What a pain in the neck...

[Pieter12]

I see ads for this quite a bit. No idea if it would work for you: https://www.cottoncarrier.com/products/grey-skout-camera

 

[mshchem]

I had surgery yesterday, Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Results are still unclear.
I have used a grip for years, cross body strap works.

My neck is from years of cycling and old age. I have had limited success with the Optech straps.

 

[bags27]

I had surgery yesterday, Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Results are still unclear.
I have used a grip for years, cross body strap works.

My neck is from years of cycling and old age. I have had limited success with the Optech straps.

Very best wishes for the best recovery possible!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hello everyone,
as someone who carries my camera around my neck (I have tried holding it but I don't like it), I'm struggling with neck discomfort and looking for solutions. I keep switching the broad strap that came with my N80, and that usually works in the wintertime, when I wear a scarf and the strap on top. However, spring has arrived and neck pain with it.

Can you recommend a strap? FWIW, I usually walk around for 2-3 hours at a time, camera around my neck the whole time. Also, I just weighed both my N80 and my FG and they both weigh around 700g, lenses included (that was a shock!).

Thank you!

Try a photo vest, which lets you hold the weight on your shoulders.

 

[Don_ih]

I had surgery yesterday,

Get better soon, Mike!

 

[mshchem]

Get better soon, Mike!

Thanks, I have postcards to make

 

[Romanko]

Check scarf camera straps. They might be easier on your neck and also look better.

 

[Daniela]

Thanks everyone for the continued advice! The thing with crossover designs is that they can feel pretty cumbersome/uncomfortable for the female anatomy.

I had surgery yesterday, Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Results are still unclear.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Check scarf camera straps. They might be easier on your neck and also look better.

Interesting! It never occurred to me that those might exist! Refreshing to finally see so many women holding cameras in those ads.

 

[mshchem]

I use a grip for medium format cameras, it helps to give your neck a brief break. There's several different types available used for 35mm cameras.

 

[snusmumriken]

I now use a braided nylon rope 'strap', usually cross-shoulder. I completely understand that cross-shoulder is much easier for males than for females, but IME the rope is also more comfortable when worn on the neck. There's a small amount of stretch in it which softens the bouncing weight as you walk. And to give your neck a rest, you can also easily wrap the rope around your wrist.

 

[George Mann]

Alternatively, you could get a harness, like this one:

View attachment 371661
That would put the bearing equally on your shoulders.

I have been using these for years and highly recommend them.

They are made by USA Gear.

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

Another vote for the OPTech straps, medium format & 35mm. Wear them over the shoulder, not around the neck.

If you can bear it, use a wrist strap.

 

[88E30M50]

I've been using a single strap that I wear cross body and attaches to the left strap loop only. On all of my daily shooter cameras, I add finger loops to either camera strap lug, then I clip the single side sling to the left loop. This has been really comfortable for extended carry and it keeps the camera out of the way when not in use, but lets me bring it to my eye with no issue for quick shots. I make the finger loops out of old, thinner camera strap material. To make the loop, I glue the strap material, then add additional stitching to make sure that it's secure. I can't take credit for the idea, but got it off of a SkillShare.com video.

 

[MFstooges]

I see ads for this quite a bit. No idea if it would work for you: https://www.cottoncarrier.com/products/grey-skout-camera
View attachment 371848

Wouldn't work for women

 

[Pieter12]

Wouldn't work for women

Depends. They seem to think it does, at least for some.

 

[mshchem]

I have a certain DSLR that is quite heavy, if I was to try and carry that darn thing around, very far, I would need a harness. A Hasselblad with a grip is much easier to carry.
These things from Cottoncarrier look like these could work.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use a wide strap with the Hasselblad and Nikon AF 35mm. With both I will I carry them off shoulder for comfort when not photographing.

 

[Daniela]

Update on this:
I've used the OpTech strap for two days in a row this weekend. Just a couple of hours yesterday and 5 hours today. Wow, I can't explain how light the camera feels! I'm super happy with it. It sits lower on the back of the neck and it's super soft and spongy. I love it. Highly recommendable! Thank you to those who suggested it!

 

[Pieter12]

Update on this:
I've used the OpTech strap for two days in a row this weekend. Just a couple of hours yesterday and 5 hours today. Wow, I can't explain how light the camera feels! I'm super happy with it. It sits lower on the back of the neck and it's super soft and spongy. I love it. Highly recommendable! Thank you to those who suggested it!

Glad you found something that works for you. I also like the fact that the foam part unbuckles and is not in the way when the camera is used on a tripod. I have used Op/Tech straps for years and they have never failed, in fact I think one of them is on my F4s, purchased new in 1990--making it 34 years old.