Review: BlackRapid Cross Shot

I came across the BlackRapid Cross-Shot during one of my basic photography sessions with Jo Avila. Found it as a solution to the neck pain the standard camera strap gives you. Luckily, Jo allowed me to try it on. As a bonus, all former students of Jo Avila get a discount card with all his sponsors [Photobomb- for all your camera gear], valid for one year.

Well, I did my research before deciding to buy. Finally, it was the perfect birthday gift for myself (dad paid for it actually) during a trip to Quiapo last October 2014. 

The SRP for the BlackRapid Cross Shot is 2150Php or $48 but it's on sale @ Watson Photo for... guess what? 1600Php or $36! What a bargain indeed!

To objectively review this, I tested the Cross-Shot on 2 events: The WTA Finals @ SG last Oct 21-27, 2014 and my cousin's wedding last 9 Nov 2014.

Pros:

• Easily locks any SLR camera in place. Just twist the fastener tripod until it locks. 
• An added safety feature is the BlackRapid Lockstar- ConnectR Swivel Hook Cover to prevent the hook from opening.
• The shoulder rubber pad is made from sturdy material. It stays in place so your SLR camera is secure even when you move. The shoulder pad can be used on either side of the body and it won't bother with your clothes.
• Two plastic fasteners on the Cross-Shot allows one to secure the length of the SLR; how much you want to swing it high or low in use or while walking.

Neutral:

• The first time I used it, there was a tendency for the strap to twist whenever I would remove it from my body (ex. toilet breaks or my partner would use it). However, that seemed to be resolved during the wedding without doing anything special.

Cons: 

• May not be for petite people. My gf who is 5'0" and weighs about 100 lbs says it's heavy.
• Any broken or missing parts may prove to be more expensive than replacing the whole Cross Shot. I don't mind if its $10, but if its $20, I'm better of buying a brand new Cross Shot.

Final Verdict:

• The BlackRapid Cross Shot is a great SLR strap, considering its quality, safety features, and price. Also, I can easily shoot all I want while walking and running, since it is secured. Definitely, this strap will remove your neck pain as the weight is distributed; similar to a messenger bag. However, petite persons may find it heavy. I suggest you go ahead and try it out yourself from a friend or go to your nearest camera store. Overall, I give it a 4.5 stars! 

 Seller's info:

• Watson Photo is having a BlackRapid strap sale on some models @ 25% off. Location: 312 P.Gomez St., cor. R. Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila. Phone# 733-7697 and look for Jackson or Philip (the latter is the brother of Ramon, Mayer Photo). Call first to know which BlackRapid straps are on sale and which ones are in-stock. Cash transactions only.
• To get to Carriedo, coming from Cubao. You can take a jeep or FX that says Quiapo. Or like me, I take a tricycle to LRT 2 and take the LRT 2 to Recto, switch to LRT 1 at Doroteo Jose stn, then get off at Carriedo. Go inside SM Carriedo and exit at the other side, where you will see Watson Photo.

Basic Photography Class with Jo Avila

Recently, I just finished my Basic Photography Class by Jo Avila. My interest in photography was sparked due to my partner's love for the craft, we're set to watch the WTA Finals in Singapore this Oct 2014, and a series of unfortunate events:

Took my old but trusty point and shoot Sony W300 camera to Bohol (2013) and Dubai (2014) trips and the memory card got corrupted. Hence, only some photos remained. Since the camera is 5 yrs old, I think it's time to replace it- that's another topic.

I don't have plans to be a pro, but a hobbyist who knows how to take the 'right' photos, not just the centered, touristy types, and to learn something new. Maybe an events photographer on the side at most.

So I searched the internet for photography classes, and Jo's caught my eye due to the ff:

1. Location- 15 Gold Bldg., Annapolis St., Greenhills, San Juan City
2. Affordability- as an anniversary promo, he's giving 50% discount to prospective students @ 3,000Php for 4 Saturdays (1 month split into 3 half days and the last day is a whole day class). Lunch included for the last day. At times, he hosts special classes, which are only 2 Saturdays of the month, for those who are busy.
3. Experience- He's been in the business for 18 years now and is a Canon EOS Ambassador. Although I didn't know him prior, I've read good feedback from past students. Best of all, one can take make-up classes and numerous refresher classes for FREE!

So, I decided to drop Jo an e-mail and inquire. Grateful that he allowed me to catch on Sept 13 (missed the 6th Sept class), I joined and paid the fee on the spot.

Jo is really a passionate photographer and teacher. He teaches in a way that you will easily remember what he says and apply them when you start doing it on your own. As a newbie, I found all the concepts overwhelming, but after all the classes, I started digesting them.

Jo Avila doing the Canon Ambassador pose for white balance testing on my Nikon D5200

The best way to know you are learning is to incorporate these in your snaps or paying it forward. By sharing some pointers with my partner, who learned the craft from her dad.
She works in Singapore and tries to go out and photography on a weekly basis. So on a Skype call, I would critique her photo and say- don't tilt your camera while shooting, use your feet or legs to get closer to the subject.

Recently, she took photos on overcast skies, she used ISO 100. The photos looked underexposed. So, I suggested that she try using ISO 400 because the higher ISO will make up for the overcast skies.

Also, Jo is a certified critique. During the post processing class, I took a 'straight' photo of my dad (flat on flat, photo to follow) and he reminded me to put an angle to it, and how to shoot horizontally, among others. I guess that's the consequence of missing the first class, which I duly made up for last Oct 11.

Ask away in class, and Jo is happy to answer them. When he doesn't have a photo shoot after, he'll stay over at his studio and you can just keep firing away.

He's a practical adviser- the finer points he gives are common sense in photography lingo. Also, he doesn't encourage students to keep buying new gear. What he does is to tell his students to buy the stuff that they need (ex. cleaning kit, camera strap), and to keep learning with the lens that they already have (kit lens or whatever you have). The point is, he wants you to master your gear before transitioning to a new lens or getting a new SLR.

Just bring your SLR/CSC Camera to the class! Jo is a Canon Ambassador, but he will teach you how to work with your camera. I own a Nikon D5200 and it was cool with him.
 
Overall, I've got to give Jo Avila a 5-star rating. He's a cool and practical teacher and emphasizes to improve your skill with your current gear. It was totally worth it!

As a bonus, students will receive a Jo Avila discount card. This avails his students a year's worth of discounts from his sponsors, from Canon to various gear and others.

 PS: Here's a sample of my own post processed photo: