Thanks for responding Fred, w/a great visual aid no less!
Strap or No Strap š¤
- Thread starter Larry S.
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Quite honestly, I would never NOT use a strap, although of course the Nikon straps themselves are useless. I prefer Peak Design straps that are large enough to go over my shoulder, and have the camera/lens on the opposite side. For camera bodies with smaller lenses, I attach the strap directly to the camera body, but for larger telephoto lenses (basically any lens with a foot), the strap attaches to the lens foot via a QD swivel and socket. One aspect about the PD straps is that theyāre long enough that I can easily bring the camera to my eye without removing or repositioning the strap.
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No around the neck strap for me. I use a shoulder Black Rapid when needed, but carry by lens foot often
Yes, a strap attached to the lens foot really makes sense. I had seen a few of these rigs here and the lens weight is not being supported by the camera mount. Very bad idea. The lens is actually holding the camera body and leaves both hands free when neededā¦. I would have concerns over the āquick releaseā gizmo letting go when you didnāt want it toā¦..
ajrmd
Well-known member
I've used QD connectors for years (on firearms/cameras) and have never had one fail. When using my TF lenses they attach to the feet and when using short lenses they connect to the L-plate. I guess it is conceivable that they could disconnect though I always use a safety leash. Then again, look at the debacle with the Z8 body lugs...Yes, a strap attached to the lens foot really makes sense. I had seen a few of these rigs here and the lens weight is not being supported by the camera mount. Very bad idea. The lens is actually holding the camera body and leaves both hands free when neededā¦. I would have concerns over the āquick releaseā gizmo letting go when you didnāt want it toā¦..
Z8 body lugs? Seriously? Is this a real or another case of Nikon covering their āš«ā?
That is not my experience at all, but maybe Iām misunderstanding your point. My larger lenses with camera attached are supported by the strap via the QD connector, which in my opinion is no riskier than hand carrying a camera/lens rig by the lens foot itself. As an added safety measure, I also have a āsafety strapā connecting the strap directly to the camera body via another QD connector in the unlikely event of a failure of the main lens foot/QD connector. After years of using this setup over some fairly rugged terrain, Iāve never had a problem nor felt that my rig was at risk. Iām not sure what the alternative would be short of carry everything separately by hand, which for me is impractical.Yes, a strap attached to the lens foot really makes sense. I had seen a few of these rigs here and the lens weight is not being supported by the camera mount. Very bad idea. The lens is actually holding the camera body and leaves both hands free when neededā¦. I would have concerns over the āquick releaseā gizmo letting go when you didnāt want it toā¦..
Got itā¦.
Several users had the lugs come out, so yes it is real. (I sent my in for the warranty repair just to be safe).
Calson
Well-known member
I put neoprene straps that have quick release buckles on my cameras and have done so for more than 30 years. On a tripod I remove the camera strap so as not to get caught on the strap and send the camera and lens crashing to the ground.
A camera strap provides me with a third hand when changing lenses or adding or removing a teleconverter. The alternative would be to set the lens on the ground.
I carry smaller lenses with the foot and the large ones like the 600mm and 800mm ones with the foot clamped securely in the clamp on the Kirk Photo Security Strap (sold by B&H). The Kirk approach is 100% secure and no worries about a quick release mechanism releasing on its own. I have had quick release camera straps that had a design problem and so now I test the strap to insure that both sides of the release need to be pressed in to have the strap released.
A camera strap provides me with a third hand when changing lenses or adding or removing a teleconverter. The alternative would be to set the lens on the ground.
I carry smaller lenses with the foot and the large ones like the 600mm and 800mm ones with the foot clamped securely in the clamp on the Kirk Photo Security Strap (sold by B&H). The Kirk approach is 100% secure and no worries about a quick release mechanism releasing on its own. I have had quick release camera straps that had a design problem and so now I test the strap to insure that both sides of the release need to be pressed in to have the strap released.
Maurie
Active member
I have a special drawer just for āstill in their plastic wrappingā Nikon branded straps. A quick look tonight reveals D2X, D2Xs, D4, D700, D810, five(!) Z straps. Pity the Zās are so generic 
I have three OpTech straps that are 15-10 years old, that I have mini stainless steel carabiners on, so they clip on/off whatever body/lens Iām using at the time; but most commonly I use wriststraps. All my cameras have arcaswiss bases or in the case of my favourite zf and zfc the SmallRig grip/baseplate, with the wriststrap attached to the bottom.
On my bigger lenses I replace the ridiculous Nikon foot with an arcaswiss version and an adaptor with a QD, to which I connect the OpTech Strap. Double jeopardy.
I have three OpTech straps that are 15-10 years old, that I have mini stainless steel carabiners on, so they clip on/off whatever body/lens Iām using at the time; but most commonly I use wriststraps. All my cameras have arcaswiss bases or in the case of my favourite zf and zfc the SmallRig grip/baseplate, with the wriststrap attached to the bottom.
