Proper strap adjustment for TLR

[loccdor]

Is there a general guideline for how high or low a TLR should be on the neck strap to get best results? I'm thinking about ease of composition as well as reducing movement from the body for slower shutter speeds.

 

[BrianShaw]

More often than not, I used my Rollei TLR on a monopod. But monopod or strap, the best position for me was chest height.

 

[MattKing]

It is according to your preference.
And to a certain extent, your eyesight.
I prefer a very short strap that holds the camera up high on my chest.
That way I can basically just lower my eye to the waist-level (actually chest-level) finder.

 

[pbromaghin]

Ditto MattKing except to add that up that high it doubles as a tripod if you hold your breath while tripping the shutter.

 

[loccdor]

Thanks. Sounds like high up is a pretty good plan.

 

[Pieter12]

Using a short strap on a TLR has the advantage of being able to pull the strap taut to keep the camera steady.

 

[IMoL]

I am also in the "short strap" TLR camp, for the same reasons as the previous commenters. I also find that a short strap prevents some of the "stomach bounce" of the camera while walking

 

[250swb]

It should be a short strap so you can see to focus and compose with the camera pulled down tight against the strap.

 

[Dan Daniel]

I'm going to throw out another way to carry a TLR. The Op/tech system allows for making a very short strap. You attach the two end connectors from the Pro Loop system to the camera. Then clip them together, no center section. You now have an adjustable wrist strap. I'll make a loop and hold the camera in my right hand at the bottom. Set the strap length to make it a bit snug. You get a stable grip, and it is easy to carry the camera for hours, especially if you are in crowds or such. No bouncing, can quickly move it out of the way of people, etc.

I almost always use a TLR with the magnifier close to my face, and everything is stable with two hands.

I don't use neck straps for almost any camera. Or binoculars when birding. And with the Op/tech system, it's easy to clip one in if I do want it.

 

[ic-racer]

Although I got my first TLR in 1975 when my eyesight was better, these days I always use the magnifier. So, strap length does not matter any more, I usually don't expose with the camera hanging on the strap.

 

[Don_ih]

I always use the magnifier

Same here. I can't use it without my eye right up to the thing. Weren't we supposed to have bionic implants by now?

 

[Dali]

Is there a general guideline for how high or low a TLR should be on the neck strap to get best results? I'm thinking about ease of composition as well as reducing movement from the body for slower shutter speeds.

Guideline does not replace experience.

 

[BrianShaw]

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Not sure of the original source but it appears contemporary to the golden era of TLRs. The notion of actually focusing at waist level has perplexed me because that was unrealistic even when my eyesight was good. And not being very tall, shooting from waist level often was equally undesirable.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Shorter is better depending on one's focusing distance, but in the end I got to prefer the heavier weight of the
prism for a larger clearer image size and no extraneous light from the sides.

 

[loccdor]

@BrianShaw Good tip! I'll have to try that one

 

[loccdor]

adjustable wrist strap

First time I've seen that method used with a TLR! Very interesting

 

[loccdor]

Same here. I can't use it without my eye right up to the thing. Weren't we supposed to have bionic implants by now?

I always use the magnifier to focus too, but then return the camera to hang from the strap before I take the picture, most of the time.