Considered one of my favourite issues about proudly owning an interchangeable lens system is that I can merely swap over lenses after I have to shoot wider, extra zoomed-in, or macro and close-up relying on the particular subject material I’m taking pictures and what I’m attempting to realize creatively. Whereas superzoom lenses comparable to 18-300mm exist and convey many focal size choices right into a single lens, they merely don’t lower it for professionals who want each razor-sharp glass and super-fast apertures too.
When taking pictures of fast-paced occasions, sports activities, or weddings nevertheless you hardly ever have the time to change your lenses and that’s the place a double digital camera harness is usually a game-changer. Vital points to search for in a superb twin digital camera harness are before everything safety – you need to have the ability to belief that your delight and pleasure aren’t out of the blue going to go crashing into the bottom. Secondly, there’s consolation: in case you’re taking pictures for an entire day with two heavy cameras loaded up, you’ll want respectable padding to save lots of your shoulders.
I lately received maintain of each BlackRapid’s Double Breathe and Blackline II twin digital camera harnesses to check them out. On face worth they appear very comparable – they’re each twin digital camera harnesses that help you carry two methods with totally different lenses connected, making them a superb match for weddings and occasions. The Blackline II nevertheless is a 3rd dearer, so I used to be eager to place it by way of its paces and discover out if it’s actually 33% higher!
Specs
Value: $199 / £199 Measurement: One dimension matches all Colors: Black Options: 2x Locking Swivel Carabiner ConnectR CR-3 Consists of: 1 x CoupleR II; 2 x Nylon-Coated FastenR FR-5 (1⁄4-20”); 2 x Lockstar II; 2 x Digicam Security Tether II Shoulder Pad materials: Extremely breathable Polyester Mesh, TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) Foam and Polyester Air Mesh Shoulder Pad Measurement: Size: 16ʺ (40.5 cm); Width: 2.2ʺ – 3.7ʺ (5.5 cm – 9.5 cm); Thickness: 5mm Webbing: 100% Nylon; Webbing Width: 1ʺ (2.5 cm) Adjustable Strap, Most Size: 63ʺ (160 cm) Weight: 11.6 oz / 45.3g
Options
I’ve lately reviewed BlackRapid’s Sport Breathe, Blackline I and Double Breathe digital camera straps, and following go well with the Blackline II harness makes use of the very same mounting system that I’ve raved about in these different evaluations.
It makes use of a ConnectR and FastenR system to safe your digital camera to a steel carabiner, that is then secured with a spring-loaded steel piece on the carabiner, and the LockStar Gate is clipped shut to cease it from being by accident opened – the LockStar Gate may also solely be closed in place with the carabiner totally secured and locked down for added safety, you do that for each cameras on both aspect of you. Many of those security measures are patented too, so you will solely discover them on BlackRapid merchandise.
The BlackRapid Blackline II Double Digicam Harness has two straps for every left and proper shoulders which you’ll be able to mount your cameras to (Picture credit score: Future)
For much more peace of thoughts, the Blackline II comes with two security tethers which might be lashed to every carabiner after which to the strap lug in your digital camera for an additional level of digital camera and a failsafe ought to the principle connection fail, although in our testing every thing felt completely rock-solid and we by no means felt like it might be wanted, although it’s good to have nonetheless.
Two security tether straps include the BlackRapid Blackline II Double Digicam Harness supplying you with much more safety (Picture credit score: Future)
The digital camera straps in your left and proper are each top adjustable so you will get them hanging exactly the place you want them to be inside straightforward grasp which it is advisable shortly seize one and begin taking pictures. In contrast to the Double Breathe harness nevertheless, there’s no Slim mannequin, although it needs to be stated the shoulder pads are already slightly slimmer than the Double Breathe and its padding is softer, so maybe this isn’t wanted as a lot right here.
Every strap has each a entrance and rear bumper to restrict the quantity of digital camera journey (Picture credit score: Future)
As with the Sport Breathe, Blackline I, and Double Breathe that I’ve beforehand reviewed, the Blackline II has entrance and rear bumpers on each left and proper straps. These might be adjusted with only one hand to restrict or develop the world of journey the carabiner together with your connected digital camera can journey alongside.
The rear bumper acts as a superb backstop to cease it transferring too far again out of attain, whereas the entrance bumper is nice for these instances it is advisable lean ahead to regulate a lightstand or bend over to select one thing up, because the entrance bumper might be slid down to forestall your digital camera from coming hurtling ahead.
Efficiency
The Blackline II put in a strong efficiency by being constructed from high-quality supplies and components patented by BlackRapid. The FR-5 FastenR is steel however nylon coated for a premium really feel and has a 3mm thick rubber disc that can assist you add simply the correct quantity of pressure when screwing it into your digital camera’s tripod mount port or lens foot. The steel carabiner feels top quality too and screws all the way down to safe it in place, with the LockStar II gate then shutting to maintain it from opening by accident and maintaining your equipment secure.
