all about straps...

[sepiareverb]

Domke gripper with swivels. They don't twist or tangle, stay on my shoulder regardless of what I'm wearing, and are fairly cool on the neck in summer heat. They last well too. I've replaced my first two straps, both after about 18 years of use. In both cases the gripper had become sticker. Same thing happened to the gripper on my F2 bag, same vintage.

 

[wjlapier]

I've tried many many straps over the years and have finally settled on Luigi straps. I like the neck pad for heavier cameras like the Canon FTb.

 

[Jim Domke]

Slipping off the shoulder

Slipping off the shoulder

Biggest problem with the camera strap was the camera slidding off the shoulder. I tried naugahyde, but it really didn't hold. I don't throw the strap over my head, this makes it too hard to quickly raise the camera up and shoot. The Domke Gripper solves the problem with the rubber threads woven into the thick cotton webbing. 1-inch or 1-1/2 inch wide they clip to short 1/2 inch nylon webbing links to hook up the camera. It's nice to be able to unclip the strap when you are carrying it under a heavy winter coat or when it is attached to a tripod, etc.

 

[cz23]

I've got a Domke Gripper and it's pretty good. But to prevent slip, there's nothing like Upstraps. I've used them for years on cameras and bags. Thin, comfortable, and zero slip. Unless you want stylish, they're about perfect.

John

 

[oftheherd]

I often just use whatever strap came with the camera if it is a 35mm. But for bags and the Super Press 23, I do want a wider (70s style 😀) strap. Used to always carry an aluminum Velbon tripod that had an extra movement of being able to tilt the column. Handy and extended my reach if someone were to try stealing my gear.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

To me it's easy: Domke gripper and Leica for my M bodies, with only one exception: a hand-made strap sold by Tamarkin (leather, 45") that is kind of narrow but incredibly comfortable. Then, for anything else, Op-Tech straps. They're bouncy, light and good to carry heavy gear around the neck.

 

[Contarama]

I don't worry about that and the straps I'm using just came with split rings at the ends but no "protectors". The straps attach easily enough and probably will mark my cameras but I'm not sweating it.

Rob

Thanks Rob. I'm the same. The rings have made some slight marks on my camera but I don't care.

I have thought about taking two web belts and sewing them together with some sort of flexible wires sandwiched between. The idea is to prevent a slash and grab but it would probably be better suited for a bag rather than a strap.

 

[airfrogusmc]

on my 4 Leica M bodies I have 4 leather straps. My M 10 stock leather strap is really nice and I have one Tamarkin strap that is on my MM. A leather strap I bought from Tamarkin some years back and a leather Cam-in strap on my M 262. I really like them all.

 

[f16sunshine]

Domke gripper on most all of my cameras too.
I do have a couple that the rubber has completely crumbled away.
It's pretty messy when that happens.
Still my favorite overall. A really good design.

PS Would love to have Domke grippers for cameras in Olive 🙂
I swear I've seen them before but recently only find olive replacement straps for bags.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

My favourite is also the Harry Benz strap. It's perfection on a Leica M

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Nicest cloth on a strap is from Crumpler, but the mounting to the camera is awful.
My 1969 Leica strap is perfect but getting old and the rubber can get gooey.
I used a Tamrac leather/nylon strap for years and loved it but can't find an appropriate replacement so now I settle for Domke straps even though the little rubber sew-ins eventually melt and ruin my clothes.

Phil Forrest

 

[Matthew Runkel]

On M bodies, I mostly used Artisan & Artist silk straps for years, with an unswiveled Domke gripper on the M5. I finally decided the silk straps are just a bit too short for me, and moved to the classic A&A adjustable soft acrylic straps. Recently I have moved from those to the A&A Easy Slider straps. Length is not a concern with these, they have low bulk and slide well over clothing.

I never used the standard Leica nylon straps with the gripper pad on any Leica, but find they work well on Sony cameras (A99, A7II, RX1RII). Probably I will standardize on Easy Sliders across the board at some point.

A nice thing about the silk straps is that you can just tie the neck strap into a wrist strap.

 

[Godfrey]

One inch black web belt with keyrings on the ends. Homemade. I also have a purplish red vintage Nikon strap that I really like but do not use.

What I would like to know is do any of you not use any sort of protection at the lugs to keep your camera from getting scratched up?

For cameras up to the size and weight of the Leica M, I use the Street Strap. The ends of the strap are designed such that there can never been any contact between the split rings and the camera body.

For the Hasselblad 500CM and Leica SL, I tend not to use a strap at all or at most a hand strap.

G

 

[taemo]

I used to not understand the love for A&A straps until I saw one in person as well.
Touched the texture of the cloth strap and was amazed at how nice and soft it is. You can also easily adjust the length.

i have some domke straps that i bought because they were cheap but rough compared to the A&A

 

[unixrevolution]

Combination of found objects.

But the ones I actually end up buying for when I need one are the Op/tech USA Neoprene straps. They have the grip when I need it, the glide when I need it, they're comfy, adjustable and budget friendly.

I will probably get a Luigi strap for my m2 someday. But that's more about jewelry than function.

 

[JoeV]

Sailor strap, nautical nylon rope. Not as soft as the Artist & Artisan silk rope straps, but softer on the wallet.

~Joe

 

[BlackXList]

I've expressed my appreciation for them before, but both my GRs are on DSPTCH Standard Camera Sling strap, (worn bandolier style) and they're absolutely perfect for me.

For bigger SLRs I use a Custom SLR Air strap, again worn Bandolier style, it takes all of the weight out of the camera effortlessly, and the ability to lengthen/shorten it instantly with the slide system is way more useful than you'd initially expect.

Both of them contain quick release style connectors, but I run a velcro cable tie through the connectors, making it completely secure.

If you want to remove the strap or change it (for those that share connectors) it's easily done by undoing the velcro, but it's absolutely not going to be undone by mischievous fingers without you knowing, and it makes the connector even stronger.

 

[rbiemer]

Thanks Rob. I'm the same. The rings have made some slight marks on my camera but I don't care.

I have thought about taking two web belts and sewing them together with some sort of flexible wires sandwiched between. The idea is to prevent a slash and grab but it would probably be better suited for a bag rather than a strap.

Frankly, if some one already has a knife out to cut my camera strap, I'm just as content to let them have it and get away from me. My cameras are just "stuff" after all. I can and will defend myself but not replaceable material objects.

Rob

 

[jsrockit]

Lance, Black Label, and Artist & Artisan

Because I'm shallow. 😉 ... (and I like the way they feel on my neck)

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I've got a lovely Leicatime adjustable no-frills strap for my user Leica IIIc,

A Shanghai-made lovely adjustable strap fro my M-E, but the neck pad is driving me nuts!

I've got a couple of cheap adjustable Chinese SKS / AK-47 rifle slings (canvas with leather tabs at both ends) that work well as camera straps, using one on a Leica I and the other on an Ikoflex III.

Recently I acquired some Bisambaer hand-made straps (through Kickstarter), but I have not had the chance to use them yet.