Dangers of dangling straps - or Easy Come Easy Go! Back on one of my pet hates and another practical lesson on why camera straps should not be left dangling! Down in our local fishing...

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

Back on one of my pet hates and another practical lesson on why camera straps should not be left dangling!

Down in our local fishing village today I saw a couple of men dipping for crabs in the harbour. One of the men was telling the other about the 'new' Nikon DSLR he had just bought. The aforementioned camera was on the ground beside him with the strap dangling.

Guess what?

The owner flipped his crab lure back into the water - catching the camera strap on the way.

With a loud splash, his new pride and joy became a new home for crabs. :oops:

His friend suggested he try dipping for it - but no luck and an expensive lesson on why camera straps should not be left dangling. But will he learn? :!:

ggttc Loc: TN

ouch!

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

You really hate hearing stories like this, but if it alerts us to the dangers, they are worth it. ;-) Cheers.

ziggykor Loc: East Texas

More than 90% of my work is done with the camera on a tripod. Straps get in the way. They've been removed. My belief is that if you're going to have a strap, it should always be around your neck to prevent things like the above happening.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I can 'see' his dog chasing after the lure and catching its head in the strap too.. All bad.

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

Wonder if the crab got any good snaps to show his mates :-D

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Crwiwy wrote:

Back on one of my pet hates and another practical ... (show quote)

That's why I like Op/Tech straps with the quick disconnect.

I watched a documentary last night, and the guy was walking around with his computer in a sturdy case. The problem was, the case had a strap that was dangling within inches of the ground.

Straps are good - up to a point. After thet, they become a liability.

Philipschmitten Loc: Texas

I agree. My assistant was complaining about her strap hurting her neck, so, (following advice from here) I bought her an OP/TECH Pro strap and after I tried it out I bought myself one for my camera and my aluminum case. Those OP/TECH straps are great.

rick-o

I've been on both sides of this ...I nearly lost my Nikon to a strap that caught in something, and had it drop to the ground twice (with injuries) once when the tripod adaptor slipped and once when i just plain dropped it... strap around my neck would have saved it the second time.... It's a problem because I cant focus on the LCD screen at the distance the strap gives me..so have to trust auto focus...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rick-o wrote:

It's a problem because I cant focus on the LCD screen at the distance the strap gives me..so have to trust auto focus...

I know what you mean. OP/Tech makes very good straps with the quick disconnect, and they are adjustable, so you might get the distance you need. They can also make up straps for you are very good prices. Of, course, if lengthening the straps put the camera down around you knees, that doesn't really solve your problem.

I always have a strap on the camera, and it's usually around my neck. If the strap is off for some reason, I try to keep two hands on the camera.

profpb Loc: Venice, Florida

Me too! I have opTechs on all of my cameras and tripods and monopods.

CurreyPhoto Loc: Reddick, Florida

rick-o wrote:

I've been on both sides of this ...I nearly lost my Nikon to a strap that caught in something, and had it drop to the ground twice (with injuries) once when the tripod adaptor slipped and once when i just plain dropped it... strap around my neck would have saved it the second time.... It's a problem because I cant focus on the LCD screen at the distance the strap gives me..so have to trust auto focus...

Rick, get reading glasses. They work.

Pentony Loc: Earth Traveller

rick-o wrote:

I've been on both sides of this ...I nearly lost my Nikon to a strap that caught in something, and had it drop to the ground twice (with injuries) once when the tripod adaptor slipped and once when i just plain dropped it... strap around my neck would have saved it the second time.... It's a problem because I cant focus on the LCD screen at the distance the strap gives me..so have to trust auto focus...

Lengthen the straps! 8-)

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

I had an experience where my strap saved my camera. I was on a boat and placed my camera on the floor. With my foot, I managed to edge my camera over the side of the boat. As it slid down the pontoon, all I could do was watch it all happen in slow motion, believing all was lost!

Just as it was about to hit the drink, the strap caught on a plug in the pontoon and the camera waited for me to lean over and be retrieved.

To quote the Taoist adage, Who knows what is good or bad.

bioteacher Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I also love the Optech straps and even bought one that came with my Sigma 120 = 400 and 150 -500 lenses. Call me paranoid, but I also bought the secure straps, pieces of Velcro, that prevent the quick release connectors from releasing when I do not want them to.