Any Good Camera Strap Suggestions?

snegron · Feb 19, 2007

This may sound dumb, but I have to ask. Does anyone know of any good camera strap manufacturers out there? I really never paid too much attention to straps in the past, but as I purchase newer and heavier lenses I would hate to see my gear fall to the ground due to a flimsy strap.

I recently went to a couple of local camera stores to purchase a strap for my F100. I plan to use it with the battery pack attatched and a Nikon 80-200mm 2.8 lens. I mistakingly thought all straps were created equal. I ended up buying a camera store brand strap with a detatchable design (has two clips that you squeeze when you want to release the strap from the camera). It seems that all new straps come with these detatchable clips. I don't trust them, especially with heavy camera equipment. It also appears that newer straps are thinner, especially the part that loops into the strap hinges on the camera body. Also, I have not seen any strap manufacturers that provide information on maximum weight for a strap.

I am planning on buying some older Nikkor manual focus lenses in the near future to use with my F2A with winder. The combination will be very heavy. Any suggestions (other than not using a strap at all)?

Uncle Bill · Feb 19, 2007

I am a fan of the Domke camera straps because they have no-slip compound woven into the fabric, they are also overengineered.

Bill

BrianShaw · Feb 19, 2007

I use a Tamrac N-17 - black, of course - (Dead Link Removed) for several of my cameras including a F-3 with MD-4 and 80-200 zoom lens. They ahve no-slip woven in also. Sometimes I even have my 4-year-old son hanging from the strap too (unintentional, or course); teh strap has never even threatened to come apart. As time goes on I imageine that the plastic mightt become brittle and the risk of breaking increase... but for about $20 I can easily replace the strap when I feel it is time.

Philippe-Georges · Feb 19, 2007

If I do really need a very, very, good strap, then a buy a leather camera strap from Hasselblad and I have it modified by a good shoe-maker/ leather craftsman who changes the attachments to my needs. These straps are the best I ever saw an used.
I know, it's expensive but camera's are too.

Good luck with it,
Philippe

removed account4 · Feb 19, 2007

gordy makes amazing straps!
all sorts and he is an apug member

Michel Hardy-Vallée · Feb 19, 2007

There are two main functions for camera straps: weight support and anti-grip. Sometimes these functions can be mutually exclusive. I bought an UpStrap for my spotmatic because I wanted something non-slip to hang the camera on my shoulder while walking around. I also have a broad el-cheapo padded strap that's useful when I'm working with flash to support the added weight. This strap has no grip at all, so I use it around my neck, never on my shoulder alone like the UpStrap.

Lee Shively · Feb 19, 2007

I've been using Op-Tech straps with the QD releases for several years. The straps do seem to lighten the load of heavier cameras and the quick detachable fittings have been totally reliable. I use the Op-Tech straps with heavy 35mm cameras and fast lenses and medium format equipment. Some of my camera bags also have the QD fittings on the straps and they've held solid for many years. Those detachable buckles have been in use for backpacking and mountaineering equipment for a few decades and have proven to be reliable.

ehparis · Feb 19, 2007

I''ve found the Op-Tech straps useful for several years. The QD releases work as advertised. The real advantage is how they distribute weight. I've used the "pro" model with Nikonians.org on it and it never slips and makes the camera feel quite comfortable. My measure of success, regarding weight, is the Nikon F with 300mm f4.5 I carry around from time to time. The model made for Nikonians is about 2.5 inches in the middle and with such weight description combined with a flexible strap it makes all the difference in the world.

Bob F. · Feb 19, 2007

I only ever use a strap to wrap around my wrist in the event the camera slips out of my hand. APUG advertiser Gordy (http://www.electricedge.com/gordy_s_straps/) makes leather straps to order.

Cheers, Bob.

Travis Nunn · Feb 19, 2007

I have Op-Tech straps for all of my cameras (even for my binoculars). They are very well made and very comfortable.

Markok765 · Feb 19, 2007

I personally dont use a strap

snegron · Feb 19, 2007

ehparis said:
I''ve found the Op-Tech straps useful for several years. The QD releases work as advertised. The real advantage is how they distribute weight. I've used the "pro" model with Nikonians.org on it and it never slips and makes the camera feel quite comfortable. My measure of success, regarding weight, is the Nikon F with 300mm f4.5 I carry around from time to time. The model made for Nikonians is about 2.5 inches in the middle and with such weight description combined with a flexible strap it makes all the difference in the world.

