Pros - camera straps?

[JerryPH]

I use a nice wide neoprene strap on all my cameras. I don't always wear it around my neck, I often wrap it around my right wrist becuase I want the freedom of being able to go overhead and shoot down without taking the strap off my neck. That said, when I carry 2 bodies, that neoprene strap is a LIFE saver. If I carry a D700 w/grip and a 70-200 around my neck for more than 15 min using the Nikon strap, I have a sore neck and back... but that same combo with the neoprene strap is good for all day with no issues.

 

[Overread35]

Was browsing for some, came up with this

Gadget.brando.com

But it looks kinda uncomfortable. What if you want to... let go?

Looking at the design I'm fairly sure is a comfortable fit and probably very secure, but like you I can see the downside being that if you ever want to get your hand out its going to be a problem.
I suppose many would end up having the wriststrap part not wrapped around as tight (or at all) to allow for that easy of letting go when you need to - which rather defeates hte point of it.

However for togs in a scrum of photographers I can see the attraction of a very secure grip that won't get go if you get bumped

 

[Big Mike]

I have a OPTech strap for each of my bodies. What I usually do is take out the padded part of the strap and clip the loose ends together, creating a short strap. I then wrap that short strap around my wrist and hold the camera by the grip. It's great for on-the-go or busy shooting, but not great for long periods of time.
If I'm shooting with two bodies, I'll take the extra padded strap from the first camera and clip it into the strap on the 2nd camera, creating an extra long strap. This allows me to wear it around my chest, rather than just around me neck. This allows me to carry a heavy load for a long time (camera + 70-200mm F2.8 L IS) and also have it hang down at my side, out of the way.

 

[itznfb]

generally when i go to the zoo i just take my D90 w/Grip and 70-200mm w/TC-17EII and a bottle of water in my back pocket. if i'm only going to be there for 2-4 hours then i don't use a strap at all, it's easier just to carry in my hand and the strap generally just gets in the way. if i'm going to be there for 6-12 hours then i'll use an op/tech strap and throw it over my shoulder when carrying, and a figure 8 loop around my elbow (more stable than a monopod ) when shooting.

 

[Village Idiot]

F yeah. Camo and digi camo Crumplers, why not show them off?

 

[PhotoXopher]

Where'd that come from?

 

[itznfb]

lol. i think he likes crumpler. i'd have to agree though. especially if you're carrying two bodies. throwing the second body around your neck with a crumpler industry disgrace is remarkably comfortable.

 

[Josh66]

And where do you work that people from the Pentagon (i am assuming thats what you were speaking of?) would visit?

I work for a major defense contractor. They basically just wanted to come out to tell us "We love what you're doing! Keep doing it! Do it faster!"
I'm not sure if I should say who the visitors actually were, but they were very high up in the chain of command - so it was a pretty big deal.

Frankly it's all about what you feel is comfortable for you. And how you work.

I agree. The thing is, they did not look comfortable.

Everyone was literally just standing around for over 2 hours (that's how you roll when you work for the government, lol). The photographers looked like they didn't know what to do with their cameras and were tired of holding them. At least the videographers had a tripod...

 

[dizzyg44]

I don't really know how to describe it (but I don't have a pic)

I use the standard strap that comes with the camera and carry over shoulder.

But when I'm shooting, I have the strip right behind my elbow in about the middle of the strap and the the outer side 1-2 times around my forearm. This keeps the tension on the strap to stabilize and support instead or supporting soley on my forearms. It's also really easy to go from over the shoulder to ready position.

I hope it makes sense

 

[inTempus]

I have a neoprene neck strap on both of my bodies with quick releases. Super comfortable, far more so than the OEM neck straps. I would NEVER be stuck for more than 30 minutes without one. What a nightmare it would be running around with a 1D with a hand strap.

 

[EleanorW]

The strap that came with my Sony is very uncomfortable - I end up with it around my wrist 80% of the time it's not on my tripod.

 

[craig]

I think I have a camera strap and I think I use it. Somehow it is the least of my worries so I do not pay attention to it.

Love & Bass

 

[Bigpopa]

Has anyone used one of these I have been looking into them...............

BlackRapid.com

 

[JerryPH]

I've done a lot of reading on them, and for people that carry 2 bodies, they are good. However, they have previously had a bad reputation of including a low quality connector at the camera end, and I have read that it broke and caused someone with a 1D and 70-200 lens to hit concrete and killed both the lens and camera.

I'd not let that stop me, though. If I needed to carry 2 cameras, this is the one that I would get... however, if I was not satisfied with the safe and secure connection at the camera end, I would have no reservations in DIY-ing myself a stronger solution.

 

[FrankLamont]

I have heard of the R-strap, but I'm not convinced of paying that much for the double strap usage. Although using two separate normal (thus not very helpful) straps does get irritating.