I got frustrated with my strap after a few years. It was always in the way and restricting the movement of the camera occasionally. I tried a couple different shoulder straps but never found one that worked for me. I tried wrapping the strap around my wrist a couple times and that was fairly convenient, but the strap would get loose and stick out and catch on things. I tried a wrist strap for a while but that was cumbersome, particularly when I needed both hands, and the strap didn't allow me to get at all the controls.
I finally went bare. No strap at all. I hold the camera in my right hand. Many times I'm just holding it with a couple fingers on the grip and the thumb on the back lightly. I've never dropped it. When I need both hands I swing it to my left and put the lens in the crook of my left elbow. It's a bit restrictive of my left arm, but it allows my right hand to take a rest, and the camera is in a position to grab it again when needed.
I've been doing that for more than a year now without problems. It might not be for everyone, but it works for me. The only time my camera hit the ground is when the wind blew over my tripod.
The Cinch is pretty good. Been using it for a year. Especially great if you use an RRS L-plate. Pretty secure, unlike the Black Rapid, the camera doesnot swivel around.
DorkSterr wrote:
I've been using the RS-7 for about 2 years now and I can tell you for a fact that its safe. I've had my D4+70-200 2.8 and nothing has happened. As long has you screw it in properly you're fine. Though i agree with the constant switching between tripod plate and RS-7.
I can vouch for the safety of the screw as well. I've trusted it with my D3s and 200mm f2 on a regular basis.
I've been through several neck straps and it never matters how comfy or ergonomic it is, it will eventually lead to some neck pain in the end. Nothing compares to the efficiency and comfort of a properly adjusted shoulder sling. Aside from a wel trained assistant that is...
sb in ak wrote:
I have the Black Rapids RS-7, which I'm a bit torn about. Super comfy, but it was expensive and I don't trust screwing into the tripod mount. Plus, I'm often shooting from a tripod--unscrewing it gets annoying. I haven't been using a strap at all lately, which I don't think is too safe with all of this ice around.....
Have a look at this for use with a BR strap if you use a Arca Swiss plate on your camera.
Thanks for all the replies. I have been handholding. A few of the suggested straps were not available. That said I like what I see with the black rapid sport, except the price.
That's similar to the setup I'm using. The nice thing about it is that you can switch from tripod to camera-mounted strap to tripod-collar mounted strap in just a couple of seconds, and there's a bit of flexibility in balancing the camera/lens by positioning the clamp along the L-bracket or tripod collar plate. The only thing I'd suggest is orienting the clamp knob so that it sits under then lens rather than behind the camera.
popinvasion wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. I have been handholding. A few of the suggested straps were not available. That said I like what I see with the black rapid sport, except the price.
I've seen BR clones on ebay for about $10-15 including shipping. They may or may not be up to BR standards but at least you can try one out at little cost before going ahead and buying an original.
Guari wrote:
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If a regular strap is what you want, the op techs are quite confy and have a lot of padding... like this (les padded options also available)
You've spent big a lot of money on the camera. Don't get cheap on the strap. Find what's most comfortable and drop the cabbage. Camera bodies come and go, but that doesn't mean the strap does. Treat it like an investment.
Mark Price wrote:
You've spent big a lot of money on the camera. Don't get cheap on the strap. Find what's most comfortable and drop the cabbage. Camera bodies come and go, but that doesn't mean the strap does. Treat it like an investment.
I agree with this, the problem is a lot of expensive stuff is still junk. I see mixed reviews on all straps. At the moment I feel safer handholding. I do not like cameras hanging around my neck.
I use a Black Rapid and really like it. I can get my camera up to my eye VERY quickly.
With a D800, a grip and a 70-200 VRII the BR does very well.
I am always temped by the UpStrap. I have heard nothing but good things about it....
