Affordable strap system for multi camera herd?

jay moussy · Feb 4, 2022

I find myself with a number of SLRs.
Some light bodies could work with a tripod-mount wrist strap, but the older, heavier bodies (Canon FT, Konica Auto) need a strap.
What is out there, affordable and versatile?
DIY is not out of question, if right design could be found.

Aviv · Feb 4, 2022

Peak Design makes a wonderful strap and anchor system. You use these small anchors and can attach them to all of your cameras, and then you can swap multiple straps between bodies with ease. I own the Slide, Leash, and Cuff straps and they've been a joy to use. Slide works for my Pentax 6x7 or other heavy bodies, and the Leash and Cuff work great for smaller bodies and travelling light.

The cost may be a smidge high initially, but the quality is superb. Love using this system!

Disappointed_Horse · Feb 4, 2022

For average sized 35mm SLRs like my Nikon FEs and Pentax SL, Spotmatic, and K1000 with moderate sized lenses, I love the Simplr F1 strap. They are not cheap, but they are versatile in that they are easily adjustable in length and can (sort of) convert into a wrist strap. I have three of them and prefer them to any other strap I've tried. Note that they attach with split rings and are not easy to move from one camera to another.

choiliefan · Feb 4, 2022

I've used Optech straps for years:
https://www.optechusa.com/system-connectors.html
The various end connectors attach to the basic strap or clicked together, make a for a convenient short carry strap.

jay moussy · Feb 4, 2022

Additional thought: the camera lugs are of different styles, so attachment system has to account for that!

EDIT: I can use these triangle-shaped lug rings on post-styled anchor points

BobD · Feb 4, 2022

+1 for OP/TECH

Bill Burk · Feb 4, 2022

I like the strap from old Spotmatic series so occasionally will pick up one off eBay.

This particular one is kind of grody so I might pass on it but this is the style

AgX · Feb 4, 2022

jay moussy said:
DIY is not out of question, if right design could be found.

Just make a dubble-one out of two standard straps using one additional pair of ladder-clamps.

EDIT: I misunderstood the issue, thought it was about one strap holding 2 cameras same time.

ColdEye · Feb 4, 2022

Definitely Optech. You can just buy the connector loops and you are good to go. I have the sling and the classic, with the sling my Nikon F5 and 300/4D is easy to carry. A friend of mine has the Peak Design stuff too, its very cool and works very well, but as stated the cost of entry is high.

gone · Feb 4, 2022

My Op Tech straps were pretty short and I had to buy extensions. Not cheap, comfy straps though.

I know what the op means. Even w/ just 2 cameras it was a not fun dealing w/ those strap rings, so I would suggest a strap for each camera, and each will be best on a strap suited for it. Since my Pentax was tiny and the Nikon was big, I bought a heavier duty strap for the Nikon. The Pentax works fine w/ a strap like Matt shows, but doesn't work w/ a heavy camera.

What I ended up buying is below, and it's light and very comfortable. Best of all, it's easy to shift around on your shoulder w/o grabbing. Measures about 2 1/2" in width.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/181836056283

C-130 Nav · Feb 4, 2022

You did ask for affordable but didn’t specify a price range or target. Therefore, I’ll give you my recommendation and let you decide on affordability.

I like leather camera straps and I’ve looked around for suitable offerings and settled on the “Capa” strap from Trillo & Son out of Ft Worth, TX. He has several strap offerings from $55 and up. The Capa straps I have are $110, made from very supple leather, and wide & comfortable enough for a heavy camera like my F6 and a long lens. They are hand made to order with choice of length and color. Other custom work may be available. Service was prompt and professional.

The website is:
https://www.trilloandson.com/

runswithsizzers · Feb 4, 2022

Another Op Tech user. I rarely use a camera without a strap, so I usually put a strap on each camera and leave it on. The foam straps are a bit bulky, so when I want to carry two cameras in the same bag, the bag must be of a certain size. Other than that, no issues.

Pieter12 · Feb 4, 2022

I like the op/tech straps and have been using them for many years now. They are reasonably priced and the foam-backed neck section is comfortable and easily removable when you are working on a tripod or storing cameras. The foam part is also interchangeable so you could just carry one or those for multiple cameras if the bulk is an issue.

jay moussy · Feb 4, 2022

I have a few straps with the nylon 1/4 webbing ends that I could use actually - same style as Bill B's post #7, but nylon.

With these, and for most cameras, I could get by with a 1/4-based quick disconnect, to be determined.

BTW, keeping cameras on a shelf, with straps, one got caught by a laptop passing by, with camera landing on laptop screen, gouging a nice track - good thing it was an old clunker. So, no storing cameras with straps on!

leicaboss · Feb 6, 2022

I like the Peak Design system, but I find their connector (the one on the strap-side) to be rather bulky - may have to revisit Op-tech as many have suggested here.

