camera strap

All posts tagged camera strap

Vulture Equipment Works A4 Camera/Equipment Strap — Mini Review

Posted by Richard Harrington on May 18, 2013
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , , , , .

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You might be wondering why I’m about to spend so many words on a review for a camera strap.  Some of you are perfectly content to use the small strap the manufacturer tosses in the box or pick up a slightly better one at your local camera store.  Well, let me bring up an old adage… “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”

I get nervous hanging a few thousand dollars over my neck or shoulder.  Especially since I’m the type of shooter who has to often juggle other things (additional gear, multiple bodies, small children).  Toss in the fact that my shoulders are much closer in width to a linebacker than a male model and you’ll quickly see how most straps make me feel uncomfortable with a camera hanging in a weird spot (with little stability).

Enter the Vulture Equipment Works.  I met the company’s founder at Skip Cohen University.  He seemed super passionate about his product and told me how he was inspired while sky diving in a plane.  He looked at the military plane he was on as well as the  special ops jump rigs.  Essentially, if the materials used were good enough to secure the top grade equipment and lives of military personnel, he thought they’d make an excellent camera strap.

part designations

So, while it may seem a little like overkill at first, here are some of the highlights of the strap system:

  • The webbing material matches what’s used in parachute straps.  Designed to hold hundreds of pounds with tons of force applied.
  • The carabiner clips are easy to attach and remove, but impossible to accidentally detach.
  • The adjustable strap system is comfortable for people of all sizes.
  • The camera attaches with secure webbing and a multiple lock type system.
  • The strap is large enough that you can adjust its length to turn it into a car rig or mount the camera to other pieces of grip gear.

I saw the inventor swinging full DSLR rigs over his head like a rodeo cowboy.  The system is just that rock solid.  If you’re looking for what I believe to be the finest strap you can buy, check out the Vulture Equipment Works.  The product is a premium priced item, but think of how many thousands of dollars you have hanging on the other end.

Highly recommended.

_______ 

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What Camera Should I Buy? – The Ultimate Answer

Posted by scottbourne on December 29, 2009
Posted in: Technique & Tutorials. Tagged: , , .

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This post is an updated compilation of several shorter posts I wrote in the past trying to answer the question, “What camera should I buy?”

It’s still the most popular question I am asked. “What camera should I buy?” Lately there’s a new twist to the question…”Is this brand camera better than that brand camera?”

No matter how hard I try to tell people that there’s no perfect answer, they keep asking. So since I can’t convince anyone otherwise, at least know the answers to THESE questions before you ask me YOUR question.

1 ) What subject(s) will you photograph most often? Weddings, portraits, wildlife, sports, landscapes, still lifes, food, fashion, etc.
2 ) What gear (if any) do you now own?
3 ) If you had to choose between ease of use and power, which would you select?
4 ) Do you want a compact pocket-sized camera (point and shoot) or a DSLR?
5 ) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being a working pro and 1 being someone who usually shoots with a disposable camera) how would you rate your skill?
6 ) What is the MOST money you’d be willing to spend on a camera?
7 ) How long do you think you might keep the camera?
8 ) What do your friends use?
9 ) Do you have a local camera store that can offer you support?

If you have thought carefully about these questions and have the answers – you should then be closer to knowing what the perfect camera for you might be.

Hopefully, your interest in photography is strong enough that you’ll read this entire article. That will give you the best chance of making the right decision. If you’re just not that interested, scroll all the way to the bottom to see some of the popular cameras that I recommend.

For those who stuck with me:

I know that beginners especially want this question answered. They are more likely to think that it’s the camera that takes the picture, not the photographer. Unfortunately for them, that’s not the case. And there’s no secret, magic or special camera that will make you into Ansel Adams.

Let’s start with goals. What goals do you have with your photography? Photographing the kids is much easier and less expensive than photographing wildlife. Making studio portraits will require a different kind of camera than that used by sports photographers. Do you want to turn pro or just make pictures you’ll share with your immediate family? Understand this simple truth: There is no perfect camera. And not all cameras are designed for all types of photography. Many photographers have more than one camera, depending on how many photographic pursuits they are engaged in at one time.

You’ll need to take into account a wide variety of factors when selecting a camera, and the first is budget.

This post continues below….

Continue Reading

BlackRapid R Strap Review

Posted by scottbourne on October 16, 2008
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: .

I’m always in search of the perfect camera strap. It’s an obsession. I guess this obsession is based on the simple premise that I’m not satisfied with any of my current straps.

When I first saw the BlackRapid R-Strap I was immediately interested. The notion of being able to carry a spare body and not have it get in the way of my primary camera has been the dream for most of my career.

I ordered the RS-2 for $56. It’s a ton of money for a camera strap. In fact, based on my research, it’s the most expensive camera strap in the world. Is it worth it?

I am sorry to say that for me, the answer is no. Continue Reading