How to soften Canon OEM camera strap

Hey guys, I usually don't wear a camera strap as I always find it gets in the way and I am never without my camera bag. But when I travel, I like to have my strap on my camera and leave my bag in the hotel room. Now, since I bought my 6D, the strap has been sitting still in original condition, un used, and hate how new straps are so harsh and a pain to get them to soften up. Whats the best, quickest way to soften them? Soak in hot water, toss in the washing machine with a load? Any help greatly appreciated.

I have never used the Canon branded straps but do use the ones made by Op-Tech, great straps with QR connectors and soft neoprene shoulder/neck pads.

Not the answer you were looking for but IMO a branded strap has the potential to attract the wrong sort of attention

Box Brownie wrote in post #16863683
I have never used the Canon branded straps but do use the ones made by Op-Tech, great straps with QR connectors and soft neoprene shoulder/neck pads.

Not the answer you were looking for but IMO a branded strap has the potential to attract the wrong sort of attention

I feel the same way and I hate it too. But I have only a week to my trip and don't have the time nor the funds to go out and grab a new strap. Plus at disney world, its fairly common to see all the branded camera strap

Dear Tony,

You can get an OP/TECH strap from B&H with free shipping for $ 20.00, at least you can in the States I'm not sure about Canada?

OP/TECH straps are very easy on the neck and shoulders so even if you don't get one for your trip you might want to consider one afterwards.

As far as the original Canon strap goes, try running it through your washing machine a couple of times. Just don't use high temperature water or put it in the dryer and it should soften up nicely.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Why the obligation to the lousy Canon strap when it will never be as comfortable as an after market strap out of the box.
When I buy a camera I buy a Crumpler strap. Brilliantly comfortable/breathable​. Cannot imagine having to carve up my skin with a new canon strap for a full day.
Buy something aftermarket - Today!! - B&H are quick to turn it around. Or ship to your Hotel (Imagine they can). You can always pack your canon strap for reassurance.

Another vote for the Op/Tech. I have one for each camera.

As for the standard Canon strap, perhaps put it in a clothes drier with a tennis ball, no heat, for an hour or two. Seems to work for counterfeiters, at least in the movies.

Best way to soften them up is to use them.

I've been very happy with the OEM strap that came with my 5D11. From new it was soft and comfortable.

Tony_Stark wrote in post #16863675
Hey guys, I usually don't wear a camera strap as I always find it gets in the way and I am never without my camera bag. But when I travel, I like to have my strap on my camera and leave my bag in the hotel room. Now, since I bought my 6D, the strap has been sitting still in original condition, un used, and hate how new straps are so harsh and a pain to get them to soften up. Whats the best, quickest way to soften them? Soak in hot water, toss in the washing machine with a load? Any help greatly appreciated.

Google seat belt shoulder pad, any auto parts store will have them.

Tony_Stark wrote in post #16863675
...the strap has been sitting still in original condition, un used, and hate how new straps are so harsh and a pain to get them to soften up. Whats the best, quickest way to soften them? Soak in hot water, toss in the washing machine with a load? Any help greatly appreciated.

Personally I would recommend you not do anything unless you are well aware that virtually anything you do that is a rapid fix to your perceived problem, only creates another problem in that the life of the strap is shortened drastically.

John from PA wrote in post #16864656
Personally I would recommend you not do anything unless you are well aware that virtually anything you do that is a rapid fix to your perceived problem, only creates another problem in that the life of the strap is shortened drastically.

That's a good point also. I definitely don't want to compromise the quality of the strap. I guess I will take it out of the box and just start to use it on a few shoots this week. Might as well. I hate straps but when travelling I like to have one. I haven't had the time or budget to sit down and find the right strap for me.

Another question, I would like to get a custom strap made, with me providing my own material, who and how is the best way of going with this?

I washed mine and removed the lettering by using simple green and a stiff brush on the lettering.
It is still black with red lined but no EOS lettering and model type.

Box Brownie wrote in post #16863683
I have never used the Canon branded straps but do use the ones made by Op-Tech, great straps with QR connectors and soft neoprene shoulder/neck pads.

Not the answer you were looking for but IMO a branded strap has the potential to attract the wrong sort of attention

^^^^^^
This basically.

Box Brownie wrote in post #16863683
I have never used the Canon branded straps but do use the ones made by Op-Tech, great straps with QR connectors and soft neoprene shoulder/neck pads.

Not the answer you were looking for but IMO a branded strap has the potential to attract the wrong sort of attention

That's what I use & have done for a few years now

JTParretti wrote in post #16865531
I washed mine and removed the lettering by using simple green and a stiff brush on the lettering.
It is still black with red lined but no EOS lettering and model type.

^^ That doesn't sound a bad look in all honesty

I will look into removing the lettering Would much prefer a cleaner look of just black & red.

EDIT: Just opened up the strap and "Canon" and "EOS 6D" are embossed/stitched in so no way I can remove those. My EOS M strap has the lettering printed on. Would the M strap but strong enough to support my 6D + 50L?