One huge distinction between the Blackline II and the Double Breathe is that, because the title suggests, it has an all-black design. The Double Breathe has a shiny white brand on the entrance proper shoulder pad and a shiny steel buckle on the again too, whereas the Blackline II is dressed extra like a ninja with all-black plastic buckles and a blacked-out rubber brand on the entrance too. This makes it way more nondescript and makes it simpler to mix in, whether or not you’re sporting a tuxedo at a marriage, or simply need to maintain a low profile whereas taking pictures road pictures.
The BlackRapid Blackline II Double Digicam Harness has nylon straps that permit your digital camera to be introduced as much as eye stage simply (left). There’s additionally an elective elastic coupler to carry the 2 again straps collectively and make it safer (proper) (Picture credit score: Future)
One other noticeable improve from the Double Breathe is the Blackline II has barely smaller but extra snug padding and bigger air flow holes too for ‘extremely’ breathability. I discovered this to be notably extra snug because it molded to the contours of my shoulders slightly higher.
Each the again and chest straps have an elasticated piece of fabric in them in order that they transfer together with your physique slightly and there’s some give which will increase consolation. When utilizing mirrorless digital camera our bodies loaded up with light-weight primes or small zoom lenses you hardly discover you’re sporting it because the pressure is in your shoulders relatively than your neck. Nonetheless, load them up with heavier DSLRs and large telephoto lenses and also you’ll inevitably begin to really feel the pressure a bit sooner.
A lot of the attachment system is patented so you will solely discover it on BlackRapid straps (Picture credit score: Future)
We had full religion that the Blackline II might deal with the load of no matter we might throw at it. It’s a strong little bit of equipment with sturdy steel carabiners and attachment factors that offer you loads of peace of thoughts. The carabiners additionally glide like butter over the nylon straps so you possibly can effortlessly increase your digital camera as much as eye stage to take a shot and by no means get in the best way.
Verdict
Alongside this harness, I’ve lately reviewed BlackRapid’s Sport Breathe and Blackline I slings in addition to the Double Breathe Harness, and whereas I’ve been completely impressed with all 4 merchandise, for my part, that is the one to go for. It has a totally blacked-out design which makes it extra nondescript and higher padding too.
The padded shoulders are softer and in addition slightly smaller than the Double Breathe, so this may probably be a greater match for ladies and other people of smaller stature with out the necessity for a slim mannequin (just like the Double Breathe). Plus, it shares most of the nice options of the opposite straps I’ve talked about, such because the FastenR and LockStar Gate to maintain your digital camera secured to every strap, along with an additional security strap and bumpers to restrict the journey of your digital camera.
Okay, it may not have the bougie model of a leather-based (or fake leather-based) strap, but it surely prioritizes substance over model with this dependable and strong harness, and for what it’s price I believe the all-black design appears to be like fairly good! The shoulder pads may also be separated and you should use only one as a cross-body sling for these instances if you simply need to shoot with one digital camera which provides to its worth too.
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Options
As we’ve come to anticipate from BlackRapid merchandise, the Blackline II is full of helpful options and a high quality construct too. It’s extra substance than model: although its black aesthetic with giant shoulder pads will little question be extra snug for working execs than of a trendy leather-based strap. The FastenR and LockStar Gate do a strong job of connecting your digital camera to the strap by way of a steel carabiner. Plus, for added peace of thoughts you possibly can connect further safety tethers too. It additionally doubles up as a single cross-body left or right-handed sling for instances if you solely want a single digital camera, plus it comes with a helpful mesh bag to maintain every thing neat and tidy when stashed away and never in use.
★★★★★
Design
Whereas its design isn’t fairly the identical hipster vibe you get with a leather-based strap, I personally just like the all-black aesthetic and like the consolation from its giant padded shoulders. It’s been designed to have ‘extremely’ breathability with bigger slits lower into the padding than on the Double Breathe which helps maintain your shoulders cool and cease them getting clammy when sporting the harness for lengthy stints. It’s additionally been designed in order that the left and proper straps might be disconnected for these instances if you need to enterprise out with only a single digital camera on a sling.
★★★★★
Efficiency
The Blackline II put in a strong efficiency and was fully dependable on demanding shoots comparable to weddings. As a 5’10” male the usual Double Breathe labored nice for my top. I discovered the Blackline II contoured to my shoulders slightly higher, it’s additionally totally blacked-out for a extra low profile design. The Blackline II prices $20 greater than the Double Breathe however we predict it’s price the additional.
★★★★★
Worth
Its value of $199USD or £199 might sound costly at first look, however I personally wouldn’t need to take an opportunity counting on an affordable unbranded strap to carry and safe two costly digital camera our bodies and lenses. You get so much to your cash, and its prime construct high quality and security measures are priceless on the finish of the day. Should you’re contemplating a single cross-body strap however you might have even the slightest inklings that you just would possibly want a twin harness sooner or later it’s significantly better worth to get this twin harness as it’s going to prevent a tidy sum in the long term.
★★★★★
Do you have to purchase the BlackRapid Blackline II Double Twin Digicam Harness?
✅ Purchase this if…
You’re searching for a snug harness to hold the load of two cameras all day lengthy
You desire a dependable and rock-solid system you possibly can belief together with your delight and pleasure
🚫 Do not buy this if…
You may have a really restricted funds
You want the additional dimension and colour choices of the BlackRapid Double Breathe
