Spider Holster
This won’t be of any interest to tripod users, but as a handheld photography fan I like this a lot.
Even though my 40D/100-400mm combo isn’t heavy, over the course of a long day the weight can certainly become noticeable, and if I carry it about by the grip for any length of time I get a sore forearm.
I’ve recently improvised an R-Strap style solution (mine differs from the R-Strap in that it attaches to the camera by a small split-ring through the right hand strap mount) and it works really well, but the idea of a strapless solution appeals.
Introducing the Spider Holster.
This video is completely self-explanatory.
I think this is a smart, simple and effective way to get weight off the shoulders and neck, and – assuming that prices aren’t ridiculous – I can see this being in my kit collection sooner rather than later: even a camera on each hip would seem to be eminently doable without any real problem.
The website is Spiderholster.com and it suggests that the device will be available “this Summer”, so hopefully it won’t be long.
Thank you for posting this. In one sense it’s exactly what I need, I am well beyond the first flush of youth and my neck and shoulders do play up like hell when I keep my SLR strapped a round the former.
It would worry me in an urban environment though; any ill disposed TD or H could come along, grab my camera and make off with it without any encumberence.
Thanks for commenting, Joe
You make a good point about the potential risk of using this in an urban situation, although presumably the real level of risk would be little higher than if you had the camera in your hand.
In any event, I’d like to think that the benefits of this little gizmo will outweigh the risks – and as a bird ‘tog I don’t have to worry too much about city scumbags!
Hmmm…
I’ve seen a Twitter “tweet” about the likely price of this thing.
They’re talking about $125.
Assuming the usual “change the Dollar sign to a Pound sign” Real World conversion rate, £125 is waaaay too rich for my blood…
One of those ‘I wish I’d thought of it’ gadgets. I’ve got a few weddings to do over the next year and I can see this being handy as its good to work with two camera/lens setups.
I’d guess that with postage, VAT and the usual over-the-top Royal Mail clearance fee this will end up being over £100. Pricey but I guess it won’t be mass produced initially, at least until it starts to sell well. Maybe an importer will get it over here for sale at a reasonable price. Then again, Really Right Stuff and the Lens Align kit hasn’t made it here so we’ll just have to wait and see.
Yep, a very clever idea I think, and one I know I’d benefit from too.
I still fear that the price will be too high though: honestly, I’d call £100 too high, giving that it’s replacing a strap!
As you say, best wait to see how things pan out when the thing has been released and on the market for a while…
I see that the release date for the Spider Holster is now “this Fall”.
I’m getting a bit bored waiting for prices for the gadget to be released, and interest is waning, I’m afraid: unless it comes in – when it finally comes in – at a very good price, I don’t think I’ll be bothering.
Having seen how simple it is, I reckon a handy metal basher could knock something similar up very cheaply…
Excellent website btw Keith.
Aye, I’m sure you’re right Dave – I’ve been thinking the same thing myself, because the likely price of the original really is prohibitive.
Thanks for the kind words about the site.
Well there you have it: $110 for the full set-up.
£66 for a strap substitute?
I'll stick to my DIY R-Strap, I think...