Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
One of the things that can be really frustrating, especially when street shooting or shooting high energy events, is the ability to have quick and easy access to your camera at a moment’s notice. The traditional camera strap works well but there are times when it seems to just get in the way or get tangled up when you are in a hurry.
This is where the Camera Split Strap comes in. The Split Strap is a different type of strap. It comes with Split Strap Technology that is designed to both be comfortable and make it easy to get the camera from your side and into position quickly. To use this strap you need to have either a C-Loop or other sliding hardware.
The Camera Split Strap, C-Loop, and M-Plate were all originally funded using the KickStarter platform for creative project funding. Custom SLR began the funding in 2010 with the latest ending – for the M-Plate, in December of 2011. So in many ways, the development of each of these products was supported by everyday people who were interested in seeing these products created.
Camera Split Strap + C-Loop
The Camera Split Strap comes fully assembled. It consists of the split strap, two stoppers, a swivel buckle, a strap holder, a pair of quick attach buckles, and a pair of loop connectors. What this allows you to do is to then either use a C-Loop camera mount or other sliding hardware mount to keep the camera straps out of the way.
The strap itself is very soft and the split that goes down the middle allows it to have some give. Unlike a traditional strap, it does not just add pressure on to your shoulder, but rather forms over your shoulder. There is a certain amount of give making it feel really soft.
Now, if you do not have a sliding mount available, Custom SLR has a product called the C-Loop camera strap mount solution. This is a little metal unit that attaches to the bottom of your camera at the place where a tripod or monopod would attach. It comes with two straps that can attach to the Glide Strap simply and easily.
With the Split Strap and C-Loop attached to the bottom of your camera, the camera can hang by your side safely tucked and protected by your body. Even when using a long lens, it can hang comfortably in front of you even while walking in a crowd of people.
I really like the combination of the Camera Split Strap and the C-Loop. The shoulder pad is incredibly soft and forms nicely to your shoulder. I really like the way it feels and flexibility that makes it so much less straining especially when moving or hiking about for extended periods. When you go to shoot, the camera moves easily into position because of the motion of the C-Loop. You can check out the video on the Split Strap and C-Loop to see how they work.
M-Plate Pro
The M-Plate Pro is a camera tripod plate system that comes with universal mounting capability. It is the world’s first tripod plate to integrate both Manfrotto RC2 and Arca-Swiss mounts and is also compatible with other tripod plate systems.
You can also use the quick-attach to any tripod while using your favorite camera strap systems such as our own C-Loop. Also compatible with BlackRapid, SunSniper, Spider Holster, Cotton Carrier and others. It is hand grip friendly and adds hand grip function to cameras that lack the mounting point. The built-in M-Link Port will connect with future photo and video attachments, including flash brackets and video rigs that are currently in development.
The M-Plate securely fastens to the base of the camera using a threaded hex head bolt, while a protective neoprene base layer prevents the M-Plate from moving once in position. A hex key is included to attach your M-Plate to your camera. There is a mount that sits out front that is meant to attach your C-Loop to and several other mounts for attaching to a tripod that is not directly compatible with the M-Plate.
I really like the low profile of the M-Plate and the fact that you really do not know that it is attached to your camera. It was not directly compatible with my tripod – a Gitzo, but the mount attached with no problems and with the design, I could keep my C-Loop and Split Strap attached with no problems. And with the fact that the strap is now attached to the bottom of the camera, it now hangs down out of the way as opposed to my traditional strap. Check out the video below to see how the M-Plate works.
The Camera Split Strap runs $28.95, the C-Loop runs $39.95, and the M-Plate Pro is $74.95. They can all be purchased online at Amazon or at the Custom SLR online store. Bottom line is I very highly recommend all three of these products.
