Advice on camera straps?

[muzz]

I'm sure there is no definitive "right" strap to use but at the moment I'm getting a lot of neck pain with prolonged use (or more correctly waiting to use) my 7D with either 24-70 2.8L or 70-200 2.8L attached. I've never bothered to change from the generic straps that come with the camera before but I need to do something now.

There are a variety of different carrying systems but I'm tending to lean toward a shoulder strap (the Black Rapid system seems fairly popular and fairly well received, with a few caveats) but I'm not sure how this goes if the backpack needs to be put on as well, eg moving to a new location on foot but keeping shooting options open. The idea of a more padded or "ergonomic" neck strap seems attractive too but essentially the weight is still around the neck. The Crumpler "Convenient Disgrace" looks like it might have some merit, being long enough to use as a shoulder strap as well without buying extra straps as some other systems require (I think this is the case for the Op/Tech straps).. Some of these straps introduce multiple points of potential failure as well - quick release clips sound attractive as long as they only release quickly when I want them to!

Has anyone had any experience with choosing straps or opinions that they'd care to share?

[dviv]

I have used the Optech Pro Loops on all my cameras over several years.

Even though they are quick release they are really, really well built.

The curved design also means you can hang the camera over one shoulder without it falling off (even with the 70-200 f/4)

Also Way, way, way more comfortable than the standard strap.

[gstark]

The OpTech straps are very good, but I've switched to a Black Rapid, and it's even better, with almost no sensation of weight being carried.

Colour me impressed.

[chrisk]

The OpTech straps are very good, but I've switched to a Black Rapid, and it's even better, with almost no sensation of weight being carried.

Colour me impressed.

x2 I've recently done the same and concurr with your experience.

[the foto fanatic]

Because of chronic neck pain caused by too many rugby scrums I have tried a few straps.

The Black Rapid is extremely secure and it is comfortable even for me.

Highly recommended.

[Wink]

I did 5 weeks in Europe with a Black Rapid strap on my 7D and a backpack on literally every day. I couldn't recommend it enough. I just put the camera strap on first and then my back pack.

I've heard story's of the screw undoing from the camera. That may happen, I can't tell you because I've never used it. I just hooked the strap to the loop on the screw on my tripod QR plate.

[aim54x]

I still love my OpTech Pro Loop straps. I also have repurposed QUANTUM leather straps that are brilliant as well

[Matt. K]

OP Tech is a good strap. I wouldn't use any system that requires the camera to be attached to the strap via the tripod socket and hang upside down. The tripod socket wasn't designed to take that stress.

[muzz]

Thanks guys for all the advice. It's always good to hear from people with real world experience. Your thoughts are like listening to my internal debate - there are definitely pros and cons for each. The Op/Tech has quite a variety of options and attachments and can even be converted to a utility sling similar to the Black Rapid but using one of the strap connectors rather than the tripod connector.

For those with the Op/Tech, did you source them locally?

Thanks again.

[chrisk]

I bought mine from michaels in melbourne.

[dviv]

eBay - duracom shop - have bought from them several times and they have been great every time.

[aim54x]

+1 for Duracom

[NeoTiger]

If you do stick with a neck strap (as opposed to shoulder strap), then the Crumpler Convenient Disgrace is indeed a great choice.

I previously did prefer shoulder straps (and the Luma loop was my most recent acquisition, works pretty well). However, my primary bag is currently an Incase DSLR Sling, which interferes with my wearing of the Luma loop, so I purchased the Crumpler. I didn't like neck straps before, but this one is pretty great.

I do have problems, buying too many camera bags and straps >_<

[Mr Darcy]

YOu seem to have moved on to where to buy, but for what its worth, here is my experience
OI have bothe Optech pro and the SunSniper (A clone of BLack Rapid but with steel cable embreddded to reduce theft risk)
THese Days I use the SunSniper exclusively, but I have modified it so that it has a RRS quick release plate on it. This doesn't compromise security, but gives me quick disconnect when I want to drop the camera on a tripod.
I bought both at Adorama.

[Murray Foote]

Another possibility if you have a pack with D-rings in the front shoulder straps is the Tamrac N-11 which you can use in conjunction with another Tamrac strap for a camera clipped to the chest. Haven't used them myself, though.