On my bigger lenses I replace the ridiculous Nikon foot with an arcaswiss version and an adaptor with a QD, to which I connect the OpTech Strap. Double jeopardy.
Strap or no strap is a personal choice.
About 55 years (and more) ago when I had only one body and one lens I used the "never ready" hard leather case and strap.
My current choice is normally no strap as I find they tend to get tangled up in a backpack that I often use.
Long Arca Swiss plates on telephoto lenses make handholding via the tripod foot much easier.
About 55 years (and more) ago when I had only one body and one lens I used the "never ready" hard leather case and strap.
My current choice is normally no strap as I find they tend to get tangled up in a backpack that I often use.
Long Arca Swiss plates on telephoto lenses make handholding via the tripod foot much easier.
Thanksā¦.Iāll look at this option alsoā¦.
joe43
Well-known member
I try and always have a camera strap attached to my camera or to the tripod collar foot and use them when walking or carrying my gear. My current straps are from Peak Design, Black Rapid and OpTech. When I have a 500mm lens on my camera I usually carry it by the tripod collar foot, but I still have the Black Rapid strap attached to it. If I am in a blind, I usually remove the strap on the camera and lens as it is easier to operate. If the camera is on a tripod and it is windy, I will remove it to prevent any unnecessary movement.
This is generally the way I move with the longer glass if not cradling it in the crook of my arm. I think this is what you were describing. The strap just acts as a failsafe should the foot let go..
The Q/D connector is interesting and that would de-tangle stuff at āshow-timeāā¦.
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I use a Peak Design Slide and occasionally a Peak Design wrist strap on a smaller camera. I never go without a strap.
Anthony
Active member
I really don't want to drop my camera (don't ask how I know this). If I don't have a strap I cramp my hand with a death grip on the camera or lens. So I use straps for backup, currently Peak Design, which are comfortable and easily removable when so required. Result - no hand cramp and no trashed camera.
Not exactly. I have a longer Peak Design shoulder strap with QD swivel socket attached. The QD attaches to the lens foot. I also have a safety strap with another QD swivel, which attaches to the Camera plate. I hang the entire rig (with camera) across my shoulder. Itās secure and comfortable.This is generally the way I move with the longer glass if not cradling it in the crook of my arm. I think this is what you were describing. The strap just acts as a failsafe should the foot let go..
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I like both the Peak Design and blackrapid .
If i am moving in and out of a vehicle or in a public place for something lighter I will use the Peak Design. If I am hiking somewhere for anything heavy the bkackrapid is my choice.
If I am actively shooting I prefer to detach straps, the z9 is really easy to grip and carry.
I prefer to keep my camera gear in a backpack. and move it around that way.
For the 600mm pf I have a think tank case that will hold the lens with camera attached and provides maximal protection. I can attach that to a waist belt.
I used to backpack a lot in my youth and I know how a good backpack works. You need to get all the weight on your hips not your shoulders. That way you can carry heavy loads areound all day.
If i am moving in and out of a vehicle or in a public place for something lighter I will use the Peak Design. If I am hiking somewhere for anything heavy the bkackrapid is my choice.
If I am actively shooting I prefer to detach straps, the z9 is really easy to grip and carry.
I prefer to keep my camera gear in a backpack. and move it around that way.
For the 600mm pf I have a think tank case that will hold the lens with camera attached and provides maximal protection. I can attach that to a waist belt.
I used to backpack a lot in my youth and I know how a good backpack works. You need to get all the weight on your hips not your shoulders. That way you can carry heavy loads areound all day.
Okie dokieā¦.got it now.
Carry all day?
I wish I could. I do have a really decent camera backpackā¦..but not all dayā¦ You carry the camera attached to the lens in the pack?fulltimewanderer
Well-known member
I have two SunSniper camera straps. Neither one gets much use. Primarily use one on back up camera when shooting with 600F4 on tripod in case subject gets too close. Occasionally when hiking. My biggest fear is strap getting tangled up in something and being pulled, impacting the ground.
Yeah, the strap getting tangled up and contributing to a camera on the ground event is ānot a good dayāā¦
fulltimewanderer
Well-known member
My wife has a strap attached ALL the time. Normal for her, camera on a chair, seat, couch etc strap hanging off. Scary
I agree with Wotan1.Carry all day?
Whatever your level of fitness, and age can be a big factor, I find a backpack with the load well balanced on the hips enables up to twice as much weight to be carried at least twice as far.
A relative disadvantage of larger backpacks is it takes a little longer to get to your camera equipment, offset by being able to get to more and sometimes better photographic locations in a single outing. Many recent backpacks have the bonus of a fitting for a water bottle for refreshment part way round.