Blackrapid 2011: Does the straps STILL fails?

[redmonsoon]

I reckon ALL forms of failsafe are not overkill but totally essential if using blackrapid products... They are just not reliable yet.

Hmm, the optech adapter seems gd, will consider, thks

 

[vii_haven]

I've used the Blackrapids since their launch. From the RS1 to the RS7 last year, and currently the DR-2.

The instructions are very clear, if you tighten the screws properly, nothing will happen.

I put a constant load of a 5D Mark II with 70-200 2.8 IS II on one and 5D Mark II with 24-70 2.8 on the other (a flash on each occasionally) and i've never had any of my gear fall to the ground before. I shoot concerts and events so i do move around quite a bit.

I trust my Blackrapids, follow the instructions properly, you might trust them too.

 

[redmonsoon]

Hi vii,
by following instructions, do u mean only 'wetting the pad' part'? Or is there others that people may not have followed? Thks

 

[digitalpimp]

I reckon ALL forms of failsafe are not overkill but totally essential if using blackrapid products... They are just not reliable yet.

Hmm, the optech adapter seems gd, will consider, thks

What I meant by overkill is having two fail-safes (wet screw & OP/Tech) instead of just one. I'm also a bit tempted to use some Loctite 222/242 on it, but as the saying goes "Don't fix it if it ain't broke.", so yea, I settled for water.

I highly recommend the OP/Tech workaround. It doesn't make that chinking sound I get from my previous fail-safe (carabiner) which gets annoying by the minute.

 

[digitalpimp]

I reckon ALL forms of failsafe are not overkill but totally essential if using blackrapid products... They are just not reliable yet.

Hmm, the optech adapter seems gd, will consider, thks

What I meant by overkill is having two fail-safes (wet screw & OP/Tech) instead of just one. I'm also a bit tempted to use some Loctite 222/242 on it, but as the saying goes "Don't fix it if it ain't broke.", so yea, I settled for water.

I highly recommend the OP/Tech workaround. It doesn't make that chinking sound I get from my previous fail-safe (carabiner) which gets annoying by the minute.

 

[The Hulk]

Mine the screw is so tight that I have to use the small carabiner as a leverage to unscrew it

Same here. I was running around StandChart marathon with a 70-200 vr2 from 4.30 to the end of the day. Been using it for some 7 months now, so far so good.

 

[redmonsoon]

We have the same set-up. Mind doesn't budge no matter what I do as well. Still, it's better safe than sorry. As bro daredevil123 have suggested countless of times: Fail-safe it.

I'll post a photo of my fail-safe for my FR-T1 in a while, and hopefully you get something off it. Still watching TV.


EDIT:
Okay, here it is:

Aside from wetting the FR-T1 with water to strengthen the attachment, I also bought a set of Op/Tech Sling Adaptor at CP (only $16) and hooked it into the CR-2 and handstrap eyelets. I know it's a bit of an overkill already but the last thing I wanna do is crying over my broken equipment. In public.

Here's a good thread for your reference: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/843408-Black-Rapid-RS4?highlight=blackrapid

Oh, so its not long enough, on the camera side, to go into normal strap eyelet at the top?
Hmm, that may not work on my nikon then..

 

[digitalpimp]

Oh, so its not long enough, on the camera side, to go into normal strap eyelet at the top?
Hmm, that may not work on my nikon then..

Though I haven't tried that yet, I don't think it's long enough. Will only work if you have a handstrap or a battery grip with strap eyelet. I'd recommend a handstrap any day anyway.

 

[daredevil123]

Oh, so its not long enough, on the camera side, to go into normal strap eyelet at the top?
Hmm, that may not work on my nikon then..

It will long enough if you the normal pro-loop strap ends, the one that came with the pro loop neck strap.

Another way is to have a bottom plate like markins or Camdapter plate. It comes with 2 eyeless on the plate. You can use those.

 

[daredevil123]

I've used the Blackrapids since their launch. From the RS1 to the RS7 last year, and currently the DR-2.

