Spider Camera Holster review: stick 'em up

The first thing you notice when unpacking the Spider Camera Holster is not the heavy industrial design of the Holster guaranteed to give Steampunkers pause, but the massive Spider belt to which it's attached. Unfortunately, what it lacks in superhero accessories it makes up for in utility -- something we figured out later. In our haste to give it a try we simply clipped it onto our belt like a Wal-mart clip-on tie -- you can also thread your belt through the Spider Holster for additional security. We then screwed the "Spider pin" to the tripod mount beneath our camera (a beefy Nikon D300 with Nikkor 18-200mm lens and hot-shoe flash). Time to test.




We then repeated the exercise using the Spider Belt with surprising effect. The Spider Belt helped to distribute the weight more evenly without any risk to our trousers or pride. As an extra security measure the removable Holster is locked to the Spider Belt via a retaining strap. Note that the Spider Belt is absolutely not required for lighter weight cameras like point-and-shoots or Full HD consumer-class videocameras. In fact, we bet you'll be just fine without the Spider Belt for devices as big as entry-level DSLRs. We could almost manage without it using our D300 with lens and flash as long as we cinched our belt tight and attached the Spider Plate option. A plate you ask? Well, it's another mounting accessory with two benefits: first, it allows your DSLR to hang at a more ergonomic and balanced angle that makes walking more comfortable. Second, it allows for a quick-release tripod plate to be used at the same time. But with our trousers quickly drifting south of casual and into thug territory we decided against it -- the Holster Belt is a definite for prosumer / professional shooters.

The video above demonstrates what it's like to use and walk with the Spider Holster. Surprisingly enough, walking with the camera dangling at the hip is quite natural. For the purposes of the video we had our hand raised (awkwardly) so you could see the holstered motion unencumbered. However, since the camera hangs at exactly arm's length, we always had our hand on the camera while walking thus dampening any extra sway.
Maybe its just us but we rarely shoot without a camera strap anchored to our bodies. The length of the strap is just fine, normally, but when holstered to the Spider it suddenly becomes exceedingly long, nearly reaching the ground. The obvious solution is to wrap it around the camera or buy a shorter strap -- ultimately, we'd opt for the latter. For the time being though, it tucks into the front or rear pocket as a quick fix.
Ok, we like it, but here's the rub: hanging gear from your belt is nerdy, like, BlackBerry-in-a-belt-holster nerdy and as lame as yapping on a Bluetooth headset while riding a Segway. However, given the utter usefulness of the Spider Holster and the fact that it makes carrying your DSLR around on long shoots a breeze, well, you'll likely find a few of us editors knee-deep in Spider nerdure at the next CES. Just promise not to stare, ok?
Spider hasn't announced pricing yet but the product "launches" (we assume that means for retail) globally at the end of this month. A few more instructional videos courtesy of Spider.
Meet the SpiderPro from Shai Eynav on Vimeo.
Meet the Spider Plate from Shai Eynav on Vimeo.
Meet the Spider Holster Belt from Shai Eynav on Vimeo.




























