SpiderPro System Review – Single Camera Holster
If you're looking for a way to carry your camera on your hip, check out this SpiderPro Single Camera System Review. Great for avoiding back pain!
By Athol Hill
I personally don’t like camera straps when I run dual cameras, hence the reason I have a preference for holsters.
Camera holsters allow you to secure cameras and forget about them until you need them. Above all, you don’t have to worry about stability issues like your camera swinging into a wall when you change direction in a rush…and I rush more than I need to.
I started using holsters a little over two years ago when I picked up a Spiderlight for my Fujifilm gear. It did a great job for me with events, offering an easy way to carry my dual gripped bodies and pro lenses. Some of the sports and charity events I work on can take up to 8 hours so your shoulders start to take some strain with straps.
Comfortable, strap-free solution to carrying your camera. No more back or neck pain!
When I transitioned back to full-frame, the heavier glass meant I started to suffer using the Spiderlight. It’s not a fault with the product itself, it’s just not designed to carry a big gripped camera comfortably for 4-6 hours with big glass attached.
As a result, I looked at the SpiderPro Single Camera System v2 as a natural progression, which added padding and a more comfortable belt for my heavier gear. Here’s my review.
SpiderPro Single Camera System v2 Specs
- Comfortable to carry even with heavier portrait and telephoto lenses
- Cross product compatibility
- Good security features ensuring your gear is secure whilst working
- Camera plate adds bulk to the camera making it harder for inserting or removing from camera bags
- The holster look may not appeal to all photographers.
- Camera plate makes camera unstable when resting on a table and has to be rested on its side with the plate attached
- Recommended Weight Range: 5+ lbs (2.25+ kg)
- Belt Length: 28-50″ (71-127cm)
- System Weight: 1.62 lbs (727g)
- Construction: Durable Stainless Steel & Aluminum
Build & Appearance
The key components you’ll find in your kit, the SpiderPro Holster and SpiderPro Plate
The SpiderPro Single Camera System v2 comes packaged with all the components you’ll need to get going. SpiderPro also offers a dual holster version. In the box you will find:
- SpiderPro Belt with a holster already attached
- SpiderPro Camera plate with Allen Wrench
For those who haven’t seen these in action, the SpiderPro Single Camera System is a belt, holster and a camera plate. The plate attaches to your camera using a small ball and socket type attachment to carry the camera on your belt.
The belt has a rugged construction with high-quality stitching. The metal plate offers high-quality construction with no visible machine marks. The plate has a rubber section on the bottom to prevent slipping when attached to your camera.
Both look and feel like premium quality accessories, and I have no concerns over equipment failure with heavier gear.
My SpiderLight gear has been used heavily over the last two years with only visible cosmetic wear and tear.
In addition, one thing I really like with SpiderPro is the cross-model compatibility. You can use different SpiderPro models interchangeably with each other making the transition to the pro a lot cheaper if you already have existing SpiderPro gear.
In my case, it means the investment I made in my SpiderPro Arca clamps and SpiderLight wasn’t wasted with the SpiderPro.
Ease of Use
The SpiderPro sits comfortably for hours with big lenses like my Sigma 35mm f/1.2 ART
Using the SpiderPro Single Camera System is pretty simple: Attach the plate to your camera using the provided hex key, put on the belt and you’re good to go.
When you want to remove it, you just lift the camera up, depending on whether you set the switch to allow for it.
When you are finished, you slot it back in and you’re done. It’s probably an oversimplification as there are some hidden features with the SpiderPro so let’s get into those.
Starting with the belt, there is adjustable military webbing with velcro which makes it easy to get the size perfect, and it’s soft and comfortable.
That in itself would be good enough for most people, but the people at SpiderPro were smart enough to include a security lock in the buckle so you can’t accidentally open it.
The belt does stretch a little with the first use so be prepared to tighten it after that. It could also be a side effect of carrying gripped cameras with my Sigma ART 135mm f/1.8 and Sigma ART 35mm f/1.2 for 5 hours.
On the holster itself, there is a soft pad that is comfortable even with heavier lenses like my Sigma Art 35mm f/1.2 or Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6.
It also has a small retention switch that allows you to lock it down to prevent accidental drops or potentially someone snatching the camera.
The plate has a location to store your Allen wrench, a valuable addition if you don’t want the added bulk of the SpiderPro permanently attached to your camera.
The design allows you to relocate the Spider Pin to either side of the plate depending on whether you are carrying it on your left or right.
Value for Money
The SpiderPro holster is compatible with their other Spider Holster components including the SpiderPro Arca Clamp and Spiderlight Holster
The SpiderPro Single Camera System retails for around $150 or just over $250 if you buy the dual holster version, which seems reasonable for the quality you are getting.
Pricing isn’t far off the competitors, most of which don’t include a belt in their offering, so comparatively, they are priced in a good place.
If you’re a regular tripod or L plate user, I would recommend considering SpiderPro’s Arca clamp. This allows you to continue using your regular Arca plate and attach the clamp as required.
This also gives you the flexibility of using a standard Arca lens plate although SpiderPro offers a lens plate equivalent. I think if you haven’t already invested in an Arca plate, get the Spider Arca plate and if you have, get the Spider clamp.
Whilst I’ve been using a single Pro strap with a SpiderLight, I think I’ll be adding a second SpiderPro holster to match.
SpiderPro Single Camera System v2 Review | Conclusion
As far as carrying heavy camera gear for extended periods, SpiderPro will be at the top of my list, be it holsters or straps.
It offers a great balance of comfort and security that allows you to swap cameras quickly and easily.
As mentioned above, I’ll probably add a second SpiderPro holster for events, as my Sigma Art lenses aren’t light, but I’ll continue to use the SpiderLight on my belt on lighter carry days.
Comfortable, strap-free solution to carrying your camera. No more back or neck pain!
Disclaimer: All recommendations are impartial and based on user experience, with no bias to the products or the brand. The products in this post may contain affiliate links.
Athol Hill is a sports and portrait photographer based in Melbourne, Australia
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