New Rebel XT-How do I carry it?

[dovbaer]

Just got my new XT. I know about camera/accessory bags, but what about just hanging it around your neck and spending a few hours at the zoo (or whatever) with one lens. Walking around the yard yesterday with the strap, it felt like the camera was rubbing too much against my body. Are their "bras" or something similar to protect the camera in these highly normal situations?

[Skip Souza]

First of all you need a POTN camera strap that makes it easier on the neck and shoulders. I have found that by placing one arm through the strap your camera will be cradled under that arm and pinned against your side where it will not swing free and rub so much. You can then just bring the camera up and shoot without removing your arm. I tend to attach my flash and then just hook my elbow under the flash. This secures the camera and eases the weight.
POTN strap is available at http://www.procameragear.com/potn/strap2.html

[bachscuttler]

A belt hook keyring? :evil: :cool:

[PhotosGuy]

Walking around the yard yesterday with the strap, it felt like the camera was rubbing too much against my body. And I adjusted mine to rub just the right spots! :D Just can't please some people, I guess. ;)

[SkipD]

Make sure you are using a properly designed lens hood mounted to your lens. That will provide you with both physical protection (from the occasional stray finger as well as the occasional "crash" into things around you) and will also keep stray light from degrading your images.

[bachscuttler]

The strap supplied with the camera is damn annoying.
By the time I've untwisted it 20 times I've missed the shot.

IS the POTN strap better then?

[PacAce]

The strap supplied with the camera is damn annoying.
By the time I've untwisted it 20 times I've missed the shot.

IS the POTN strap better then?
If you had problems with the original straps, then I think the POTN would land you in the psycho ward. :lol:

However, as long as you aren't really OC about it, you may find that ignoring a twisted POTN strap maybe a lot easier to do than ignoring a twisted orignal strap. ;)

[wannasmaxx]

If you had problems with the original straps, then I think the POTN would land you in the psycho ward. :lol:

However, as long as you aren't really OC about it, you may find that ignoring a twisted POTN strap maybe a lot easier to do than ignoring a twisted orignal strap. ;)
On the contrary, I find that if you twist the strap around your wrist, it stays there securely, and is there for the shot when you need it. Also makes portrait style shot a helluva lot easier with out the strap flying everywhere.

[PhotosGuy]

Afterthought: You can buy a wrist strap, too. They attach to the tripod screw, so you get the best of both worlds.

[bachscuttler]

Also makes portrait style shot a helluva lot easier with out the strap flying everywhere.

Thats another thing I hate about the strap...it always seems to get in the way when I tripod mount the camera.

I even considered the hand strap available for the battery grip.
I hate the camera bouncing all over my chest anyway...can be very annoying with the grip and a 580EX.

There should be a quick relaease type strap so you can take it off quickly when you need to.

[Jon]

Thats another thing I hate about the strap...it always seems to get in the way when I tripod mount the camera.

I even considered the hand strap available for the battery grip.
I hate the camera bouncing all over my chest anyway...can be very annoying with the grip and a 580EX.

There should be a quick relaease type strap so you can take it off quickly when you need to.
The POTN strap has a quick release. Go for it!

[WepWaWep]

I use a quick release strap and like many others carry it sling style, like a gun.

[wannasmaxx]

Thats another thing I hate about the strap...it always seems to get in the way when I tripod mount the camera.

I even considered the hand strap available for the battery grip.
I hate the camera bouncing all over my chest anyway...can be very annoying with the grip and a 580EX.

There should be a quick relaease type strap so you can take it off quickly when you need to.
Too poor for a wrist strap, I just use the original and adjust and wrap to fit.

[bolantej]

just get a holster bag, and hook it on your belt.
i did have one of those Zing brand things like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=113792&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

it worked well while i was lugging around my Rebel T2 for two weeks on vacation. Has a waist strap that's designed to keep it close to you, as well as relieve some of the tension on your neck.
i've also seen these straps that go around your waist and have a neoprene section with a hole in it so you can just stick your lens in it to keep to up against you.

[COKE CAN]

I enjoy my optech handstrap.

http://www.smorganphotography.com/mine/me.jpg

[Jackal]

To carry it I wear it like a woman sometimes wears her purse. Across your chest with the camera at the bottom hugging your hip. (With the top of the camera touching my hip)

It only takes me like 2 seconds to bring it up to shooting mode so it's not that bad.

[wannasmaxx]

I enjoy my optech handstrap.


I do it like Coke Can, cept with out the other strap.

[COKE CAN]

I do it like Coke Can, cept with out the other strap.

I am tempted to remove that second strap. But I'm scared, lol.

[Saudidave]

My 350D won't fit in any of my pockets, but, hey, whats this strap obsession? Mine has had a 28-135 IS attached 95% of the time for the last 5 months, recently replaced with a 17-85 IS. I have no issues with the Canon strap, no tangles, problems with carrying it etc. Seems fine to me. I use it a lot too. Approx 1000 images per month.

[JDrex05]

Thats another thing I hate about the strap...it always seems to get in the way when I tripod mount the camera.

