You saw our
review, now the Spider Camera Holster is priced and ready for purchase. It'll cost you $110 for the privilege of slinging your prosumer or professional DSLR from your hip; a price that fetches the SpiderPro kit that includes a $85 steel Spider Holster, $30 Spider belt, $7 pin, and $25 mounting plate (each sold separately). Of course, you can use the system with any point-and-shoot camera or camcorder sidearm by clipping or threading the Spider Holster onto your
own belt. Just remember: the heavier your gear the greater risk of a trouser-dropping test of your humility -- an issue avoided with the Spider Belt. A two-camera system is also available for $160 for those manly enough to tolerate the befuddled taunts of children. Confused? Then check the video after the break for a quick overview.
posted Nov 2nd 2009 3:02AM
A Duel perhaps ?
Do pros really use these things? If I spent that much money on a DSLR, I wouldn't want it down here on my hip, where I'd risk banging it into someone or something; I'd want it around my neck where I can see it.
A duel would be funny, though. The winner would get a pic of the loser trying to get his camera out of the holster.
We most definitely do. I was probably one of the first to order one of these. My camera with lens and flash is about 7 pounds, it was killing me around my neck. The more you spend on a camera the tougher they are built, it's actually the opposite of what you are thinking. You worry less about a really expensive camera and lens.
After shooting a 3 day music festival this weekend carrying around a couple lenses and a body, this thing looks like heaven for photographers. I am sure the fellas shooting 1D's will really appreciate this, but holding and hanging a body with a 70-200 on it all weekend is rough.
I LOLed
Why? Have you seen those pro sports photographers? They carry 2-5 individual cameras all around their body. This will certainly make their lives a bit easier.
Really good concept.
Hilarious voiceover.
Creepy video.
Not sure if this company is going to beat the average North American's jutting-out belly for comfort and convenience (with a Live-View camera and articulated screen, the belly also acts as a semi-stable bipod!).
Awesome! Now I can play Batman! Oh wait, Halloween's over.
this camera is cool ,like some items from omejo spy camera
that's a chick magnet right there. all $110 of it.
Is that a full-frame DSLR or are you just happy to see me?
Sarcastic comments aside, I'm pretty sold on this!
WAIT, I wear like 5 leatherman multi-use tools and my sprint pcs pager on my belt, how am I supossed to wear this thing?!?!?? (j/k)
Though, honestly, I'm not convinced. Even a general camera strap isn't THAT much of a hassle for active photographers. Just go get a BlackRapid strap: http://www.blackrapid.com/ Functions the same way as this thing above.
I like the look of this much more than the black rapid. It seems like on a demanding shoot I would much rather have this spider holster. The black rapid seems like it would move around on you and not stay in place. I also prefer not having to have a strap in my way when I'm shooting, and the spyder would be better for that.
@ Joe from CA - have you ever tried a strap like the BlackRapid? The clip slides freely and there's enough play on the strap that it doesn't get in the way at all, not for me, at least.
I am not too sure if I wanna let my D3S hangs and swings around my hips... Especially with the lens protruding out like that. Maybe I am just being too overprotective.
Call me paranoid, but even if I'm not hanging it from my neck or shoulder, I have my dslr's strap attached so that I can wrap it around my wrist while shooting. I have a feeling there's a good reason for them not showing straps on the cameras that are on the holsters...
Perhaps it is simply for those much more confident in their iron grip than I am.
Yeah, NO wonder they didnt show the strap, they must have something to hide......
Unless by strap you mean the long strappy thing the guy tucks into his belt at 1.03.
I may be wrong, what do you call those in the US??
I'd love to slam the shit out of my 5D Mark II on countertops, doorknobs, tables, and inconsiderate people. I can almost hear the sweet sound of my Speedlite snapping in half now.
I think this is more directed for photography in larger areas and more open photo shoots where it is convenient to have a place to rest the camera while working with a client or having a second camera hang while using the first. There are plenty of valid situations for this when you have a telephoto on one camera and a wide angle on the other so that one can easily switch between the two. I can list numerous situations where this would be highly useful if I had two camera bodies.
