Wrist Strap

zackesch · Sep 18, 2013

I have been thinking about getting a wrist strap to use when I don't feel like using a neck strap. This will be for my K1000; my two most common lenses I use areh a 50mm and a 28mm. The neck stap is Dead Link Removed

I saw the add for Gordy's strap banner add, and I was wondering about the quality. I like the fact that it will not distract from the classic look, which is why I went for the Tamerac strap listed above, besides the slim profile. I haven't used a wrist strap before. Is there anything I should know? A silly question, yes, but curious.

cliveh · Sep 18, 2013

This is not a silly question, as details like this can make a difference. A wrist strap is a very good way to carry a camera. Quick to use and can be put behind your back out of view.

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 18, 2013

I love my Gordy body strap but cannot comment in his wrist straps.

Luigi of Leicatime.com has gorgeous wrist straps. I'm not a wrist strap person and might be convinced to sell you my barely used one....

Gerald C Koch · Sep 18, 2013

When using a wrist strap you must be aware where your hand is at all times so as not to bang the camera on something. If your have ever injured your hand you know how many times a day you bang it on things.

I prefer neck straps. You can buy a rubber pad that fits on the strap to help spread the weight of the camera and help with the neck problem.

Alan Gales · Sep 18, 2013

I use an UPstrap on my Nikon D300. I also have their wrist strap. I can quickly go back and forth between the neck and wrist strap using the quick release connections. I like the wrist strap for shooting sports where the neck strap tends to get in my way.

pdeeh · Sep 18, 2013

I have identical Gordy wrist straps on the three cameras I use the most. They take a little time to soften in use, but they are neatly and strongly made, and certainly worth the price.

Before you order, it might be worth knocking up a couple of dummies and attaching them to your camera(s) for a day each, just to see which length suits you best. If I were to buy another I might take the short version rather than the mediums I have.

I also have a fourth, which is the "string" attachment type, but I would not buy another of those; I have a fear (probably unfounded) that the string will snap ...

Xmas · Sep 18, 2013

good quality synthetic cordage and a split ring is just as good. This is best kept as short as possible so you don't get it intruding in pictures.
A wrist strap is necessary for instinctive point.

George Nova Scotia · Sep 18, 2013

Try wrapping your neck strap a couple times around your arm. I used a wrist strap more a while but adding a motor drive made it ackward, wrapping the neck strap around my arm worked just as well.

Trask · Sep 19, 2013

Remember that if you intend to attach to the tripod socket, the manufacturer probably did not design the socket to withstand forces generated by the camera's weight being swung at the end of a pendulum. Using a strap on a strap lug may be safer, but again, if you're using one of two lugs then you're doubling the weight it may have been designed to support. I personally always prefer a neckstrap attached to both lugs. (Yes, some lightweight cameras may only use one lug, like a Rollei 35, but then again that's the way it was designed.)

Xmas · Sep 19, 2013

Trask said:
Remember that if you intend to attach to the tripod socket, the manufacturer probably did not design the socket to withstand forces generated by the camera's weight being swung at the end of a pendulum. Using a strap on a strap lug may be safer, but again, if you're using one of two lugs then you're doubling the weight it may have been designed to support. I personally always prefer a neckstrap attached to both lugs. (Yes, some lightweight cameras may only use one lug, like a Rollei 35, but then again that's the way it was designed.)

All true but some cameras cannot tolerate neck straps Barnacks and early Leica M have chromed brass strap lugs when the chrome wears the brass disappears and the lugs can pull out as well!

I only use the strap as additional security when changing film never been able to juggle...

John Koehrer · Sep 19, 2013

Xmas said:
good quality synthetic cordage and a split ring is just as good. This is best kept as short as possible so you don't get it intruding in pictures.
A wrist strap is necessary for instinctive point.

There several DIY's about using paracord for straps. Wrist and shoulder. Instructables has several too

Vilk · Sep 19, 2013

George Nova Scotia said:
Try wrapping your neck strap a couple times around your arm. I used a wrist strap more a while but adding a motor drive made it ackward, wrapping the neck strap around my arm worked just as well.

...or around your hand. done this daily for three decades. no wrist strap i tried ever matched the flexibility and convenience--it adjusts to any weather, kind of clothing, type of grip, drive, shooting position... tested on quality "silk" straps, like nikon's AN-4B, and the domke

think puttees vs. gaiters, same thing

chuck94022 · Sep 20, 2013

I like wrist straps for street photography. I also use a more discreet (ie, smaller and quieter) camera.

For all else, I use a neck strap.

jacksond · Sep 20, 2013

Be careful of any strap with those steel rings. I once wore halfway through one of the lugs on a Leica M4 using a neck strap with a ring that had squared off edges, if that makes sense.

Xmas · Sep 20, 2013

jacksond said:
Be careful of any strap with those steel rings. I once wore halfway through one of the lugs on a Leica M4 using a neck strap with a ring that had squared off edges, if that makes sense.

see post #10
the chrome over brass is ok until the chrome wears through then the brass just disappears. any steel ring will do this 'magic' act as brass is very soft
you can get 3rd party CRES lugs for Ms
pro cameras have pressed in steel inserts e.g. Nikon F2

Trask · Sep 20, 2013

At the risk of being scoffed at, there is some logic in using the bottom half of a case to which the neckstrap is attached. This way there is no wear on the lugs on the camera, and in some instances the fact that a case surrounds the camera makes it quieter -- seems to work that way for my Leica IIIa. And of course the (replaceable) case takes the wear that would otherwise be inflicted on the body.

cliveh · Sep 20, 2013

Trask said:
At the risk of being scoffed at, there is some logic in using the bottom half of a case to which the neckstrap is attached. This way there is no wear on the lugs on the camera, and in some instances the fact that a case surrounds the camera makes it quieter -- seems to work that way for my Leica IIIa. And of course the (replaceable) case takes the wear that would otherwise be inflicted on the body.

Very good point, I use my M2 like that all the time and it gives you the option of having it round your neck or wound on your wrist.

zackesch · Sep 20, 2013

I like the idea of the lug mount. I feel that the camera would be more secure being held onto by a 1/4-20 threaded screw. The issue is that all my cameras have lugs, but not all have tri-pod mounts like my Yashica Electro 35G.

For the time being, I have my camera attached to a basic wrist strap that P/S come with. Mind you this is only temporary! Just a test run to see how I like it.

Wrist Strap

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