How do people use their straps?

[Bobblejack]

Looking at a recent thread regarding a member wanting a slide strap got me thinking. How do people use their camera straps. One thing that always bothers me when looking at straps is how comfortable they are when actually taking photographs. The strap that came with my OM-1 was a non-starter as it was too impractical in my opinion. Luckily I already had an Olympus thin fabric strap (black with white Olympus lettering). This seems to be a no nonsense strap which I can hang off my shoulder, or wrap around my wrist when I'm using my camera. It doesn't interfere with my ability to comfortably handle the camera; Yet acts as a safety fallback if I 'drop' the camera. It is also highly unlikely to damage/scratch the camera when I'm using it.

I would be interested to hear other people's thoughts/methods of how they interact with their straps; probably a bit nerdy! Whenever I've looked for other straps I always seem to find reasons why they're not as good as the one I use. I have a very similar one on my E-M1iii, but that is black with blue Olympus lettering and is a lot stiffer than the other one; making it slightly less comfortable wrapped around my wrist.

Is there such a thing as a perfect camera strap; or is there always a better one just around the corner? 😃 😊

[090657]

I never use the supplied strap. Most of my stuff is small enough to use a wrist strap which I much prefer. Exception is the EM1X and some of the older, larger 4/3 bodies where I use a Peak Design strap.

[Bobblejack]

I never use the supplied strap. Most of my stuff is small enough to use a wrist strap which I much prefer. Exception is the EM1X and some of the older, larger 4/3 bodies where I use a Peak Design strap.

I am more interested in how you use it, rather than what you use. Do you wrap the strap around your wrist; does it impede your handling of the camera?

[090657]

I use the strap around my wrist, mostly paracord type so can be tightened to my liking. For smaller cameras does not impede use at all. Caveat is that I would not use with a long zoom but my longest is 75-300.

[MJ224]

I use the supplied camera straps with a light lens. (direct to the camera lugs)

Otherwise, the strap holds the heavy lens by the tripod attachment...

[blackfox]

I have several straps but the peak designs leash is my favourite at the moment due to the quick realese buttons . . I have even had a custom made leather strap made up using there clips but it’s a bit stiff at the moment so not being used . .i also recently acquired a couple of URTH leather straps but will probably be selling them on .
I tend to use mine around my neck due to having a few near misses on narrow bird reserve paths when worn at the side I.e nearly banging into other side mounted cams/ lenses users
I therefore use the left side lug mount on the camera and the other side is attached to a quick release plate under the camera . .the advantage of this is the strap doesn’t get in the way of the shutter button for quick shots

will post some pics in the morning

[Ighten]

I do mainly use mine around the wrist (peak design so i can swap easily between bodies) -- Though my wife often moans about it and then it does go around the neck to keep the peace.

[Bobblejack]

You have a moaning wife too? Thought I was the only one 😃

[BDennis]

I got a Peak Design slide strap for the Big White Lens I have with the PD strap loop anchors attached to the lugs on the lens. This is a wildlife lens I use quite a lot.The strap goes around my neck then under the right shoulder so it is a cross body strap arrangement if that makes sense. When walking the lens and camera are usually at my right side and I hold onto the lens foot for security. On a narrow path I hold the lens and camera in front.

I also got some PD anchors I attached to the lugs on the camera, they flap about a bit when using the strap on the big lens but not too annoying.

When I use other lenses like the 12-100mm I then use either the PD slide strap attached to the camera anchors or I actually use the big wide strap that came with the 150-400mm lens with some Peak Design capture clips that attach to any camera strap and work with the PD anchors on the camera. I like this strap that came with the BWL as it is wide and doesn’t bite into my neck, but I still use it in a cross body arrangement rather than just hanging from the neck. So rather than having the strap and camera hanging around my neck I tend to always have it going across the body and around my back under the right shoulder. This is mainly because I have some neck and shoulder problems but it works well.

For other lenses like the 300mm f4 I have a Joby sling strap that attaches to the lens foot with a screw attachment.

So I have mostly bought into this PD system apart from the Joby sling strap used with certain lenses. I think PD have something that will also attach to a lens foot but the Joby strap works Ok for me in that scenario.

I really need a strap for the security as I can get nerve pain down my arm and sometimes it might make me twitch and I could drop the lens and camera if carrying it without a strap. Thankfully it hasn’t happened yet! I’m often knocking cups and things off a table or shelf for no apparent reason but I think it’s the nerve thing from a neck injury.

