Camera Straps

photographyman

photographyman

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Hello all,

Im on the look out for a new camera strap to replace the Original Nikon one. I do all types of photography but do carry my camera alot on my shoulder..

I have researched loads on the internet but would like actual real togs reviews... Im thinking more of a long sling type strap???

Thank you.
 
You will no doubt get lots of suggestions here - and it could also be worth your while doing a search because I'd be surprised if it hasn't been asked before!

Personally I use a Black Rapid strap, the RS-7 model with my Nikon D800 - I've added the Brad strap to it and I'm very happy with it. Having the camera hanging to the side makes a huge difference in terms of handiness, relative unobtrusiveness, and it's far easier on teh neck over long periods! However depending on the type of photography I'm doing, particularly if the camera is on and off a tripod, I used the Black Rapid handstrap, attached to one of the original brackets on the camera.

A word of warning - if you do get one of these and want to leave your tripod bracket on the body, make sure you also get the FastenR-T1 - the standard bolt fitting on the Manfrotto mounts (and possibly others) isn't long enough to securely hold everything together and several folk have apparently found out the hard way...
 
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Black rapid rs7 with the Brad as well for me. Really good strap, bet than having the camera infront of me all the time as it hangs by my side.
 
I have a Sunsniper strap - was after the Blackrapid but couldn't find one in shops but found the Sunsniper instead. Very similar and just as good as the BR. Also the tripod mount screw has a proper bearing in it to reduce wear.
 
I use B/R sport with Fusion plate on camera ideal for me.
 
Op-tech shoulder strap for me which I find very comfortable and is good quality.
I also have the wrist strap so can change between the 2 if wanted.
 
Thanks Everyone for your advice.. I have been looking at the actual ones you all have mentioned.. I will try and decide today on which one to have..
 
Neoprene neck straps for me, the SLRs have OpTech ones (TP branded from an offer a few years ago) and the CSCs have narrower Tamrac ones (apart from the 1AW which has an OpTech wrist strap attached.) Sometimes have the strap simply around my neck and sometimes slung over the shoulder but always attached to both the side lugs rather than dangling off the tripod mount.
 
+1 on the Optech, really comfortable, even with heavy glass.
 
Optech straps for me, comfortable even with a gripped D800 + telephoto. Even got a Talk Photography one!
 
Thanks again people for advice.. so, looking at the OPtech straps as you good people have mentioned, which Optech type are you suggesting?
 
I use a 'Q' strap, similar to BR, takes D700 with 400mm without problem, easier to walk about with camera and lens at your side.
 
photographyman said:
Thanks again people for advice.. so, looking at the OPtech straps as you good people have mentioned, which Optech type are you suggesting?
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Optech Pro straps for me.

Quite flexible system that also allow me to clip the camera to the rings on my rucksack straps if I'm carrying a large lens for a long time, this then takes the weight across my back and shoulders.
 
Thanks Deckard..Ive just been looking at that one and the utility strap. I want the camera down by my waist..
 
Q strap here also, basically a black rapid without the ridiculous prices!

Check out the trader sales forum for the Q straps at good prices
 
JYC said:
Q strap here also, basically a black rapid without the ridiculous prices!

Check out the trader sales forum for the Q straps at good prices
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Very happy with my Q strap.
You can also get a hand strap which I use most of the time.
You also get a discount being a TP member ;)
 
Thanks to everyone for your help and advice.. I have opted to but the OPtech Pro, it just seems to have the edge for me..
 
I have been using a Sun Sniper with my D3 for the past 7 years. There seems to be a lot more options than back then when it was just SS or BR.
 
photographyman said:
Thanks to everyone for your help and advice.. I have opted to but the OPtech Pro, it just seems to have the edge for me..
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Good choice as I had one myself sometime ago. Got it from eBay, company was based in New York (got a very good deal). So its worth shopping around before purchasing
 
Thanks Piggin, ive just ordered from ebay too. It was the cheapest i could find..
 
There are cheaper alternatives to the Black Rapid but I personally wouldn't hang my expensive equipment on something I have got from eBay.
 
paulefox said:
There are cheaper alternatives to the Black Rapid but I personally wouldn't hang my expensive equipment on something I have got from eBay.
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Having bought most of my expensive camera gear from eBay I find it quite appropriate to buy my straps etc. there as well.
 
