Strap or No Strap 🤔

[Larry S.]

I think photographers are using camera straps a lot less than they did 50-60 years ago. I’m not sure why some prefer carrying their expensive camera precariously by the lens barrel or the right side of the body. It might be that backpacks and speciality bags have come into vogue and straps are not thought to be necessary now. One possibility is that Nikon, Canon, Sony, et al. have included ridiculously wide and obnoxious logo emblazoned cargo belts as camera straps.…… to advertise their product. I for one think the factory straps are hideous, not useful, and advertise to “ne‘er do wells” you have a valuable gadget.
I’ve been using camera straps since the 60’s when they were basically useless rubbery 3/8” after-thoughts. They were absolute junk. Some, like Canon, provided skinny leather straps with a chrome buckle to adjust length. I’m not sure when the camera makers inflated their straps to “truck cargo specs” but they continue to be usless for my needs…
I became accustomed to using a camera strap in Vietnam on a daily basis. Dropping the camera from a helicopter or in a rice paddy would be disastrous. So I came up with a way to wrap a shorter strap around my hand that insured security. In a situation that needed both hands I could just let go and it was tethered to my wrist.
For whatever reason, I continue to hold my cameras in this fashion. I think it helps stabilize the camera in my hand…. just an anomaly of the way I shoot. I eventually found a strap I absolutely love. It’s the Domke “Gripper”. It’s 1” wide, woven material with rubber stitching on one side. It also has detachable hooks….
I see Steve and others carrying their cameras by a lens foot or simply gripping the body. Old habits are hard to break for me so I’ll continue using a strap. I’ve had situations when I didn’t want to put the camera down in snow or nasty stuff. The strap lets me hang it somewhere…. Are others using straps?

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[bleirer]

I've tripped on a trail enough to always use one.

 

[Oldnintheway]

I don't think I've ever, in the 30+ yrs I've been shooting Nikon, used a Nikon strap. Probably still have 3 or 4 still in plastic, never used. I've carried my D500+Tamron 150-600, and now Z8+ 180-600 with an Op/Tech utility strap attached to the body lug. The camera/lens only hangs from this when I am standing still, glassing or whatever. I carry the rig cradled in my my left arm most of the time, and when that gets tiresome, by the lens foot. So the strap is more often than not just a fail safe.

 

[Doug Herr]

My most-used lenses have their own straps so another on the body would get in the way, get snagged on brush or other stuff. Lens strap, yes. Body strap, no.

 

[Turberticus]

I sometimes use a Blackrapid crossbody strap, but most of the time I'll use the lens foot (aftermarket Kirk) like a handle and carry it that way.

 

[MrFotoFool]

I also use a conventional neck strap, but I think we are in the minority these days. Most people seem to use Blackrapid or similar, presumably due to the rise of heavier zoom lenses. (Neck straps were common when most people bought a film camera with a small standard 50mm lens). The irony is I rarely "use" mine and most of the time it just hangs from the camera as I hand carry it. Still I like having it and when I do use it I usually have it off one shoulder instead of around my neck (especially with 70-200 which is too heavy).

I have a couple Tamrac straps with suede covering most of it which makes it comfortable (most of us agree the supplied straps are useless when it comes to comfort). I didn't think they made them anymore but I searched just now and found them (though the end attachment is slightly different: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1369545-REG/tamrac_t3050_1818_qr_strap_leather.html

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[DRwyoming]

When shooting long and heavy wildlife lenses I never use a camera strap, sometimes when walking around with a lighter telephoto like the 500mm PF I'll use a Black Rapid strap connected to the lens foot. When shooting short lenses in casual situations like travel photography I might wear a camera strap but I don't think I've ever used the branded camera straps and opt for an inconspicuous strap without big labels.

 

[LouiseDan]

We do a lot of hiking and use the Peak Design slide straps, I also use the cotton carrier hand grip piece, if using the 150-600 then I put the strap on the lens. Even with a strap I tend to carry my camera by the foot and the strap is around my neck. When we are hiking or moving around trees I find the strap to be a pain with the camera moving around so I end up carrying it in my hand anyway but the strap will maybe protect it if I happen to drop it. Most straps put too much pressure on my neck even if I carry it more across my body.

 

[Icarus]

I use a thin light weight rope like strap that I can unhook easily, however usually have it on when carrying the camera even though I use a Cotton Carrier. Being
somewhat clumsy, I prefer to have backup.

 

[GregT943]

I never ever use a strap. I wish my camera didn't even have strap lugs. If it's not in my back pack, I'm either carrying it attached to a monopod, or simply carrying it by itself.

 

[Mal Paso]

commando

 

[Jamie Baker]

Mostly I’m shooting a 600mm lens (for birds) or 14-30mm lens (real estate) both on tripods, so no strap. All other focal lengths I use a strap. I really like the Peak Design system, it’s very fast to remove or add the strap.

