Kickstarter: CAMS Pro Camera Plate and Strap

The creators of Carry And Mount System (CAMS) and the heavily pro-focused CAMS Pro Camera Plate and Strap have returned to Kickstarter seeking funding to expand their lineup of products to better suit the needs of mirrorless and compact DSLR cameras. The last time they were on Kickstarter was back in 2014 and we reviewed their original CAMS Pro. This campaign features two new plates, the CAMS Standard and CAMS Mini, as well as two new straps, the CAMS Minima and the CAMS Pelle leather strap.

• CAMS Standard and Mini Plates – all the goodness and integrated functionality of the CAMS Pro Camera plate, downsized to fit virtually any camera: Arca-Swiss style quick release clamp compatibility, 1/4"-20 hole for monopods and other accessories, and a locking quick-disconnect fastener for sling strap. Incorporating a few years worth of feedback on the Pro Camera Plate has lead to the inclusion of hex key stowage for plate removal in the field, SD card storage for convenient on-the-go backup, a center indicator on the Arca-Swiss-style dovetail for precise tripod shooting, a hand strap attachment loop, and most importantly, easy access to the battery door without removing the plate attachment all in a sleek, 12mm thin package. The Standard Plate offers a wider body for stability on and off a tripod while the Mini Plate ensures convenient access to the battery on a wide range of cameras.
• CAMS Minima Strap - This military-grade webbing-based strap folds into a pocket-sized bundle yet offers easy length adjustment and can accommodate pretty much any torso with its unique design. Quickly shorten your strap for on-the-go stability or lengthen it for shooting freedom. This minimalist design works best with lighter cameras but it is strong enough to handle a pro DSLR and lens.
• CAMS Pelle Strap - Add some missing style and class to the act of carrying your camera. In the same avant-garde spirit as the Minima Strap, this full-grain leather sling with nickel-plated hardware and rivets and embossed CAMS logos is intended to be subtle, bordering on discreet, yet clearly not your ordinary camera strap. Two sizes accommodate most torsos using the simple belt-style adjustment.

Review: CAMS Pro Sling Strap, Camera and Lens Plate

Overview : Carry And Mount System (CAMS) started off with the simple goal of mating a bottom-mounted sling strap to a camera in a way that would not interfere with using a vertical shooting grip. We did not set out to develop a plate that was Arca-compatible and made the vertical grip more comfortable to use, but when we mounted the first machined prototypes, we found that we had surpassed our original intent by far. Fortunately, we did not stop there. Involving other photographers led us to rethinking the strap and strap connection and adding the threaded insert (which seems so obvious now). Using hindsight to our advantage, the lens plate evolved quickly into a natural companion of the camera plate, as essential to the system as the telephoto lens is to the photographer.

Each component of CAMS is designed to offer the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and strength.

CAMS Pro Sling Strap Features :

• Ergonomics - Curved neoprene strap with internal reinforcement lightens a heavy load
• Strength – Quick Disconnect Fastener holds hundreds of pounds yet offers unmatched simplicity to release
• Style - Unique quilting pattern adds pop without being distracting
• Convenience - Velcro strap manager keeps strap bulk to a minimum and grippy underside keeps the strap where it belongs
• Homegrown – 100% made in USA

CAMS Pro Camera Plate Features :

• Ergonomics – low profile design fits comfortably under your hand when using vertical grip
• Precision Forged Construction – eliminates excessive machining while yielding a stronger part
• Strength –7075-T6 aluminum is almost twice as strong as standard 6061-T6
• Quick connect to tripod – no need to remove strap or install another plate to mount on Arca Swiss style screw and lever quick release clamps
• Quick connect to monopod or other accessory – plate includes a durable ¼-20 Time-Sert steel thread insert
• Strapless at the push of a button – integrated socket for quick disconnect fastener lets you ditch the strap in a flash
• Hard Anodized – ultra-hard finish on plate stands up to abuse
• Homegrown – Plate forged overseas. All other components sourced stateside.
• Hidden Safety Stops – Dovetail plate has unique built-in safety stop feature removing the need for protruding stop screws
• Seamlessly integrates with your camera – black finish and textured grips* match most DSLRs. Battery compartment remains easily accessed
• Convenience - Camera remains stable sitting on flat surface

CAMS Pro Lens Plate Features :

