Camera Strap Review and Comparison Black Rapid vs Holdfast Moneymaker vs Spider Holster

Holdfast MoneyMaker B&H Description:
Hold two cameras comfortably at your hips, and one by your chest with this medium Money Maker Three-Camera Harness with Silver Hardware by HoldFast Gear made of tan English Bridle leather. For comfortable wear and shooting, the straps of the harness lie in an "X" pattern across your back for added support. The Speed Clutch mechanism allows the camera to slide along the harness to eye level easily.
To secure your gear to the harness, the system includes two Camera Holdfast Accessory Clips that screw into the 1/4-20" tripod threads of each camera or lens. There are two metal D-rings on the front straps of the harness, and two on the back. By attaching the included Camera Leashes to the D-rings on the front, you are able to carry a third camera on the harness. Each Camera Leash also has a D-ring at the top, allowing you to attach even more accessories to the front of your harness. You can attach an HF Luggage Tag Wallet, or yet another Camera Leash to these extra D-rings for holding a lens or pouch.
The regular size Money Maker provides the best fit for people between 5'8" and 6'2" in height. The Money Maker Three-Camera Harness is made in the USA and backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturer's defects.
Designed to hold a camera on the left and right side of your body at hip level. A third camera can be attached to the harness by snapping the included Camera Leashes into the D-rings on the front of the harness.
Speed Clutch mechanism allows you to slide each camera smoothly from your side, up to eye level to shoot.
Includes two Camera Holdfast Accessory Clips that screw into the 1/4-20" tripod threads of your cameras.
Six metal D-rings permit you to attach accessories.
English Bridle leather is made in a process where only the best grades of leather are stuffed with grease and finished with wax. One side has a smooth, flesh texture and the other has a grainy texture.

Spider Holster: (B&H description)
The SpiderPro Dual Camera System improves upon the Single Camera system with the addition of another SpiderPro Holster, Plate and Pin. It includes a belt made from webbing materials similar to those used in army/police equipment. The belt features a triple-lock buckle and fits most waists with its adjustable 28 - 50" (71.1 - 127 cm) size. The rest of the package consists of a pad for comfort, 2 holsters, 2 camera plates and 2 pins. Using this system, you can remain hands-free while your DSLR hangs at your side, waiting for that grab shot. The SpiderPro belt holds the entire rig, the holsters hold the cameras, the cast aluminum alloy plates attach to the tripod sockets of your cameras and let you easily connect your quick-release for tripod use, and the stainless steel pins attach to the plates. The entire assembly slides into the holsters, which secure to the belt using Spider's 2-position triple lock buckle system. Your cameras stay at your side while retaining complete freedom of movement.
When the cameras are slid into the holster, they lock into place. When placed into the upper portion of the holster, they're ready to be drawn as soon as the lock releases - just as if you were wearing a holstered pistol. This heavy-duty system is targeted at the "run-and-gun" shooter who is constantly on the prowl for that "keeper".

Black Rapid B&H Description:
This BlackRapid Double Breathe Camera Harness accommodates two cameras by allowing them to hang from the right and left shoulders. The cameras can then rest upside-down along both the right and left hips so they can be quickly raised for use. Even when connected to two large cameras with their attached lenses, the Double Breathe remains comfortable to wear due to its resilient and breathable mesh pads which cushion the back and shoulders. The pads' structure optimizes air circulation between the wearer and the harness, which works to remove and minimize perspiration in warm and hot environments. For those with a thin or small build, the Double Slim Breathe Camera Harness can be chosen for a better fit.
To attach to a camera or a lens, both of the Double Breathe Camera Harness' webbings feature a durable, brass and zinc-alloy CR-3 ConnectR locking carabiner. Also provided is a BlackRapid FR-5 FastenR Breathe for every carabiner. Each FR-5 FastenR Breathe creates a connection point using a camera or lens's 1/4"-20 tripod mount and has a large, integrated D-ring for easy use with BlackRapid webbings that utilize a CR-3 ConnectR.

[michaeljcharlesphotography]

After 19 years of being a full time wedding photographer, carrying two DSLR's with battery grips and flashes over my shoulders I got a slipped disc. My pilot friend recommended his massage therapist to get me back on my feet. I went and she decompressed my spine - essentially giving me back another inch of height after 4 sessions. She agreed that carrying cameras all day long on my shoulders was a huge factor in compressing my spine. We discussed pt exercises as well as finding a system that would enable me to carry my cameras on my hips to prevent this from happening again. This is how I found the Spider system. Excited to put them to use and not put myself through spinal compression sessions any longer!

[karstenf.]

A few years ago I started to have really bad back pain and i checked with my Doc and he told me to get rid of any weight on my shoulder. I was using the Black Rapid and the Sunbounce, single and double Versions. So I looked around and found the Spyder Holster. Ever since than I don't have issues with my Back anymore and a really fast System what holds my Cameras in a safe place. To avoid any problems while my Cameras are in my hands, I checked on Handstraps and found the Peak Design Handstrap the best for me. Really a perfect Combination for Weddings and Events and I even use it in the Studio. Straps are killing your spine, ask you doc.

