Showing posts with label straps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label straps. Show all posts

Monday, January 2, 2017

Peak Design Does It Again!

This week I wanted to write about a new camera carry system from the good folks at PeakDesign. I have been buying PeakDesign’s items for a couple years now, they came out with a nice camera carry system called the Capture Pro Clip. This unique system allow photographers to attach their cameras to their own belt or backpack straps and have a quick disconnect via a tripod style plate so you could remove the camera, shoot and snap it back into place when done!

Capture Pro Clip System
I bought two of the Capture Pro Clips systems and I have not regretted it once! They are high quality systems, made of metal and hold your DSLR securely, I have worn mine while riding my motorcycle and had no issues with it coming loose and losing a camera.

PeakDesign has also come out with their own camera bags, which are weather-proof and comes with a unique Origami-Inspired compartment separators. They also have their own camera cover and straps for carrying your camera.

Capture Pro in action

Today, I am writing about one of their new items, their Anchor Links system. This system allows a photographer to use their favorite camera strap and have high strength, quick disconnects, which make it easier to have multiple cameras and one strap out in the field! The Anchor Links systems works with ANY camera strap that has ends that are 1cm wide or less, which is pretty much the industry standard since the strap has to attach to the two metal slots on the camera itself.

The Anchor Links system gives you a strong, quick disconnect system for your camera strap so if you are like myself and have several cameras, you can quickly move the strap from camera to camera. When I go out on a shoot, I usually carry at least two cameras so I don’t have to change lenses in the field and risk getting dirt on my sensor. By using the Capture Pro clip system in conjunction with these Anchor Links, I can use the same strap with both cameras!
Anchor Links System

Peak Design’s patented system allow you to attach Anchors to your camera’s strap tabs and leave them on all the time. They are small and non-intrusive so they don’t add any extra weight to your camera, but when you want to attach your favorite strap, just slide the Anchors into the Link on your strap and “snap” they lock into place! When you want to switch cameras, just push in on the Anchor and pull down and the Anchors release and the strap can then be added to another camera!

Another nice thing is, the small bungee cord-style Anchor straps that attach to your camera will change color over time as they weaken from use to let you know it’s time to replace them. I have had my system for a while now and no issues at all and I carry some heavy gear like my Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD lens for wildlife and this lens weighs a whopping 4.42 pounds!

Anchor Links System in use on a DSLR
I had been toying with trying to make my own quick-disconnect system for my favorite camera strap, which happens to be my gel-padded Canon CPS strap, but Peak Designs beat me to the punch. Best of all, the Anchor Links system only costs $19.99 and extra Anchors are $9.99 for a set of four, enough to attach to two different cameras!

So if you want a way to quickly and securely use your favorite strap on two different cameras or just remove your strap when shooting in your studio, I highly recommend the Peak Design Anchor Links system!

*All images belong to Peak Design.

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Sunday, March 15, 2015

Camera Carry Systems

One of the toughest decisions you’ll make as a photographer is what carry system is best for your camera?

Today there are a multitude of camera straps and slips and other items for carrying your camera. What one is best for you is a matter of taste and versatility. One of the things that has always bugged me is why do the camera manufacturers give you such a crappy camera strap for your new camera? I mean if you are spending $500+ why don’t they throw in a good, well padded camera strap? The frees ones they give you are cheap thin straps that are very uncomfortable and it annoys myself and many other photographers.

Today am going to talk about some other options for camera straps and carry systems. One of the first I can personally recommend is called the Indigo Marble Soft Padded Black Neoprene Quick Release strap. Some of the things I love about this strap is the fact that it is heavily padded so that it does not cut into your neck or shoulder even with the heaviest camera and lens system attached. It also comes with a quick release system and instead of attaching to your metal strap loops, it attaches to your camera’s tripod mount on the bottom. You don’t lose anything because the strap attachment has it’s own tripod mount so you can use the strap with your tripod. I can wear this strap for hours on a photowalk and have no discomfort at all. It also has quick release clamps so you can set them and the camera will only slide so far up or down on the strap. This makes it quick and easy to slid your camera to just the right position to shoot and then release back to your hip. This strap is a little more expensive at $45 on Amazon but remember the old adage, you get what you pay for.


Indigo Marble Neoprene strap
The second item I will mention and recommend is the Spider Pro holster system. I also have one of these and it’s great as it has a quick release system with a lock to it. You can wear your camera on your hip like a gunslinger in the wild west and raise, release and shoot very quick and easy. Once you are done shooting, slid it back into the holster, lock it and no one can snatch your camera in a crowded street or park. Spider also makes a double camera belt which will allow you to have a camera on both hips, as well as a less expensive Black Widow system which has a velcro fastener instead of a locking belt buckle but it is only for light cameras with a small lens like a 40mm STM Pancake lens. The Spider Pro and Spider Duo Pro are $125 and $250, but the Black Widow is only around $60.


Spider Pro holster system


The third option I recommend is a camera wrist strap such as one by Opteka. These are handy little gems and attach to your camera’s tripod mount just like the Indigo and the Spider do. You do need to still use one of the camera’s factory strap mounts and then you slide your hand into the strap and fasten the lock strap around your wrist. This system is nice as you can shoot street photography and someone cannot run up and snatch your camera as it is locked to your hand and wrist. The Opteka can be purchased on Amazon for around $9, which makes it the most affordable camera carry system.

Opteka camera wrist strap

Do you have a preferred camera carry system that I have not mentioned here? Feel free to post in the comments and let me know. Now get out there and make some great images.

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