• Ergonomics – low profile design fits comfortably in your hand when supporting telephoto lens by tripod foot
• Precision Forged Construction – eliminates excessive machining while yielding a stronger part
• Strength –7075-T6 aluminum is almost twice as strong as standard 6061-T6
• Quick connect to tripod – no need to install another plate to mount on Arca Swiss style screw and lever quick release clamps
• Quick connect to monopod or other accessory – plate includes a durable ¼-20 Time-Sert steel thread insert
• Hard Anodized – ultra-hard finish on plate stands up to abuse
• Homegrown – Plate forged overseas. All other components sourced stateside

Kickstarter: CAMS Pro Sling Strap, Camera Plate, & Lens Plate

If you haven't noticed by now, we love to help and support Kickstarter programs. We personally love to see new innovative products. We were just informed of a new Kickstarter program called CAMS Pro Sling Strap, Camera Plate and Lens Plate. Yes, there is plenty of sling straps out already out there but CAMS Pro aims to revolutionize the way you carry, shoot and mount your pro bodied or gripped camera (yes, it still works for non-gripped bodies as well) by making it more comfortable when you have a strap attached to your camera.

For more information about the CAMS Pro Sling Strap, Camera Plate and Lens Plate, or to place your pledge, visit their Kickstarter page.

We're hoping to review the CAMS Pro and be able to share it with our readers.

The CAMS Pro line of a products is a revolutionary way to carry, shoot, and mount your pro bodied or gripped camera and telephoto lens.

Carry And Mount System started off with the simple goal of mating a bottom-mounted sling strap to a camera in a way that would not interfere with using a vertical shooting grip. We did not set out to develop a plate that was Arca-compatible and made the vertical grip more comfortable to use, but when we mounted the first machined prototypes, we found that we had surpassed our original intent by far. Fortunately, we did not stop there. Involving other photographers led us to rethinking the strap and strap connection and adding the threaded insert (which seems so obvious now). Using hindsight to our advantage, the lens plate evolved quickly into a natural companion of the camera plate, as essential to the system as the telephoto lens is to the photographer.

Each component of CAMS is designed to offer the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and strength. Here’s a piece by piece breakdown of how we achieved just that:

CAMS Pro Camera Plate

• Ergonomics – low profile design fits comfortably under your hand when using vertical grip
• Precision Forged Construction – eliminates excessive machining while yielding a stronger part
• Strength –7075-T6 aluminum is almost twice as strong as standard 6061-T6
• Quick connect to tripod – no need to remove strap or install another plate to mount on Arca Swiss style screw and lever quick release clamps
• Quick connect to monopod or other accessory – plate includes a durable ¼-20 Time-Sert steel thread insert
• Strapless at the push of a button – integrated socket for quick disconnect fastener lets you ditch the strap in a flash
• Hard Anodized – ultra-hard finish on plate stands up to abuse
• Homegrown – Plate forged overseas. All other components sourced stateside.
• Hidden Safety Stops – Dovetail plate has unique built-in safety stop feature removing the need for protruding stop screws
• Seamlessly integrates with your camera – black finish and textured grips* match most DSLRs. Battery compartment remains easily accessed
• Convenience - Camera remains stable sitting on flat surface

CAMS Pro Lens Plate

• Ergonomics – low profile design fits comfortably in your hand when supporting telephoto lens by tripod foot
• Precision Forged Construction – eliminates excessive machining while yielding a stronger part
• Strength –7075-T6 aluminum is almost twice as strong as standard 6061-T6
• Quick connect to tripod – no need to install another plate to mount on Arca Swiss style screw and lever quick release clamps
• Quick connect to monopod or other accessory – plate includes a durable ¼-20 Time-Sert steel thread insert
• Hard Anodized – ultra-hard finish on plate stands up to abuse
• Homegrown – Plate forged overseas. All other components sourced stateside

CAMS Pro Sling Strap

• Ergonomics - Curved neoprene strap with internal reinforcement lightens a heavy load
• Strength – Quick Disconnect Fastener holds hundreds of pounds yet offers unmatched simplicity to release
• Style - Unique quilting pattern adds pop without being distracting
• Convenience - Velcro strap manager keeps strap bulk to a minimum and grippy underside keeps the strap where it belongs
• Homegrown – 100% made in USA

*About those textured grips…The pre-production/prototype camera and lens plate grips shown have no textured applied. Part of your funding will go towards etching the injection molding tools to create the same leather-like texture used on your camera body’s grips.