Camera Straps

Wigwam Hotel, Holbrook, AZ

www.dennismook.com

After coming back from the Great American Coast to Coast, via Route 66, Road Trip, I thought I would mention a nagging issue with carrying my camera gear.  That issue is the camera strap.  I have been and remain conflicted over camera straps.

I have lugged cameras around since 1970 and have used most every type of camera strap available.  I'm really pleased that makers have, in the past several years, produced some that are more usable than when I started in photography.  It used to be one just attached the camera strap that came with the camera.  When I bought my Minolta SR-T101 back in 1971 it had a very thin plastic strap that attached to the lugs on either end of the camera body.  It is still attached with an old plastic film canister to carry an extra roll of film taped to the strap.  My 1958 made Leica M3 SS has the same thin strap, except it is made from leather.  A small improvement, but still inadequate and uncomfortable.

Wider straps emerged in the early 70s.  They may have been out before then, but that is when I first remember them.  The reason I remember is a) I wanted a better strap and, b) that many were styled with the same patterns as was found in the "hippy" movement, which started at the Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco.  They were woven and colorful.  Look on the web at images of some old "hippy" blankets, etc.  You will get my point.  Of course, straps also came in basic black.

Next, I remember straps made of neoprene which had a little "bounce" to them, thus softening the load with heavy cameras and lenses.  I still have one of these.  I think it is an OP/Tech and they still make them.  I used it mainly for carrying my big and heavy Pentax 6X7 camera around.  An on and on.  Straps evolved, thankfully.  New materials, new demand from photographers.

But the fundamental problem still remained.  Hanging a camera from your neck, was a pain, both literally and figuratively.  Anytime you leaned forward, the pendulum motion of the swinging camera body caused grief because, as often as not, it swung forward and toward another object.  One had to think about it and stop the camera from swinging forward and hitting something.  Also, the constant weight on the back of the neck has been known to cause some neck pain and headaches.

A few years back Black Rapid introduced a strap that one wore "bandolier" style.  It sat on the opposite shoulder from where the camera hung down from your side.  I have one of these and I like it.  There are other companies who have similar straps, some have improved on the original design.  The lug at the end of the strap attaches to the camera's tripod socket.  The camera can freely swing up to your eye when needed, then be swung back down to your side and slightly behind, thereby not hitting objects to your side.  That is the strap I took on my road trip.  It worked well for my Nikon D800E and attached lens.  It was overkill for my Olympus OMD E-M5.

Another advantage of the bandolier-type strap is that it distributes the gear's weight and is comfortable.  A drawback, but it hasn't happened to me, is that the screw that attaches the strap to your tripod socket, can come loose and your camera will fall.  I found myself a bit paranoid about it and continuously checked it for tightness.  It never became loose.

All this is well & good, but I found myself not wanting to have a camera slung over my shoulder nor hanging from my neck for general walking around purposes.  I wanted a wrist strap that would allow me to keep the camera in my hand, in a secure manner, so I can immediately bring it to my eye when needed.  On the other hand (pun intended), I didn't want to be burdened with having to hold a camera all of the time.  What to do?

Yesterday, I came across a product that may solve the issue.  It is the Joby Three-Way Camera Strap.  I found it on Amazon.com.  I have not yet bought and used one yet.  I need to do some additional  research to see what users think of it.  It is intriguing.  The way it works is a combination of neck strap, bandolier and wrist strap all in one device.  The Three-Way attaches to the tripod socket of your camera body and has a short strap attached that can be used as a wrist strap.  Wrist strap.  You can also release a lock and extend a cord to then hang it around your neck with the wrist strap part padding the back of your neck. Neck strap.  You can also hang it from your shoulder--I'm not yet sure it will reach over the opposite shoulder and I need to check on that but it may.  Bandolier-style strap.  The one thing that looks iffy is the cord that does all this work looks relatively feeble.  But the manufacturer says it will hold 100 pounds.  That should be plenty strong.  I may buy one as they are not that expensive.  If I do, I'll report back with my experience.

The best neck/shoulder strap I have ever owned is the Upstrap.  It is made out of very hearty nylon material and the wide, rubberized pad is full of little bumpy things (I don't know how to better describe them).  This strap will almost never slip off your shoulder.  I say "almost" as I don't think anything is absolute.  I have had several for over 10 years and I have never experienced one even coming close to slipping off my shoulder.  Its kind of amazing.  But then you have the pendulum thing to worry about with a neck strap.  But if you are looking for the best neck/shoulder strap, the Upstrap is the one I can highly recommend.  You can Google it and find them on the web.

UPDATE:  A suggestion came in to consider a binocular strap, which fits over both shoulders and can hold your camera securely to your chest, especially if the camera is small and lightweight.  I think that is a splendid idea. 

Photo Tip:  That also reminds me of the idea that a lot of accessories that can be used for your photography don't have to be photographic in nature.  You can find and adapt many items to work in your photographic life without paying photographic prices.  For some good ideas, see http://larryscheapshots.com/.  He adapts many things to work photographically.

Enjoy!
Thanks for looking.
Dennis Mook