I even considered the hand strap available for the battery grip.
I hate the camera bouncing all over my chest anyway...can be very annoying with the grip and a 580EX.

There should be a quick relaease type strap so you can take it off quickly when you need to.
I picked up a Lowepro strap at Ritz camera for like $15, its has quick releases and its REALLY comfortable compared to the kit strap.

[COKE CAN]

My 350D won't fit in any of my pockets, but, hey, whats this strap obsession? Mine has had a 28-135 IS attached 95% of the time for the last 5 months, recently replaced with a 17-85 IS. I have no issues with the Canon strap, no tangles, problems with carrying it etc. Seems fine to me. I use it a lot too. Approx 1000 images per month.

1000/month?

I'm averaging 1000/week

[i_will]

The POTN strap is a lot better than the regular Canon strap, I'm very satisfied with it :)

[bolantej]

me too, i just hate that it's so thick it keeps me from fitting my kit into certain cases and whatnot.

[dicky109]

Regretfully, I recently had to stop using my POTN strap due to neck surgery. I found it the most comfortable to use and the quick release is very convenient. If I had a choice, I would still use it and do recommend it highly.

To take the weight off my neck, I found this Op-Tech Bino Cam harness, which slips on & off like suspenders.

http://optechusa.com/PRODUCTIMAGES/medium/medium_XEP-Ywz3pc.JPG

I haven't used it a lot yet, but it seems like it will be the best alternative for me, and is actually quite comfortable. It doesn't let the camera swing around and whack me in the face as a strap may do.
Because I'm a little paranoid about holding just the camera, I used the attachment straps from my POTN strap and clip the harness to them. When I want the harness off, the 2 halves of the attachments can be clipped together and used as a hand strap.

[kram]

Get a caddy when you go out shooting... ;)

Actually, with the amount of equipment some of the members here have, wouldn't be surprise if they already do.

[dovbaer]

Getting back to my original question-my concern was wearing a strap, any strap. I notice the back of the camera rubs against my body and that concerns me in the longer term. I was out this week-end and was wearing a soft sweatshirt-no problem. But what happens if I wear a jacket with a zipper, or my chain-mail outfit for Halloween? Judging from the responses, you just make whatever adjustments, but there is no "bra" for the camera.

[wannasmaxx]

Never needed a bra to use the camera:rolleyes: Just wrap it around your wrist. That way, it's always there. Plus, if you accidentally drop it, your wrist stops it.

[dicky109]

I notice the back of the camera rubs against my body and that concerns me in the longer term....but there is no "bra" for the camera.
Someone much more clever than I could do wonders with this quote!

Seriously, Do you mean something like this? http://optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=32

It looks like the old Eveready cases we used years ago for film cameras. Really doesn't seem to be necessary. The plastic on the LCD screen is pretty tough, but you could always use a screen protector if that's what you're worrying about. I've used my XT "naked" about 7 months without a scratch.

[PhotosGuy]

NeverReady cases! ;)

[wannasmaxx]

Had to do a quick snap, cause I'm busy, but here's what I'm talking about

[zacker]

i also use a hand strap, i love it. the cam is right there in my hand for grabbing those quickee shots (that usually end up blurry anyway..lol) and when i need my hand the cam just sorta hangs there like a ...well you know what.
-zacker-

[elTwitcho]

I have a camera bag that opens from the top and my camera sits in it lying on it's side with the "grip/shutter" side up. I wear it around my kneck with one arm through and the bag sits in front of me with the top unbuckled so I can open it quickly. When I need my camera I flip the top open, grab the camera with my shooting hand, pull it out and it's ready to shoot. Doesn't go through any rubbing or wear and tear against my body and as long as I'm not inverting my body it won't fall out.

Can't be bothered with a camera strap, too cumbersome

[Toogy]

Getting back to my original question-my concern was wearing a strap, any strap. I notice the back of the camera rubs against my body and that concerns me in the longer term. I was out this week-end and was wearing a soft sweatshirt-no problem. But what happens if I wear a jacket with a zipper, or my chain-mail outfit for Halloween? Judging from the responses, you just make whatever adjustments, but there is no "bra" for the camera.

What exactly are you afraid is going to happen to your camera by it rubbing on your jacket?
A few small minor scuffs or scratches on the LCD?
HA! You should see my 20D, seriously though, most of the small scratches and smudges and stuff easily come out with a wipe from a soft cloth.

I honestly would not be very concerned.

[waldograce]

Thats another thing I hate about the strap...it always seems to get in the way when I tripod mount the camera.

I even considered the hand strap available for the battery grip.
I hate the camera bouncing all over my chest anyway...can be very annoying with the grip and a 580EX.

There should be a quick relaease type strap so you can take it off quickly when you need to.

The PTON strap has a quick release on either side. It doesn't twist up nearly as much as the original strap because of the wider band around the neck. The loops are great because they really do fall out of the way (original strap was too stiff and would always fall in front of viewfinder.)
IMHO the only thing the POTN strap is missing is a small bit of Canon style strap somewhere where I could stick my RC1 remote (I miss having it on my strap full time where could just grab it and use it.) I might have to cut my old strap and sew a bit of it on to my POTN strap just for this.