craigslist.com

[rpcrowe]

I have been viewing the various "for sale" camera gear postings on craigslist for a long time now but, never found anything that really interested me. However, I spotted a posting, yesterday, for a Black Rapid RS-7 strap in excellent condition for $20 USD. I have been wanting to get a Black Rapid strap for a long while but, the price of the genuine Black Rapid RS-7 was more than I wanted to pay for a camera strap and I just didn't trust the Chinese knock-offs sold on eBay.

To make a long story short, I purchased the strap this afternoon and really like the way my camera hangs. I will be using it with my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and will have the strap attached to the tripod ring of the lens. The camera and lens rides nicely this way and I feel a bit more secure than if I had the strap connected via the tripod screw mount of the camera. I just don't feel that the screw mount was designed to take the weight of the camera and lens hanging under it.

The strap didn't come with the under arm brace but, I don't think that I need or want one of those. If I eventually do want one. my wife could easily jury rig one out of one-inch nylon webbing. If I were to purchase a Black Rapid version, it would cost me more than I paid for the entire strap...

I'd appreciate the pros and cons of using the Black Rapid RS-7 with the under arm strap...

[NorthernFocus]

I never bother buckling the strap any more.

[rpcrowe]

I found this underarm strap for the RS-7 on eBay. For less than five dollars, I'll take a chance!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SLR-Camera-...53.m2749.l2649
After-all this strap isn't really going to support anything; so the quality isn't that important.

[chaman]

Nice find! FWIW, Ive been rocking a China knockoff for years now without any issue, but your mileage could vary.

[rpcrowe]

I just realized something that I should have noticed a long time ago. The Black Rapid type connection allows me to use a hand strap for shooting AND a the Black Rapid as a carrying strap.

Yesterday, I carried the 6D2 with battery grip and 28-70mm Tokina ATX lens. Although the Tokina is a bit lighter in weight than the old Canon 28-70mm f/2.8L or the 24-70mm f/2.8L Mark I, the package is still pretty substantial. The Black Rapid allowed me to carry the package with no strain on my neck or shoulder and I was able to access the camera's hand strap quite readily and easily...

The two stops on the Black Rapid appear to keep the camera from swinging as I walk. However, I have a lightweight carbinier clip attached to the side adjustment strap of my photo vest. Clipping the carbinier around the Black Rapid Strap really secures the package from swinging until I am in position to begin shooting.

I am tending to use a length of duct tape to secure my lens hood to the lens...

I am right handed. I am still trying to decide if I like carrying the camera/lens across my left shoulder with the camera conveniently at my right hip or if I prefer slinging the strap across my right shoulder to rest by my left hip. I would then "cross-draw" the camera like some gunfighters of the "Old West".

The advantage of the "cross draw" method is that I could have the camera riding a bit higher which wold keep it from bumping into things...

I am modifying an old nylon puppy collar to use as a safety strap. It is narrow and fits through a O-Ring attached to the non-shooting hand side camera strap attachment point and just loops through the Black Rapid. I don't know if this is necessary but, it gives me peace of mind

Who says, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."?

[Manfred M]

I am tending to use a length of duct tape to secure my lens hood to the lens...

I prefer gaffer's tape. No sticky residue.

When I use black coloured tape it blends well with the lens and hood.

[Manfred M]

I'd appreciate the pros and cons of using the Black Rapid RS-7 with the under arm strap...

I have three Black Rapid straps, none have the under arm strap.

I tested an under arm strap once. I look at that feature as a solution in search of a problem to solve.

[rpcrowe]

My error... I meant to write gaffers tape, not duct tape.