I just bought the 1" black gripper for use as a lens strap - it works well, and though the gripping weave doesn't "glue" the strap to your shoulder, it's a lot better than straight fabric. And, it doesn't have any big logos on it - it's just a black strap.
Daniel Bates wrote:
I just bought the 1" black gripper for use as a lens strap - it works well, and though the gripping weave doesn't "glue" the strap to your shoulder, it's a lot better than straight fabric. And, it doesn't have any big logos on it - it's just a black strap.
Highly recommended!
I would agree, I have one on my 5D and 30D and love them. The only thing I might do different is get the 1.5" strap instead of the 1" strap. I actually got the Cannon ones which are made by Domke as they were less expensive. They do have Domke imprinted on one side of the leather and canon on the other.
I'm a big fan of the Domke Gripper straps as well, and I also use the 1.5" versions. I used neoprene straps for a while, but I really prefer the more solid Gripper strap, as I can always tell exactly where the strap is on my shoulder, and when it's about to slip off. I often go with three bodies & lenses at the same time, one on each shoulder and the third either in a chest-mounted sling bag (with no Gripper), or hanging around my neck with a Gripper. I sometimes wish they had gripper rubber threads on both sides of the strap, but that's not a big problem.
Hi Savas,
Those are for use with different style cameras. Domke makes sure that their strap is usuable for all types of cameras. You just remove the rings & leather pieces to use with a digital slr.
i got one for basically nothing a while back, and it's very cool-
but if you wear your camera like i do (across your chest/shoulder diagonally), it can be troublesome. I, when not shooting, keep the camera on my side- but this strap makes it diffficult to swing the camera up to my eye. Very grippy.
story about a gripper strap saving the day:
me and my wife were in nyc, stopped by B&H to get her an F5XB, which she soon put the bessa and some other gear in. We were walking down 42nd and one of the strap connectors ripped off, and instead of the bag crashing to the ground, it slowly swung forward but the strap STAYED on her shoulder long enough for her to catch the bag.
I've used them for years and like them a lot. I like the anti-twist swivel (no need to check the orientation before attaching the camera), and I prefer the narrow, metal connectors to broad plastic connectors.
I like the narrower strap--I can wear it over shoulder, around my neck, or wrap it around my wrist to use it as a hand strap. I also like the fact that it doesn't bounce.
Another positive vote for the gripper. In fact, another positive vote for anything domke. The gripper has just the right amount of grippiness. It stays put but doesn't quite have the superglue stickiness of the ustrap.
I just bought and received the Gripper strap and am compelled to ask about the quick release - it doesn't inspire confidence by the way it appears. I have not attempted to test it by pulling the strap apart forcibly so as not to mar the finish -- has anyone had an issue with the quick release design causing a camera to fall unexpectedly?
I bought one 1" and one 1.5", solely to decide which is more comfortable. They were not on display at B&H and they had to ship them to me. So far, I will be choosing the 1.5" after having hung some weight on each and giving it the neck test. Not that I will be carrying on neck all the time, but it's good to know if it feels ok in the event I need to for short durations.
These are almost as long as my Upstrap - but I will really find out when I have both in the unattached state to compare. I can sling the camera on the body bandelero-style with the Upstrap.
Thanks for the confidence inspiring experience as to the quick release. Though I am interested in also hearing from long time users of the Gripper strap as well.
Savas, why do you think Domke supplies these straps with two sets of the little plastic loops? One set is used below the buckle and the other set above. I discarded the lower set. Confused!
The loop on my Domke seems too slack to stay up on the upper part after the buckle, despite the double thickness of main web and the web ends. I'll have to play around with this when I install this strap.
