Strap vs. no strap

At times I use a similar bag, which I purchased thirty years ago and still in excellent condition. http://www.weatherorno​tphoto.com/billinghamb​ags.html
When I have the heavy 70-200 L IS lens on my 5D. I then use a Manfrotto 684B Monopod. Camera securely screwed on. I did have a monopod with a quick release head, which released when I was carrying my camera on my shoulder. Hence the secure head.
Since the start of this Strap debate. I have placed on order a Op/tech Pro strap on order. I will give a update after I have used it for a while.

Anyway have a like photo of the optech hand grip strap thing on, and a photo of how it attaches to the camera? I'm totally lost to be honest.

I'll have to say I was skeptical of the op/tech strap at first. but my local store carries them so I took the gear in and they let me hook it to my camera, and proceed to look like a fool by walking around the shop for a while with it on there.

I have to say. It's purdy darn comfy! I'm just skeptical how it'll do in the texas heat when I'm sweating though....

SpiltPickle wrote in post #2138040
I flip it back and forth as needed. Rather have it covering the camera's back for added protection. Don't have to snap it shut, and you can just lift the flap up to grab the camera. If I had more than one camera I'd take a picture of it, heh It has a small insert in the middle alot like the domke's inserts, but has two divders in there that I have set up to support the body of the camera with the lens facing down. I have my 50mm f/1.8 down one of the sections too. The insert also has a flap with velcro that can be used to cover the lcd on the camera. But with the 70-200 the flap on the insert isn't big enough, so I just tuck it out of the way. The main flap is still fine though.

oh, and the camera fits a bit 'weird' in there when the bg-e2 is on it. The insert isn't quite big enough, so it overhangs the insert a tad.

I am really digging those NG bags. They look very soft and flexible and most of all they don't scream "I'M CARRYING A CAMERA".

I was juct checking specifications on the NG2475 and it seems to be tall enough to have a 30D with a 70-200mm lens on it with room to spare. I am curious as to why you say it does not fit. The smaller bag I can see that it would be tight or not close but this medium shoulder bag looks like it will accomodate that lens. I am referencing the Sigma 70-200mm. Are you talking about another lens that is longer when at its shortest focal length?

Back to the OP for a sec, if I may indulge for just a sec, Strap is the default. I have the Quick release ones, so if I need to remove the camera, or switch camera, become tangled, I just undo one of the releases and the camera is free.

Strap to neck if possible. If not, Strap to hand. If not, hold it very tight.

I have seen equipment fall from my hands in slow motion. It is nothing like the movies. It is much worse. I bought the toughest equipment I could afford, and yet I am not planning on ever testing their word for it.

Now as far as ease of use, the hand strap was not as comfortable as I wanted, but it did keep the camera on hand for hours, without fatigue. Neck is the same, for portrait shots.

Just my two cents,

Not just any strap - the POTN neck strap!!

Do yourself and the camera a favor and put that strap if not done yet.
You'll both enjoy from each other a lot more and longer...

OK but why do you recommend a strap over a bag? I hear just as many horror stories about straps slipping and pros that say they would never trust their camera to a strap hanging around their neck. I just assume shoot and then place the camera into a padded pocket and not have to hold it or have it around my neck. No matter what you do or carry you have to be careful and conscious of the fact that you have a fragile expensive piece of gear. Even if I had the camera on a strap I would still want a bag because I am not always going to want to walk in and around a place with the camera hanging out for all to see and if I am not shooting or stop for a hot dog I don't want mustard on my camera. I think this is another example of commone sense and individual preference. Not having a bag, strap or grip would be foolish but any combination that gives you peace of mind seems like it works.

The mystical force of the universe beckons your Canon equipment to join the Earth at very accelerated rates.

Tether it. Tie it up. Strap it somewhere. It is a battle from which you will likely not come out victorious, but you might be able to hang onto your camera for an extra day before it returns to the dust from whence it came from.


And in all seriousness, think about this:

What about all the photographers who are not dropping their cameras because they use the manufacturer -or even better the POTN- issued Strap?... We never get to hear from them. Because who's camera took a dive, will achieve much more exposure than the dude with 150k actuations and no accidents yet.