The instructions are very clear, if you tighten the screws properly, nothing will happen.

I put a constant load of a 5D Mark II with 70-200 2.8 IS II on one and 5D Mark II with 24-70 2.8 on the other (a flash on each occasionally) and i've never had any of my gear fall to the ground before. I shoot concerts and events so i do move around quite a bit.

I trust my Blackrapids, follow the instructions properly, you might trust them too.

Every time you use the screw thread to suspend the entire setup freely, you are introducing risks and potential failure.

It is not about following instructions. Things do go wrong. We are not saying it will fail but we are just doing our part to insure against the what-ifs.

Nothing to do with instructions. Things happen, like connector gets caught and is unable to rotate forcing the fasterner to unwind. Or you camera got snagged on something and rip the whole thing apart Even if the connector breaks and your gear is damaged, guess who has to pay to get it fixed. Blackrapid? Don't think so.

 

[redmonsoon]

Ok, mine arrived in post today, gonna put in x2 failsafes b4 I start using mine..lol

Thing is, I bought frm BR site and it does not even include any instructions?!!

Besides wetting the rubber, is there any other instructions to note?Thks

 

[icy55]

hi, anyone know where in singapore i can take a look at the black rapid and the sun sniper?

 

[ant0800]

hi, anyone know where in singapore i can take a look at the black rapid and the sun sniper?

I saw before at TK... still considering if I should get a BR... ;p

 

[redmonsoon]

Installing atm..think I kindda discovered something useful..

When you're done turning the FastenR-3 by hand, STICK a screwdriver through the eyelet..and now, turn it somemore, you'll be surprised how much more you can now tighten it...!!

 

[digitalpimp]

Installing atm..think I kindda discovered something useful..

When you're done turning the FastenR-3 by hand, STICK a screwdriver through the eyelet..and now, turn it somemore, you'll be surprised how much more you can now tighten it...!!

Yes. And you will most likely ruin the female thread of your camera. Too much torque is not good.

FR-T1 is stainless steel while the tripod socket is made of some other element which is softer than the former. Try unscrewing it and you might see tiny silver particles shaved off from the socket.

Just a heads up.

 

[wdEvA]

Been using the RS7 for months, and everything is fine.
But I'm also looking to do a failsafe.
I'm not really worried about the screw connection to the camera, as it seems rather secure, and I can consistently check if it loosens.
What worries me is the connection between the carabina and the rectangle shaped metal, which seems to be the failing point

I'm using a grip and shooting in portrait orientation very often, thus adding extra metals/carabinas/running some wire sort to the neckstrap area might hinder in shooting
Any idea what's the strength of cable ties? am having 1 or 2 cable ties to secure that joint. what do you guys think?
or will getting some sort of wire to tie around it be a better choice?

Edit: Found this --> http://www3.3m.com/catalog/au/en005...oducts_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html
175 lb tensile strength, seems good enough!!

 

[daredevil123]

Ok, mine arrived in post today, gonna put in x2 failsafes b4 I start using mine..lol

Thing is, I bought frm BR site and it does not even include any instructions?!!

Besides wetting the rubber, is there any other instructions to note?Thks

Iirc, There are instructional videos on the website.

Btw one fail safe is good enough. If your setup drops, it will tug at your failsafe and you can feel it. So you can take immediate action.

 

[xtemujin]

I would suggest for those using cords as a safety line to buy paracord 550.

Those black cords only have one or two cores and easily broken.

HTH.

 

[redmonsoon]

I bought strap abt 1cm width frm lvl2 at Peoplepark, quite similar to original camera strap ends, can fit into camera eyelet..use back original connecters.

Where got sell paracord 550 locally?

 

[xtemujin]

I'm not sure where to buy the paracord locally.

I bought mine online.

http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?category=6

I bought strap abt 1cm width frm lvl2 at Peoplepark, quite similar to original camera strap ends, can fit into camera eyelet..use back original connecters.

Where got sell paracord 550 locally?