 

[EricKlees]

Never every use a strap on the camera lugs, especially with heavier lenses with the risk of bending the mount. With shorter or lighter lenses, there is no real weight so no need for any strap. This was true for me when i used to do street photography as well.

Currently with my Z9+800PF i hand hold 99% of the time but will use a should strap with a QD connection if out all day

 

[John Navitsky]

i primarily use a conventional strap around my neck. i also am almost exclusively hand holding and move a lot.

remember that video a while back with the camera body tumbling down a ski slope? my first thought was "someone could have been killed or seriously injured because you're too cool to use a strap".

 

[EricKlees]

Kill someone? Extreme melodrama there.

 

[John Navitsky]

Kill someone? Extreme melodrama there.

you just need speed and bad luck. i’d say olympic skiers add a certain amount of speed. likewise dropping a camera from a high place where there are people below, bridges, buildings. while unlikely i stand by my statement.

here's that video:

https://x.com/nbcolympics/status/1489218449188573193

 

[dabhand16]

I hate neck straps. I changed over to Black Rapid style slings many years ago and have never looked back.

 

[Jerry Watson]

ThinkTank I use ThinkTank Digital Holsters.

 

[JimmySchoster]

I love the Hyperion Camera straps. I have several round acrylic ones. You can order different colors for the strap and pick the thread color too. They also have other versions and material types.

Round Acrylic Camera Straps

Buy Round Acrylic Camera Straps at Hyperion Handmade Camera Straps. Check Price and Buy Online. ✓ Best Offers.

www.hyperioncamerastraps.com

 

[Woody Meristem]

There's a strap on every one of my cameras, usually the supplied Olympus neck strap sometimes a wrist strap. All of the straps and cameras have Peak Design-style connectors because the straps come off when I'm shooting from a vehicle or I want to use a wrist strap rather than a neck strap. Fortunately Olympus cameras and lenses are light enough (except for the 100-400mm) that I don't worry about using the camera lugs -- but I never walk with the camera just dangling from the strap. When I'm using a monopod the strap is still around my neck just in case. Drop an expensive camera and lens on a rock or in water and you'll regret not using a strap. I have taken the backing off all the web straps to make them more flexible and to enable them to slide more easily. In more than 50 years I've never just used a strap on my shoulder -- that's a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Rixpx]

I’ve used a Black Rapid shoulder strap for years. After having extensive shoulder surgery a while back, I find I can’t tolerate the strap on long hikes anymore. I recently switched to a Peak Design belt clip. I do have a wrist strap on my camera for a little added protection against dropping it.

 

[Doomrider74]

For the most part, no strap. I bought a PD strap for a boat trip I took in September as I had nightmares of dropping my kit in the water. However, boat trips and precarious situations aside, I carry my D500/500pf by the lens foot and my Z5/24-70 either in my pack or by the grip.

I think straps have the potential to cause more damage due to the pendulum effect that could happen if I slip or fall, but they have their place.

 

[Doug Herr]

I think straps have the potential to cause more damage due to the pendulum effect that could happen if I slip or fall, but they have their place.

One reason I don't use a strap on the body is the change in balance when the camera swings. Uncertain/uneven terrain can be hazardous enough without my balance changing or having to dedicate one hand to keeping the camera from hitting a rock or shifting my balance. The camera is in the pack.

 

[ajrmd]

Another user who almost never employs neck straps and/or body anchoring.

 

[Larry S.]

The responses to the camera strap question has been varied and informative. I’ve learned a lot from the responding members. I’ve never even heard of Black Rapid, Peak Design, Think Tank, Round Acrylic et al… I’ve been really satisfied with the Domke for years and won’t try to fix what ain’t broken. There were common practices that were noted. For one, we don’t dangle cameras and longer lenses by a strap. None of us do. The potential for damage to the lens mount or lens is obvious. Adding to that, I don’t use my strap as a neck strap per se. Or an over the shoulder carry option either. It goes in a carry bag. If I’m working with short lenses and need both hands for a “switch-out” or cleaning, over the head it goes… Otherwise my strap is mainly a retention and support aid. Not sure I want to hang my rig over the gunwale of the boat for a water-level shot and……. Oh No!
The “lens foot” grab seems to be the most common carry method. I do recall that Steve had an “OOOPPPS!” event last year when a lens foot let go…. A strap around the wrist is just insurance against disaster. Sorta like seat belts in your car. I recall his camera, Z9, wasn’t damaged. It fell in soft grass..
Some that responded never use straps and consider them an annoyance. I get that. They are always in the way of fiddling with my camera or tangled around the lens. But I put up with the inconvenience for the benefits.
Thanks to all!