This past weekend I was at the shooting range competing in an IPSC match. (Competitive practical handgun/combat shooting.) It isn't unusual to see video or camera gear. Shooters like video or shoot pics to review their performance and look for ways to improve.
I saw a couple of shooters with a guy holding a camera. It looked like a 1dm2 with a 24-105. He was holding the camera with his right hand down by his side most of the time. He didn't have any type of strap or retention device. People are moving around, it is hot and he only took a few pictures when his friends would shoot. The match lasts up to 4 hours. If anyone would have bumped into him, I think he would have dropped the camera. I watched him and you could tell it was difficult to keep holding the camera. Anytime he wanted to get something, he would hand the camera to a friend or put it down on a crowded bench. He would change his grip to hold it by the lens. It sure seemed like a recipe for disaster.
So, why would someone not use a strap or retention device? Seems like common sense to me, but maybe I am missing something.
Straps get caught in crowds...if you've ever shot events/PJ work you'd know why
many of us prefer to go strapless I handhold a pro body/70-200 f2.8 for hours
at a time. Been shootin' that way at concerts and in rodeo arenas for awhile now and
haven never had an "incident" Big arms and a crushing grip from years in the trenches
might be mentioned for the assist.
I rarely use straps, but I'm on beanbags or a tripod most of the time.
More often than not they are a nuisance and get in the way.
Most of my cameras have QR straps for use when truly needed.
I use a hand-strap and a neck-strap together. I sometimes go strap only. If you're having to go from vert to horiz grip VERY QUICKLY I can see a potential issue as it takes an extra second to jam your hand in and make sure your fingers are in their correct positions. Straps also cover battery doors, memory card slots, etc. and can add a few critical seconds to certain operations. If I was in a very fast-paced environment, I could definitely see an advantage to going strapless.
When I use to shoot sports, it was a big no-no to use a neck strap while shooting baseball in the media pits. The pits were situated such that only the photographer's head and shoulders were exposed. We shot on monopods, and if a foul ball was hit at me, I would get tangled in the neck strap as I ducked for cover --- leaving my head exposed.
Also, I prefer not to use one when shooting landscapes -- the strap just flaps in the wind and causes movement to the setup. It also gets in the way of the shot at times when working with a wide angle lens and shooting downward.
I don't use normal straps on my 3 bodies. I have handstraps on two and nothing on the last. I don't understand that people like to walk around with a big DSLR and lens around their neck
ssc45 wrote:
Anytime he wanted to get something, he would hand the camera to a friend or put it down on a crowded bench. He would change his grip to hold it by the lens. It sure seemed like a recipe for disaster.
I have found going strapped my gear gets bumped more. ran my d700 for a good while hand carry only. People seemed to notice it and not bump into carried it at my side much (if at all, not recalling any time I said that didn't sound good). Since I went strapped recently gear has been bumped way more. And 1 time it was lets check the gear now (most likely due to the 24-70 being 2 days old and kind of (over)protective about it).
Guess my up strap has some cloaking device as a bonus feature. And this not with small lens'. the 80-200 and 24-70....sorry didn't see it there.
Hand carry at my side and many people saw it. 80-200 got the usual so whats that lens for asked in a joking manner.
Strap mainly to get free hands when out with my soon to be 3yr old son as he is rather active. And when not active...well the wife got tired of carrying my camera as I carried him. when he gets older hand carry may return.
I generally shoot with two bodies on Domke Gripper straps, hanging off my shoulders. I usually remove one or both straps when I'll be shooting for a while from the same location. I put the straps back on when I want to move around.
I'd add that I have my BR set up so it is attached to my L-bracket or lens plate via an arca-swiss clamp, so when I need the strap out of the way (e.g. mounting to tripod/monopod), it takes literally less than two seconds.
When I photograph races (running events) I go strapless because as some others have stated, straps can be cumbersome in crowds...however, I do use a Spider holster just so I can hang the camera somewhere if I need to. Additionally, I do keep Optech QR on my bodies just in case I need to attach a strap. Sometimes, I will carry two bodies on me and I will carry the 2nd camera across my chest on a sling strap. Another exception is if I lend out a body to an assistant, I will always have them wear a strap (across the chest, never over the neck...too much stress that way) but typically I am strapless with a single body. The only other exception would be personal/family vacations where I carry a grip-less body and a small lens on a sling strap. To each, his/her own...whatever works for you.
I also rarely use a neck strap, but I do always use a Camdapter wrist strap on my Canon 1-series bodies. Even with relaxed fingers, the camera isn't likely to slide off my hand.
Lars Johnsson wrote:
I don't use normal straps on my 3 bodies. I have handstraps on two and nothing on the last. I don't understand that people like to walk around with a big DSLR and lens around their neck
Each to his/her own but I never use the provided strap that comes with the camera, too wide and bulky. I always use a strap however it is a narrow one which I wrap around my wrist when hand holding. Old school Nikon yellow and black one piece nylon web type, 1" and tapers to 1/2". Never comes off the body and doesn't get in the way and with a couple of wraps I can even let go of the camera and it stays attached to me, a tip from a long time ago NPS school.
I frequently bop around at events and at my fashion/editorial shoots with a D3S, 24-70/70-200 w/out any strap whatsoever. I've never dropped or come close to dropping the camera. I'm not clumsy and I do my best to be aware of my surroundings. Oh, I'll take it back. Once I did fall! However I held the camera in my arms like you would with a child and landed on my side. Whew! If I use a strap, normally it's an old Optec (?) wrist strap that stays out of the way. From time to time I'll use a light weight strap that I can use around my shoulder or wrap around my wrist as needed.
Times to use a strap (for me):
1. When drinking
2. When hiking
3. When working in areas where I'm afraid I might get mugged
omarlyn wrote:
When I photograph races (running events) I go strapless because as some others have stated, straps can be cumbersome in crowds...however, I do use a Spider holster just so I can hang the camera somewhere if I need to. Additionally, I do keep Optech QR on my bodies just in case I need to attach a strap. Sometimes, I will carry two bodies on me and I will carry the 2nd camera across my chest on a sling strap. Another exception is if I lend out a body to an assistant, I will always have them wear a strap (across the chest, never over the neck...too much stress that way) but typically I am strapless with a single body. The only other exception would be personal/family vacations where I carry a grip-less body and a small lens on a sling strap. To each, his/her own...whatever works for you.
Let me also add this one anecdote: The one and only time I ever dropped a camera/lens (while working) was while it was slung over my shoulder on a strap!
This is an education for me. It appears that most people use some type of retention system. For me, I have always used some type of retention system, based on what I am carrying. This includes camera's and other items. It is hard for me to see why someone would not use a retention system, but this thread has given me some insight. I use a retention system so I can have the ability to have my hands free in case of some type of situation, be it an emergency or even picking up my grandson. I also like to be able to transition to something else if need be. For instance, in walking throught the bush in Zimbabwe, I had both my rifle and camera slung in such a way that I could use either one and transition as the situation dictated.
I handhold a pro body/70-200 f2.8 for hours
