gordy to the rescue!

[back alley]

i really like a good solid grip on my cameras...coupled with a nice, comfortable wrist strap they make for a very enjoyable afternoon of shooting.

i generally dislike neck/shoulder straps...for 2 reasons, first, if i wear it around my neck i invariably get a headache but most especially because they are always so damn short. most are about 45 inches at best.

winter in alberta makes for some very cold shooting days...holding a metal grip and having my hands not in my pockets has made me an arthritic old man.
i had to concede and start using a long strap so the camera would be at the ready and my hands could wait warmly in my coat pocket.
but try to find a nice looong strap! impossible, with a capital F.

and then i noticed on gordy's website that he will make you a strap as long as you want for the same price as the standard ones...oh boy!!

i ordered a 58 inch strap (after measuring) and it was very comfortable...but the 62 inch one i just got in the mail is perfect (with a capital F)
it hangs from over my neck, bolero style, with the camera resting on the low side of my hip. with a coat on it's a bit higher.

i could not be more pleased (well, maybe if the leather was rolled for a nice round strap).

it looks great, feels wonderful and the price could not be better!

thanks gordy!

 

[Andy Kibber]

Gordy's straps are great. I've got a couple neck straps and a couple wrist straps.

 

[bwcolor]

Just got mine yesterday. Ordered two more.

 

[Gordon Coale]

Joe - Thanks for the good words. You were the one that inspired me to make my first wrist strap. I'm glad I could make a neck strap that finally worked for you!

 

[back alley]

i am surprised that no one has commented on the length of the strap...

 

[Andy Kibber]

i am surprised that no one has commented on the length of the strap...

We're a polite bunch.

 

[umcelinho]

Gordy's straps are the best! I've been getting the string tip version so I can hold my cameras as if they were naked, it feels fantastic. For the R-D1 it has a bonus advantage of staying clear of the SD door! To me, 95cm is the perfect length, as I can either curl it around my wrist and not have any loose spots or wear on one shoulder, or bolero style. Not to mention they look drop dead gorgeous 🙂

 

[Spleenrippa]

i am surprised that no one has commented on the length of the strap...

62 inches is only a bit shorter than me 🙄
How was that?

 

[robklurfield]

62 inches? If I continue at my present rate, my girth will eventually exceed my length and that strap will work around my waist. At this point, however, even with my sizable gut, that strap would put my camera somewhere near my knees. I'll stick with my trusty Gordy's wrist straps for now.

 

[semilog]

I've got a Gordy's wrist strap, and I've looked at his other models in stores, but in all honesty even those are too complicated, too bulky, too expensive. Pretty, though.

For a wrist strap the best thing I've found is a split ring through the eyelet, and either a loop of leather boot lace, or a loop of 250 kg test nylon paracord. Thread the cord through the eyelet with a lark's head. Close the loop with a water knot or a double fisherman's bend.

For a neck strap the best is the Leica strap with the rubber pad cut off. Hands down. Removing the pad makes the whole thing supple so you can wrap it around your wrist, it doesn't absorb water, it weighs nothing, it goes on and off quickly, and when on it's secure because of the unparalleled design of the Leica fasteners. I also remove the slider buckles and sew the ends to length, further reducing bulk.

Straps should be simple, supple, and light and low-bulk as possible without compromising strength. Both of these methods are better than *anything* I've found that's commercially available, and that definitely includes the comically overpriced Artist & Artisan straps.

My DSLR goes on an UPStrap.

 

[back alley]

afa a 62 inch strap...it half that when worn...front and back of me.
the camera rests on my lower hip, great for not moving about when walking, easy to reach/grab and lots of room to quickly raise it to my eye.

never cared for the upstrap...kinda uncomfortable on me.

mr. zhou's wrist straps are nice too, large enough for use when wearing gloves...easy on and off.

 

[Doug]

Great that you got a strap that suits you well, comfortable, convenient... If it makes carrying a pleasure, then you'll be more likely to have the camera with you.

I prefer short straps. Almost always adjust the strap to hang the camera over a shoulder to rest about elbow height (on that same side, not across the chest). A 40" strap is about right.