FS7: FS7 Camera Strap

Joshua Milligan

Joshua Milligan

Well-known member
Hey guys (or gals). Any recommendations on a comfortable and good looking camera strap that can support the weight of the FS7?
 
The problem isn't the weight of the camera, I think you find that there is simply no comfortable way of slinging the camera over your shoulder no matter what sort of strap you use. Too many pieces poking out on all sides. If you discover a solution please share it.
 
Regardless of the strap used, are you saying that you can sling the camera over your shoulder like a Betacam and comfortably walk a few hundred yards with it against your body while carrying a tripod and other gear? I couldn't find any comfortable way to carry the camera like that, so the search for a strap became moot.
 
I'm just looking for a way to help me carry it. I film wildlife docs and carrying the camera for long periods of time can be frustrating. Just looking for ways to combat that. I saw Philip Bloom often has a blue strap on his, so I was curious to try it.
 
had luck with really large lenses and the RRS lens support, just used an ARCA compatible clamp fitted with an Op/Tech pro strap. Not great for long walks but moving around an area the size of a football field it worked great. Have not found a way to do this with normal lenses like a 28-70 2.8, for smaller combos I am just using a an old Domke bag and back back harness. I shoot a fair amount of sports so am going to follow this thread, would be nice to come up with something. **FYI I also shoot stills and after a season of hanging on my shoulder the finish is always worn off (brassed) in big areas, in case that bugs anyone and I would make sure the control (buttons) side on the camera is on the outside... don't feel like the FS7 is an tuff as D3/D4 Nikons
 
Joshua Milligan said:
Hey guys (or gals). Any recommendations on a comfortable and good looking camera strap that can support the weight of the FS7?
Click to expand...

Hi Joshua,

I've successfully used a Blackrapid strap with a fully kitted up FS7 (with Gratical EVF, SmallHD 502 and Zacuto VCT shoulder plate) and it is quite comfortable carrying it around whilst carrying other kit with my free hands. I know they are designed for stills cameras but I've used them successfully with all sorts of camera rigs for years. I've even used them on some fairly heavy rigs and they never even flinched. I hope they wont give up on me any day as that could be a disaster :)

I just screw their adaptor onto a 1/4" thread at the top handle and voila!

A word of caution. If you end up using them, I do advise that you get into the routine of every once in a while tightening the attachment screw on the camera or even better: If it's your camera and you always use it like that, use some thread lock on the screw like Loctite or something similar.

Here is a link for the strap that I've got (though I got an older version).

http://www.blackrapid.com/products/curve

Hope that helps.
 
Doug Jensen said:
The problem isn't the weight of the camera, I think you find that there is simply no comfortable way of slinging the camera over your shoulder no matter what sort of strap you use. Too many pieces poking out on all sides. If you discover a solution please share it.
Click to expand...

You are exactly right. I have lots of straps and options but with so much ancillary and necessary crap hanging off the unit, tough to find clear real estate. That said, you can strap and sling with camera lens facing backwards.
I have considered a strap that has only one mounting point and that's the forward slot. That way you can have most of the weight shouldered while using your hand to pick up the slack. Kind of a poor mans EZ Rig kind of thing. Still need that hand to keep the rig from getting out of control while walking.
Going to try and configure now and take pictures if it actually works.
 
Joshua Milligan said:
I'm just looking for a way to help me carry it. I film wildlife docs and carrying the camera for long periods of time can be frustrating. Just looking for ways to combat that. I saw Philip Bloom often has a blue strap on his, so I was curious to try it.
Click to expand...

As I noted yesterday the problem with the old style Betacam carry strap for the FS7 has already been addressed. Basically the real estate is often taken up with all the BS crap we attach like wireless audio, onboard monitoring/record devices and even wireless video.
But all that junk is generally on the dumb side.
I said I was going to experiment with a strap option and I've come up with a solution I find pretty damn good as it's simple and it works.
I just took one of my many straps and put it through the handle, like a piece of cargo. I adjusted the strap so only the actual strap was in contact with the handle. Then find the center of gravity. I face the camera backwards so the lens and finder are aft and use my hand to kind of hold the camera to keep it from swinging while walking. Works like a champ. Real easy, nothing gets bumped and no fiddling with snaps, clips, etc.
Im slinging on my right shoulder hence facing the camera backwards. Obviously if you sling on the right shoulder, Mr. Camera faces forward.
I'm going to make a little band with a metal O-ring that wraps around the handle and just stays there. My strap ends will attach to the O-ring. Then it's EZ Peezy. That little strap can just stay on the camera at the ready.camera strap.jpg
 
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