lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

Having just incurred substantial damage to a lens when my camera strap slipped off my shoulder, causing the lens to hit the ground, I am considering alternative, more secure ways to carry my cameras. Neck straps and sling straps allow the camera to swing and move uncontrollably.

What do you think about a holster that straps around the waist? Any experience or thoughts?

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Explore the Cotton Carrier sling line. It maintains the camera's position and is easy to access while protecting your lens.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I wrap the strap around my wrist and hold the camera in my hand or let the camera dangle from my wrist via the strap. This is my 99% usage of all my cameras.

A cross body sling can be locked, at least the Black Rapid does that I also have. The camera sits at your hip. But, I only use it when shooting two cameras at events, which is next to never nowadays.

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

I TRIED A FANNY PACK SLUNG IN FRONT BUT IT DIDN'T WORK WELL WITH MY ANATOMY WHEN MY 100-400 MM WAS ON THE CAMERA \\Oops Sorry about the all caps.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Personally, I prefer a simple neck strap, Upstrap is my personal choice. However, when I'm carrying my camera on that strap, I'm totally aware of it being there. In the 50+ years of carrying my camera with merely a neck strap, I've never come close to any mishaps. It comes down to situational awareness.

Additionally, the neck strap places the camera such that I can grab it and shoot, should the situation warrant that. I don't have to unhook it, change my grip, and then start to photograph.
--Bob

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

I use this one and really like it...have taken it out on many hikes, is comfortable and works great...was still able to carry my binoc's as well.

https://www.cottoncarrier.com/collections/skout/products/camo-skout-camera

Quixdraw Loc: x

Amazing! Paul and I mostly agree on something! I use Black Rapid wrist straps, or on occasion, a shoulder strap wrapped around my wrist with camera in hand. I don't dangle the camera, and never put a strap around my neck. If I have more gear or an additional camera, it is in a shoulder bag. Thinktank or Ruggard.

pdsdville Loc: Midlothian, Tx

I have a Think Tank belt and holster that will hold up to a 400mm lens. I've used it on occasion but find that I really need to have a neck strap such as a Black Rapid or Sunsniper. It is awkward to pull the camera out of the holster and thus makes it easy to drop. I'd look into either of the straps mentioned above for a little better control and safety.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I use a strap as well and about once every 3 years it seems I drop a camera as you described. :((

If possible giving it a kick sideways before the impact can avert major damage. However when using the strap, being mindful of it is the only other hedge against dropping it.

I don’t use a waist system it seems like it would make access more difficult. But I am interested in others experiences with them.

Quixdraw Loc: x

If you like shoulder carry, simple safe expedient, buy shirts with epaulets. Many stylish ones available, long or short sleeve.

TomHackett Loc: Kingston, New York

First a warning. I was using a cross body strap similar to the BlackRapid strap depicted here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LFODBW8?tag=topbest10reviews-20. I hasten to add that it was similar, but a different brand. After a couple of years of use, one day that buckle that attaches to the strap separated from the piece that screws into the camera' tripod mount. I was descending a flight of stairs at the time, and the camera bounced down several steps before coming to rest. Fortunately, there was no noticeable damage to the camera, and the lens was slightly damaged but still usable.

It could have been much worse. Although I liked the features of the strap, if I were to use this design I would carefully check that it is rated for the weight of the camera.

I currently use a Really Right Stuff 'L' bracket on each of my cameras. One end of the conventional camera strap attaches to the under side of the bracket, and the other end attaches to the conventional camera strap attachment on the opposite side of the camera. I wear it in a cross-body position, so that camera normally hangs by my side, but can easily be brought into position to take a photo.

User ID

My ready to use camera rides in a soft shoulder bag until needed. I have no interest in “photo opportunities” that arise suddenly and may vanish in the several seconds it can take to bring a camera to my eye.

When I unbag a camera the neck strap immediately goes over my head. For a small camera I use a wrist strap instead. Basically I don’t “wear a camera” unless I’m actually operating it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can understand the problem of having a camera in a back pack where it cannot be retrieved in just a few seconds. Then you wind up “wearing a camera”. The camera is at risk and you look silly, but I spoze the overriding concern is never missing those fleeting shots.

My only outfit that rides in a back pack is my high rez outfit that is mainly intended for use on a tripod. (FWIW, that camera has a neck strap anyway.)

BebuLamar

I use neck strap and shorten to have camera at chest level.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

My concern is that the camera on a neck or shoulder strap can swing around and can slip off the shoulder if the strap is on the shoulder. I have banged cameras many times on tables, rocks, etc. I’ve been lucky so far but want to prevent unexpected movements in the future.

Quixdraw Loc: x

As previously posted - buy shirts with epaulets. Use them as intended - end of problem.