Camera straps. What do you use?

McDiesel · May 15, 2022

I agree with @benjiboy - one must make a choice between a neck strap or a small shoulder bag, and a bag always wins. My 35mm cameras all have a wrist strap on them and reside in a small shoulder bag along with film, cleaning cloth, smartphone, etc. This is far more practical than a neck strap.

Note, that trying to combine a neck strap with a shoulder bag is a bad idea. Most adjustable straps have buckles that can and will scratch a camera if placed in a confined space such as a bag. That's definitely true for Peak Design straps: they have huge aluminum buckles and if you put a camera with a Peak Design strap in a bag... let's just say black paint Leica owners won't be happy with this combination.

A neck strap is useful for extended photo sessions on a location, weddings, etc. Not for casually walking around.

benjiboy · May 15, 2022

McDiesel said:
I agree with @benjiboy - one must make a choice between a neck strap or a small shoulder bag, and a bag always wins. My 35mm cameras all have a wrist strap on them and reside in a small shoulder bag along with film, cleaning cloth, smartphone, etc. This is far more practical than a neck strap.

Note, that trying to combine a neck strap with a shoulder bag is a bad idea. Most adjustable straps have buckles that can and will scratch a camera if placed in a confined space such as a bag. That's definitely true for Peak Design straps: they have huge aluminum buckles and if you put a camera with a Peak Design strap in a bag... let's just say black paint Leica owners won't be happy with this combination.

A neck strap is useful for extended photo sessions on a location, weddings, etc. Not for casually walking around.

I have several good quality neck straps but rarely use them now because I feel they draw attention to you with your camera hanging around your neck and make you look like a tourist. I carry my camera in my right hand with the wrist strap around my wrist carrying the camera down by my right side, so as not to be obvious, I also have a small soft camera bag over my shoulder with a light meter, spare film, and another lens in it. If it starts raining, or my arm gets tired I can put the camera straight back into the bag.

Pieter12 · May 15, 2022

McDiesel said:
A neck strap is useful for extended photo sessions on a location, weddings, etc. Not for casually walking around

I find the opposite to be true. Walking around with the camera, a neck strap is easier to manage than having one hand tied up carrying the camera. However, if I am pretty constantly shooting, then the camera needs to be at hand all the time. A neck strap gets in the way when using a tripod, too, which is not common for casual walking around.

McDiesel said:
Most adjustable straps have buckles that can and will scratch a camera

None of my neck straps have metal buckles, rings or latches, except for ones that are dedicated to the particular camera body.

abruzzi · May 15, 2022

awty said:
As per other sharp looking photographers. If your going to use an old retro camera, you should look the part. Of course if you are going to use a more modern plastic camera then something less noticeable

Several older cameras I bought came with that style next strap—there is a period-correctness to them—but they all came smelling like mothballs.

MattKing · May 15, 2022

Camera straps tend to breed like camera bags.

McDiesel · May 15, 2022

Pieter12 said:
I find the opposite to be true. Walking around with the camera, a neck strap is easier to manage than having one hand tied up carrying the camera. However, if I am pretty constantly shooting, then the camera needs to be at hand all the time. A neck strap gets in the way when using a tripod, too, which is not common for casual walking around.

I am not on a mission to change anyone's mind But I think you misunderstood me. Think of a small shoulder bag that's easy to open, no latches, no velcro, just a loose flap. Essentially a big and easy to reach pocket with your camera is just laying there at the bottom. You see something interesting - you grab it, take a photo, put it back. Without even looking.

I have highlighted the important point with italics. I relatively recently adopted this method and it helps me have my camera on me more frequently, leading to more photography.

Pieter12 said:
None of my neck straps have metal buckles, rings or latches, except for ones that are dedicated to the particular camera body.

Again, I said "adjustable". It is impossible to have an adjustable strap without a buckle, and most buckles will leave marks on camera bodies if carried in a confined space. Specifically, I am warning people against Peak Design products here. If you have one of their Leash/Sling type straps, don't carry cameras in a bag with those attached.

KerrKid · May 15, 2022

awty said:
As per other sharp looking photographers. If your going to use an old retro camera, you should look the part. Of course if you are going to use a more modern plastic camera then something less noticeable

Don't those straps come with a couple hits of windowpane?

