Sometimes I find that traditional camera straps can be straining on the neck and shoulders if worn for extended periods of time. When shooting events, I often find myself positioning the strap across my chest in hopes of alleviating some of the weight. However, this can make the camera less accessible which is a big problem when you are trying to capture moments as they happen. I recently discovered the solution to my problem, the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap.
The BlackRapid RS-7 Strap is a completely unique kind of strap. Instead of attaching it to the top of the camera and having the weight dangle from my neck, the RS-7 attaches to the tripod or lens mount and sits down by my hip with the strap placed across my shoulder and chest. It features attachment points that allow customization with a choice of storage and other features.
The RS-7 is great on its own, and can also be paired with their MODS accessories including the Joey J-1 and J-2. The Joey J-1 and J-2 are small cases that can store small crucial accessories you may need while you are on the go. They both feature a Velcro closure. The J-1 is the smaller case and can fit items like batteries and small cell phones and the J-2 is slightly larger and can fit larger smart phones or MP3 players.
The RS-7 lives up to its reputation for being ergonomic. It is flexible and fits perfectly around your shoulder causing the weight of the camera to be evenly distributed. This camera strap is ideal for times where you are shooting on the go. Photojournalists or action photographers will love this strap because it has the ability to reduce fatigue while maintaining speedy access to the camera. My only beef with the RS-7 is that it seemed to be designed to exclusively fit a man. Since it sits across the chest, some women may find it to be slightly uncomfortable. Luckily they recognized this and have come out with another version of the BlackRapid strap that is specifically designed to fit women. The BlackRapid RS-W1 Strap is the only camera strap I have found to be contoured specifically for females. It still has all the great features of the RS-7 but provides extra comfort and styling that female photographers will appreciate.
For more information about the BlackRapid Strap system visit www.thecamerastore.com or www.blackrapid.com.
Black Rapid has a solution for quick-release plates. The solution is an add-on called the FastenR-T1 (FR-T1). This will allow you to go from R-Strap to tripod or monopod easily. Below is the link to the page about the product, where you can take a look at the specs and watch a promo video about it.
http://www.blackrapid.com/product/hardware/fr-t1/
-Evelyn Drake