DIY SmugMug Strap alteration and Suggestion to Andy for next Gen Strap!

DonRicklin

I have done a partial Pimp job to my SmugMug Strap. Need to get to EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) for more and slightly larger strap quick connects.



Here is a Quantaray strap (Andy, do they make the SM ones? Note similarity) strap on my *ist D with a full set of clips. Very Handy for getting it off your neck when wearing a hat or to short clip it to a tripod!






Andy, could the next Generation Straps be ordered with these? Or a retro set-up provided?

Don

Andy

Hi Don, very clever

Eric&Susan

I like this Don. I've always liked the quick release straps on my other strap and have often wondered about getting them on my SM strap.

Do you have a details write up about how you did this?

Eric

DonRicklin

Eric&Susan wrote:

Do you have a details write up about how you did this?

Eric

Coming. Just got the clips sets and need a bit more srap material. Will post soon.

Don

Ric Grupe

Optech super classic strap with the pro loop connectors is the only way to go. Can't come undone! They are even more comfortable than the SM strap. My 2¢.:D

claudermilk

I'v actually retro-fitted my SM strap with OP/Tech connectors. Just ordered the cheapest ones off B&H and cut the plastic clips free, then laced them onto the SM strap--basically the same end effect as what Don did. Now my SM strap will attach to all my Op/Tech-equipped gear.

Prezwoodz

I think this would be great for 99 percent of people. My only issue is what I do with my camera I would be afraid of one of the clips breaking or coming undone while I was on a climb. That would disasterous! I already have even my tail straps taped so they wont come undone at all. Although I already have the current smugmug strap (which I love!) so I just wouldn't need to upgrade. I think its a great idea.

claudermilk

At least with the Op/Techs, I wouldn't (and don't) worry. They are high quality, and with the large number of users here & the other photo fora I hang out at, I don't recall a single report of an Op/Tech failing. You can always gaffer tape over the connectors if you want.

DonRicklin

Prezwoodz wrote:

I think this would be great for 99 percent of people. My only issue is what I do with my camera I would be afraid of one of the clips breaking or coming undone while I was on a climb. That would disasterous! I already have even my tail straps taped so they wont come undone at all. Although I already have the current smugmug strap (which I love!) so I just wouldn't need to upgrade. I think its a great idea.

The clips I use I get from EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) They sell climbing equipment. I'd be more worried about bashing the gear against a rock on a swinging motion.

Use Armor-all on your gear!

Don

DonRicklin

Finally a DIY arrives.
I ended up doing this a bit differently. I went and bought a Quantaray strap for 10 USD. and stole all the clips and the extra strapping off it to pimp my SM Strap. Note that each side has the clips reversed from the other side. This is so the short ends attached to the camera body can be clipped together to help with safety on a tripod. ( see post #1, last image)

One could also us an extra set of matching clips to provide clipping points actually attached to the tripod.

The store bought set (from Ritz Camera):


Slice off the clip from the shoulder strap part:


Thus:



Attach to SmugMug Strap as you would to camera body:


Attach Short pieces to body making sure that the strap sits the way you want it on your shoulder when clipped on. I.E. correct clip ends on correct side of body:


ANd your ready to go. This makes for a very long strap set-up which you can adjust to suit. I like it because the camera will sit nicely in a shoulder baack while the strap is in use around my neck.

Voila!

Don