, Artist & Artisan make beautiful, well made products. http://www.mainlinephoto.com.au/prod12.htm
I had originally purchased a Joby sling and a Joby clutch at B&H, the sling was designed very well, I was very pleased by how well it worked, particularly the automatic slide adjustment when I raised the camera to my eye level. The Joby clutch was just horribly made. As soon as I took it out of the box, I knew it would never conform to my hand, and even worse, the clip at the top was digging into the meat between my thumb and index finger, which left a deep mark after just a few minutes of use, so I returned both of them and picked up a Blackrapid sling and a Hakuba grip. The Blackrapid was definitely more comfortable, and looked slightly better, but it wasn't as well made as the Joby. The Hakuba clutch was slightly better than the Joby, but was made of pleather on the outside and what felt like cheap cardboard on the inside, so again, I'm back at one. Searching for something better, I stumbled upon this review and your post and decided to give Peak Design a try, the photos and videos were convincing enough, but I gotta tell you, the PD sling and clutch far exceeded my expectations. Both products were designed and crafted extremely well and everything about it was very thought out, including the packaging. The year is still young, but I can easily see this as the two best purchases I make all year. Thank you so much for that recommendation and I recommend it to everybody as well!
I use the BlackRapid Double Strap for my weddings and simply love it. My wife bought it for me for my birthday. Never had any issue with it whatsoever. I use a Canon 5d mark ii and mark iii as my two bodies and I even have my flash zebra battery packs attached at the shoulder level. I always get this comment at weddings "You look like a swat team member with that thing!".
I used the BlackRapid Double for weddings and events for a while, but kept being so annoyed that every time I crouched to shoot from a low angle, the cameras would swing forward. I switched to the Spider dual camera belt and love the fact that everything stays where it is supposed to when not in use.
Slings are so last year. It's all about the holster now. You can use this with your think tank or lowepro belts, the spiderholster belt (pictured), or on your leather belt.
This photo makes me nervous.
I use the optech dual harness, which is much less expensive and performs the same function as the black rapid:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/643694-REG/OP_TECH_USA_6501032_Dua...
It uses the strap attachments on your camera instead of the tripod mount.
I have the OpTech harness and a BlackRapid RS5. No contest: the BlackRapid is much more comfortable and better made. The camera glides smoothly. The OpTech feels coarse and snags every now and then. You get what you pay for.
In your opinion. I don't have any issues with the comfort and usability of the optech. Certainly none that would justify spending the extra money for the over hyped and over priced black rapid system. More comfortable? That's subjective. Better made? I don't see how one camera attachment in the black rapid strap is better than two in the optech. Each side of the optech strap has two camera attachment points. Redundancy is good. Your RS5 holds one camera and is $39 more expensive than the optech dual harness, which holds two. In many areas of camera gear you get what you pay for, but straps? Come on, black rapid is overpriced.
In _your_ opinion. See how that works?
I do, it was just a nice way of saying I think you're full of bs. The optech strap never snags for me. I've tried black rapid in multiple camera shops and it's not made of gold... Sounds like someone is trying to justify his overpriced camera strap. Cheers.