Boss Strap vs. OpTech Utility Strap (Page 2): Personally I like the optech pro strap, I find it more comfortable, if you need it to be longer to wear on your shoulder order the system...

Cibafan Loc: Virginia

Personally I like the optech pro strap, I find it more comfortable, if you need it to be longer to wear on your shoulder order the system connectors with the strap.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

dzurak58 wrote:

I know there is a similar question being discussed... (show quote)

I have heard great things about OpTech. That will be my next camera strap.

bgl Loc: Brooklyn,New York

Mogul wrote:

Per the OpTech website:

I am a thoroughly pleased Optech user on 2 cameras. Never was concerned about fastener failure but this is such a simple inexpensive bit of insurance that I couldn't resist. 6.95 on Ebay with free S&H. Thanks so much for the tip!

BushDog Loc: San Antonio, TX

I posted on the other thread how I prefer the UpStrap and BosStrap since I like to carry on my shoulder. To directly answer your question ... If you like to carry your camera in front of you, i recommend you go with the OpTech. The padding is nice & adds a lot of comfort. If you prefer to carry on your shoulder, I recommend you go with the BosStrap (or UpStrap). I have several of all three brands.

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

I have an Op/Tech strap that I carry on my shoulder with my camera at my side. I do like it but for hiking and such I will be using a Cotton Carrier so I do not have a loose camera at my side in case of a slip or fall.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

One factor that hasn't been mentioned anywhere (that I have read) is the type terrain and location of subjects. If I an knee-deep in a clay bottom marsh, I want my camera high and centered; I'll use an OpTech bino harness (although I would like to find a replacement for those clips. On talus, I'll use my modified BR Cross Shot to shift from left to right as I traverse, keeping the camera on the uphill side and locked to the upper front (my RS-7 is great for this, but not ambidextrous as configured). The RS-7 is great for train shots as I can lock the camera behind me when scrambling around in a rail yard. For street shooting, I use any of several wrist or hand straps, depending on the camera and location; handling the camera with one hand most of the time is less obtrusive.

bgl Loc: Brooklyn,New York

Japakomom wrote:

I have an Op/Tech strap that I carry on my shoulder with my camera at my side. I do like it but for hiking and such I will be using a Cotton Carrier so I do not have a loose camera at my side in case of a slip or fall.

How does the cotton carrier protect from a fall forward? I'm trying to imagine it and come up short. If you're hiking where slips and falls are very possible, wouldn't a padded back pack (even a small one) be your best bet?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Japakomom wrote:

I have an Op/Tech strap that I carry on my shoulder with my camera at my side. I do like it but for hiking and such I will be using a Cotton Carrier so I do not have a loose camera at my side in case of a slip or fall.

Boy, talk about timely!
I was hiking in to Trout lake in Yellowstone Park just yesterday afternoon and the guy ahead of me slipped on a patch of green grass alongside the trail and went down RIGHT ON his camera mounted in the Cotton Carrier holster he had at his side. Needless to say that is one Canon 6D and 17-40mm F4L lens that will never take another picture, they were both totally destroyed! The other 3 lenses he had in his sling type Lowepro bag were unhurt, as was the T3i back-up body he had in it, he will be finishing his stay in Yellowstone with only the crop sensor.

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

bgl wrote:

How does the cotton carrier protect from a fall forward? I'm trying to imagine it and come up short. If you're hiking where slips and falls are very possible, wouldn't a padded back pack (even a small one) be your best bet?

I like to have my camera available to take pictures as needed. You are right, a fall forward could be a problem. But in all my years of hiking I have not personally fallen forward.

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

MT Shooter wrote:

Boy, talk about timely! br I was hiking in to Trou... (show quote)

That is why I do not want my camera at my side. How do you carry your camera hiking? I prefer not to use a backpack because I want my camera available. I would like to find the best method. Thanks!

bgl Loc: Brooklyn,New York

Japakomom wrote:

I like to have my camera available to take pictures as needed. You are right, a fall forward could be a problem. But in all my years of hiking I have not personally fallen forward.

Wish you the good fortune of never falling that way!

bgl Loc: Brooklyn,New York

Japakomom wrote:

That is why I do not want my camera at my side. How do you carry your camera hiking? I prefer not to use a backpack because I want my camera available. I would like to find the best method. Thanks!

I've seen ads for bags that you can carry in back but can quickly provide access from the front. Sorry I can't be more specific.

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

bgl wrote:

I've seen ads for bags that you can carry in back but can quickly provide access from the front. Sorry I can't be more specific.

Yes, I have seen the sling bags too. They are just not for me.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Well, falling is going to endanger any camera with any strap, so that's kind of out of the question.

I'm not sure why someone would want to pay double for basically the same thing. I know the saying, "you get what you pay for," and have been stung with it a few times. That being said, with the OpTech, you are getting an incredible value for what you pay. The really nice thing is that they are inexpensive enough, that you can get different rigs for carrying 2 cameras, or whatever the conditions you have, and just unclip one, and set your camera on another. As others have said, no failures here, and I tend to be a clutz.