Opinions of aftermarket neck strap

raider · 11-02-2009, 04:01 AM

Hi.

I managed to find the following neck straps on ebay.

The neoprene one
Neoprene Neck Strap for Pentax K20D K10D K200D K100D KM - eBay (item 370214984021 end time Nov-10-09 05:24:49 PST)

The matin one
MATIN Non Slip Neck Shoulder Strap for Pentax Camera - eBay (item 320442830425 end time Nov-30-09 06:43:40 PST)

Another neoprene one
Neoprene Neck Strap for PENTAX K10D K100D K2000 K200D - eBay (item 250519709017 end time Nov-24-09 06:41:48 PST)

Any one bought any of these straps? I am trying to figure out which is the better one. Need to get 2 - one for me and one for wifey

cupic · 11-02-2009, 05:41 AM

I leaning towards the Matin one.... long enough ppl

cheers

*Ratmagiclady* · 11-02-2009, 09:35 AM

Hrm, if you actually get rubber threads woven into the Matin one, that's a style I rather like, as long as the gear you intend to put on is not too heavy. Never saw this particular one, though. (Might want to tend to avoid cheap straps if you've got a really beastly lens or whatnot you like to carry, anyway, just for safety's sake. )

They cost a bit more, (seem to run about fourteen bucks shipped) but for lighter setups, I'm very fond of the Lowepro Speedster strap, (Another rubber-thread-in-webbing type) it works very nicely and stays put.

If you search on this forum there's periodically a thread all about straps. There's a bunch of new stuff out there that I haven't tried.

godsgiftowomen · 11-02-2009, 10:36 AM

Check out the Crumpler Industry Disgrace. That's the one I am going for.

Lloydy · 11-02-2009, 04:13 PM

Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products

I've just bought one of these Pacsafe straps, but haven't had much chance to use it yet. But first impressions are good.

I use the wider Pacsafe straps for carrying my tripods and like them a lot.

Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products

The large carabiner style clip is great for my home made tripod attachments.

I was looking for a camera strap that easily unclipped and was thin, and this fitted the bill. The fact that it's wired to make it slash proof wasn't really important to me, but it's a bonus I guess.

raider · 11-02-2009, 04:25 PM

Don't u guys want the ones with "Pentax" wordings? Or you prefer to be inconspicuous?

Pioneer · 11-02-2009, 07:10 PM

I have the first one, or maybe its the second (I think they're the same) and I don't like it at all. For one it doesn't lengthen enough to wear my camera with the strap over a shoulder and my neck. For two, it doesn't inspire confidence that it is very sturdy. I was nervous that my camera was going to hit the ground.

I bought the Targus strap at Walmart and I absolutely love it.
It is wide and transfers the weight of camera and lens very well. I've carried my SF1n with the Pentax 28-200mm lens for an entire day with absolutely no discomfort, and that is a heavy package.
It adjusts enough that I can easily wear my camera across one shoulder and neck, even with a coat on. And then I can pull my arm back through easily.
So far it has been very sturdy. I hike in the back country and often have my camera hanging around my neck and the strap does occasionally get snagged. It has not broken under this strain.
It doesn't say Pentax, but that wasn't my prime goal for a camera strap.
Best of all it only cost me $10.

**Damn Brit** · 11-02-2009, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by raider

Don't u guys want the ones with "Pentax" wordings? Or you prefer to be inconspicuous?

The lettering isn't going to support the weight of your camera or make the strap any more comfortable.
I thought I was content with the one that came with my camera but after a discussion with another member, I invested in one of these - RS-5 R-Strap BlackRapid.com Now I admit that they also gave me one of their double straps for review but I had bought the single prior to that.
After getting used to it, I can honestly say that I wouldn't be without it. It was $65 well invested as far as I'm concerned. I can get the camera up into shooting position without getting tangled.
I can keep my tripod QR plate attached and use that to connect to the strap. It has storage for my phone, money, credit cards, spare SD cards and IR remote with room to spare.
I can unclip it from the strap without taking the strap off (handy if I want to sit down for a beer). Best of all, I can wear it all day without discomfort and when I do take it off, I don't feel as if I've been carrying a camera all day.
Take this as a plug if you like (it is

) but carry straps are often overlooked when investing in equipment.

raider · 11-03-2009, 12:05 AM

That RS-5 strap looks cool! Can carry an iphone in it...though I dont have an iphone

It would appear that those straps that I find on ebay are not that good afterall. I think I will check out the digital disgrace one (funny name) and the optech one.

mcjm78 · 11-03-2009, 01:01 AM

Camera Electronics got the optech one in stock. Can go and check it out.

GerryL · 11-05-2009, 04:09 PM

I got the OpTech one and I must say, as much as the neoprene is comfortable it is also a bit bulky.
I liked the old canvas like straps before that were not very wide.
I could wrap the strap around my hand and have an instant hand grip strap.
I miss those old school straps!

darrenleow · 11-05-2009, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by GerryL

I got the OpTech one and I must say, as much as the neoprene is comfortable it is also a bit bulky.
I liked the old canvas like straps before that were not very wide.
I could wrap the strap around my hand and have an instant hand grip strap.
I miss those old school straps!

I agree, I just switched to an old Pentax skinny strap for my K20D. Most of the time when I'm out shooting I have the camera in my hands, so it's less bulk to get in my way.

*ChrisPlatt* · 11-07-2009, 11:07 AM

Not especially discrete, but one of my favorites:

Chris

*Ratmagiclady* · 11-07-2009, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by ChrisPlatt

Not especially discrete, but one of my favorites:

Chris

Heehee. That's... pretty loud.

I like a line of straps with assorted colors, (Helps to be able to tell them apart. Wish Optech made more muted ones, actually: I was pretty skeptical of the neoprene when I ordered them, having seen some older ones that looked too boingey-stretchy, but it was the easiest way to get the clips for my medium format camera, and I turned out to like the straps a lot, so I got more.

)

Those Crumpler Industry Disgrace ones probably come in lots of colors, too, and if they'd been out when I was shopping, I might have looked there. Kind of fancy, (and like the Optech 'boomerangs' I have, may be a bit much for your cameras, but people seem to like them a lot. Optech has a fancy, smaller kind called an 'Envy' that I think someone here was going to try. ....and I saw a promising-looking Quantaray-branded thing with memory foam last time I was by a Wolf Camera. )

But I'd have trouble seeing the hot rod flames on my stuff.

I always used to like the old Tamrac type with the suede pads, pretty good for medium-sized stuff, and I think they're making them again.

joele · 11-14-2009, 03:43 PM

I bought one of the cheap neoprene ones with the non-slip rubber base, used it for a few years on multiple cameras.. much more comfortable in my opinion...