Cheers,

Ruffio wrote in post #2130455
Yep, I use both. Hand strap when I'm shooting and neck strap when I'm changing lenses. Sure is a pain getting them both on though.

Ditto here...

mjgravina wrote in post #2139901
The mystical force of the universe beckons your Canon equipment to join the Earth at very accelerated rates.

Tether it. Tie it up. Strap it somewhere. It is a battle from which you will likely not come out victorious, but you might be able to hang onto your camera for an extra day before it returns to the dust from whence it came from.


And in all seriousness, think about this:

What about all the photographers who are not dropping their cameras because they use the manufacturer -or even better the POTN- issued Strap?... We never get to hear from them. Because who's camera took a dive, will achieve much more exposure than the dude with 150k actuations and no accidents yet.

Cheers,

Well I understand what you are saying but I really don't understand why you are pushing the strap so much. If the camera returns to a padded place, that seems much safer than having it explosed, either hand held or on a strap. And what do you do when you are not shooting for hours? You just wear the camera around your neck? I am sorry but that does not sound like something I want to do and I said before....sometimes you are places that you do not want to wave the fact that you have an expensive piece of gear around your neck. You make it seem as if having a strap makes it fool proof and I am not sure I buy that.

You also do not hear about the people with a nice strap and still had a fall or accident and I am sure those people are out ther too. And I clearly saw pros posting about this and talking about how they don't like or trust a strap. I believe one person said that even with a strap he still keeps a hand on the camera. SO why not just place it back into a nice comfy soft bag and have it be inconspicuous.

I am not negating the fact that accidents happen but they could happen with it around your neck, on a grip, in a bag or any other method of carrying. I don't see the strap as being any more of a safeguard than using your head, being careful and having some cushioning around the camera when not in use.

Did not mean to 'push the Strap so much'. My small contribution to the thread has been done, and I hope whatever solution you choose for your camera will make you happy and help you be more effective in your job as a photographer. Best of Lucks,

I use a Domke strap, the kind that you can twist independently from the camera so it doesn't get all tangled up - always hated that.

I found the most comfortable and easily accesible way to carry my camera is by slinging the strap over the shoulder, so that the camera/lens faces backwards instead of out. This way, when carrying around a longer lens, it will be behind youd back so it won't bump into things (and more importantly, people). Often times I end up walikng around with my 1D Mk II N and 70-200 f/2.8L IS (weighing in at around 6.5 lbs, ouch) for several hours at a time carrying it this way and find it to be quite comfortable.

Camera bags are nice, but I have never liked the hassle of having to fish the camera out every time you want to take the shot. Often times by the time the camera is out of the bag and you're ready to shoot, the moment is over.

TMR Design wrote in post #2139977
Well I understand what you are saying but I really don't understand why you are pushing the strap so much. If the camera returns to a padded place, that seems much safer than having it explosed, either hand held or on a strap. And what do you do when you are not shooting for hours? You just wear the camera around your neck? I am sorry but that does not sound like something I want to do and I said before....sometimes you are places that you do not want to wave the fact that you have an expensive piece of gear around your neck. You make it seem as if having a strap makes it fool proof and I am not sure I buy that.

You also do not hear about the people with a nice strap and still had a fall or accident and I am sure those people are out ther too. And I clearly saw pros posting about this and talking about how they don't like or trust a strap. I believe one person said that even with a strap he still keeps a hand on the camera. SO why not just place it back into a nice comfy soft bag and have it be inconspicuous.

I am not negating the fact that accidents happen but they could happen with it around your neck, on a grip, in a bag or any other method of carrying. I don't see the strap as being any more of a safeguard than using your head, being careful and having some cushioning around the camera when not in use.

...

There is NO harm in using a strap. A strap should be used if you're holding a camera out in the open and want to get a shot off. If you're just going to carry a camera around and don't plan on shooting, then it doesn't matter if its in a bag or strap. It's much safer in a bag however in that situation.

But if you do walk around with a camera turned on, I don't see why you would leave it in a bag.

What are you gonna do? Keep opening your bag and putting it back inside?