Gear Review: Black Rapid R-Strap

Once in awhile some of the attention for a must have gadget catches my eye. I usually don't feel the need to have lots of gadgets or fall for marketing hype, but with the Black Rapid R-Strap I did. One of my pet peeves is when, after shooting for a long time, your neck strap digs a trench in your neck. I typically use the camera supplied strap, in my case a Nikon D300 but the R-Strap has replaced that.

Here's some strap info from the site:

The R-Strap is the most innovative camera strap ever to hit the market. This patent-pending equipment offers unparalleled peace of mind and ease of access to your camera.

The R-Strap is worn diagonally across the torso from shoulder to hip and is adjustable to fit most photographers. The pad has a mesh underside for comfort and breathability.

Our locking FastenR connects the R-Strap to the tripod socket located on either the camera body or the lens. Once connected, the camera hangs upside down, resting securely at your side or in the small of your back, with the lens pointing behind you.

With the camera at your hip or behind your back, you can maneuver easily through a crowd, carry a tripod or other gear, or simply have both hands free.

There are two models of the R-Strap. RS-1: Black fabric, slim design, no storage pockets and the RS-4: Black fabric, front zippered pocket for storing small things like memory cards or business cards.

I used the R-Strap when I was shooting production stills for Malevolence: Bereavement in fall 2008. One thing I really liked was the padding on the strap. It's nice to wear the camera across your chest vs. around your neck. After shooting for 12 hours, I had no neck fatigue from wearing it. The other plus for the strap is the way it allows the user to hang the camera on your hip and be able to raise it in an instance and shoot.

Check the site here and some sample videos here.