POTN camera straps keep Breaking

[PaintballPhotography.com]

Greetings,
I seem to be having a problem with the POTN camera straps, they keep tearing! This is the second time this has happened. I work in a very harsh environment, carry two bodies and I tend to be very active. I am currently carry two 1D Mark III bodies with a and EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM lens on one body and a EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM on the other body and I guess this puts a lot of stress on the straps. I want to replace my camera straps with something more durable because the thought of a camera strap breaking and a camera falling is unfathomable. Any suggestions on a more durable strap would be much appreciated. BTW I read in the BH Camera review section that the Camera Armor straps are almost impossible to put on a Canon body

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/1329/PTONStrap1.jpg
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5905/PTONStrap2.jpg
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5906/PTONStrap3.jpg

Thanks
Gary

[nutsnbolts]

How long have you had this? I know that not all straps are indestructible and will generally wear and tear. Hmm... I wonder what the warranty situation is like for these neck straps.

[canon_fire]

... looks pretty rough... Did the cameras rape this thing??

[SuzyView]

I've had my straps for over a 1 1/2 years, but I don't abuse them. You look like you are running through the jungle with them. I know Mark had a strap that he thought was pretty great. MDJAK. Give him a PM.

[simwells]

The Upstrap's are at least partially made from Kevlar so that might be an idea, or maybe even something as heavy duty as this http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/security_camera_straps.html

[nutsnbolts]

I would say 1.5 years is a good time to replace your neckstrap. It's inexpensive enough to change yearly. Imagine the sweat that collected after a year. :)

You had good use out of them, nonetheless.

[Maureen Souza]

Wow...I have had my straps for 1-2 years and they still look practically new.

I'd buy more of the same, though. They are very comfortable.

[midget]

upstraps FTW.

[tmonatr]

Looks like you need something like this:http://www.cyclesportandfitness.com/images/Krypto_4_or_7_cable.jpg;)

[René Damkot]

I'm still using the strap I got with my Eos 1n on my 1D2 today... Pretty standard slim Canon strap. No padding or whatever, just a nylon (or whatever) strap.
You might want to try something like that, or something like a Domke strap (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/16174-REG/Domke_740_6BK_1_Web_Camera_Strap.html).

[jdizzle]

These POTN straps are very good and comfortable and haven't had a problem with them. If you are working in harsh environments and need something more durable, I would suggest the Upstrap. These are supposedly the most durable out there. You pay a little more but, it's worth the extra cash for durability. http://www.upstrap-pro.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PLST

This is just a suggestion since, the POTN straps sold here help support the forum. :)

[Bill Roberts]

Another vote for the Upstrap. See if Al has any of the Kevlar ones left, they were a limited edition. VERY tough straps!

[Sasquatch41]

Maybe you could have a saddle maker stitch you a strap made from a truck tiedown strap? Seriously I have 4 potn straps, never a problem. I would think you need to consider the mileage on them, and the use. Nothing that would be more durable would be very comfortable, IMHO.

[tunin]

People, check his user name out, perhaps that will explain a few things.

[Pinto]

Are you sure this hasn't been run through a washing machine a few times?

[nutsnbolts]

People, check his user name out, perhaps that will explain a few things.

Well, they don't shoot at his collar. :lol:

[tmcman]

So for those corporate travel safety ones
a thief runs by and yanks it expecting it to break
but it has steel cables in it...:eek:
It had better be over one shoulder
so your neck doesn't take most of the blow!

[nutsnbolts]

So for those corporate travel safety ones
a thief runs by and yanks it expecting it to break
but it has steel cables in it...:eek:
It had better be over one shoulder
so your neck doesn't take most of the blow!

I think the steel cable is more in the lines of a thief cutting the strap. I have heard these things happen to ladies purses. A thief would take a knife, slash the strap and take off. NO yanking involved, well maybe a little tug and war but it's off your shoulder/neck, etc. Now just make sure you don't cross the line in the tug and war.

[René Damkot]

expecting it to break

I don't think you'ld manage to break a nylon strap by yanking it...
It's about strong enough to haul a car ;)

[PaintballPhotography.com]

Actually they shoot me every where even in the neck….after an event I am usually covered with paintball hits and I do rinse off the straps with a hose to get the paint out and then air dry them.
This strap is less than one year old, since I work in such a harsh environment I tend to go through equipment fairly fast….If you have ever seen the pictures of broken lenses I frequently post along with images in the Sports section you will see how hard paintball photography is on equipment and photographers so I do not expect any warranty replacement from the manufacturer.

I am currently investigating the UpStrap and the CorporateTravel products…
Thanks for all your suggestions even the bicycle cable :lol:

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7618/tampahitanips8an1.gif
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/701/biggamejicamerahitbx5.jpg
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/4733/brokenfilter32606vp9.jpg

Gary
www.paintballphotography.com

[theague]

wow. how often do you purchase new lenses? Are there insurance co's that insure you or are you out of pocket on that stuff? lol

[sheawyatt]

Now there's a guy who has a good argument for using UV filters as protection!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Wow, i've had mine since the very first shipment and it's still going strong.. I'm shocked.

[René Damkot]

Now there's a guy who has a good argument for using UV filters as protection!

Except that they don't protect much ;)

[tunin]

I guess you will need to take this back. ha haaa
Well, they don't shoot at his collar. :lol:

[mcmadkat]

I would stack at least 4 filters if I was shooting in that environment!

In fact I would probably just go and buy some nikon gear............

[cosworth]

The Upstrap's are at least partially made from Kevlar ...


First off this is just neoprene delamination. The strap is structurally sound. There is high quality neoprene and low quality neoprene. Since they are made of the same stuff, it comes down to glue quality/quantity and the lycra denier.

The glue for the lycra here just needs to be beefed up. No need for kevlar or worry of breakage. At worst, the POTN straps are for light duty shooting. At best, they work fine for heavy duty shooting but the neoprene wears prematurely.

Either way it's cosmetic and will not affect the camera's ability to defy gravity.

That being said, the neoprene could last a little longer.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

Well washing that neck strap regularily can have an affect on the material. I just went paintballing this weekend and had a blast, yet again. My brother in law took his pentax out and took some photos because I wouldnt let him use my stuff lol. I have insurance but I dont want to deal with that if possible.

I love my potn strap. Had it a while now... like 1.5 years or so. So hopefully people reading this thread keep reading and see that the potn strap is a great product, but anything can get damaged if used heavily like that.

[Troopa]

didnt see cosworths post.. hes spot on

[jacobsen1]

I've never liked the PotN straps because of the unfinished edge on the neoprene stap. Looks like that might be your only issue too, so you may want to try the Op Tech "classic" strap instead. It looks much better, but more importantly the edge is "finished" which also adds some structure to it. Enough for your use, not sure, but it might be worth a try. Here's a recent shot I have where you can see most of the strap. The "piping" or whatever you want to call the bit stitched to the edge is what makes it infinitely better than the PotN strap:
http://www.newschoolofphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/17-40mml--vs--12-24mm-ex-dg-comparison/B5DA0615.jpg
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/170171-REG/Op_Tech_USA_1001082_Super_Classic_Camera_Strap.htm l
they have other connection options, but that's the version I prefer. Search B&H for "optech classic" and it will bring up all the colors and options.

No offense to the PotN strap guys, but the classic is a much better looking more refined product. Maybe the shop should look into them as another option?

[PaintballPhotography.com]

To set the record straight I did not intend to criticize the POTN strap, I really like them and unfortunately for my use they are not compatible. I have been through three of them in the past few years and they unfortunately do not hold up to my unusual application. I really wish I could continue to use them. The strap may appear structurally sound but since the foam is torn completely trough I am not going to take any chances…can you imagine dropping a 1D Mark III and a 300 2.8!!

I do not insure my cameras because it is too expensive to do. If you were an insurance company would you want to insure me do this? :rolleyes:
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6415/GL5T33542165X1443534X356.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5894/BrokenFilter7-16-05.jpg

The only reason I use filters is because in my work environment I am constantly rapidly cleaning paint splashes off my lens. I am more concerned about cleaning and rubbing against the front element from frequent cleaning than paintball strikes. I feel it is better to damage a filter then a lens.

Perhaps 4 or 5 times a year I do have a paintball actually break and go through a filter. When this happens I now have a much bigger mess to deal with because of the filter on the lens. Not only do I have to clean off the paint but now I have to deal with the thousands of shards of broken glass mixed with the paint on the from element of my lens. It is times like this I wish I did not have a filter on my lens.

Gary
www.paintballphotography.com

[Moppie]

T I really wish I could continue to use them. The strap may appear structurally sound but since the foam is torn completely trough I am not going to take any chances…can you imagine dropping a 1D Mark III and a 300 2.8!!



There is no safety risk to your gear with the wear to the neopreane.
The actual weight carring part of the strap is still intact, and shows no signs of damage. So there is no risk what so ever of your camera falling to its doom in a hail of paint balls :)

The neopreane only provides soft padding, and some shock absorbing to make the strap more comfortable for the wearer.
While its the perfect substance for comfort, it's not the best substance at standing up to lots of wear.
Fortunatly its not structural, you could rip it off completely and your camera would still be safe hanging on the strap.
It wouldn't be very comfortable to wear though :)