BLACKRAPIDFastenR Tripod FR-T1 (363002)

I had been using the Manfrotto MN-498RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Release Plate for a couple of years alongside my Black Rapid R-Strap RS-4 and didn't see the need to buy this FastenR. The RC2 plate itself comes with a hoop that can be used alongside the Black Rapid strap, and though it's not as strong as this device it lasted several years without failing me.However, after upgrading to a 3LeggedThing (Eddie) tripod I found that I needed something with a hoop in it in order to quickly be able to go back and forth between strap and tripod, and that's why I purchased this item.It fits perfectly with the AirHead 2 release place of the 3LT tripod, and so is always attached to my camera body and the plate, regardless of whether or not I'm using my tripod or my BlackRapid strap.The build is good, and it feels like a tough piece of metal to hold; and attaching it to the plate can be done with ease as there are no real fiddly bits.The only reason why I have given this item four stars is simply due to the price. Since taking up photography as a hobby I have come to accept that camera gear is expensive, but for a simple screw for a tripod this item should be cheaper.In summary, well built and does the job. For the Manfrotto RC2 plate it's built for I found it unnecessary; but for the 3LT it's essential.

See my main reviews for the Black Rapid RS Sport strap. This stud replaces those found on, in my case, Manfrotto quick release plates. What you get is a fastener and a circlip. You remove the old fastener from your Manfrotto QR plate by detaching the circlip. The fastener then separates from the plate. You insert the R-T1 push on the new circlip and there you go. The fastener is more heavy duty than the wire and fastener you have just removed. You attach your Black Rapid strap to the loop on the bottom of the QR plate.I have given this product 4 stars for the following reason.The spring gate on the Black Rapid RS Sport strap I own is small, and allows only a small opening to allow it to be attached to the supplied, tripod screw in hoop. The fastener provided with the strap originally is solid cast; no problem with attaching them together.Enter the Fasten R-T1. Although the fixture is sturdy enough, the handle illustrated freely swings. When you try to attach the strap spring gate to it, it can be fiddly. This is because you are trying to keep the gate open against it spring, and insert the FastenR-T1 through it. Of course, as the handle on the fastener freely swings, it moves out of the way, leading to a frustrating fumbling of fingers. This is when you wish you had a third hand to hold onto your equipment. I have found it more awkward, the heavier and more off balance the equipment is, that you are trying to attach. This is exacerbated when you use the Black Rapid Lockstar (a plastic shield designed to fit over the spring clip) as this slightly reduces the opening distance on the spring clip.This awkwardness could so easily be reduced IMHO by having the handle of the FastenR-T1 to be friction fit, so like the Manfrotto fastener you are replacing; wherever you park the handle (loop) it stays there. So much easier to attach your spring clip to !!

Yes, this does seem expensive for what looks like essentially the same fastener the one supplied with a Manfrotto RC2 plate, although this was designed for the purpose of carrying the weight of a heavy camera and the Manfrotto fastener wasn't. I would rather trust a purpose-made item to carry the weight of a camera and lens from a Black Rapid strap. During a recent trip to the USA my DSLR and Black Rapid strap were in almost constant use for two weeks and this stayed securely in place; if you were worried about it working loose, a drop of threadlock or superglue may help boost your confidence. The clip on the Black Rapid strap attaches to the D-ring, which also folds fully flat allowing the RC2 plate to fit onto the tripod as normal when the camera is released from the strap. An excellent, well-designed and engineered accessory for the Black Rapid range.

I bought this toa) try to replace my manfrotto RC2 D-Ring, which I variously love and hate andb) act as a fixing point when I finally get a BlackRapid Sport strapThe flaw, however, is that the D-Ring on this hangs down, meaning that it just gets slightly in the way as you fit it onto the tripod head. Not really a big deal, and once I've got the strap, I'm sure I won't care.That, coupled with the fact that it wasn't obvious from the instructions on the cardboard tab how to remove (and put on) the C-clip that goes around the thread of the tripod mount, along with the fact that it is a little pricey for what it is, are why I've knocked a star off (but it is a proprietary mounting point for BlackRapid's straps, so I kind of have to forgive the proprietary pricing) .Overall, this has a beautiful nickel finish, is smooth and feels premium and extremely well made, although after fitting it I noticed the rotation of the tripod screw is hampered somewhat by the jaws of the C-Clip that stops the screw dropping out of the RC2. This will probably ease with use, so isn't a big deal.A quality item!

I bought a few of these to mount RC2 plates on a DSLR and L series lenses. This allows me to keep the plates attached, for use with my tripod and monopod, and still use the excellent BlackRapid RS7 strap.When the fastener is attached there is insufficient gap, even with the included washer attached, between the plate and swivel D loop. This causes the D loop to stick and worried me that there may be some stress applied to the pins.This was easily solved by applying some additional packing to the washer to increase the separation. I did this by applying some aluminium adhesive tap to the top and bottom of the washer. The tape is the type applied around the edges of windows to detect broken glass in alarm systems. I only chose this over normal insulating tape as I thought it would deform less in pressure and reduce the chance that the fastener would loosen.