Please reccomend a sturdy utilitarian camera strap for F4

WILL WORK FOR FILM · Oct 10, 2016

Ok. I got the Nikon F4 which will be taken to the shop for a checkup today. A starter lens on order (Nikkor af-d 50mm f1.8) soon to be followed by a 100/105mm. Now I need a good heavy duty yet comfortable camera strap. I'm not interested in making a fashion statement and I certainly don't need a "persian rug" hanging from my neck. Just a good sturdy strap that I don't need to worry about. What do the experienced members here use on their larger bodied SLR's?

flash26c · Oct 10, 2016

Op-tech straps have been good for me. Depending on your activity level, weight, size, you may need one of the harnesses available now. I used to call my F4s 'The old ball and chain"

Leigh B · Oct 10, 2016

I've always used the standard Nikon straps.
They've been quite adequate even for heavy kits like an F3 with 180/2.8 lens and MD4 motor drive.

- Leigh

Paul Howell · Oct 10, 2016

I like old hippy straps. Cheap, heavy duty will take a camera and large lens.

pschwart · Oct 10, 2016

http://www.upstrap-pro.com/

ic-racer · Oct 10, 2016

B&H lists over 50 Nikon straps. I use this black NIKON strap with no lettering (AN-4B Nylon Neck Strap) on some of my Nikons. Some of my other Nikons have straps with the lettering "NIKON".

Alan Gales · Oct 10, 2016

I used an UPstrap on my Nikon D300 with an 18-200mm VR lens. It was perfect and a little more comfortable than an original strap to me. It also had quick releases so I could quickly disconnect it and swap an UPstrap wrist strap for shooting sports. OP/Techs are good too especially if you use long heavy zooms. I used one on a Hasselblad and am now using one on a Mamiya C220F medium format camera.

There is nothing wrong with the original straps unless you don't like flashing Nikon in bright yellow on the later ones.

benjiboy · Oct 10, 2016

I'm not a Nikon user but the straps I prefer for my Canon F1's are 2" wide black Domke Gripper Straps .

bdial · Oct 10, 2016

I like the plain vanilla Nikon ones like @ic-racer posted. Very functional, don't get in the way, and cheap compared to much of what's around.

cooltouch · Oct 11, 2016

I have several wide Nikon and Canon straps that are reasonably comfortable. They're virtually interchangeable, far as that goes. But my two favorites are a Tamrac strap with a padded black suede shoulder area and a contoured stretchy neoprene Optech strap. Tamrac makes a neoprene strap also. Either of these can be found on eBay for reasonable.

Terry Christian · Oct 11, 2016

In addition to the great suggestions already named, I've always liked the straps made by Crumpler. They're padded and are great at lightening the stress on one's neck or shoulders.

WILL WORK FOR FILM · Oct 11, 2016

A fantastic list of suggestions. Thank you all for the help.

wiltw · Oct 11, 2016

OpTech Super Classic. Strong, controlled elasticity makes cameras less hurtful on the shoulder. Rubber nubs help keep the strap on your shoulder with far less slippage. Not unnecessarily bulky, so it does not take up lots of space in a bag.
I use them on two different bodies and also to carry a tripod on my shoulder, for walking about.

StephenT · Oct 11, 2016

Another vote for OpTech.

HiHoSilver · Oct 11, 2016

Another vote for an Up strap. 'Not the cheapest & others will do, but very nice.

nick_clark · Oct 11, 2016

I've had a Think Tank Camera Strap for a while now and it's a nice piece of kit. Simple and very well made.

Alan Gales · Oct 11, 2016

benjiboy said:
I'm not a Nikon user but the straps I prefer for my Canon F1's are 2" wide black Domke Gripper Straps .