hey, I came across that bridge yesterday in Amsterdam haha
Nikion D700 + Lens = $4,200 - $5,000
Spider Camera Holster = $40 I guess
1 broken belt that drops your camera on a hard surface of concrete = A LOT!
Cotton's Carrier works great, a lot less movement, VERY stable, no neck or back strain.
Bob
I Hope that guy in the pic got paid to do that ridiculous pose...
Indeed, I did -- Thomas
Recession Antidode: That hat.
That is actually... quite cool. I can see it becoming popular even for the standard digital cameras as having them hang from a wrist strap, or trying to negotiate the darn thing in and out of pockets, can become a royal pain.
My one question is how feasible this setup is for crowded conventions where people frequently bump into each other and don't care to notice the repercussions.
Bates?
This is a great idea idea for me, I hate walking around with the camera around neck/over chest. It flaps around too much in that configuration. Also, it seems that it could look less nerdy to have a large camera dangle from my belt than around my neck. Its not so IN your Face!
The camera is a gun, indeed.
And as a side note, it looks like the holster would work well with Brando's wrist strap instead of the normal camera strap:
http://gadget.brando.com/camera-triangle-hand-grip-strap-for-dslr-and-camcorders_p01055c057d001.html
Ooh, I might just have to get me one of those straps.
I still don't buy into this idea. I could see it as a secondary holding/support for long days or for a second body. But I'd always have a neck strap or something else for a DSLR. This really provides no security when holding the camera, and a traditional neck strap provides that. I think the other problem is people not using a better neck strap and sticking with the one that came with the camera. I have a nice neoprene model and it's great. I've also taken to carrying my camera in more of a slung fashion which keeps it more at my side and I find that has helped a lot.
What do you mean by "security," exactly? I don't think I've never dropped a camera accidentally and had it saved by the neck strap.
I thought there was something wrong with those pictures, half of them are mirror images! Confusing man
Are you guys serious? That's about the lamest idea I've ever seen for carrying a DSLR. A small point and shoot maybe. Even with a small lens attached to DSLR that's a lotta effing weight just to be hanging off my belt. Also @ Bob: a lot less movement, how do you figure? With my DSLR strapped around my neck I'm already half way to where you need to be. Plus the orientation of my camera is already there. FAIL!!!! The biggest downfall I see to this it looks like the thing will also rock back and forth with it's ball and lock design. Even if it's just a minute amount, it's enough to be annoying. Not only that, but for most of us that would equal to at least $1500 on your hip that's not in the most of secure places. Here's a tip, if your camera strap starts to fatigue your neck. Carry it over your across your chest over one shoulder (like a messenger bag). It give you a non-nerd look for those of you concerned. If I saw a guy at a wedding wearing one of these I'd tell him to take the s#it off and take some pictures. If you're at a convention trying to get along with one of these, you better be the fool walking around people cause your camera is hanging off your hip. If I see you I will bump into it to prove my point.
Now that's a heck of a lot cooler. It looks way more functional than this. But I'd say you gotta lotta balls still to do anything more than casual hiking with this rig. Riding a bike or even snowboarding with this, you're insane (in a cool way). I'm just not a big fan of Murphy's Law as I've easily lost one lens due to moss and gravity (and that was a mild hike). And I could have lost another lens had it not been for a $100 polarizing filter that instead got smashed. Guess I'm just too clumsy for photojournalism in the wilderness. Still cool set up...
I don't think its a vulnerable as you think. However the swinging....pretty sure you are spot on with that. I wouldn't like my $1200 body plus lens to be swinging around. Plus if it was for anything other then just walking around (Say walking in the woods going over logs, up hills, etc, that hook looks like it might be too shallow.
Don't slam the guy for trying an original idea. But this really doesn't seem the correct rig for a DSLR in anything other then very specific instances. However for P&S cams? I may just pick one of these up.
Look at Cotton Carrier Camera Systems. Superior method for holding expensive cameras while hiking, snowboarding, biking. No neck or back strain and very little movement.
I don't think it looks nerdy at all and I'm a guy who hates the nerdy look! (Phone clips w/belts, bluetooth headsets, wearing sunglasses indoors etc.) I think b/cause its a very rugged design and they didn't hold back on functionality it looks quite sick actually.
LOL
serendipitous snatch
That does sound a bit like a James Bond villainess.
Great idea until someone accidentally misses the clip and drops the thing on the sidewalk. And there goes a couple thousand dollars.
This would be great with a Micro 4/3rds.
A DSLR is a tad too bulky, and it clearly is weighing down this guy's Levi's.
good concept, however not so practical if you sport a battery grip, flash and longer lens.
as an alternative, blackrapid has a strap system that can be work "sling style" diagonally over the shoulder. http://www.blackrapid.com/
+1
I use the rapid strap. Much better and safer than this gun-lock thing......
Yeah, I use the BlackRapid strap, too. I love the strap. I'd be worried about unhooking the camera from this holster and then dropping it. At least with the BlackRapid strap, it is always secured to my body.
+1
+1
Black Rapid's strap is far better for DSLR use.
seems like a fine idea. if it works, why not?
For traditional strap users: try loosening or using a longer strap and wear it across the body (messenger bag/purse-in-NYC stylee) instead of hanging from the neck or off of one shoulder.
if you must wear it hanging from the neck, try shortening the strap (leverage, you know).
I will wait for the first reports of wedding photographers getting pantsed by their own cameras during a ceremony. The weight of a reasonably fast portrait lens on a pro-level camera body will lead to some trou dropping if this thing is clipped to a belt on a pair of suit pants. Since many wedding photographers either have no butt or are morbidly obese (you can't be in both categories, FYI), I see this as something of an issue.
You don't realize how often your hips bump into things until you have 2 grand strapped to your side. I don't experience many inadvertent chest bumps, however, so I'm fine with my padded neck strap.
The Cotton Carrier actually looks pretty clever, I might give that a try.
I use the Black Rapids Rapid Strap. It's very... rapid, and a lot more functional than this thing.
I bought the Cotton Carrier and it is really great! It can carry two cameras, one on the vest and one on the side, but the detachable side one can be used on a belt or camera bag waist strap like the Spider.
For cameras with longer lenses, it is best to use it on the vest, where it is not prone to the more swinging action of the hip unit.
I shoot a lot of weddings, so having the ability to carry two cameras is awesome! This thing is built tough too!!!
The price of $139 may sound a little steep, but with the alleviation of any neck pain from the traditional straps, ability to use the Cotton Carrier for any activity I can think of (including snowboarding and mountain biking), and getting not one, but a two camera carrying system makes it the deal of the century in my opinion.
This is so last year
What if u wore it diagonally across your chest. It will be just like a neckstrap, but it won't dongle and the lens will be pointed downwards.
I recently got Kinesis x-harness, and very happy with it. Already shot wedding and took it on the trip to Hawaii. Cotton carrier also looks promising (but might be hot in summer). But I do see issues with this holster. It doesn't distribute weight evenly and will pull down your pants if you have heavy camera and a decent zoom lens. It might work wile standing still, but when walking... just imagine how it will wobble and pull down even more... I'll pass...
Interesting. But I think ThinkTank's belt system is much better, both for carrying the weight of camera + lenses around (which btw is far superior to carrying it on your shoulders) and also for protecting the equipment.
Hmmmmm I'm very intrigued. I hate carrying on my neck. I have straps to attach directly to my backpack and then a hand grip. But I don't have anything other than a neck strap for when I am not hiking.
Yall must have some flat arses or wear your belt underneath your butt if you're worried about depants-ing. Wear a belt, make it smaller than your butt's circumference. Unless the belt breaks (wear the ones with the holes in them) your pants will not fall off.
Here's another tip, don't use this with sweat pants.
I use something almost exactly the same, although without the shnazy lock, as this for my cordless drill (weighs 5 lbs). Works great.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=61614&cat=1,42207
You'd certainly look like less of a tool with this spider holster than with the cotton carrier.