Camera Strap

[Muscat]

Re: Camera Strap

Nat I am not sure why you would want to detach the camera from the BR strap and put it on a neck strap, I find it very comfortable to simply grab the camera from my side and lift it to take the shot. I find this easier than having the camera hanging around my neck.

[NickM]

Re: Camera Strap

Sorry, but I have to jump in here. I've just bought a 75-300 and carrying it around does concern me. Back in 2003 (when I last had a 75-300) I had a whole range of equipment to carry so it all went into a large Lowepro shoulder bag. That gave me chronic backage, but that's another matter.
Now, with just the 1100D and a 28-80 or an 18-55 (which I can stick in the odd pocket), I'm fairly okay with the stock Canon strap. My biggest gripe is not discomfort, but it constantly slips off my shoulder. I spend more time hoiking it back up than anything, which is a bugbear. Usually I wear a light cloth coat, not shiny or slippery, but the strap just won't stay put. However, that aside, I'm not too chuffed at relying on it to carry the 1100D with the 75-300 fitted - I just have visions of the weight of the zoom extending as it points downwards as I walk.

All this talk of the BR RS7 so I googled it and ended up at BR's website. On their Curve RS-7 page there are two "instructional" videos, which I had hoped would show the RS7 in use and maybe explain what's so great about it. In fact, the two videos are the same video on each, which merely explain who is likely to use their straps.
So their videos and website have lost me completely. I'm still clueless about the RS7 and what's so great about it that it would be of use to me.
Anyone?

[MX5]

Re: Camera Strap

I think when I approach the event horizon of trying to reduce weight ... I'd start seriously looking at m43 ... I'm sure (Dr) Jon would have recommendations. Although not m43 (but still a 1" sensor) I've added a Sony RX100 (ostensibly to replace my G10) just to see what other vendors are offering.

[NickM]

Re: Camera Strap

I've just realised one issue with the RS7 from looking at pictures. It attaches by the tripod mount, so the camera is upside down, but with the lens sticking horizontally out from your side. With the town I live in full of numbnuts who constantly barge past and don't give the requisite inch of clearance between you and them, I can see my 75-300 getting twatted in no time by someone's handbag. And at the very least, having the lens cap knocked off well before then.

Seems like it's either a stock strap with the lens hanging down and extended, or another bag to lug. :(

[colin C]

Re: Camera Strap

I never liked the body hanging by my side and upside down, so I use an OPTECH strap. It spreads the weight, by using the bootlace straps, I can also use the Canon E1 side strap, it has neoprene dots on the inside of the strap so it doesn't fall off the shoulder and being 60mm wide, it spreads the weight much better than the standard Canon cheese cutter.

[Nitro Nori]

Re: Camera Strap

Carry Speed for me especially if carrying long lenses as they have another link strap that hooks onto the lens mounting plate so the camera is kept level as both camera and lens are supported. No need to take strap off to mount on tripod as the base incorporates an arca type mount as well.

[GlynH]

Re: Camera Strap

Like Colin (and many others in this thread it seems) I use products from Op/Tech USA and find them to be of good quality & extremely flexible.

Their Uni-Loop System Connectors are nothing short of a revelation for me and I have them fitted to both my bodies, all of my big lenses and even the camera bags I keep the bodies/lenses etc.

They allow me to choose from a neckstrap (which has a nice elasticated 'shock absorber' built in to the padded neck part) a sling (where no weight is hanging round the neck) a harness (capable of carrying two large bodies & lenses - see Colin C) a wrist-strap or even no-strap depending upon which gear I want to carry at any particular time!

Unlike the Black Rapid by default they do not grab the tripod socket for their exclusive use but attach to wherever you would normally use any camera strap which means your gear is held right-way-up and where the manufacturer determined the best place to attach a strap might be!

The Quick Disconnect system is a revelation and is extremely strong.

I also have Manfrotto Q/R plates attached to my bodies and most of my lenses and don't have to disconnect anything nor mess about with adaptors when I want to change from strap/sling/harness to tripod for example.

Some of the posts I have mentioned Op/Tech can be read here;

http://www.eos-magazine-forum.com/showthread.php?16061-Camera-Strap&p=131716&viewfull=1#post131716

http://www.eos-magazine-forum.com/showthread.php?3568-Optech-Dual-Harness&p=106315&viewfull=1#post106315

http://www.eos-magazine-forum.com/showthread.php?3568-Optech-Dual-Harness&p=105017&viewfull=1#post105017

Manufacturers website links;

http://optechusa.com/super-classic-strap.html

http://optechusa.com/utility-strap-sling.html

http://optechusa.com/dual-harness.html

http://optechusa.com/slr-wrist-strap.htm

Hope that helps?

Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

[antoeknee]

Re: Camera Strap

Another Optech user, million times better than Canon original.

Like GlynH have Manfrotto QR plate so can quickly attach to tripod/monopod.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Camera Strap

Thanks for all the advice. I am only ,at present, concerned with the weight of the 300mm lens + combo and hence the need to remove the rapid type strap quickly, when I wish to revert to my other zoom lenses and carry the camera round my neck. I do have a Canon Tripod collar which I fit to my 300mm lens for ease of carrying the camera and lens.

At present I am not very interested in the m43 type cameras but who knows what the future holds.

I will anyway read all the links that have been provided and come up with a solution to suit me.

Many thanks to all the members who have sent in their comments. Much appreciated.

P.S. I forgot to mention that I use Optech straps on my cameras and holdall and so I am quite familiar with it's weight reduction capabilities.

Nat

[Nathaniel]

Re: Camera Strap

Carry Speed for me especially if carrying long lenses as they have another link strap that hooks onto the lens mounting plate so the camera is kept level as both camera and lens are supported. No need to take strap off to mount on tripod as the base incorporates an arca type mount as well.

Hi! Can you give me a link to your Carry speed strap so that I can take a closer look? thanks

Nat

[DeeGee]

Re: Camera Strap

I had a Optech sling strap on my camera and I've just took it off for one of these: Clicky.

It has a system where you can pull and tuck the camera up against your body, to make your camera safer and stop it bouncing about at your hip. But then it releases when you want to take a shot. The ladies has the curve - for been a lady, but they also do a man's version.

Not had much chance to use it in action. It uses the tripod mount. I'm not a much of a tripod user so that doesn't bother me. If it does I'll just swap back to my Optech which is currently residing on my bridge camera -Which is heavier than it looks.

Just another option to look at :smile:

[NickM]

Re: Camera Strap

Di
I like the idea of that setup, it holds the camera with the lens downwards, rather than horizontally outwards like the BR RS7. However, that buckle looks in an unfortunate place, and also looks painful.
Is it more comfortable than it looks?

Also, where on earth do you buy? The joby website directs you to daymen.co.uk and any attempt to find a purchase page/section directs you back to the joby website. grrrr.
Nice product though.

[hhcanon]

Re: Camera Strap

I had a Optech sling strap on my camera and I've just took it off for one of these: Clicky.

It has a system where you can pull and tuck the camera up against your body, to make your camera safer and stop it bouncing about at your hip. But then it releases when you want to take a shot. The ladies has the curve - for been a lady, but they also do a man's version.

Not had much chance to use it in action. It uses the tripod mount. I'm not a much of a tripod user so that doesn't bother me. If it does I'll just swap back to my Optech which is currently residing on my bridge camera -Which is heavier than it looks.

Just another option to look at :smile:

Nice one Dee.
With my 'man boobs', that looks perfick

[Nathaniel]

Re: Camera Strap

I intend going in for the Optech with the quick release connectors. I must take my time and decide on the ones I wish to have. Unfortunately all the photos and videos shown only illustrate a normal size lens on the camera. I would have liked to have seen one video with a longer lens attached. Will keep you posted.

[S_J_P]

Re: Camera Strap

I intend going in for the Optech with the quick release connectors. I must take my time and decide on the ones I wish to have. Unfortunately all the photos and videos shown only illustrate a normal size lens on the camera. I would have liked to have seen one video with a longer lens attached. Will keep you posted.

Nat, I use the OpTech strap with my Sigma 150-500 without problem. I bought the strap plus the sling extension, along with an assortment of connectors (Proloop and 3/8" plus some extensions) and attach the Proloops to the lens tripod mount, the camera, and the camera battery-grip, and have two of the three connection points attached at any one time. Attaching by both the camera and the lens seems to angle the lens at approximately 45º which makes it both comfortable and secure to carry.

Due to the OpTech's use of both a male and female QR on the strap you need to make sure you have the correct attachment on the camera to get the most comfortable orientation when suspended, from memory I have male on the camera, female on the grip, and male on the lens, but by switching them you can have the lens facing forwards or backwards.