The Black Rapid RS-4 Camera Strap is an interesting concept that attempts to make a camera strap more helpful and less of a hindrance. It strives to provide a very different, less annoying experience, and while it shines in some areas, it falls short in others.
The camera is connected to a proprietary screw mount that attaches to the tripod mount on the camera. With this screw mount, the strap allows you to slide the camera up the strap without moving the strap itself. This is nice because I used to catch the strap on the bottom of my shirt or coat all the time, which drove me crazy. Since I was not in “six-pack” shape, I would often flash my abdomen to my clients while pulling up the camera. I put the strap into action on a gig this weekend and made several observations that led me to believe this was not the perfect strap for me.
First, you lose access to your tripod mount unless you buy the special adapter screw that replaces the screw in your quick-release plate and still allows you to connect the camera to your tripod. If you choose to use the screw mount that comes with the basic strap, prepare for your camera to fall over if you set it down without a lens attached.
This strap is basically designed for people who do not interact much with their subjects and primarily stand or walk. Getting the strap off is not as easy as removing a regular strap when it is worn across your body. I shot a lot of weddings and shoots with this strap on my shoulder and it worked but it still had drawbacks.
The Texas heat quickly made me realize that I was in for another surprise. The padding on the strap is large and soft, which is good only for a while. I sweat under the padding, and the padding acts like insulation, trapping heat and soaking up my sweat. The small straps that come with cameras are thin and light enough that this problem is less noticeable, and it is really easy to take the strap off your shoulder. Because the Black Rapid is a cross-body strap, it is not as easy to remove when you need a break from it.
I wandered on foot through Manhattan for five hours with this camera strap, walking from Central Park all the way to Brooklyn. By the end of the walk, my shoulder was killing me. All I brought was an EOS 5D Mark III and a 50mm L-series lens on that strap. The next day, when I took my wife into the city, I brought only an iPhone because I needed to give my shoulder a break.
Since New York, I have put the Canon straps back on my cameras, and even the new bodies I have purchased have stayed with the OEM straps.
A portion of sales made through the links in this post may be paid to Rebel With a Camera.