If you haven’t seen the R-Strap, take a look at the video below. And then read on for first thoughts on the product.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14Q1IxI_Opwstyle

The R-Strap from BlackRapid http://www.blackrapid.com/

As you can see, the R-Strap is a strap for us two-body shooters or really for someone who wants to be inconspicuous around town. The body hangs down at your hip, strap across your body so it’ll never slip off. Right now when I shoot two body I usually have a camera on the monopod and a second body over my shoulder. Move around too much and that second body can easily slip off.

And if I happen to be walking around town the one body setup would really seem to be the way to go. My only concern is having someone cut the strap and make off with a camera. While I’ve only had these for a day so far, I don’t know how I would actually ‘walk around’ with this on my hip. Do I keep a hand on the body at all times or do I let it swing to and fro?

So, the beauty of the device is to be able to reach down and grab your camera pretty much at the control grip (the grip you normally hold your camera in landscape mode) and bring it to your face in an instant ready to shoot. One-handed operation, are you shooting a main body with a monopod? That’s fine. Left hand swings the monopod off to the side, right hand grabs the second body and snaps away. Almost too simple.

So on first look the R-Strap seems to be a nicely designed and sturdy product. It comes in a nice fabric mesh bag and collapses into about the size of two delicious hot pockets end to end. Mmmm Hot Pockets. The padding seems nice and thick and the whole thing clamps to my existing Manfrotto/Bogen quick release plates (the D-Rings). No extra doo-dads for me, though the product does come with a screw-in clamp point if you do not have an existing place to clamp onto.

A big thanks to Phil R. for posting a link to a DIY version which made me research the product itself before even thinking about a DIY version (See more here: http://philslice.blogspot.com) and also a big thanks to the fine folks at Ace Photo for being pretty much the only East Coast distributor for the product and getting it shipped out and in my hands in only a day.

Update: Adorama now sells the R-Strap! Link

Predictions and Concerns: I can see myself using this, a lot. My only concerns are a swinging camera on my hip, it really feels natural so I hope I stick with it. My other concerns are making sure the product is inspected before each use. The only thing holding your camera up against gravity and the ground is a strap and clamp. If that strap or clamp breaks. See ya. What if the D-Ring on the bottom of your quick release plate gives way? I am already thinking of a strap I can design to secure the camera again using the shoulder strap (double it up and fix it to the R-Strap) just in case your clamp or d-ring fails. Lastly, thieves. It would take nothing to slice through the R-Strap and take your camera. So when in a crowded situation, one hand on the camera whenever possible.

I’ll be posting an update to this in a week or two after I’ve had sufficient time working with the product.

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