KerrKid · May 15, 2022

McDiesel said:
I am not on a mission to change anyone's mind But I think you misunderstood me. Think of a small shoulder bag that's easy to open, no latches, no velcro, just a loose flap. Essentially a big and easy to reach pocket with your camera is just laying there at the bottom. You see something interesting - you grab it, take a photo, put it back. Without even looking.

I have highlighted the important point with italics. I relatively recently adopted this method and it helps me have my camera on me more frequently, leading to more photography.

Again, I said "adjustable". It is impossible to have an adjustable strap without a buckle, and most buckles will leave marks on camera bodies if carried in a confined space. Specifically, I am warning people against Peak Design products here. If you have one of their Leash/Sling type straps, don't carry cameras in a bag with those attached.

Ah, good advice about the Peak Design products. I never would have thought of that and marking up my camera that way would really make me mad. Luckily the PD straps are easy to remove.

What specific shoulder bag are you referring to?

KerrKid · May 15, 2022

250swb said:
I often make my own camera straps, nylon webbing, buckles and clips in many widths and colours are available very cheaply on eBay, or a climbing shop would usually stock plenty of cords, webbing, buckles etc. It's ideal if you can't find a strap that's long enough, or just like the idea of something without a loud manufacturer logo.

I think I would like doing this. I'm going to look into it.

KerrKid · May 15, 2022

Pieter12 said:
For the truly paranoid, there's the Vulture Adventure camera strap.

View attachment 305645

Wearing something that says "Vulture" on it does not have much appeal. What were they thinking?

KerrKid · May 15, 2022

darr said:
For neck straps, I like ThinkTank's Camera Strap V2.0:
(The one below has Fujifilm embossed, but my others say ThinkTank)
They are lightweight, have a rubberized-type threading that make my cameras stay where I want them to when I walk.
I use them on my Mamiya 6, ALPA SWA, Nikon F3HP.

I like Capturing Couture's designs as well (there are designs without flowers).
I use them on my Canon AE-1 and Minolta CLE.

Hand straps: I use the Peak Design Cuff on my Fuji X-Pro3, X100V, Hasselblad 907x and ALPA TC.
My other handheld type cameras (Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, Cambo Wide) I prefer not to use a strap.

Photos and links. Bless you! I like the strap that isn't wide unlike my Peak Design Slide. That thinks looks like it could be used to pull a car out of the river. Overkill.

<rabbit_hole>I really really like that CLE</rabbit_hole>

McDiesel · May 15, 2022

KerrKid said:
What specific shoulder bag are you referring to?

ONA Bowery. I keep the latch open when I'm walking around. There's a smaller model but I did not feel the need to downsize even for small 35mm camera. The bottom photo on the link is more or less how it looks like with a medium-format camera like a Hasselblad.

Pieter12 · May 15, 2022

McDiesel said:
It is impossible to have an adjustable strap without a buckle, and most buckles will leave marks on camera bodies

My op/tech straps have plastic buckles, they do not leave any marks.

KerrKid said:
Wearing something that says "Vulture" on it does not have much appeal. What were they thinking?

Overkill and paranoia. You could probably use that strap to hang off the side of a cliff.

awty said:
As per other sharp looking photographers. If your going to use an old retro camera, you should look the part

I don't use an old camera to play a part. I use it because I like it.

KerrKid · May 15, 2022

McDiesel said:
ONA Bowery. I keep the latch open when I'm walking around. There's a smaller model but I did not feel the need to downsize even for small 35mm camera. The bottom photo on the link is more or less how it looks like with a medium-format camera like a Hasselblad.

Oh my. Those are sweet. Especially the Antique Cognac Leather one.

I can really appreciate the concept of having the camera in the bag and just pulling it out when needed.

Disappointed_Horse · May 16, 2022

By far my favorite camera strap is the Simplr F1:

This strap is perfect for a reasonable size camera (think Nikon FE/Pentax Spotmatic size with a small to medium sized prime lens). It is light, changes from a wrist strap to neck strap to shoulder strap, and looks great.

KerrKid · May 16, 2022

AAlfano said:
By far my favorite camera strap is the Simplr F1:

This strap is perfect for a reasonable size camera (think Nikon FE/Pentax Spotmatic size with a small to medium sized prime lens). It is light, changes from a wrist strap to neck strap to shoulder strap, and looks great.

