KibblesNbitz wrote:
Only amateurs and hobbyists use camera straps. Pros don't have time for that nonsense
I don't think so. I'm an amateur and I don't use a neck strap. I use a hand strap and a spider holster for portraits and no strap at all for landscape if I use a tripod and a remote shutter.
KibblesNbitz wrote:
Only amateurs and hobbyists use camera straps. Pros don't have time for that nonsense
Been studying at the Ken Rockwell School of Photography Journalism?
I'm not a pro either, but I disagree - I see plenty of sports and motorsports pros with straps.
There probably isn't a perfect strap, but I like how my BR is set up - I have an Arca L-bracket on my camera and I use a clamp that allows me to ditch the strap in less than two seconds if I need to go "bare" for tripod/monopod or just to get the strap out of the way.
Lately I have stopped using a camera strap altogether, but I'm also shooting a 5D with primes 90% of the time right now. They all have their benefits and drawbacks, it's really a matter of preference I think. I wish I could put a hand strap on my 5D (without the battery grip), because I've always liked the way they fit and feel, but alas there are no good clean options really.
I've recently been looking at getting a single point bungee sling for a rifle and putting that on my camera to try it out, but I haven't gotten to it yet as I don't really need it until I start using a larger telephoto.
I would think it would be smart to use a strap in most situations, unless your camera is sitting on a tripod in a studio and never moves. Or maybe if you just use your camera around the house. In that case, it might just land on "carpet" if you drop it. I personally have a strap on my camera(s) at all times, because I'm generally taking wildlife and nature photos and many times I'm hand-holding as well. Plus, I could potentially drop my camera in rivers, lakes, sand, cement, mud, etc. I've done occasional people photos and a wedding, but still kept the strap on. I don't usually have it around my neck though. Many times I might have it wrapped around my hand/wrist if I think I'm in a spot where I could drop the camera. Peace! -J.T.
I shoot a lot of bands. Having to reach to get shots at all kinds of odd angles I never use a strap. But, that being said, I do have a Black Rapid that I love if I need a strap. Hiking is with a 50-500 sigma with the tripod foot rotated up as a handle. Imagine getting caught up in a strap just as Bigfoot appears at the end of the trail? can't take the risk. . Have shot my D3 with either a 24-70 or a 80-200 all day without a strap. Could still hold a beer at the end of the day.
I've been shooting as an amateur for 35 years and have rarely used a shoulder strap. I do have hand straps on my dslrs. But, don't really use them much. Most of the time my camera is on a tripod. Do whatever works for you.
omarlyn wrote:
What's up with the blue demin photo vests everyone's wearing...a uniform
Omar
Ha! What a great shot.
It looks like there are a lot of 1DX's there. I bet many of those are CPS loaners in which they're supposed to keep the strap on. That's my best guess.
The only time I wouldn't use some sort of strap is in the studio or a personal family shoot. There are many types of shoulder-straps & hand-straps (still a strap), including those that can be retained behind the back. I found that the UPStrap stays on the shoulder better than others. Photojournalists usually carry one or two cameras on shoulder-straps along with a camera bag. That way they can change lenses & accessories easier and faster. Also, there are camera strap techniques that help hold the camera steadier too.
One camera, one lens? I wouldn't want to hand-hold any camera all day, and I think that if the guy at the gun range knew better he would have used some sort of strap too, or at least put it in his gun bag next to him. Putting a camera down on a shared bench behind your back is a recipe for theft.
There sure are a lot of different views on straps.
Me personally i hate neck straps. I ditched those a while back to using no strap at all. For me the neck strap is constantly in the way and very cumbersome. I tried using one again not too long ago, took it off after about 5 min of use.
Recently i got a shoulder strap. The strap i have is better than the standard neck by leaps and bounds. Not using a strap at all is nice, BUT when you want to use both hand you've got to put that camera down somewhere or give it to someone. With a shoulder strap it sits nicely off to the side and it there for quick access. If i want to take it off, no problem. Comes off in a few seconds.
Never tried a hand strap yet...
So for me. Shoulder strap all the way. I can't say i'll ever go back to no strap at all. I have to protect my camera. I can't afford to just say, "oh well" i'll just go buy another.
Most of them have straps on either their lens or camera.
Maybe the pros that own all of their equipment don't care as much about dropping their gear, but I imagine all the pros that shoot with their agency's gear use more "protection". What photog wants to bring back their company's 600mm lens broken?
Is there anyone on the forum that uses "borrowed" gear and takes the straps off? Just wondering.
trenchmonkey wrote:
Straps get caught in crowds...if you've ever shot events/PJ work you'd know why
many of us prefer to go strapless.
That's something to consider.
When I use my Sunsniper or BlackRapid shoulder strap, I don't think that's an issue because it's pretty tight to the body, but I recently got a 300f2.8 and have been using a neckstrap on it. It usually just dangles when shooting, and I hate neckstraps, but I use it on my shoulder for easier carrying. I'll have to re-evaluate its usage. I think it's going bye-bye. Thanks for the tip.
When I use my big lenses (Tamron SP 300mm f 2.8 or Tamron SP 400mm f4) both of which weigh 2.5kg, I use a neck strap on the lens and on the camera when not using a tripod.
pixelrandy wrote:
It looks like there are a lot of 1DX's there. I bet many of those are CPS loaners in which they're supposed to keep the strap on. That's my best guess.
Indeed. Why else wouldn't anyone replace the horrible snaps which shout "Canon DIGITAL" or "Nikon" with something better, like an Optech? But maybe they're all dentists?
Roy
I love my BlackRapid shoulder strap. It is easy to attach and detach to a camera or lens, but I don't shoot with long lenses. My longest is 70-200 f2.8 + 1.4xIII
I use hand straps for Canon. When I need to use a shoulder strap I use the dual R straps so Incan have two cameras available immediately. Neck straps get in the way if you're shooting long exposures, too.
I don't think so. I'm an amateur and I don't use a neck strap. I use a hand strap and a spider holster for portraits and no strap at all for landscape if I use a tripod and a remote shutter.
. Have shot my D3 with either a 24-70 or a 80-200 all day without a strap. Could still hold a beer at the end of the day. 
