Strap or No Strap: While shooting with some savvy friends recently I noticed that they did not have straps attached to their cameras. To be fair we were all using tripods and not...

finalimage Loc: Brattleboro, VT

While shooting with some savvy friends recently I noticed that they did not have straps attached to their cameras. To be fair we were all using tripods and not hiking far from the vehicle. That said, what are the choices of this group? Keep strap on or off? Or does it depend? I keep mine on but sometimes it is annoying on the tripod. And final question, what kind of strap do you prefer, the one that came with the camera or a third party brand?

Thanks in advance.

EstherP

Even though my "strap" is attached with two quick-release buckles, I never take it off the camera. Tripod, monopod, hand-held, stored in the backpack, it's always on.
"Strap" in quotation marks, because I couldn't stand the strap that came with the camera putting strain on my neck.
I now use an Op-Tec bino-harness, it divides the weight of the camera over both shoulders, the camera is just as easily accessed as on the strap that came with it, and my neck is doing great.
The longest time I have had the camera on the harness over my shoulders was 7 hours, without any soreness or tiredness.
EstherP

2MATO Loc: CNY -Central NoWhere

A strap is the cheapest, most efficient form of insurance your camera can have. Kinda like the seat belt in your car: It can feel irritating and inconvenient. Sometimes you wish it was not there. If you are careful and lucky, you will never have to depend on it to SAVE you/your camera. BUT, even if you have "replacement insurance" -- an accident can spoil your trip/day/life. Using it becomes transparent when you have one that is comfortable for YOU.

When I am in crowds or touristy places, I sometimes have that neck strap would on my arm twice, never put my camera down on a counter, etc. It is a simple, cheap precaution to attach yourself to a valuable, cherished piece of equipment.

The quick release strap is on my list of things to check out. Do I NEEEEEEEED it. No. But when I stick the camera on the little telescope, I want the convenience of it not swinging there to hook on something.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

I use a strap whenever I'm going to be walking around for multiple shots. I don't worry about it so much if I'm staying in one place or just taking a couple shots.

I use a quick release shoulder strap. Can't stand the neck straps that are included with most cameras.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

My straps are always on my camera, the bodies are never mounted to nor dismounted from my tripods without that strap around my neck for insurance. Just drop one once and you will never go without a strap either. In the way? Use a strap with quick-release buckles like the OpTech line, I often remove my strap while the camera is on the tripod, but always re-attach before taking it down.
And, like EstherP said, those factory straps may look cool but they are NOT the way to carry or protect your investment, nor are they in any way comfortable.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Only a fool drives without a seat belt, how important is your camera.

I laugh when people say they have dropped theirs AND don't have insurance (not home ins)

runsthebitterroot Loc: Western Montana

Hi Finalimage, dropping my camera is not an option. The only time my strap is off is when it has been mounted on my tripod. When just walking around I keep the strap across my chest and pointing to the rear.

Larry

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

finalimage wrote:

While shooting with some savvy friends recently I noticed that they did not have straps attached to their cameras. To be fair we were all using tripods and not hiking far from the vehicle. That said, what are the choices of this group? Keep strap on or off? Or does it depend? I keep mine on but sometimes it is annoying on the tripod. And final question, what kind of strap do you prefer, the one that came with the camera or a third party brand?

Thanks in advance.

I take the strap off when I buy the camera, put it in the cupboard, and it disappears to who knows where sometime over the next couple of years.
Most of the time the camera is either in my hand, on the tripod or in the camera bag.

ioptfm Loc: Isle of Palms, SC

I can't imagine why anyone would take the strap off unless the camera is mounted inside on a tripod.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

ioptfm wrote:

I can't imagine why anyone would take the strap off unless the camera is mounted inside on a tripod.

Because for me the PITA factor and problems caused by a strap far outweigh the benefits.

Mike629 Loc: NJ,United States

finalimage wrote:

While shooting with some savvy friends recently I noticed that they did not have straps attached to their cameras. To be fair we were all using tripods and not hiking far from the vehicle. That said, what are the choices of this group? Keep strap on or off? Or does it depend? I keep mine on but sometimes it is annoying on the tripod. And final question, what kind of strap do you prefer, the one that came with the camera or a third party brand?

Thanks in advance.

Imagine your newborn hanging from your neck.Now ,imagine your camera.Now,newborn. Now , camera. get it.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

finalimage wrote:

While shooting with some savvy friends recently I noticed that they did not have straps attached to their cameras. To be fair we were all using tripods and not hiking far from the vehicle. That said, what are the choices of this group? Keep strap on or off? Or does it depend? I keep mine on but sometimes it is annoying on the tripod. And final question, what kind of strap do you prefer, the one that came with the camera or a third party brand?

Thanks in advance.

Final, I don't think your friends are very savvy at all. Don't feel you need to emulate them. For some, it may suit their shooting style, whatever that may be? Some probably read somewhere that pros don't use one, so they don't use one either.
For me, it's not even a matter of cheap insurance. That strap is my third hand. I walk out to where it's wet with my rubber boots on and with my tripod in my hand and need both hands to set it up. Same situation and I need to get a different lens out of my backpack. That's a challenge with four hands. Try to set up a tripod in the middle of a busy area, go ahead, set your camera on the ground, or a bench, or...., you get my drift.
Final, maybe all your savvy friends are pros and are used to having an assistant standing next to them, waiting on them. Or maybe they used to be/are quarterbacks, footballs don't have straps !!

reddgt Loc: ROCKFORD,IL

best strap for the Sony DSC RX100??? any ideas....
thanks....

Rob O' Loc: Freakin' Hot Arizona

I was taught to wrap the strap around my wrist when I hold it to my eye because the tight strap stabilizes the camera making for less camera shake. Its the same reason soldiers wrap the rifle strap around their wrist when they fire.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

finalimage wrote:

While shooting with some savvy friends recently I noticed that they did not have straps attached to their cameras. To be fair we were all using tripods and not hiking far from the vehicle. That said, what are the choices of this group? Keep strap on or off? Or does it depend? I keep mine on but sometimes it is annoying on the tripod. And final question, what kind of strap do you prefer, the one that came with the camera or a third party brand?

Thanks in advance.

Ditto what most others said: PO/Tech straps with quick release buckles. When I pick up the camera the strap goes around my neck. If the camera is on a tripod I remove the strap and replace it before removing the camera from the tripod. Leaving the strap attached on the tripod seems to be asking for trouble - like a cat in a room full of rockers.

I have my straps color coded so I know what camera to pick up at a glance.