JerseyDoug · Feb 7, 2022

I have a Domke Gripper Camera Strap with Swivel Quick Release on each of my 35mm film and digital cameras. The (black) ends are permanently attached to the cameras. The removable center parts of the straps (in assorted colors) are rolled up in a desk drawer. I use the 1.5" version for the Nikon F6 and the 1" version for all of the lighter cameras. The rubberized material on the center part holds the strap on my shoulder so firmly that I can simple hang the camera from my shoulder with no need to wrap the strap across my chest. The straps cost me about $20 each.

I do use an Op/Tech neck strap for the Hasselblad.

BrianShaw · Feb 7, 2022

No love for Tamrac straps?????

I standardized in the 2.5 cm non-slip Tamrac nylon strap with quick release years ago. Great straps. Affordable too. Hate wide straps or those stretchy neoprene straps.

https://www.tamrac.com/collections/camera-straps

Auer · Feb 7, 2022

Tripod mount can handle a lot, I use it on anything from old lightweight folders to a Pentax 645N.

Very practical in my opinion. Use whatever strap you want, from heavy web with carabiners to slim leather wrist straps.

20210915_105514 by

EA - Shares, on Flickr

wiltw · Feb 7, 2022

choiliefan said:
I've used Optech straps for years:
https://www.optechusa.com/system-connectors.html
The various end connectors attach to the basic strap or clicked together, make a for a convenient short carry strap.

I second the OpTech straps. One can readily buy extra end connectors for placment on multiple cameras, and use different kinds of ends best suited to work with different styles of attachment points on the camera body, then use one common strap which is moved from camera to camera instantly with the quick release mechanism that connects it to the end pieces.

My personal favorite version for cameras is the OpTech Super Classic. Several different ends shown in this photo, including one called the 'Binolular' end which is not intended to offer quick disconnect.

I use a different strap for heavy kit bags.

eli griggs · Feb 10, 2022

You might consider buying vegetable tanned bridle leather, from a saddle maker or paying for a 2" Filson double bridle leather belt.

As expensive as some of the belts are, and your having more than one camera in need of a strap, the cost of the belt really does no figure to be more expensive, IMO.

OR you can simply have a bridle maker make a few up for yourself and friends.

Mule strength, quality leather is the standard you should use, again IMO.

jay moussy · Feb 10, 2022

I know of someone who makes custom leather guitar straps, so it would not be too hard to convince him to work on that.
In reality I have straps, just need to convert their ends to click-in clips marrying with the commercial camera ends Pro tech or other.

film_man · Feb 10, 2022

Peak Design. Period. I use/used their anchors on my M4, M246, Canon EOS, Rolleiflex and pretty much everything. I even use them on their camera inserts, the Cube. You take the cube out of the bag, attach it to a strap, you have a little bag. As Aviv said earlier, I have the Slide, Leash and Cuff. The Cuff is great for handheld security. The Leash is great for a light camera (eg Leica/FM2). The Slide is super comfortable for heavy cameras, eg I used it with the F5 and 58G, no problem. The ease of adjustment is just superb too. The backpacks too (have two plus a messenger bag). Did I say I like their stuff?

I used the Optech in the past but it uses those clunky clip connectors and you still end up with effectively 1/3 of a strap attached to the camra. Optechs are functional but nowhere near as refined as the Peak Design stuff.

lantau · Feb 11, 2022

I bought two leashes when I started photography in 2013 with digital cameras (Olympus MFT, so quite light) and continued with them as I got into film cameras. I even use the leash strap with my heavy-ish Rolleiflex SLX, an electronic SLR (similar to Hasselblad V style) and pretty heavy lenses. It never occured to me to buy a wider strap.

With a later purchase I obtained a Rollei SLX strap, which has the right connectors for the custom Rollei lugs. I'm using it because I have it. But couldn't complain about the Leash. The Rollei lugs might, eventually, chafe through the loops of the Peak Design anchors. But they anticipated that and have several colour layers. Once the top layer is chafed through it becomes yellow and under that is a red core indicating that it is not safe to use anymore. So far I haven't had any chafe to the yellow layer, yet.

The straps have the look of seat belts, but softer and more flexible. You may feel they look too modern to use with classic cameras. I'm not bothered about that, though.

jwd722 · Feb 11, 2022

choiliefan said:
I've used Optech straps for years:
https://www.optechusa.com/system-connectors.html
The various end connectors attach to the basic strap or clicked together, make a for a convenient short carry strap.

+1
Great system and they also have a wrist strap that connects to their straps.
Many configurations are available in decent shape and price on "that" auction site.

Pieter12 · Feb 11, 2022

For the truly paranoid.

Affordable strap system for multi camera herd?

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