Camera straps

[Manfred M]

I normally do not use a camera strap and either shoot strapless or if I'm out and about carry the body on a Cotton Carrier one or two camera vest (http://buy.cottoncarrier.com/2-camer...p/124rtl-d.htm) and use a single tether as a backup to prevent damage if I accidently drop the camera.

These are great as I never get a sore neck and never have a problem with the strap covering the viewfinder when I shoot. The system even has an integrated tripod mount (in my case Arca-Swiss plate), so I can easily shoot with my tripod (if I stick to landscape mode).

I've started shooting a lot more using an "L-bracket" with the tripod and my system breaks down when doing so and I really do need a more standard strap arrangement when shooting this way. I've jury-rigged my existing camera strap with rings to help, but frankly, I don't like the solution or the strap the camera came with.

I'm looking at getting a strap, but would prefer something that is more comfortable than the strap that came with the camera and would prefer something with some kind of a robust quick release system that allow me to shoot strapless when I start shooting.

I'm looking for something fairly heavy duty as I'm usually out with the full-frame D800 with battery grip and tend to have one of the heavy Nikon pro lenses on the camera. Any suggestions based on your experience?

Note: The tripod mount will be in use by the L-bracket or the Cotton carrier hub, so the only attachment points that I will be able to use are the strap mounting rings on the camera body. Based on some of the responses, I should have made that a bit more clear.

[chauncey]

My heavy gear is either mounted on my mobility scooter or carried by one of my kids...can't help ya.

[Carl in Louisiana]

I hated the strap that came with the 60D and the weight of the 17-55mm lens was killing my neck. I bought the Cinch with a plate and absolutely love it. Not sure how well it would work with heavier lenses, but it should do just as well. There use to be a video showing it's uses with a larger lens and may still be out there somewhere. When I took the plate off the first time it was a bit hard to remove as it stuck well to the camera and still does but I am use to it now. No sore neck now!

http://luma-labs.com/pages/cinch

I have the Cinch 2. The first had the video. They changed Cinch 2 up just a bit from the original. Cinch 2 does not have the little loop to pull on to expand the length of the strap or to draw it up. It still works the same though. Here is the video from the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFoiuy0GXus

[DanK]

I use two, each of which fits part of your description. The more comfortable of mine is a Crumpler Industry Disgrace. It's padded and contoured, but it does not have a quick release. The other is an OpTek, which comes in various combinations of short straps that clip to a removable shoulder pad. If you take off the pad, you are left with straps that dangle or can be clipped together, but at least it is less than a full strap. I needed the longer straps to make it fit me (6'1"). The padded part is foam, so more comfortable than the stock strap, but less comfortable than the Crumpler.

[ajohnw]

I'm not keen on straps as in days of old the mounting points on the camera used to work loose so always used 1/2 the usual leather case but these days they either don't do their job or interfere with the screen.

No choice now if needed. I kept an eye out on ebay for some new old stock and picked up one for Olympus that probably dates back to film days. Nice and wide. There used to be much wider after market ones about.

Quick release has defeated me too so far. There are certain things available from fishing tackle shops that would take the strain but not look too neat and as the rings on the camera are now triangular not work that well either. Ebay searching

paracord (shackle,buckle)

might come up with something.

Another option might be a different head for the tripod. Having bought one of their heads I have one of these on order

http://olivonmanufacturing.com/tripo...s/tripod-heads

The TRH-10. Unlike others they don't mess around so much with max loads and different quick release plates. The other one I have is the TRH-11. Panning it has to be fluid head like. Vertically there is a choice. I had no problems aiming a 200-500mm zoom on m 4/3 with it. I'm hoping that the 10 will be similar and not too much additional weight over a monopod.

Bag straps tend to be rather narrow as well these days. I use an old Exacta bag for my Canons and Troop London for the 4/3 stuff - heavy water proof canvas. The strap width could be wider really on the larger one I use but so far it's ok. The small one is ok with the camera and a few lenses in it.

John
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[Melkus]

Grumpy like you I shoot strapless as well but when I'm out say on vacation I've been using the BlackRapid RS-Sport Extreme Sport Strap well over a year now and can't say anything bad about it, I'm very happy with and it dose release quickly. For me it's the cat mellow but may not be your cup of tea just though I add this too the mix.

[paldon]

If you have a sewing machine, maybe this gives you some ideas:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1258319

[IzzieK]

I have the same system as you have -- the Cotton Carrier (minus the D800 of course...) but whenever I use it I feel like wearing a bullet proofed vest. I love the Cotton Carrier though but when I want to just carry strapless, I just use the hand strap in my camera and put my normal attachment for my tripod underneath so I can use my tripod as quick when I need it.

[ajohnw]

If you have a sewing machine, maybe this gives you some ideas:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1258319

I have sort of concluded I can't buy what I want but have looked all over the place for clips around the size shown without any luck. One day.

John
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[mknittle]

I use this one on a 7D http://optechusa.com/pro-strap.html It works a lot better than the one that came with the camera.
I want a Cotton carrier vest for all day excursions because my neck is not in as good shape as it used to be.

[DanK]

I use this one on a 7D http://optechusa.com/pro-strap.html It works a lot better than the one that came with the camera.
I want a Cotton carrier vest for all day excursions because my neck is not in as good shape as it used to be.

My Optech is like that one but I think with the longer straps. The drawback is that when you remove the neckpiece, you still have long straps dangling. Would be much better if they put the clips nearer the camera body.

I also have the cotton carrier and use it sometimes because I have a bad back. It works very well for that, but it is a PITA to change plates (which is necessary) and, if you want the strap not to dangle, to remove the strap and add the hand strap.

[mknittle]

My Optech is like that one but I think with the longer straps. The drawback is that when you remove the neckpiece, you still have long straps dangling. Would be much better if they put the clips nearer the camera body.

I also have the cotton carrier and use it sometimes because I have a bad back. It works very well for that, but it is a PITA to change plates (which is necessary) and, if you want the strap not to dangle, to remove the strap and add the hand strap.

I agree about the OPTECH straps. That was my first thought but I guess I got used to it as I haven't noticed lately

What "plates" are you referring to? And do you still think it is worth the hassle?

Mark,

[rpcrowe]

I have standardized on the PacSafe CarrySafe 100 camera safety strap for general travel photography shooting:
http://pacsafe.com/carrysafe-100-ant...t-camera-strap
The camera I carry around my neck which usually wears the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens.

I carry my second camera, wearing the 70-200mm f/4L IS lens, at my left hip in a Holster Case. I have a Herringbone hand strap attached to this camera. It is easy to reach for the camera in the holster case, take it out, use it and replace it. I have a generic round lens hood on the 70-200mm lens which facilitates removing and replacing the camera quite easily.

I have carried my cameras in several different ways, including the OPTECH Dual Harness. However, IMO, this one camera around my neck with the second camera in the holster case is less obtrusive and will attract less attention from would be thieves.

The only problem with this configuration is that I cannot carry both cameras with flashes attached. I shoot a lot of my imagery with fill flash. The OPTECH Dual Harness allows me to carry both cameras with flashes attached. I decide beforehand whether safety from theft or ease of shooting is paramount.

BTW: I do love the Herringbone strap. It fits my hand better than the less expensive hand straps I have used...

[DanK]

I agree about the OPTECH straps. That was my first thought but I guess I got used to it as I haven't noticed lately

What "plates" are you referring to? And do you still think it is worth the hassle?

Mark,

Mark,

I'm referring to the camera quick release plate. I almost always have an arca-swiss compatible plate on my camera, but I have to remove it and replace it with the Cotton Carrier one. One of the cotton carrier plates combines their connection and an arca-swiss dovetail, one could leave that on, but it would be a bit awkward for regular use.

I was wrong about OpTech. It turns out they do offer straps with connectors both at the camera and padded strap end, so you can detach the strap and have only small connectors dangling: http://optechusa.com/system-connecto...ptor-loop.html

[NorthernFocus]

I use and optech strap. It is wide, padded and comfortable but that equates to hot. You still have the issue of having the weight hanging around your neck which get tiring. It has the quick connect buckles to remove the padded part of the strap and they were thoughtful enough to reverse the buckles so the short pieces that remain attached to the camera can buckle together. It is still a PITA if you need to shoot in verticle format.

I hate straps

[RustBeltRaw]

I wasn't impressed with my OpTech. Used it twice before cracking the plastic strap buckles. To be fair, I was urbexing, which is tough on gear. I looked at Black Rapid after that, but wound up deciding to make my own sling.

The pad is 0.25in neoprene bonded to 1200-denier Cordura with a PALS web for attaching small bits of gear (white balance filter, flash battery pack, card wallet, etc.). Extra wide and quite long for comfort. It uses forged aluminum Cobra quick-releases on the front and rear, with brass snap shackles holding the camera. Camera releases have large, bright orange Paracord pulls for easy release.





All stitched and assembled in my basement from raw materials. I've been using this prototype continuously for about 18 months. Apart from a damaged lens when I didn't assemble the camera connection properly, I've been very pleased with it. The neoprene pad is likely to warm up one's shoulder, but it's tough as nails, doesn't slip, and is quite comfortable.

So far, this is the only one. I made a new version of my custom vertical-horizontal hand strap for a friend, but no requests for the strap itself. Yet. About to make a second, linked version for a dual-camera sling system.

[mknittle]

Mark,

I'm referring to the camera quick release plate. I almost always have an arca-swiss compatible plate on my camera, but I have to remove it and replace it with the Cotton Carrier one. One of the cotton carrier plates combines their connection and an arca-swiss dovetail, one could leave that on, but it would be a bit awkward for regular use.

Thanks Dan,

I was wrong about OpTech. It turns out they do offer straps with connectors both at the camera and padded strap end, so you can detach the strap and have only small connectors dangling: http://optechusa.com/system-connecto...ptor-loop.html

[kdoc856]

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Shoulder.../ref=pd_cp_p_2

I love this thing, and hike with it regularly. It has a quick release, but I rarely need to remove it as the camera is attached to a fre-moving slide. I often have about 6 lbs. on it and still find it quite comfortable.

[loosecanon]

There is a never right solution, but for clumsy me I have found the pouch case over the shoulder best for carrying the camera, easy to pull the camera out quickly, and when I pull camera out I slip on a wrist strap which acts as back up if I slip or stumble. The pouch protects the camera from knocks and dirt, (don't need a lens cap in the pouch) and only takes a couple of seconds to get the camera out.
OK, so it doesn't tell everyone I am "wearing" an expensive camera and lens, but then I take care of my tools.

[Dr Bob]

I am with others here, there is not single perfect strap. Kinda like tripods. However, on a recent vacation in September I bought the OpTech Utility Sling Strap and the SLR Wrist Strap. The wrist strap is great for shorter walks or shoots close to the car. The sling strap is good for further distances to carry your camera. The only drawback is the camera may swing depending on your activity leve but you can stabilize it various ways. The other thing is with the Optech attachment system, it is easy to unclip and clip the camera to each strap quickly. They are also not very expensive.

Dr Bob