[muzz]

YOu seem to have moved on to where to buy

Not yet but I hadn't found a quick purchase option for the Op/Tech so was just keeping my options open. I can't buy direct from Op/Tech and Michael's tell me they can't find the particular sling and accessories I want on their system. They are apparently getting back to me.

Interestingly, this article suggests that if we want a sliding camera sling in the future, Black Rapid may be the only choice, at least for US manufacturers. Both the Sun Sniper and the Custom SLR straps have interesting points of difference but the Black Rapid is more ubiquitous.

I still haven't made up my mind!!

[Bob G]

I can highly recommend the "Safari Strap".

[Steffen]

THese Days I use the SunSniper exclusively, but I have modified it so that it has a RRS quick release plate on it.

Sounds interesting, can you tell me more? Does it have a quick-release clamp instead of the tripod screw? What does it look like? I mean, I could imagine using a normal sling with an RSS quick release clamp screwed to the tripod screw, but that seems like an expensive mod…?

Cheers
Steffen.

[Murray Foote]

I got a double black rapid when I was in New York. It has 3/8" threads to attach cameras to. I was intending to attach arca-swiss clamps to those plates.

I generally use Sunwayfoto clamps and my Arca-Swiss (brand) head isn't compatible with RRS lever plates anyway. You can get two Sunwayfoto clamps for the price of one RRS. They also have an interesting new design - a screw clamp on one side and a fixed lever clamp on the other - so you set the tightness (presumably just once if you only have one kind of plate) with the screw and then use the lever to lock and unlock.

[ozimax]

Because of chronic neck pain caused by too many rugby scrums I have tried a few straps.

The Black Rapid is extremely secure and it is comfortable even for me.

Highly recommended.

That'll teach you to play rugby instead of league.

Actually, this thread is very timely as carrying my 5D + grip + 70-200 2.8ii makes for one heavy combo, and I'm still using the strap that came in the camera box!

[muzz]

Well today I bought off Amazon an Op/Tech strap and a Sling Strap adapter which allows the strap to be converted into a sling style similar to the Black Rapid, although connecting to the existing strap attachment rather than the tripod fitting. Unfortunately Duracom didn't have what I wanted and neither did Michael's (the sole Op/Tech Australian distributor). I would have preferred to buy locally but Michael's didn't get back to me as promised and when I got back to them today they informed me that they didn't think they could get the strap adapter as they couldn't find it on their system, so I went offshore.

I can get the Black Rapid locally so if it doesn't work out with the Op/Tech I will get one of those instead - I'm sure you can never have too many straps.

[photohiker]

OP Tech is a good strap. I wouldn't use any system that requires the camera to be attached to the strap via the tripod socket and hang upside down. The tripod socket wasn't designed to take that stress.

Really?

I'm scratching my head trying to remember a tripod mount failure, but I just haven't ever seen or heard of one. If the mount was that kind of flimsy, how would it withstand the forces involved when attached to a tripod with a long lens attached?

Not saying its not a problem, just that it hasn't appeared on the radar. The R-Strap has been out a while now, wouldn't there be people shouting from the treetops if it was ripping the tripod socket out of their cameras?

Michael

[Murray Foote]

No, I agree with that. The danger is that it may be not tight enough and unscrew with time. Black Rapid warn you should keep checking tightness.

[Chaase]

Actually, this thread is very timely as carrying my 5D + grip + 70-200 2.8ii makes for one heavy combo, and I'm still using the strap that came in the camera box!

Apart from the grip I had the same issue with the out of the box strap.

I ended up with the BR RS5 and have not looked back. I did not think I would ever be comfortable having my camera slung like it is, but I dont even think twice now.

[muzz]

Just to add to the mix, this new one from Luma Labs (who had to stop production of their Luma Loop due to Black Rapid obtaining a patent as in my post above) has just been released.

[Murray Foote]

... and another one is the sling/ holster system from Cotton carrier.

[photohiker]

Just to add to the mix, this new one from Luma Labs

Quite like the design of that.

Merry Christmas!

Michael

[aim54x]

I think I will have to have closer look at this one. It will work nicely with my RRS L-brackets and I like the adjust feature