P.O.T.N. Op-Tech Strap - A Disappointment

[VegasGeorge]

I got my new strap a couple of weeks ago. I put it on the 20D right away, and have been using it since. But, I'm going back to the Canon strap that came with the camera. The P.O.T.N. Op-Tech strap keeps slipping down off my shoulder. Those little rubber bumps on the under side of the strap just don't hold it in place. In fact, it seems almost slick compared to my regular Canon strap. I have to admit that I'm disappointed. :(

[jfrancho]

You carry your camera like a handbag?

[PhotosGuy]

You carry your camera like a handbag? :D:D
I'll give you $10 for it! ;)

[cfcRebel]

User error? http://initial-d.com/forums/images/smilies/slap.gif

[dewmuw]

Have you thought it might be your shoulder that is slippy? :D

[VegasGeorge]

Yeah, yeah, you guys are right (as usual). I do carry the camera on one shoulder a lot rather than around the neck. And, I don't have the squarest, broadest shoulders in town either. I suppose I could get used to hanging the thing around my neck, bouncing off my belly as I walk, with the lens sticking out. By the way, do any of you guys carry with one arm through, and the strap around your neck? I haven't tried that, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

[PhotosGuy]

By the way, do any of you guys carry with one arm through, and the strap around your neck? Sometimes, if it's a heavy lens & I don't expect to need to use it in a hurry.

[jfrancho]

Sometimes, if it's a heavy lens & I don't expect to need to use it in a hurry.Me too. This is a great way to free up your hands, and keep the camera from swinging around.

[IanD]

I carry my MKII by the hand strap most of the time unless I've got a big honkin lens attatched (read: one of Sheldons fast primes:))
Then I'll carry it off one shoulder but I did sew a large button on the right shoulder of my vest to help stop any strap from sliding.

[VegasGeorge]

I did sew a large button on the right shoulder of my vest to help stop any strap from sliding.

I think I read that that's what epaulettes were invented for. Is that right?

[IanD]

I think I read that that's what epaulettes were invented for. Is that right?
Hey, I ain't that old:):):):):)
I believe that is right however. Invented by a guy by the name of Edgar Paulettes. :):):):):):)

[Rob612]

By the way, do any of you guys carry with one arm through, and the strap around your neck? I haven't tried that, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Almost always if I am just walking and I do not inted to use it quickly, even if keeping the strap longer I can actually take a pic even with the strap crossed, not that easy but in emergency :)

I also often have BOTH cameras in that way, especially while moving from a plece to another with the scooter. I look a little like a mexican rebel "a la Pancho Villa" but it works anyway :D :D

[PhotosGuy]

I also often have BOTH cameras in that way, especially while moving from a plece to another with the scooter. I look a little like a mexican rebel "a la Pancho Villa" but it works anyway :D:D That reminds me of one time years ago when I was using the companys F2s & I hung one on each end of one strap! As I walked they swung & gently banged base plates together.
I thought it looked SO cool, but it wasn't easy to use them that way.
Then someone came out with an elastic "Camera Caddy" I think it was called. An elastic harness that kept the cam centered on the chest. It had just enough "give" in it to provide the right amount of slack when you needed it & was a great tool with anything smaller than a 200mm on it.

[ssim]

I always carry my camera over one shoulder. Very rarely to I ever hang it around my neck. I had an OpTech strap before we got the POTN ones. They are a godsend on the shoulder and arms due to their shock abosorber type of operation.

It's unfortuneate that it doesn't work for you. All products aren't going to suit everyone. For me I love the OpTech strap and the fact that it has POTN on it is just an added bonus.

[bikerider]

Well people sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but I never use a strap at all, I just cradle the outfit in my arm.......I've found straps too cumbersome.
Roger.

[jfrancho]

Well people sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but I never use a strap at all, I just cradle the outfit in my arm.......I've found straps too cumbersome.
Roger.There are several situations where I too find the strap inconvenient. This is why I love the Optech quick disconnects. It is a pretty good compromise to have the four inch tails hanging as opposed to the PITA it is to remove a strap completely.

VegasGeorge, does it slide off if you carry it with the logo down? I realize this defeats the purpose of a custom screened "vanity" strap, but I wonder if the elastic might provide the "grip" you need?

BTW, I'm a little guy with a slight build too, 5'7" 145 lbs. I have the exact problem you describe with laptop shoulder bags. I have a cotton web strap from an old military surplus, "engineers bag" (really looks like a camo purse) that I transfer to each new laptop bag.

[PhotosGuy]

Well people sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but I never use a strap at all, I just cradle the outfit in my arm.......I've found straps too cumbersome. I used to use a wrist strap a lot, but it required removing the tripod quick disconnect, which was a PITA. I sometimes still use it if I know I'll be doing a lot of fast shooting in a uncontrolled environment, like a crowd.

[Belmondo]

I, too, have been dreadfully disappointed by the POTN nect strap. I've been using it for almost a month, now, and not one woman has thrown herself at me while wearing it. Take "Chick Magnet" off the list of possible advantages of using the OpTech strap.

Nonetheless, I've just ordered another three of them (making six total). I'm discovering new uses for them all the time.

[tommykjensen]

I, too, have been dreadfully disappointed by the POTN nect strap. I've been using it for almost a month, now, and not one woman has thrown herself at me while wearing it. Take "Chick Magnet" off the list of possible advantages of using the OpTech strap.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Conk]

Well people sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but I never use a strap at all, I just cradle the outfit in my arm.......I've found straps too cumbersome.
Roger.

Sounds risky. I too at times find it a pain to wear around my neck but will wrap the strap a few times around my wrist. At least woth the POTN strap you can unbucle the strap and clasp the tails together for a makeshift hand strap. When I do wear the strap around my neck (which is most of the time) I just hold the camera from bouncing. Not a big deal to me but I have also recently bought a Tamrac velocity 9 which allows me to keep it in the bag and just swing it around when I need to.

[RichardtheSane]

I too am a shoulder carrier

Now the way the strap is designed seems to work very well if instead of having the back fo the camera towards you the back is facing outwards, and any lens points across your back.

The strap is basically facing the opposite way on your shouldder and suddenly it feels even more comfy and less cumbersome.

Did I explain that right?

[Lamplight]

If you had a set of wings this wouldn't be a problem. :p

[Wazza]

Ahh too funny Belmondoooo-not-attracting-the-females. :D


A bit unfortunate VegasGeorge that it doesn't meet your own needs. I'm sure 1000 other members could make it work better. ;)

"ERROR 0516" - Handbag strap does not work for VegasGeorge.

Good luck with the original one again. I guess that one does dig in a bit more at the sharp edges

[Noni]

This over the chest thing? Well, it's a great option, except when riding a horse through Zion National Park. We rode rough through the Court of the Patriarchs, I with my 20D slung over my neck but under the sweater I was wearing (it was cold and mighty dusty on the trail...). I was able, on occasion and with great patience and cooperation from Romeo, to line up shots and take some in between bouncing jounces. We dismounted and took a bit of a break (I think it was more for the horses and mules than for us humans). As I remounted my grunting, farting, gigantic mule, I got stuck...the camera, slung nicely on a strap under my sweater, caught between my legs and would not allow me to sit down without some gymnastical adjustment. As I finally managed to get squared away, it occurred to me exactly why cowboys wear tight jeans. :o:D;)

I had a great time in any event. And kept the cam slung 'round my neck despite the momentary inconvenience. And no, it wasn't on a POTN strap...not this time, at least.

Best-
Noni

[bikerider]

Sounds risky. I too at times find it a pain to wear around my neck but will wrap the strap a few times around my wrist. At least woth the POTN strap you can unbucle the strap and clasp the tails together for a makeshift hand strap. When I do wear the strap around my neck (which is most of the time) I just hold the camera from bouncing. Not a big deal to me but I have also recently bought a Tamrac velocity 9 which allows me to keep it in the bag and just swing it around when I need to.

Yes it is risky, point taken and I must admit I will use a strap (have an op/tech) if I'm doing a fair bit of walking and or strolling at an event. Most of my photography these days is on a tripod, nothing worse than dangly bits in the way! Just as an aside I was taking some shots today at an aquarium and the quick release pod didn't click in fully....you guessed it, my camera tumbled to the ground, 'crunch', what a rotten sound. Luckily, the only casualty was my 18-55 kit lens, also lucky I haven't received my 17-40L yet! Now if I had a strap attached, would I have had it around my neck or not?
Roger.

[Conk]

Yes it is risky, point taken and I must admit I will use a strap (have an op/tech) if I'm doing a fair bit of walking and or strolling at an event. Most of my photography these days is on a tripod, nothing worse than dangly bits in the way! Just as an aside I was taking some shots today at an aquarium and the quick release pod didn't click in fully....you guessed it, my camera tumbled to the ground, 'crunch', what a rotten sound. Luckily, the only casualty was my 18-55 kit lens, also lucky I haven't received my 17-40L yet! Now if I had a strap attached, would I have had it around my neck or not?
Roger.

Oh man! I could hear the sound as you explained it. Lucky that it was just the kit lens. Phew! I have my quick release on my monopod. When I bought it the salesman kept expressing the importance of making sure the lock was on and that I be carefully when disconnecting from the monopod as it had to be done with one hand on the pod and the other on the camera. So far so good but if I had to let something go hopefully it will be the monopod.

[Jon, The Elder]

Strap - Schmap. I have a custom welded frame for my head. Kinda like "the-man-in-the-iron-mask". My 20D and 70/200 f2.8 IS L USM fit nicely in a slotted tray.
Neck pain is offset by a valium drip from a bag attached to a little wheeled stand. Tricky when running up and down stadium steps. But no neck strap to bother with !

Working on my next invention, which is.......

[Bruce Hamilton]

..clasp the tails together for a makeshift hand strap.

Hadn't noticed that... Works quite nicely. ;)

[PacAce]

Well people sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but I never use a strap at all, I just cradle the outfit in my arm.......I've found straps too cumbersome.
Roger.
Not only do I have my camera slung around my neck with a strap but I also use a wrist strap and for an extra meaure of precaution, I also cradle the camera and lens combo in my left hand or forearm (like you would carry a baby) if the lens is heavy. If there were a safety cord attached to the camera, I would probably have that tied to my belt, too. :mrgreen: :lol: :mrgreen:

[exposingmyself]

um, i'd like to know are chest carriers who have been posting here ladies?

i'm a lady and a hand strapper. ;)

last time i had something hanging off my chest was a baby carrier 10 years ago :D

[Rob612]

last time i had something hanging off my chest was a baby carrier 10 years ago :D

What film you used in it ? :D :D

[blinking8s]

wrap it in vet-wrap or something, hockey tape...**** aint goin nowhere :)

[VegasGeorge]

OK, OK, I give up! :lol:

I'm putting the P.O.T.N. back on the camera and giving it another go.

Actually, I'm SO tired of women throwing themselves at me! I need the prophylactic protection of the P.O.T.N.

And, during the blessed peace that will ensue, I'll try the: (1) arm through and around the neck; (2) camera reversed, and; (3) hand strap alternatives.

I will draw the line at sewing a button on and hockey tape. I do have my limits, after all. ;)

[chris.bailey]

May sound stupid but try turning the strap the other way around. It is not symetrical and I have found mine more secure in the over the shoulder mode with the logo facing inward rather than outward. My other OpTech strap (3-4 years old) is over more aysmetric and this does work its way off if the wrong way around.

The only other option is to have a couple of press studs surgically implanted.

[VegasGeorge]

Strap - Schmap. I have a custom welded frame for my head. Kinda like "the-man-in-the-iron-mask".

I suppose your posting a picture of this set up would be out of the question? ;)

[VegasGeorge]

OK - I've now got the "hang" of it! I gave up on the shoulder carry. I've gone to the arm through and around the neck method. I let the strap out all the way, and the camera carries and balances just fine. I can bring the camera up to shoot while the strap is in place. The only difficulty I've noticed is that I have to take my Stetson off before getting out of the rig. :D

[MarkoPolo]

I use the UpStrap system that is designed to keep the camera from slipping off your shoulder. It sounds a little fishy, but I have tried every way possible to get the camera to slip and it just doesn't move. I tend to keep one hand on it anyway, but this is a different idea in camera straps and now that I tried one, I have them for all my cameras. A number of pros use this system and the service from the comany is great. Just my two cents worth. By, the way, I like the idea of supporting POTN, I just send money directly.

[VegasGeorge]

By, the way, I like the idea of supporting POTN, I just send money directly.

Yes!!! And, I did that already myself.

I'll take a look at the UpStrap since you mentioned it. I'm always looking for new ways to spend my money. :D