The C-Loop Is A Smarter Way To Connect Your Camera To Its Strap [Review]

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The C-Loop and its magic swivel-arm.

Most all DSLRs come with built-in top-side brackets you can use to attach your camera strap. But what you might not know, is that it’s far more comfortable to attach your camera strap to the bottom of your DSLR, especially while you’re walking. And wearing your camera while it’s slung down near your hip also helps prevent your lens from bumping and grinding into the nearest person, place, or thing — something you’ll appreciate in a crowded room.

But how do you connect a strap to your DSLR’s bottom? An adapter that screws into your camera’s tripod mount will do the trick. And the C-Loop ($40), from Custom SLR, is exactly that. But the C-Loop also has an inconspicuous talent that all other tripod mount adapters lack.

You see, unlike “dumb” loops that simply allow you to hook-up your camera strap, the C-Loop’s mounting holes are on an “arm” that can freely rotate in any direction. That movement allows your strap to stay totally untangled, but also helps keep your strap out of your way while you’re shooting in your DSLR’s horizontal or vertical positions.

Ok, school’s out for summer, let’s get to the review.

The Good:

The C-Loop’s swivel-action makes it easy to maneuver your camera around quickly and with little pull and tug from your strap. Usually, straps give resistance when orienting your camera in portrait mode, but because your straps can move around freely with the C-Loop, this resistance basically disappears, and I don’t miss it.

The C-Loop also feels well made. It’s constructed of machined aluminum (made in the USA, no less!), and its arm (where your strap connects) moves easily, smoothly, and quietly. I also like that the C-Loop includes a nice, thick rubber pad around its tripod screw so it doesn’t scratch up your precious DLSR when you take it on and off. I’ve been using it for a a couple of weeks now, and my 5D Mark III’s bottom is no worse for wear.

And as I mentioned before, you can use any camera strap out there with the C-Loop, and that’s a good thing. There are other tripod mounting systems out there that require you use their proprietary straps.

The Bad:

I wish the C-Loop had some kind of quick release functionality. It currently can only be screwed on or off, which isn’t a huge deal, but I’d love it if it could be taken off in one or two seconds instead, say, twenty.

Verdict:

You’re still using your camera’s built-in strap hooks, aren’t you? Stop it! Grab a C-Loop, connect-up your favorite strap, and start carrying your camera like all the pros do — you’ll be happy you did.

[xrr rating=90%]

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