I like the PD clips as the strap can quickly be removed for tripod use or when putting the gear in a bag or taking photos from a seated position and the strap is just getting in the way.

Bill

[TravelingChick]

How do you like the capture clip? I usually have the 150-600 on the strap around my neck (and holding much as you describe). I want to have 12-100 handy, but if I have them both around my neck I just get tangled up. I'm usually carrying my pack, so I was thinking of the capture clip on the pack belt or shoulder strap.

[BDennis]

Hey Celeste - I haven’t actually got the capture clip. Sometimes I do carry another camera with a wide lens like the 12-100 but I’ve had it on a strap. So I’d have a sling strip going cross body with the big lens on my right and the other camera dangling off my left shoulder but I secure it with the chest strap my backpack if I have that. It can be a pain with multiple straps. Other option is carry just the 12-100 but then too lazy to do the lens swap so it doesn’t get used.

The capture clip looks like a good idea but I might have fear of accidental release for a second camera, I’m sure it’s well designed against that though.I watched some videos on the capture clip here and see it can go on a trouser belt or backpack straps. With the video where the guy shows it on his waist belt I can’t tell how he releases it (his demo is too slick!)

https://www.peakdesign.com/en-gb/products/capture

I couldn’t put a camera attached to my trouser belt as I have enough trouble with that doing its job as is…lost some weight 😂

Bill

[Downwind Dec]

I almost always use a PD Cuff wrist-strap these days. When hilking, I generally stow the camera on my backpack strap with a PD Capture Clip, and clip on the wrist-strap when I unstow the camera.
When I do decide to use a longer strap, to free my hand up or if I'm using a longer lens (40-150 f2.8 Pro), I sling it over my shoulder or at my hip with a PD Slide Light.
Lastly, when cycling I stow the camera on my lower back with a PS Bagworks Rider Strap. This one has a neat quick release arrangement that let's me deploy and stow the camera with one hand, but adjustment is too laborious for me to use it for a range of situations.

[Tram]

I use a Cordweaver wrist strap on the left hand lug with Peak Design (PD) connectors and sometimes a PD Leash strap sling style. Also have a PD Slide strap that attaches to the camera and foot of my 200/2.8 again sling style.
The Slide Lite was wanted to see how it goes as a quick release strap on a Tenba BYOB 10 insert. That gets carried in my backpack, but with a couple of PD connectors it works as an occasional shoulder bag.

[Gerry]

I use a Gitzo leather wrist strap almost all of the time on the right hand lug. I also have a Gitzo neck strap that I keep in the bag just in case, it has a plate that screws on to the foot of the 40-150 lens and uses the same quick release as the wrist strap. I never used the wide neck strap that came with the camera and at first was using a thin web strap that was supplied with my Olympus OM4 many years ago. The reason for getting the Gitzo was simply that I had the neck strap wrapped around my wrist 99% of the time, and the Gitzo is more stable, comfortable and has a quick release.

[Bobblejack]

Some very interesting replies there; thanks guys. It seems that Peak Design seems to be a general favourite. Maybe I should give it a try. I tend to use both lugs on the camera and I am always concerned with how the camera will handle with wider straps; plus trying to work out how to have the strap when I'm using the camera. Back in the day I would normally have had the strap around my neck while I was using the camera; but nowadays that seems to have become awkward for me - and there is no logical reason why this is the case.

I will further investigate the Peak Design system 👍

[LadyG]

Somewhat late to the party, but my twopennorth...

Currently using a Black Rapid cross body strap - I never did get on with the neck straps, haven't used them for years. When I had 2 camera bodies to lug around I had the Black Rapid double harness - an absolute godsend if you're toting full frame plus long lenses for any length of time (weddings, festivals, events).

I've also got a simple handstrap, but haven't put it on the OM-5 yet.

[MK1]

I use a black rapid strap for my EM1-X and 50-200

[Pannas]

I use an Olympus strap with PD quick release clips attached. Mostly the strap is over one shoulder, with the camera at my hip. My preferred option though is to use a PD wrist strap. It just feels so 'right' with the OM-5!

[R99C99]

I’ve been using handmade thin leather Fotographi 1901 straps for several years on my EM5 sized bodies. Perfect for neck or wrapping around the wrist. My favourite straps by a long way (I have 3 of them).

I recently bought a peak design lite strap which is awesome for my EM1iii and larger lens. Either round the neck or cross body. Smooth and comfortable.

[rustyarrow]

PD slide on left shoulder across the body camera on right hip BWL , 12-100 same strap on camera lugs if used, 40-150 - gatherings dust .