I like the way the Joby sling strap automatically lengthens when you lift the camera up from the slung position. The excellent swivel ball bearing reduces the risk of getting the strap twisted.
 
Like the look of the joby, had a quick go in the store and liked it although I think the Black Rapid has one key benefit. That being you can screem the mount on to your camera and keep it there all the time so all you have to do is clip the camera on.

Joby is a an all on or all off affair!

Or their is the more expensive:

http://luma-labs.com/products/loop3
 
paulefox said:
There are cheaper alternatives to the Black Rapid but I personally wouldn't hang my expensive equipment on something I have got from eBay.
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Thanks again everyone..

I dont think its really fair to say this Paul, as a lot of people buy their equipment from ebay, me included.. If you mean unbranded items thats fair enough... ☺
 
photographyman said:
Thanks Piggin, ive just ordered from ebay too. It was the cheapest i could find..
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paulefox said:
There are cheaper alternatives to the Black Rapid but I personally wouldn't hang my expensive equipment on something I have got from eBay.
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I agree, ensure that the strap is not a cheap Chinese copy. Would be terrible if it just gave way under your camera :(
 
I've got a Black rapid sling strap & a Chinese clone and the difference is like chalk and cheese. The BR webbing is thicker, the shoulder padding/stitching more secure & the metal clips etc are much more substantial.

BR might be overpriced, but comparing the two I'd never hang my 7D + 150-600 sports from the Chinese one.
 
I've got the Peak Designs Cuff and will be getting the Slide when funds allow. I personally wouldn't get a Sunsniper, my mate has one, he's used it twice in 6 months and it's curled up and makes it a bit of a hindrance.
 
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I'm a big fan of the peak design straps. Their connection system means it's very quick and flexible in putting the straps on or taking them off
 
chris malcolm said:
Having bought most of my expensive camera gear from eBay I find it quite appropriate to buy my straps etc. there as well.
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Nothing wrong with buying decent camera straps on eBay such as Black Rapid etc. I hope you didn't buy one costing £4 as you're expensive camera could end up getting smashed on the deck like someone I know who's D750 and 24-70 f2.4 was a right off !
 
I have a wrist strap from them but that looks like a recipe for a bit of rope burn :p
 
dtsrules2 said:
I've got the Peak Designs Cuff and will be getting the Slide when funds allow. I personally wouldn't get a Sunsniper, my mate has one, he's used it twice in 6 months and it's curled up and makes it a bit of a hindrance.
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I went with the peak designs a few months ago. Got the handgrip (Slide) which is really comfortable and the Slide, long adjustable strap. The connection system for the slide means that these cheap items are the things that wear, not the strap itself, so are cheap to replace (and they give you one spare with each item. I use the slide when I'm out with the camera all day. Easy and quick to adjust, really comfy, I've started wearing it across my body, handy when someone in San Francisco tried to snatch my camera. The Slide is so comfy I tend to use it for shorter trips when I just carry the camera attached to my hand.

Only issue with the slide is the bottom mount point is on a tripod plate which isn't manfrotto compatible so I need to detach for the odd occasion I use a trpod.
 
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Byker28i said:
I went with the peak designs a few months ago. Got the handgrip (Slide) which is really comfortable and the Slide, long adjustable strap. The connection system for the slide means that these cheap items are the things that wear, not the strap itself, so are cheap to replace (and they give you one spare with each item. I use the slide when I'm out with the camera all day. Easy and quick to adjust, really comfy, I've started wearing it across my body, handy when someone in San Francisco tried to snatch my camera. The Slide is so comfy I tend to use it for shorter trips when I just carry the camera attached to my hand.

Only issue with the slide is the bottom mount point is on a tripod plate which isn't manfrotto compatible so I need to detach for the odd occasion I use a trpod.
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Easy solution to this is to get a Fusion Plate it's a brilliant piece of kit. Have a quick look at the video on this link.

http://fpgear.com
 
Hoof said:
Now don't go cheap on us Byker :D
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LOL - I've three manfrotto tripods and about 5 or 6 plates so one can be sacrificed. Just need to work out how so it can still be used with the strap cord attached.
 
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