Shoulder Straps

Philpalmer

Philpalmer

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Phil
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Hi all

I have the nikon d7000, does anybody else find the strap provided with these bodies is pretty much a waste of time? It's so small and doesn't feel sufficient enough.
Does anybody have any recommendations on a longer more comfortable shoulder strap? Views on cheap ebay/Amazon ones too?

Thanks

Phil
 
I'm sure someone will be along soon to say that you can't trust a cheap strap with an expensive camera but I really have banged mine about on one of these and it did great. Very comfy to travel with as it'll sit on your hip rather than being uncomfortable on your chest.
 
Black Rapids are pretty good. I've got one for corporate events and exhibitions.

For everything else, I'll be taking delivery of the Moneymaker next week;)
 
Just get a basic OpTech one and wear it bandolier style with the prism housing against your body, the lens will hang vertically.

I use the OpTech E-Z Comfort Strap for body and lens up to 300/4 ... LINK
 
Which strap you use is best decided according to exactly what you are going to hang off it and also the type of photography you do.

In other words, if you usually have a telephoto (other than lightweight kit zoom lens) and walkabout shooting wildlife then none of these straps mentioned above are going to serve you as well as a BlackRapid or very similar. You need to be able to slide your camera (attached by lens collar, not body!) up and down the strap and sometimes be able to lock in in position on the strap. Also, the BlackRapid has an extra strap which goes under your armpit to stop further slipping.

Otherwise, the straps mentioned and linked above appear to do the job well enough.
 
I use both of my Q-straps with my D4/D4S and 24-120/70-200/150-600 and have never felt the need to have anything more expensive ... an inspection of the straps show them to be absolutely fine after nearly 3 years use.
 
I use carryspeed which is excellent, quite difficult to get hold of though! Mine came from Israel...
 
gramps said:
I use both of my Q-straps with my D4/D4S and 24-120/70-200/150-600 and have never felt the need to have anything more expensive ... an inspection of the straps show them to be absolutely fine after nearly 3 years use.
Click to expand...

....Comparing apples with apples etc, when you add the extra cost of Q-strap's 'securing strap' which comes included with a BlackRapid the cost is nearly £30 and so more comparable with BlackRapid which has the bonus of offering a more extensive system.
 
The only thing I don't like about my BlackRapid is the caribena > < fastener loop which can get very fiddly and lose you a shot through the delay when you need to quickly swop between strap and monopod/tripod. So I have ordered an Acratech Swift Clamp which can live on my strap and takes Arca-Swiss plates.

I use a BlackRapid lock accessory on the caribena as they can become unlocked.
 
RedRobin said:
....Comparing apples with apples etc, when you add the extra cost of Q-strap's 'securing strap' which comes included with a BlackRapid the cost is nearly £30 and so more comparable with BlackRapid which has the bonus of offering a more extensive system.
Click to expand...

Never needed a securing strap - it works and they both have done for nearly three years.
I've had a black rapid and comparing the two I see no reason to pay the extra just because some people think paying more equals a better product.
 
gramps said:
Never needed a securing strap - it works and they both have done for nearly three years.
I've had a black rapid and comparing the two I see no reason to pay the extra just because some people think paying more equals a better product.
Click to expand...

....But I'm not saying that paying more equals a better product in this case, gramps. Although it does apply to quite a lot of products - Bicycles being a good example.

I do need a securing strap to stop it sometimes falling off my shoulder like a girl's bra strap (they never intend that to happen do they.... much!!). Perhaps you have squarer shoulders than I have. I can fully describe the scenario where I need the securing strap but I think you'll get bored.
 
Martyn... said:
Just get a basic OpTech one and wear it bandolier style with the prism housing against your body, the lens will hang vertically.

I use the OpTech E-Z Comfort Strap for body and lens up to 300/4 ... LINK
Click to expand...

:agree:

At the moment a 1D IV with 100-400 is the heaviest thing I use as a walk about combo and the Optech Pro does me fine.
 
Speaking of Optech straps - are we getting any more Talk Photography straps in the future ?
 
The cheapo chinese one I posted works like a BR - the camera slides up and down the strap as needed and you can restrict start and end points using the supplied clips. You can also get ones that have the under-shoulder clip as well for the similar money. Personally, for walkabout stuff, I don't think it's needed.
I've hung heavy stuff off mine and I'm satisfied that it's robust.

TL;DR - Blackrapid are bloody expensive. If you want to try this kind of stuff out, a tenner for something that is fit for purpose seems a good deal. YMMV...
 
atrendall said:
Noticed several recommendations for OpTech and I have always found them useful but now that I am downsizing from a dslr to a Sony A7 I have one for sale in the classifieds. See link below

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/op-tech-pro-strap.577650/

Incidentally, any suggestions for a shoulder strap for my new A7R?
Click to expand...

optech mirrorless strap, or one of their mirrorless strap slings, theres 2
The fasion and maybe the classic are slimmer than your old one I think
 
landwomble said:
You can also get ones that have the under-shoulder clip as well for the similar money. Personally, for walkabout stuff, I don't think it's needed.
I've hung heavy stuff off mine and I'm satisfied that it's robust.
Click to expand...

....Regardless of which brand, just to explain a scenario for everyone's benefit where an under-shoulder (via armpit) strap is needed:

No matter what the weight of the camera+lens you have attached, when shooting wildlife there are often occasions when you are in the camera viewfinder with your arms bent in support of your telephoto lens either when lying on the ground, kneeling, or on a monopod. As there then is no tension on your across-the-chest strap it can easily slip off your shoulder without the extra strap and especially if your camouflage jacket has a slippy surface due to being waterproof. The problem comes when you try to move your left arm (assuming strap on left not right shoulder) and then find it restricted by your strap. It's Sod's Law that it invariably happens when you don't want it to and interferes with your shot.

Perhaps if you are a wedding photographer this scenario doesn't happen, unless you want to get very creative and get down low and frighten the bride and other girlies.

I know from experience out there in the fields what works best for me in practical reality and so share my advice and leave it entirely up to you ladies and gentlemen to decide which you prefer to buy.

:)
 
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