How do you attach your strap ?

papadaka

What type of strap do you use and how do you attach it to your camera ? I am trying to decide on a better setup than the standard way of attaching it to the ears on the side of the camera body. I am thinking that a rig based on the threaded hole at the base of the camera would be great, but there are a lot to choose from, so i thought i would ask some of you folks who are probably way ahead of me on this epiphany.
All comments appreciated.

Mark

ziggy53

I greatly appreciate the OP/TECH 3/8ths connector system of straps. It lets me mix-n-match 3 camera bodies between a 2-camera harness (Dual Harness) and a Pro Strap.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/643694-REG/OP_TECH_USA_6501032_Dual_Harness_Regular.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/39638-REG/OP_TECH_USA_1501012_Pro_Strap_3_8_Black.html

http://www.adorama.com/OTDHR.html
http://www.adorama.com/OTPSNY.html

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v7zWH9qkiYs?rel=0&quot; frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I like the way that the bottom plate of the camera is free for using a vertical/battery grip, or a tripod quick release head or whatever.

In fact, if one connector fails with the Dual Harness design, the camera-lens-flash is still suspended. Otherwise the load is amortized across the 2 connectors in the way that the camera manufacturers intended.

papadaka

Thanks
Thanks. That gives me much to consider.

Art Scott

How I Connect Strap to Camera ......

papadaka wrote: »

What type of strap do you use and how do you attach it to your camera ? I am trying to decide on a better setup than the standard way of attaching it to the ears on the side of the camera body. I am thinking that a rig based on the threaded hole at the base of the camera would be great, but there are a lot to choose from, so i thought i would ask some of you folks who are probably way ahead of me on this epiphany.
All comments appreciated.

Mark

I too looked at set ups that connected to the tripod screw hole....but I use a tripod ALOT....so that was out......did not like the little triangles that Nikon puts on the cameras to run the strap thru so I settle on doing it this wayu: (see images below)





What I did not show was to finish this off ....I sewed the straps so there could be NO slippage of the strap it self.......I use the Optech dual Harness 99% of the time....I also have the carabiners on my SmugMug neck strap.....quick and easy to change from harness to a single neck strap for shooting in town or a leisurily stroll threw the Botanica or any time I only want 1 camera......

rpcrowe

I agree with Ziggy

ziggy53 wrote: »

I greatly appreciate the OP/TECH 3/8ths connector system of straps. It lets me mix-n-match 3 camera bodies between a 2-camera harness (Dual Harness) and a Pro Strap.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/643694-REG/OP_TECH_USA_6501032_Dual_Harness_Regular.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/39638-REG/OP_TECH_USA_1501012_Pro_Strap_3_8_Black.html

http://www.adorama.com/OTDHR.html
http://www.adorama.com/OTPSNY.html

<IFRAME height=360 src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v7zWH9qkiYs?rel=0&quot; frameBorder=0 width=480 allowfullscreen></IFRAME>

I like the way that the bottom plate of the camera is free for using a vertical/battery grip, or a tripod quick release head or whatever.

In fact, if one connector fails with the Dual Harness design, the camera-lens-flash is still suspended. Otherwise the load is amortized across the 2 connectors in the way that the camera manufacturers intended.

I totally agree with Ziggy but, let me take this up one notch...

I love the OPTECH Dual Harness.

I attach a lightweight carabiner clip (the lightweight key holder type rather than the expensive heavyweight mountain climber's model) to either my belt loops at my hips or to the adjustment straps of my photo vest. When I am walking, climbing or hurrying fast, I attach a carabiner clip to each camera strap of my Dual Harness. This prevents the only downside of the Dual Harness, the tendency of the camera/lens to pendulum when I am moving fast.

Additionally, I shoot with my cameras/lenses equipped with Arca Compatible quick release systems and Really Right Stuff L-Plates. My new 7D L-Plate has two strap lugs which allow me to carry a camera on the dual harness while it is also equipped with a hand strap.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=B7D-L&type=0&eq=B7DL-001&desc=B7D-L%3a-L-plate-for-Canon-7D-without-grip&key=ait

The Dual Harness strap connects to the camera lug on the left side of the camera (as seen from the photographers point of view) and to the strap lug on the bottom left of the RRS L plate. The hand strap connects to the camera strap lug at the right side of the camera and to the strap lug at the bottom right of the RRS L-plate.

The camera hangs in a portrait position with the left side up. It is easy for me to swing my hand and grab the camera, lifting it to the point where I can slip my hand into the hand strap. Very quick and convenient.

If course the camera can be mounted on a tripod using the dovetail shoe of the RRS L-plate in either the portrait or the landscape position. The quick connect straps of the Dual Harness allow me to disconnect the camera while it is on the tripod so I won't forget and pull over the tripod if I move away. However, the straps of the Dual Harness stay in place and don't fall off while the camera is disconnected.

BTW: If I feel that my cameras/lenses need some extra portection from the elements or fromtheft, I wear my OPTECH Dual Harness beneath my photo vest. It seems to me that it would be more difficult for a snatch and grab thief to get the camera when it is worn under the vest rather than on top. I may be wrong but, it gives me a modicum of conficence. However, I am still wary of where I wander and who is near me. But sometimes, you cannot avoid a crowd such as in this image...