Where can I find this strap? I went to their webpage and looked at the different models. They sort of resemble the strap I recently purchased. The website does not mention how much weight can be carried with their straps though.

Lee Shively · Feb 19, 2007

Here's the results of a B&H search:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&bhs=t&shs=op+tech+strap&image.x=10&image.y=5

There are over 100 Op-Tech straps per the search.

HerrBremerhaven · Feb 19, 2007

I have several OpTech camera straps. When I recently got an F4S, I felt the stretch and weight distribution on my neck could have been a little better. So I got the wider version with the extra support piece across the neoprene, and it stretches less and is more comfortable.

If it states OpTech on the strap, then it is the real deal. There are quite a few similar straps out there. I once bought a non-name knock-off of an OpTech; after about two years the neoprene ripped at the stitching, and I nearly lost a camera.

Other good brands are Porta Brace, KATA, and Petrol. All those companies make professional video gear straps and bags. While more expensive than OpTech, many of the choices will handle even more weight. If you will have a really heavy lens on the camera, like a 300mm f2.8 (or larger) then place the strap on the lens for better balance.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed

tom_micklin · Feb 19, 2007

Bob F. said:
I only ever use a strap to wrap around my wrist in the event the camera slips out of my hand. APUG advertiser Gordy (http://www.electricedge.com/gordy_s_straps/) makes leather straps to order.

Cheers, Bob.

I just discovered his straps about three weeks ago. I bought two wrist straps and one neck strap.
I love them.
Tom

snegron · Feb 19, 2007

Lee Shively said:
Here's the results of a B&H search:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&bhs=t&shs=op+tech+strap&image.x=10&image.y=5

There are over 100 Op-Tech straps per the search.

Thanks for the link! I think that their Pro Loop Camera Strap model seems like it will fit my Nikon bodies. Anyone have any ideas how much weight this strap can hold before the quick release buckles give out?

HerrBremerhaven · Feb 19, 2007

Looking at the B&H link, the Pro Loop Strap is the one I recently got for my F4S. Already used it on a few location shoots, and it is quite comfortable.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=118283&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

I should have mentioned LowePro camera straps too. They are also quite nice, though I find the OpTech to be more comfortable.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed

Amund · Feb 19, 2007

The wide Op-Tech is great if you`re using a heavy kit around your neck, and need the relief. If you using it with a lighter kit and carry it on your shoulder, the Op-Tech is terrible, it slips no matter what and is (IMO) useless, as you always have to go with tense shoulders to keep it up.

The very best for shoulder use is the Upstrap, no other straps I`ve tried grips so securely to your shoulder.
It`s just great! It`ll stay in place even if you`re dancing tango in your silk robe

film_guy · Feb 19, 2007

Upstrap's the best. They've super grippy and never fall off, yet.

elekm · Feb 19, 2007

I have many Domke Grippers. There are narrow and wide Domke Grippers.

I am not a fan of the neoprene straps because 1) the camera bounces too much, and 2) in hot weather, they make your neck perspire like crazy.

Steve Bellayr · Feb 20, 2007

I, too, use the op-tech even for lighter cameras. I walked around for hours with the camera around my neck and it was comfortable.

Jon King · Feb 20, 2007

Another Op-tech user here. With the standard thin strap, it would, when over one shoulder, slip off if my coat was also smooth. The last strap I got from optech had little rubber bumps on one side, preventing that problem. I prefer the pro-loop connector too - the strap seem to stay out of the way better with them.

ehparis · Feb 20, 2007

snegron said:
Where can I find this strap? I went to their webpage and looked at the different models. They sort of resemble the strap I recently purchased. The website does not mention how much weight can be carried with their straps though.

Try https://www.photoproshop.com/ their photo "proshop." They only have one or two Op-Tech designs. I like their forums so bought one from them. (I have no affiliation with them and am not pushing their products.)

Cheers.

elekm · Feb 20, 2007

The photoproshop.com site sucks. The popup phots are barely larger than the original photos. Server response is slow, and site design is barely average.

By the way, this is not meant as a response to the previous note -- just a general observation.

eunkefer · Feb 20, 2007

I use the Op-Tech Pro Loop Strap with my F2/MD-2/50-300 Zoom, works great, the weight distribution of the strap realy makes the rig feel lighter.
Ed

Any Good Camera Strap Suggestions?

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