So over the last few weeks I’ve had the pleasure of playing with a new camera strap for my DSLR courtesy of my good friend CocoaPop Dave and the lovely people at Blackrapid. This is my story of the why’s, how’s and whatever’s.

I’ve been using the camera strap that came with my camera since the dawn of time and it does the job…and it does the job in a reasonable fashion. I have found though that as I shoot more that it can be pretty uncomfortable over long periods of time and it puts the camera in a position that is often in the way when I’m trying to do other activities (like setting up light stands and backdrops or picking up fallen children). I also find that it is not very discrete which means that I stick out like a sore thumb as a guy with a camera rather than blend into the background. I always assumed that camera straps were camera straps and apart from colour and length there wasn’t really a “better way”. It turns out I was wrong.

Black Rapid stock a range of innovative and quality camera strap products that suit a range of photographic activities and personal preferences. I was given a blackrapid RS-7 with Brad MOD to try out. This is essentially a strap that is worn diagonally across the body from shoulder to hip with the addition of a small extra strap which fastens from front to back under the arm for extra security and stabilisation (thats the Brad MOD bit). It sounds simple and in essence it is….but whats good about it is the quality of the product and the little details. The camera is positioned off of the hip which immediately makes carrying your camera more comfortable and it is fastened to the strap using a very secure but quick release pin/fastener thingy to the camera’s tripod mount. This can then freely and easily be lifted along the strap to the shooting position. I initially thought this would be quite cumbersome but was pleasantly suprised at the ease and range of movement it provides. If anything this system seems to give a much more stable shooting platform over a regular strap as the camera feels more anchored to my body. On the strap itself are two ‘bumpers’ which provide a means of securing the camera in a fixed position on the strap so that when you are not shooting the camera is not sliding up and down the strap. There are also a couple of places where you can fix on other accessories and such if you’re that way inclined. I’ve probably explained this all really badly so I would encourage you to visit the black rapid website and check out there videos.

The Black Rapid strap is so very much more comfortable than my old strap and has the advantage of being discrete, versatile and just darn right clever. Definately one of my new favourite things. I used it on a portrait shoot last weekend and it was amazing how much it just freed me up to do more things without my camera getting in the way but likewise meant I was always in a position to shoot when I needed to. It just works….and ok it’s just a strap…big deal….maybe….maybe not. No more neck ache, no more camera flapping around, no more standing out in the crowd (I tend to wear it under an open shirt or jacket)…I loves it…You should too. Nuff Said. The best things come in small packages….oh and on that subject it come with it’s own neat little bag.  ;)