Wayupthere

Great thread, and ideas. I have seen a single side strap a while back that I thought looked good. I need to dig through my bookmarks and find it. I am going to SEMA again this year, and looking at that crowd shot reminded me I will need "something".
In the old days you could just crank off a round or two with the 45 to thin out the crowds...aww the good old days
Gary

papadaka

Thanks
Even more food for thought. I had not really considered a redundant strap system until now and i will definitely sew the loop shut to avoid accidental slippage. Great Stuff ! Thanks again.

idiotabroad

Im thinking about using a rifle strap, the way they clip on is very secure and they are adjustable easily. any thoughts on that?

WillCAD

I use a setup similar to Art's, but with plastic d-rings and snap-hooks, similar to what you'd find on backpacks and sports bags. I have used metal snap-hooks and split rings in the past, and found that they tend to scratch up the camera. But I love the quickness, strength, and flexibility of a quick-detach system using snap-hooks.

I've never been keen on the tripod screw attachment method. I know it's pretty secure, because the tripod mount on a camera or lens is designed to hold its weight, but the threads could loosen, and I really don't like the idea of carrying my camera upside-down.

ziggy53

idiotabroad wrote: »

Im thinking about using a rifle strap, the way they clip on is very secure and they are adjustable easily. any thoughts on that?

Op/Tech got their start selling gun straps. If you use their products they will seem very familiar to a rifle shooter.

http://huntinggunstockaccessories.blogspot.com/2011/08/optech-8701042-action-sling-rifle-black.html

gecko0

papadaka wrote: »

What type of strap do you use and how do you attach it to your camera ? I am trying to decide on a better setup than the standard way of attaching it to the ears on the side of the camera body. I am thinking that a rig based on the threaded hole at the base of the camera would be great, but there are a lot to choose from, so i thought i would ask some of you folks who are probably way ahead of me on this epiphany.
All comments appreciated.

Mark

Check out this previous thread for more good info/ideas: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=168489

Since then, my safety tether has worked out quite well, along with a safety pin through the top shoulder portion of the straps. The shoulder strap area is a failure/slippage point if the strap would back out of the plastic toothed clip...so I just put a safety pin through it behind the clip. Now, unless I have two major failures at once on the strap, my gear isn't going anywhere.

idiotabroad

Thanks Ziggy, I thought it would work. Just didn't want to be the "idiot" with a gun strap rig holding my camera. And my name isn't Jimmy... lol

ziggy53

idiotabroad wrote: »

Thanks Ziggy, I thought it would work. Just didn't want to be the "idiot" with a gun strap rig holding my camera. And my name isn't Jimmy... lol

I do recommend an Op/Tech trap designed for camera use. The rifle strap may work fine, but the straps designed for camera use take into account some years of development and evolution beyond the gun straps.

Matthew Saville

I don't do dorky, and heck, I don't do shoulders / necks, period. Not when I shoot for 10+ hours every week as a wedding photographer.

Personally, I use a system that unfortunately I can't fully recommend to other photographers unless they are VERY dextrous. I use the Spyder Holster, and a hand strap. Then, I also attach a small lens bag to the Spyder Holster belt.

This works very well professionally when I'm on the job, and for general portrait photo shoots and whatnot. However, it might not be very practical for casual shooting. For casual shooting, I usually just carry a messenger bag that fits a camera and a couple lenses, and again the camera only has a hand strap, that's it.

=Matt=

WillCAD

Matthew Saville wrote: »

I don't do dorky, and heck, I don't do shoulders / necks, period. Not when I shoot for 10+ hours every week as a wedding photographer.

Personally, I use a system that unfortunately I can't fully recommend to other photographers unless they are VERY dextrous. I use the Spyder Holster, and a hand strap. Then, I also attach a small lens bag to the Spyder Holster belt.

This works very well professionally when I'm on the job, and for general portrait photo shoots and whatnot. However, it might not be very practical for casual shooting. For casual shooting, I usually just carry a messenger bag that fits a camera and a couple lenses, and again the camera only has a hand strap, that's it.

=Matt=

I don't do neck; I have degenerative disk disease, and neck straps hurt, no matter how flexible or soft or padded they are. I always do shoulders for the camera, and belt or pockets for accessories and other gear.

I understand the hand strap method when shooting a wedding or similar gig; it keeps the camera free and easy to move, while giving you a bit of security in case you lose your grip (such as when you bang your shins on something because your eye was on the viewfinder, or if you should fall backwards into a fountain). Also, a lot of photogs use a big flash bracket, which tends to interfere with just about any sort of strap attachment, even a tripod mount setup, so they eschew the strap and just hand-carry.

I actually keep a hand-strap on my cameras at all times, too. I use them as a backup, because there are times when I need to get the camera off of the harness and use it freehand, and I like having SOME kind of attachment to my body when I'm waving around a $2,000 bill.

But what's with the messenger bag? The strap of the bag sits in the same position as a cross-body camera strap would. I would think that using a belt bag on your Spyder holster belt would be more comfy for you if you have neck or shoulder problems.

Matthew Saville

WillCAD wrote: »

But what's with the messenger bag? The strap of the bag sits in the same position as a cross-body camera strap would. I would think that using a belt bag on your Spyder holster belt would be more comfy for you if you have neck or shoulder problems.

The messenger bag is only on my shoulders from point A to point B, 95% of the time I'm working, it is set down. And this will change when I get my next bag, a rolling bag. (Which will be my fourth or fifth bag total, ...)

For casual things, it definitely is NOT fun to have a messenger bag. I'm considering options including a backpack; I already own one but it doesn't hold a laptop. Often, to be honest, I just don't bring anything I can't fit in my pockets and I just use my mid-size strap with a minimalist DSLR over my right shoulder. (I'm left handed, so that's the shoulder that usually carries bags and will hurt.)

=Matt=