drebel + heavy lens...what type of strap?

[slacker]

I'm fortunate enough to have recently acquired a 100-400 IS lens for my dRebel....

When I have that lens on (most of the time now, my first IS lens, I REALLY like IS) I don't use the neck strap and support the body/lens combo with my hand around/by the tripod ring. My gut questions the strength between the neck strap attachment points and where the lens mounts to the body.

Are the neck strap attachment points and body of the dRebel beefy enough to handle the extra weight of heavier lenses?

Do they make tripod rings with strap attachment points?

I recently ordered a toploading case, but I would also like to explore what options there are for supporting a heavier lens-body combo without keeping it in a case.

Thanks in advance!

[Jon]

IIRC some of the heavier (than the 100-400) lenses have their own strap attachment points. You could always put a 1/4-20 eye bolt into the tripod socket and attach a strap to that if you're worried, or use some nylon webbing, buckles, and D rings to make a harness around it that you could fasten the strap to. Most camping/hiking stores will have these. There are also "holsters" out there.

[slacker]

I didn't think about using an eyebolt. I'm leaning towards nylon webbing, etc. at the moment.

The weekend's almost here! I'll have a chance to play with the lens and kick around some more strap ideas.

Thanks.