On the note of durability - a 5D mkII is no 1D but it is a pretty solid camera and you really shouldn't be worried about it, especially if you have L lenses on the end that can really take a beating and keep on working. I am careful, but after a while you just become so comfortable with and assured by the equipment that you can relax a little and just know that everything will survive an accident.
LA paparazzo rejoice.
I might try playing this game, looks like you can dual wield.
i wouldnt hand my expensive gear in that thing.. what if i fell on the ground and hit the lens or something.. :S
nono, straps is the shit
What if you fell on the ground with a neck strap on.??
I spose you could protect your cameras with your hands. Dental work is probably cheaper to replace anyway.
Am I the only one missing a safety cord in case of touching or thieves?
Other wise it is the most practical thing I saw in long time.
There's a lock you can engage to prevent the camera from falling out or being ripped out...unless the thieves rip your pants off.
i sense this will be a real boon to the businesses of back doctors. is that about 5+ pounds weighing down one side of a persons hip as they walk? there really should be a way to distribute the weight evenly.
This is the number 1 way to get shot by mistake.
Get the burden off your shoulders and onto your hip
Don't like it... I like the camera higher and more centered. It's gonna flop all over the place there, I guarantee I will break something the way that is positioned. I don't use straps, I use lanyards that are attached various places
Ah'm lookin' fer the man who shot mah paw...
FYI - Pros beat the crap out of their gear. I remember freelancing for a top fotog in Seattle. I show up with my baby (D200) on the first shoot - Strap, padded backpack for all my lenses etc etc. He shows up with his D3 and D700 and all the glass in a freakin messenger bag. When I changed lenses I'd carefully dig out and replace the caps etc etc. He'd just stand one up on end - no caps at all and grab the one standing next to it. I always wondered about dust issues on the lens but never remembered to ask. On the go the bodies were just shoved in the bag. Nikon and Canon know this is how the pros (people who's main source of income is shooting, so a somewhat small field) treat their gear and build it accordingly. The first time I held a d700 and d40 at the same time was an eye opening day.
This thing looks legit for pros shooting multiple bodies on the go. I know I would look into it. I shot weddings with two bodies and this thing would have been HANDY to have on the go. Bottom line though is you often have to test it in the field to see how it integrates into your workflow. The best looking idea may just plain suck in the real world for a reason you didn't foresee.
I shoot a lot of rock climbing video hanging from ropes and slings, and that is about the only type of situation I can see this coming in handy, and only during breaks/adjustments. Otherwise, it looks almost as cheese Louise as that laptop holder that keeps it at waist level.
Video narration courtesy of Emasculated Commentary , Inc.
I guess when a mainstream site tries to talk about something meant for pros there are always going to be a lot of ridiculous comments with no understanding at all about the subject. When you are using a camera that looks similar to what is pictured, you will understand the need for this.
At first glance this looks like the perfect thing for me. I'm a commercial shooter, so never use a strap--ever---on my camera. Commercial means I'm frequently climbing up ladders, scaffolds, out on a limb, etc. and this looks like a perfect gadget when you need 2 hands to maneuver around, or you're carrying something else like a tripod, ladder, wearing gloves, etc---or if you need 2 hands for anything and don't want to set your camera in the mud or snow or dust or rain. If I can keep my tripod plate on the bottom of this---I'm all set.
Is it just me, or does the name "Spider Belt” sound like a cheep knock off of Batman’s utility belt?
Bonus feature, it Pulls your pants DOWN!
This system is designed for a WORKING photog, not a paranoid amateur. Having your cameras within reach is priceless for action shooting when changing lenses is impractical or just not fast enough. Let's see how the clips work, I might get one for shooting myself. If you are looking for a transportation solution for your "nest egg" - this is not it.
I use something similar. A Cotton Carrier (http://www.cottoncarrier.com/index.html) puts more of the weight onto your shoulders. I used it for the first time at a wedding this past weekend. FAR more effective than straps. I had the Black Rapid setup and hated that.
Love that I can take off the second camera loop and put it onto my belt for when I'm just out shooting casually.
Just what I need, my heavy camera giving me charlie-horses all day. I'll stick to Black Rapid straps.