Mamiya RZ strap opinions?

DCB12 · Jul 26, 2015

I have a RZ Pro and just got the OpTech strap and do not like how it mounts. It has the metal piece that fits over the lug and then it only has a plastic part that slides down the strap to keep the metal piece in place....not sure I trust it holding a 7+ lb. camera.

I also don't like that the strap sticks straight up (the lugs have flat sides and not round). Can't put it on facing toward the film back because the shutter dial is in the way.

I have heard that some use a Black Rapid type strap but I can't see trusting all that weight on just the tripod mount.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Peace

StephenT · Jul 26, 2015

I also have the OpTech as well as a Mamiya strap. I like the Mamiya better because the attaching pieces are metal and are very secure.

I have not had a problem with the OpTech and do use it. The Mamiya straps are hard to find, as I am sure you are aware. I'll be interested to watch for thread replies to see if I need to reevaluate using the OpTech. I also have concerns about the Black Rapid type of strap.

LMNOP · Jul 27, 2015

I started with the OPtech strap at first, and it served me okay but I agree with you, in fact I believe it kind of sucks. The plastic clipping system is just absurd, though it is pretty comfortable. I purchased an original mamiya strap on from B&H used dept. somehow one of those surfaced for about 40 bucks I believe. Kinda steep, but totally worth it. If there was a third option out there I might be interested. The mamiya strap is extremely effective, easy to dismount, yet stable.

film_man · Jul 27, 2015

I have the Optech and have had a couple of times where the plastic clip unfastened itself. The issue was that given that Mamiya put the most RETARDED strap system ever (why, why does it have to be fixed at a particular angle? WHY?) the whole strap gets a bit too tangled when it goes in the bag so sometimes if I pack things tightly the clip gets pushed the wrong way and slides out. Luckily I noticed it before the whole thing came crashing down...

Anyway...I had a BlackRapid in the past. The connector has no issue holding the thing down and it was actually quite comfy to use but I didn't like all the banging/clanging noises coming out as the whole rig bounced up/down while I was walking. I kept thinking it can't be good for the mirror or whatever else as the camera is designed to be used upright so I stopped using it after a few months.

As far as security goes with the BlackRapid the metal connector at the bottom never became unfastened or even budged a tiny bit after all the times I carried the camera. You just need to be careful to attach as instructed, a drop of water on the rubber part then use the hook to fasten it as tight as you can. Once the water dries out the friction is very high, I actually had trouble removing it.

Anyway, now I just use the grip and if I'm tired holding it back in the bag it goes.

DCB12 · Jul 27, 2015

I just got a Mamiya strap off of ebay for $44...good deal I think.

I am still not sure about the BR style strap.

Peace

benjiboy · Jul 27, 2015

DCB12 said:
I have a RZ Pro and just got the OpTech strap and do not like how it mounts. It has the metal piece that fits over the lug and then it only has a plastic part that slides down the strap to keep the metal piece in place....not sure I trust it holding a 7+ lb. camera.

I also don't like that the strap sticks straight up (the lugs have flat sides and not round). Can't put it on facing toward the film back because the shutter dial is in the way.

I have heard that some use a Black Rapid type strap but I can't see trusting all that weight on just the tripod mount.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Peace

I find these very useful because they make it virtually impossible to accidentally undo the straps quick releases http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-1...=UTF8&qid=1438018534&sr=1-12&keywords=op+tech

DCB12 · Jul 27, 2015

I have those. I have 3 different OpTech straps.

Peace

eunkefer · Jul 27, 2015

I've been using an OpTech strap on my RZ Pro for about three years without any problems. Just spent three weeks in the Yukon and Alaska carrying it 6+ hours a day without a glitch.
Regards
Ed

Lench · Jul 28, 2015

Another optech owner here, I've ziptied the clips together so there's no accidents.
And totally agreed on the lug design.. Friggin hate how its fixed and not a standard 'free moving' stud

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

film_man · Jul 28, 2015

Just to clear up what I meant with the clip becoming unfastened. I do not mean the clips that are further up in the strap, these can be secured with the velcro thingys benjiboy posted (I use them too). I mean the little plastic tab that goes behind the metal bit attaching to the camera:

http://optechusa.com/skin/frontend/optechusa/default/images/Pilot/SuperProAB.jpg

If you look at their video it is the little plastic tabs that are shown at 1.10.
http://optechusa.com/Videos/SuperPro.html

If these are not secure then the strap can detach from the body if you twist it the "right" way, which is what happened to me.

DCB12 · Jul 28, 2015

If I do not like the actual strap, I may cut it off and use the OpTech on the Mamiya attachments instead.

Peace

DCB12 · Jul 30, 2015

Got the Mamiya strap and wow...it's so much better than the other one.
The mounting hardware seems as if it will last forever. I can carry on the strap now and not have to worry about it falling.
The strap itself is comfortable and does not slide on the shoulder at all.

I'm happy.

Peace

dynachrome · Aug 1, 2015

I find my RB and RZ cameras uncomfortable to use hand held even with the left hand bracket. If I know I will need to shoot 6X7 hand held I use a Bronica GS-1 with a Speed Grip. It's still heavy but easier to hold. I think I have a Mamiya strap for my RBs but I don't remember what I have for the RZ.

paul ron · Aug 6, 2015

get the mamiya strap! those optechs are junk! those plastic spade snap buckles will eventually pop open, the plastic security slide over the lugs are constantly opening and the dam strap itself is just too narrow for the weight hanging around your shoulder.

google mamiya straps n you'll find no shortage of them.

i think adoroma had the original mamiya straps.

DCB12 · Aug 6, 2015

The Op-Tech is comfortable but the way it attaches is not good or safe.

The RB and RZ use the same strap.

Peace

film_man · Aug 19, 2015

Finally got myself one of the original Mamiya straps. Wow, makes the Optech look like a joke, the connector is excellent and can be mounted/unmounted in a second.

DCB12 · Aug 19, 2015

^ true story!

Peace

Bipin · Aug 19, 2015

I use an OP/TECH strap, as I have for a few years now. It's quite comfortable for carrying but it certainly has its issues, none of which have to do with the clip becoming unfastened. From my experience, the clips stayed in the metal slots firmly and were actually quite hard to remove. The main issues came from the strap getting tangled/twisted when one of the clips rotated around its lug and the other didn't. Usually this happened with the left lug, since the cocking lever on the body prevented the right lug from doing so. That brings forth the other problem; the metal clips on this strap often interfered with operating the cocking lever. I needed to rotate the metal clips out of the lever's path all the time, it was quite annoying.

EdSawyer · Aug 19, 2015

The RZ is a clunky/boxy camera and doesnt' carry well on any strap, I find. I usually just carry it one-handed with the hand-strap of the L-grip keeping it attached. When that becomes too heavy, it goes back in the bag.

gus. · Aug 19, 2015

Man. Reading through this and I look to the right at my Optech strap and pout. Haha.

Mamiya RZ strap opinions?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency