Anyone Strapless?

[OceanView]

Just got my 20D and I realize I don't like using a strap.
It seems to get in the way more often than not.
I do fear that I may drop the camera one day if I dont use anything.

Anyone brave enough to go strapless?
Can you comment on your experiences?

[lostdoggy]

Get a hand strap!!!

[Jack W.]

I used to go strapless; used a Hakuba hand strap which I really like.
But I now have an official P.O.T.N. Op-Tech strap, which is great. I have a Canon 300 f/4 L IS, and a Sigma 80-400 OS, bot of which are hefty pieces of equipment. If I were to drop my equipment, I would NOT be happy! So I now use a strap just about all the time.
Look up at the top of the page where it says "P.O.T.N. Op-Tech Strap Ordering Page is open - ORDER NOW! " if you want more info on the strap.
Jack

[rent]

neck/shoulder strap is good if you frequently require both hands for something else. otherwise a hand strap will do nicely (as i frequently use), but it basically ties up your right hand and can be cumbersome if there's no place to put your cam down.

the only time i went totally strapless is having the camera mounted on a tripod (securely) and lugging the whole thing on my shoulders.

-alex

[condyk]

I took the neck strap off within 48 hours and put a hand strap on. It feels much more secure and usable. You can carry a quite heavy lens around just with your arm at your side, but need to stay aware, as you would anyway.

[Jon, The Elder]

Lens of choice is the 70/200 2.8 (I don't care what anybody says - lug that around for 8 hrs. at a horse show and see what it is like)

Need to get it in position fast so I use the hand strap (Canons).

Position 1 = Death grip on lens in left hand, turned so in one smooth move it is up to my eye as right hand slips into strap.
Position 2 = Right hand in strap lens pointing straight up and balanced, push up and turn right hand- left hand comes in under lens and zooms in/out.

Hand strap works for me.

[GyRob]

im strapless on my 20d and 1dmk2 they realy do get in the way.
Rob.

[d'homme]

Handstrap.

[Curtis N]

I don't think it's a matter of IF you'll ever drop your camera, it's a matter of WHEN. The pro photogs that I see always use straps. I figure they're smarter than me, so I do what they do.

The strap also comes in handy when changing lenses. Otherwise you may find you don't have enough hands.

[ericgtr]

I often times shoot with the neck strap on, it can be more convenient depending on what I am shooting and how much moving around I have to do. Of course I am a beginner, is that a novice move?

[Tdragone]

Hand strap all the way!


I've been approached in many different places while shooting and asked what it is so many times that I have little slips of paper with the model # and B and H's website on it.

This is what I use:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=194968&is=REG

[OceanView]

Hand strap all the way!


I've been approached in many different places while shooting and asked what it is so many times that I have little slips of paper with the model # and B and H's website on it.

This is what I use:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=194968&is=REG

Is the padded area made of leather ?
Price seems reasonable.

[lostdoggy]

Genuine imitation Leatherette. I got the same one by sunpack. Got mine from my local Ritz camera for about the same money. Need to keep those local camera store alive so I can try before I buy.

[johnlo]

years ago, i used to have that handstrap with my Film EOS. It was great in the beginning... but after holding it for hours with a heavy telephoto lense. It wasn't fun. personally I dont like neck strap. But I have learn to just deal with it.... too be honest with you. I find it to be very useful now, especially when your hands get tired.... also comes in handy when you are hiking. Neckstrap is more secure then the handstrap in my opinion. if you fall, i like to see you use which hand to protect your camera..... :-D

[griff2]

Bog standard shoulder strap. It's a pain, but you've got to get used to it. You only need to drop you gear once..

[Rob612]

Always strapped here. I've spent too much money in gear to feel safe removing the strap. True, sometimes it gets in the way (BTW, the POTN official strap does it much less) but I can live with it.

[awp]

Although my equipment is insured, I would not want to be without even a day. I actually wrap my strap around my left arm a couple of times and hold lens in left hand (left arm muscle has surpassed right arm). It seems to put me in a good position to shoot as well as feeling secure. With strap wrapped around my arm I do not have to grip lens so tightly. Probably looks and sounds stupid, but it works for me. I can not stand it aroud my neck.

[davethefish]

i'm new to this, but i would rather put up with the neckstrap than drop my camera!
also, i slip my right arm through the strap for walking around, and have the camera and lens tucked into my right arm, out of the way.

[ericgtr]

i'm new to this, but i would rather put up with the neckstrap than drop my camera!
also, i slip my right arm through the strap for walking around, and have the camera and lens tucked into my right arm, out of the way.
That's exactly what I do too.

[Lucky Forward]

I never use a strap; when I'm not actively shooting I keep my 20D in a Lowepro holster type padded case I wear around my waist.

[Blackbird]

I always use a strap, I wouldnt want to drop my 20D.

[NYC2BGI]

I always use my strap although it makes your neck really sweaty now that it is hot outside.

[CanonAndy]

Some of the most important things in my life are strapless:

1. Babies don't come with straps, and I've never dropped one (in 7 years)
2. My wife is usually strapless, and I haven't dropped her (in 11 years) (just kidding honey!)
3. My cameras are strapless, and I haven't dropped any of them (in 12 years)

Straps are insurance. The problem for me is that I've seen too many cameras dragged off a table or snagged and dropped due to the strap catching on something. My least favorite memory is seeing a D60 on the floor due to a waitress grabbing the strap with the napkin and plate.

CanonAndy

[muscleflex]

Neckstrap but i wrap it around my wrist..so it basically acts like a handstrap

[jrsforums]

I use the Hakuba hand STRAP ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=194759&is=REG&addedTroughType=search )

Not the Hakuba hand GRIP, posted above in this thread.

I don't have any really heavy lenses (heaviest is 70-300 DO), so I have no problem hand holding the camera. I do want a safety, in case I slip or get bumped into....this strap provides it...plus the freedom on movement. I even have a large clip (some people use them for keys) on the strap of my bag, where I can hang the camera for a rest or as an extra "hand" while changing lenses or looking for something.

John

[rcarlson80]

I have a really nice POTN strap and also the (CANON) hand strap on my XT, the new POTN strap was actually able to fit with the hand strap. I find both comfortable to use and the POTN strap can be removed easily and plug right into itself out of the way if I know I am going to do a lot of shots without the monopod or tripod.

[BlueTit]

I have always used a neck strap, the POTN one now of course and when I have a heavy lens I cradle that in my left arm, holding the camera by the battery grip. I have just ordered the Canon handstrap, but this thread made me think, this maybe a stupid question, but can you have the neck strap attached at the same time as the hand strap? The reason I wanted the handstrap was for when I was likely to be taking shots fairly often with the idea of letting it hang at other times, but maybe I can't do that??

[Anders Östberg]

I often use two cameras, no way to juggle that without a strap on each.

Already mentioned above, good advice about carrying the camera with the strap diagonally from one shoulder and the camera under the other arm, it's much more better for the neck. Buy a long and comfortable strap like OpTech, your neck will love you for it.

[Tom W]

Tube top.

:D

[PacAce]

Strapless? Are you kiddin' me? I just got myself two POTN straps. What am I going to do with them if I go strapless? Course, I can use them as suspenders to hold up my pants but I think they look way cooler around my neck with the ends hooked to a camera. :mrgreen: :lol:

[mattsiesco]

I've always been strapless with my Sonys but once I get my Rebel XT I'll probably want something, seeing how I dont mind my Sonys smashing to the ground...at all:)

[bolantej]

okay, i use a strap, although it may be annoying. the other day, i was at my dad's house checking out his new point n shoot he bought, on the patio. i removed it from it's little neoprene case, and sat the case on my lap. i put the little wrist strap thing on my wrist, and proceeded to fiddle to my heart's content. he then suggested go inside and i stood up. for some reason, i let go of the camera, to try and save the case from landing on the ground. (i know, things happen like this some times) the little camera swung down towards the concrete, missing by only a few centimeters. i think my heart must have skipped a few beats. i will use straps forever. besides, it's easier to wrap up my camera and just carry on my neck than to have to lug it around in one hand all over the place.

[boomerang]

Never use a strap.....but depends on if your a risk taker.

[smudge]

I never used to use the strap. That is until I was changing a lens in a dingy club... saved the 17-40L the camera(20D) and 580ex hit the ground. Luckily for me, it landed right on the end of the 580 completely upside down. The camera body was saved from damaged, but at the cost of a two day old 580. Repair bill was £150.00 which means my 580 cost around £530.00 Oh and I missed it so much while it was away I bought a second one. All for the sake of a strap.

[Carzee]

Strapless since my trip to Beverly Hills clinic. High price to pay, but surgical implant is the most secure and comfortable. Only seen a few pros with it so far...

www.implant-comforts.com

[TammieO]

I have the famous POTN neck strap. If I have a backpack on, I'll sometimes clip the strap to the D-rings to take the weight off my neck.

[exposingmyself]

hand strap.
neck strap digs into my skin and gets tangled in my hair.

[Steve Parr]

I've been thinking about the handstrap. My concern, though, is whether or not I'd be able to comfortably use the controls on the battery grip if I'm using a handstrap. From my understanding of how the handstrap attaches to the camera, this would be difficult, at best...

Steve

[JulianL]

Just got my 20D and I realize I don't like using a strap.
It seems to get in the way more often than not.
I do fear that I may drop the camera one day if I dont use anything.

Anyone brave enough to go strapless?
Can you comment on your experiences?

Your fear isn't great enough...you will drop it one day if you keep carrying your camera like this.

I always have a strap on my camera. I still bump it into things but at least I've never dropped it. I did change to a nice comfortable Tamrac neoprene strap.

[lancea]

I wouldn't dare not use a strap. A few weeks ago I was using the rail of a bridge for stability. It was over the motorway (there is only one :) ) and all the cars were zooming underneath. I was wishing I had TWO straps in case one broke.

[jimbo113]

Strap and hand-strap. always on the strap around my neck, then when taking a shot I find that the hand strap makes it easier to hold steady, and if I am without a tripod and have to do a long exposure I find that I can wrap the neck strap once around the hand and pull tight away from my neck and "walla" instant temporary Tripod.(pencil necks try at own risk, may cause irritation with rednecks ;O )

[22littlereasons]

Interesting. I've been in the video production field over 20 years. The use of straps on professional video cameras for field work... news gathering, etc., is very rare - and in my experience cameras are rarely dropped.

Yeah sure, different application - but this video gear is $20K +.

I dunno, maybe thats where I have the habit of not using a strap on my 10D, however, its on the camera just in case I need my hands free - like to change a lens or buy a hotdog or something. *s*

[calgaryphotographer]

I do a lot of photography outdoors (airports, construction sites, sporting events) and the strap does make it easier when i am climbing a ladder or jumping a fence :|

P.S My GF also goes strapless - not with her cam but you know...

[cfcRebel]

Proud user of POTN Op-Tech strap here. It was a great relief for my neck when i put on this trap. The original Canon strap made me feel really uncomfortable after a long period of time under the sun.

[erik-nl]

I was sooo happy to get my strap just in time for our trip to Spain,
but when my wife saw it I didn't get a chance to use it much!

[Cr_Kat]

I use a strap all the time. Just got my POTN strap the other day which will replace the Canon strap.

Speaking of straps, will the POTN strap handle the weight of a 20d and a 70-200 2.8 (non IS)? Seems like alot of weight for the two, string loop ends on the POTN.

Thanks. CK

[Carzee]

Well.... erik... to say the least, thats a different Op-tech function - securing precious assets of all types....

[OceanView]

I was sooo happy to get my strap just in time for our trip to Spain,
but when my wife saw it I didn't get a chance to use it much!

Buy another strap and your wife can have a new bikini :)

[cfcRebel]

I was sooo happy to get my strap just in time for our trip to Spain,
but when my wife saw it I didn't get a chance to use it much!
Erik, don't forget to put that picture in this thread "Show us your POTN strap/accessories in action (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80987)". ;)

[bolantej]

dude, that is one lucky strap. thinking of gettign the saem optech strap without the potn, because unless i read it wrong, it may take a while to get it.

edit:

hey i just checked to see if they are in stock and they were, so mine's on the way!!! sweet!!

[Eagle]

Strapless for about 20 years, when it's not in my hand it's in my bag. When walking the bag is over my shoulder.