[local]

Holdfast Moneymaker, sold. just started working with two bodies and this was the best video I've seen covering these. I'm not for the belt given what I do in events but the Holdfast Moneymaker is perfect for me.

[picardbridge]

One of the most comprehensive and informative review videos I have seen on YouTube. Keep up the good work, Robert! I am about to make the jump from a single sling to a double and I am weighing up the Holdfast.

[BlueBoyof]

I usually put the camera I don't use as often on the spider holster and the main camera on a peak design strap. works great for me on weddings

[tw]

As someone else mentioned, the SpiderPro Hand Strap solves your security issue as your hand slips inside the strap as you retrieve or secure the camera in the Spider holster. The strap is secure in case someone bumps you.

[ronaldstilting]

I have been using the Spider-holster (-knock-off-)-bracket fixed on the left strap of my Lowepro backpack in combination with a Blackrapid (-knock-of-) slingstrap. It is great to fix the camera to the backpack when moving around more actively but you normally have the camera hanging on the cross-body slingstrap. When I added an additional handstrap it was almost perfect. I am now changing to the Peak Design now because the massive pin from the Spider-bracket makes is difficult to store the camera in a bag, makes it difficult to hold it and clumsy when you want to change to tripod-use.

[makatron]

The spider holster with a handstrap is the perfect combo for long weddings

[Mpactpics]

Thank you. Exactly the information I was looking for. I really appreciate you getting detailed about differences, pro, or con and how it affected your experience. Top notice advice. 📸🌞

[Diamondimagesphoto]

Thanks very much for taking the time out to make that. I found it very informative.
All the best,
sd :)

[CitadelPhotography]

i have never had my camera knocked out of my hands in 12 year of full time weddings. I'll go with the spider system. Thanks.

[prochenmedia]

This has very helpful. I love the fact that you where detailed in your vedio. Keep it up.

[dsloan]

I modified my Black Rapid straps with RRS clamps...left my RRS L-Plates on my bodies and now I can get them on and off fast!

[rsadeghian]

BlackRapid gives me back pain each time I used it. I'm going to tryout the leather one. Thanks for the comparison

[kevinrtres]

Thanks for this remarkable review - just what I wanted to check out!
I do have the black rapid straps and so after seeing this review went to check them out again and found that there's a clip that adjusts how far back the camera hangs on the straps. So after moving the clip right back - loosening and moving it towards the back of the strap - i was able to adjust how the cameras hung from the shoulders - whether towards the front, giving you the pull on the front of the shoulders or neutrally balanced or just sitting on the side of the buttocks as with the hold fast straps.
I also checked and saw that the straps themselves can be adjusted for hanging height so one can basically make them as short as the hold fast ones as well if desired.
This made them incredibly comfortable. Plus if I really, really wanted to have a quick release as with the HoldFasts, I could simply clip in a Pelican Clip instead. Also if carrying only one camera, the single configuration works wonders.

So my takeaway is that after watching the video I was considering all the benefits of the HoldFasts and then discovered that I can customize the Black Rapids to suit.
So - if you have the Black Rapids, don't bother spending all that money on the Hold Fasts.

You have everything you need already!.

[pemtax]

Second vote for the Spider Holster's new SpiderPro handstrap ... it's the answer to the security issue.

[bryk]

I use Rebel East strap which is basically MoneyMaker type of strap. It's great. I also have couple of BlackRapid straps but anything like MoneyMaker will always win. It's not only utility. It's also high quality and looks. Yes, as a wedding photographer I pay a lot of attention to how my potential clients see me.

[charlieross-BRM]

I was following another photographer at a Remembrance Day because we were both moving around shooting the service. She had what I'm pretty sure was a Black Rapid Double Breathe harness which caught my attention by how well it blended in with her sharp looking dark green tunic and stayed in place like it was proper kit. I haven't seen any other harness that would be that inconspicuous. I'd never heard of the brand until that time.

[MikeRollerson]

I started with the BlackRapid (the single and dual-straps, using up to 4 cameras at once!) and loved it for the longest time.. but after a few hours you really start to feel the weight and a few years ago it actually detached from the camera (unscrewing it while walking). Camera was fine but the flash transmitter was destroyed. I also found issues where it would tend to swing around and hit things.

I switched to the SpiderHolster Pro a few years ago and added 3 extra camera holsters to the belt (making it hold 4 total) and have loved it. It's a bit scary at first since you need to make sure the camera "clicks in" each time, but I've been able to walk around for full days without any issues with weight from it and the cameras hold in place and seem secure.

[kindywoodandiron]

Awesome review! Thanks! I was already going to build my own leather double harness, you have cemented my choice.