I've never used a Domke Gripper camera strap but I do own two Domke camera bags which have Gripper straps. They work great!

benjiboy · Oct 18, 2016

wiltw said:
OpTech Super Classic. Strong, controlled elasticity makes cameras less hurtful on the shoulder. Rubber nubs help keep the strap on your shoulder with far less slippage. Not unnecessarily bulky, so it does not take up lots of space in a bag.
I use them on two different bodies and also to carry a tripod on my shoulder, for walking about.

Alan Gales said:
I've never used a Domke Gripper camera strap but I do own two Domke camera bags which have Gripper straps. They work great!

The Domke Camera straps I use Alan are the same 2" wide ones as the bag straps but have camera fittings and spring loaded quick releases, or they are available without if you prefer.

Alan Gales · Oct 18, 2016

benjiboy said:
The Domke Camera straps I use Alan are the same 2" wide ones as the bag straps but have camera fittings and spring loaded quick releases, or they are available without if you prefer.

I'd add the Domke straps to the Upstrap and the OP/tech straps then for great choices for the OP.

benjiboy · Oct 27, 2016

Alan Gales said:
I'd add the Domke straps to the Upstrap and the OP/tech straps then for great choices for the OP.

I'm not familiar with Upstraps Alan, but I have a couple of OP/tech straps that I use on my Mamiyas and their achilles heel is the quick release connectors that can if you inadvertently grip them can bounce your camera on the deck if you have one you must buy some OP tech Secure Its https://optechusa.com/secure-its.html
Some Domke Gripper straps also have quick releases but they are spring loaded and the can't be accidentally become undone.

Alan Gales · Oct 28, 2016

benjiboy said:
I'm not familiar with Upstraps Alan, but I have a couple of OP/tech straps that I use on my Mamiyas and their achilles heel is the quick release connectors that can if you inadvertently grip them can bounce your camera on the deck if you have one you must buy some OP tech Secure Its https://optechusa.com/secure-its.html
Some Domke Gripper straps also have quick releases but they are spring loaded and the can't be accidentally become undone.

I've got an OP/Tech for my Mamiya C220f. I used to have one on a Hasselblad. I've never had a problem with quick releases but some people don't like them for the reason you mention.

I still have an UPstrap that I used on a Nikon D300. It also has quick releases. I could quickly remove the neck strap and replace it with an UPstrap wrist strap using the quick releases. It was great for shooting sports. I also like the fact that it's not as bulky as the OP/tech but of course that bulkiness makes the OP/tech comfortable with heavy cameras.

It sounds like Domke has a better quick release system.

benjiboy · Oct 28, 2016

Alan Gales said:
I've got an OP/Tech for my Mamiya C220f. I used to have one on a Hasselblad. I've never had a problem with quick releases but some people don't like them for the reason you mention.

I still have an UPstrap that I used on a Nikon D300. It also has quick releases. I could quickly remove the neck strap and replace it with an UPstrap wrist strap using the quick releases. It was great for shooting sports. I also like the fact that it's not as bulky as the OP/tech but of course that bulkiness makes the OP/tech comfortable with heavy cameras.

It sounds like Domke has a better quick release system.

For the small cost of the Secure-its Alan I think it's a very sensible precaution to take instead of accidentally of bouncing your precious Mamiya/Hasselblad etc. off a sidewalk somewhere.

Alan Gales · Oct 28, 2016

benjiboy said:
For the small cost of the Secure-its Alan I think it's a very sensible precaution to take instead of accidentally of bouncing your precious Mamiya/Hasselblad etc. off a sidewalk somewhere.

I agree with you, Ben. I've placed my order.

I no longer have the Hasselblad. I got out of medium format for a while but missed it so I bought the Mamiya just recently. I'm enjoying it so far.

Thank you for the info!

Ces1um · Jun 14, 2017

Can't beat leather for sturdiness....
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00N0FDXGA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

GarageBoy · Jun 19, 2017

An6y from Nikon
Leather is study if it's decent leather, but I've seen enough crumbling leather straps to avoid them

Please reccomend a sturdy utilitarian camera strap for F4

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