Canonman333 Loc: Far Northern End of California

I read all of the posts on this issue and took some time to re-examine my use of straps. Frankly, I've never seriously considered taking the straps off except on my smaller cameras. Much of my photography is done outdoors with long lenses and I found it very handy to carry my camera with a strap over my shoulder and the camera swung a little bit toward my back with the lens angled toward the center of my back a bit, especially when fighting my way through brush or walking through areas where there are large boulders in front of me or to the side. I have found that when going through brush for instance, I can put my hand and arm over the top of the camera and lens and protect it from brush and from banging against a boulder. That being said, the strap is a continual hassle at times. I always find that it's a bit in the way. After thinking about it, I'm going to look around at alternative methods of carrying my cameras with large lenses. In regards to dropping a camera, the only ones that I've dropped are the small point and shoots that I have carried. In regards to my full-size cameras, I've never dropped one with the exception of picking up my camera bag/backpack and not realizing that I had it unzipped, causing the camera to fall out on the ground and create some cosmetic damage. For those of you who carry around cameras with long lenses in natural environments, I am open to suggestions on alternate straps. The larger lenses are a bit difficult to carry around without some form of strap, I have found. At least that's been my experience with my aging body. As to the camera strap slipping off my shoulder, that is something I have to guard against but have been successful so far. I've had neck surgery so carrying a heavy camera around my neck just isn't going to work. I found that when I have the camera strap on my shoulder, I can keep it secure there by swinging my arm toward the back, moving my camera a bit around behind me and holding onto it at the same time. That way if the strap should falloff, I am hanging onto the camera lens anyway. Granted, the environments in which I am walking often requires protecting the camera more aggressively. Again, I am open for alternative suggestions. The strap does bother me at times and delays getting my camera set up on occasion. I have also found, by the way, that carrying the camera in front of me subjects it to scratches from brush as I claw my way through.

Robert R Loc: Indianapolis and Naples

I use a Tamrac strap with quick release so it comes off easily if I use tripod. For all day carry with heavy lens I disconnect and use Black Rapid. I have a Canon P&S that fits easily in pocket. For that I use the wrist band that comes with camera.

Marilyng Loc: Lorain,Oh.

I so agree,strap is always around my neck for sure!

Canonman333 Loc: Far Northern End of California

Thanks for the suggestions. I will take a look at both straps you mentioned. I'm surprised that I have not shopped around for alternate straps after all of these years. I guess I've just sort of accepted the hassle of it all.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I always use a strap because I don't want to be carrying the camera in my hands. If I am hiking and taking pictures I want my hands to be able to stop my fall or keep a branch from coming back in my face. I not only use a strap but normally I am holding onto my camera with one of my hands as well. Call it overkill but it has worked for me since the early 60's. I have always used the factory neck straps but recently bought two Optech neck straps and love them.

Dennis

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I always use a strap. Sometimes it gets in the way, but I take so many pictures on some days that I couldn't carry my camera(s) any other way that would be suitable for me.

HowardPepper Loc: Palm Coast, FL

My wife and I are almost religious in our usage of camera straps. I purchased UPstrap straps for both DSLRs, and the only time the straps are not around our necks is when transferring the cameras to or from the camera bags, or after they are securely attached to a tripod. Before removing a camera from a tripod, the strap once again goes around one of our necks.

vsimmons

"So, do you use a strap because you truly believe it will save your camera/lens, or it actually has?"

Yes, I use a strap because of this!

"In the last 2 or 3 weeks I have read here on the Hog of at least 6 broken cameras/lenses. Some leaped to their death, still others drowned themselves!"

And, also, because I fear this!

Tom47 Loc: Gettysburg, PA

I rarely use a cameral strap but when I do it is a Tamrac quick release. CherylZ I should have taken your instructors camera course. Back in the 70's I had a camera hit the floor when a child pulled it off a table by its strap. The lens had to be repaired.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I am using hand strap when shooting with a short lens. If I shoot with a long lens, I use shoulder strap connecting to the lens own tripod collar,not the camera.

davidshepley

I use the sniper strap and love it. Only potential problem was, on two occasions when I temporarily disconnected the camera. After taking the shots, I forgot that I was "unstrapped" and ALMOST let the camera go. Luckily I didn't.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Always use a strap around my neck. Never gets in my way. Just makes sense and the only time I've ever had a camera hit the ground was when it was on a tripod which blew over in a near hurricane. That was my fault!Wrapping a strap around one hand is just plain cumbersome. I like to have my hands free.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

[quote=RWR][quote=lighthouse] It blows in the wind when on long exposure shots on the tripod creating motion blur.

I think you're misreading the OP's statement. I believe they mean that a dangling strap could appear in the photo when it blows in the wind.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

That's what I use on my long lens, love it!

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Yes... take the neck strap off when shooting on a tripod. That's what we are saying. ;)

But when shooting small aperture exposure in moderate to low light wind vibration CAN be a problem.

Doesn't matter what tripod and head combination you use.