Let's talk Camera Straps

Let's talk Camera Straps

  • Neck Strap

    Votes: 123 80.9%

  • Wrist Strap

    Votes: 31 20.4%

  • Other Strap

    Votes: 8 5.3%

  • No Strap

    Votes: 13 8.6%
  • Total voters
    152
For smaller cameras (rfs) I carry them bandolier style with climbing slings I picked up at REI years ago. A large split ring finishes it off. I've converted a few people to this method when they see it work. Simple. Only problem with this is there is only one attachment point, so it better be a good one. Never had a problem with my Hexar RF doing it this way for a decade. A Leica M3 got a loose lug though, but it might have already been loose. Who knows.

SLRs I just use a regular strap, typically just over the shoulder, sometimes around the neck if I'm changing lenses, or I just hold the camera in my hand with one turn around my wrist. I have a few of the old Tamrac leather straps with quick releases. Those work fine. For larger cameras and heavier cameras I prefer neoprene straps. Optech made a large neoprene strap and even my large and heavy Bronica is easily carried that way.
 
I was a die hard Domke gripper fan for the longest time, but when I recently picked up a chrome M2, I wanted something more classy.. i'm cheap though and didn't want to pay hundreds for a nice leather strap, so I got this $20 genuine leather strap from Amazon. I wasn't sure what to expect, or what the quality would be like, but it turns out, it's actually nice for the price. The underside has a slight texture, so it isn't slippery (thought it might be). It was a little stiff at first, but after using it for a while it softened up some. I liked it so much, I got a black one for my black M6. I've had it for a few months now and it seems to be holding up as well as any "legit" strap.

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I am quite happy with a strap I discovered on Etsy from a one man company named
McMurray and Blonde. He custom made it to my length, color of leather and stitching color.
It was less expensive than other similar straps at a Leica store and nicer too.
 
Went to the Leica store last week and bought a Leica leather strap. Wow is that a great strap, softest leather I have ever touched!
 
I like the Pentax thin nylon strap, black with red "PENTAX" woven in.
It's much softer than the similar Nikon AN-4B so more comfortable.

Chris
 
Today I have to catch my M-E before it fell down. It was on its original Leica neck strap and somehow one end became unlocked. Stap disconnected from its metal ring on one side.
 
bhop73, Yes, those "Canpis" camera straps are pretty good value for $14 USD and free shipping, although they could use a little marketing help finding a less objectionable name (in the english speaking world).

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I bought one of the Canpis "leather" straps once. A different model than the one shown here. The one I had was wider. The "leather" turned out to be a piece of upholstery vinyl. The stamping was still visible on the back where it had been cut from the larger piece. There was a couple of small pieces of real leather sewn onto the ends where a nylon strap was attached so I guess they could argue there was leather in the strap.
 
Although I buy neck straps for my cameras, I never wear the camera around my neck or hanging off my shoulder - I always carry it in my hand with the strap wrapped around my hand. I use the strap under tension for additional support sometimes.

Also, it is imperative that one must not only always use the proper branded strap for the camera ( Nikon for Nikon, Canon for Canon, etc. - this includes those plastic triangular guards as well), but the strap should be from the appropriate time period for the camera. Otherwise, your photos will be adversely affected.
 
Pál_K said:
Although I buy neck straps for my cameras, I never wear the camera around my neck or hanging off my shoulder - I always carry it in my hand with the strap wrapped around my hand. I use the strap under tension for additional support sometimes.

Also, it is imperative that one must not only always use the proper branded strap for the camera ( Nikon for Nikon, Canon for Canon, etc. - this includes those plastic triangular guards as well), but the strap should be from the appropriate time period for the camera. Otherwise, your photos will be adversely affected.
Click to expand...

So true... this also applies to lens caps, accessory viewfinders and light meters, and of course coloured filters....
 
I've picked up a Canon rangefinder in rather nice cosmetic condition. Have been reading through this thread with interest (amazing how one can spend over an hour thinking about a strap). I have a Hyperion on my X-Pro, but it periodically gets in the way of the finder. I will walk around with it crossbody, but will wrap around wrist as well. I am in the UK so some options are not readily available and don't want to spend £££, but want something functional and discrete, does not need to be adjusted. So...

- Domke Gripper - seems popular, looks good, just nervous about the metal whacking into the camera? But I guess if that was a problem, it would not be popular.
- Simplr F1 - simple, functional (crossbody and wrist), not much metal;
- Leica 14312 - not sure I want a Leica branded strap (draws attention?), but looks functionally good and quality at the same price as the Simplr F1;
- Peakdesign Leash - could use on Nikon F3, X-Pro2.

Apart from the Gripper, they are about the same price £30-£40 which seems a lot for a strap, but the cameras are worth protecting.

Usually not indecisive, and would rather be out photographing, but I suddenly developed a paranoia that I will drop a camera for some reason! Help me decide!
 
All of my 35mm cameras have Domke Gripper swivel quick release ends permanently attached. And I have a compartment in my roll top desk filled with the straps themselves. All of the ends are black, as that is the only color I have seen. The straps are of various colors to suit my mood. All of the straps are 1" except for one 1.5" black strap that I use for the only really heavy 35mm camera - the Nikon F6.

The overall length of all of my 1" straps lets me hang the camera over my right shoulder and against my side with the protruding lens behind my arm, and is just long enough to let me pull the strap tight when I bring the camera up to my eye. The camera is always out of sight because if it is not cool/cold enough to wear a jacket or coat I wear a long sleeve outer shirt for protection from the sun.

The strap ends on the Nikon F6 are much longer than I like but it is really my wife's camera so I just make do.
 
I recently discovered the Simplr F1 strap and love it. It far less bulky than any other strap I've used, quickly adjustable, and easily converts from over-the-shoulder to neck strap to wrist strap. The 1" width is perfectly comfortable for the size and weight of the cameras I'm using (Nikon FEs with prime lenses) and it just gets out of the way. I also appreciate the lack of prominent branding. I like the first one I bought so much I immediately ordered a second.
 
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