Nice-looking strap!

Sarasota, huh? I lived in Englewood, FL just down the road. The drinking town with a fishing problem. My ex lives in Sarasota. Not a bad place to get stuck.

snusmumriken · May 16, 2022

I'm interested in this question too. For years I have used a standard flat Leica strap with a broad plastic grippy bit in the middle. It's not too bulky and the end clips are neat and quiet, which is very important. I would rather have a thick uniform round-section cord that slides easily, allowing me to carry the camera cross-shoulder under a jacket or coat but still get it to my eye quickly. It must not have rattly end clips. Haven't found such a thing yet - any suggestions, anyone?

Pieter12 · May 16, 2022

snusmumriken said:
I'm interested in this question too. For years I have used a standard flat Leica strap with a broad plastic grippy bit in the middle. It's not too bulky and the end clips are neat and quiet, which is very important. I would rather have a thick uniform round-section cord that slides easily, allowing me to carry the camera cross-shoulder under a jacket or coat but still get it to my eye quickly. It must not have rattly end clips. Haven't found such a thing yet - any suggestions, anyone?

I actually use the pricey Leica strap on all my 35mm RF cameras, even if they're not Leicas. It is the best I have found. I have one of those round ones and it is too bulky and not that comfortable.

snusmumriken · May 16, 2022

Pieter12 said:
I actually use the pricey Leica strap on all my 35mm RF cameras, even if they're not Leicas. It is the best I have found. I have one of those round ones and it is too bulky and not that comfortable.

Hm, that's really interesting. Thanks for that insight.

Disappointed_Horse · May 17, 2022

KerrKid said:
Nice-looking strap!

Sarasota, huh? I lived in Englewood, FL just down the road. The drinking town with a fishing problem. My ex lives in Sarasota. Not a bad place to get stuck.

Thanks. Yep, Sarasota. Might have to check out Englewood—not too interested in fishing, but the drinking part sounds fun.

KerrKid · May 17, 2022

AAlfano said:
Thanks. Yep, Sarasota. Might have to check out Englewood—not too interested in fishing, but the drinking part sounds fun.

Englewood was still nice when I left 3 years ago. I liked Venice better. You can go to Englewood or Sarasota easily from there. Of course, the best option is to leave altogether.

henryvk · May 19, 2022

I really like this strap. The colours, sturdyness, the fact that it comes with the proper locking things (whatever they're called) and it practically goes with any outfit. It's some old thing from the 80s and came to me attached to a Ricoh KR-5.

KerrKid · May 21, 2022

henryvk said:
I really like this strap. The colours, sturdyness, the fact that it comes with the proper locking things (whatever they're called) and it practically goes with any outfit. It's some old thing from the 80s and came to me attached to a Ricoh KR-5.

That’s funny. I have the exact same strap and it came with my Pentax KM. Mine is losing all the little rubber nubins, though.

GregY · May 21, 2022

My favourite commercial straps have been the original black leather adjustable Leica straps or those made by https://www.harrybenz.com/. (Non adjustable and narrow). But recently friend in Australia sent me some kangaroo leather which is strong and thinner than cowhide or calfskin. I made this strap for my CL, and also replaced the dried out leather on an old Rolleiflex strap.

KerrKid · May 21, 2022

GregY said:
My favourite commercial straps have been the original black leather adjustable Leica straps or those made by https://www.harrybenz.com/. (Non adjustable and narrow). But recently friend in Australia sent me some kangaroo leather which is strong and thinner than cowhide or calfskin. I made this strap for my CL, and also replaced the dried out leather on an old Rolleiflex strap.

You don't find the narrow width to be an issue? I had a narrow strap like these on my SRT-101 for years and don't remember ever having a problem with it, but now I'm not sure I'd like it. I do like the minimalist look, though.

BTW....what camera, lens, and film did you use to take these photo's?

Camera straps. What do you use?

McDiesel

benjiboy

Pieter12

abruzzi

MattKing

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McDiesel

KerrKid

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KerrKid

snusmumriken

Pieter12

snusmumriken

Disappointed_Horse

KerrKid

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GregY

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Camera straps. What do you use?

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