Best alternative Neck Strap?

Pheo · 07-18-2012, 08:14 AM

Hi All,

So, one of the major conclusions I drew from my shake-down shoot in London on Sunday is I need a better neck strap.

Does anyone have any particular preferences for a brand I should look at? So far I've looked at the Op-Tech stuff, but they don't seem to do a combined Sling/Strap without lots of additional parts, and the Crumpler Singapore Sling, which does both, but is twice the price.

If anyone else had any innovative ideas... that'd be good!

georgecape · 07-18-2012, 08:29 AM

Pheo, I changed to a sling style strap due to arthritus and have never looked back - it is amazing and has changed my photographic life. I can carry my K-7 with the Sigma 170-500 all day etc.
Cost about $11 from HK.
Cant remember brand name but found it on ebay.

loco · 07-18-2012, 08:38 AM

I use the Optech Envy memory foam neck strap. It is plenty long enough for me to use as a sling/shoulder type strap if I choose to do so. It's quite comfortable, as the foam seems to distribute weight well. It will get sweaty in hot weather, though. The material is supposed to wick away moisture, and I guess it does, but I still notice it. It might be that the foam makes me sweat more? However, I really do like it - it's miles better than the strap that comes with the camera.

**Fontan** · 07-18-2012, 08:41 AM

Let me throw a curve ball. I have a wrist strap on my K-5/7. It works better than I ever imagined, and havent dropped it either. I seem to be more ready for those fleeting moments. It is cheap enough that to me it was worth a try.

Santoku · 07-18-2012, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by Pheo

Does anyone have any particular preferences for a brand I should look at? So far I've looked at the Op-Tech stuff, but they don't seem to do a combined Sling/Strap without lots of additional parts, and the Crumpler Singapore Sling, which does both, but is twice the price.

If anyone else had any innovative ideas... that'd be good!

I recently aquired a BlackRapid RS-Sport "slide" strap and have found it to be fantastic for longer-days and/or heavier lenses. The ability to have the camera at ones hip, and to simply draw and shoot is really nice. It is very comfortable, if not a bit more conspicuous with the shoulder support.

magkelly · 07-18-2012, 10:07 AM

I like the longer, wider Tamrac straps because they're only $20, I can use them as cross body straps, and I like the quick release system. It works and I've never feared dropping my K-x with one. They do seem to be fairly reliable that way. That being said I always end up making padded covers for all my straps because they tend to rub me wrong just like seat belts. I just like designing strap covers too. It's fun and I've sold a few at the photo meets from people seeing mine. I make them out of soft fleece material and with velcro so I can just pop them off and wash them with my clothes when I do the laundry. Almost any strap can be made better with a cover like that.

kkoether · 07-18-2012, 10:12 AM

Originally posted by Fontan

Let me throw a curve ball. I have a wrist strap on my K-5/7. It works better than I ever imagined, and havent dropped it either. I seem to be more ready for those fleeting moments. It is cheap enough that to me it was worth a try.

Same here. I use a Pentax wrist strap on my K200D with the grip installed. Haven't used a neck strap since!

NKK · 07-18-2012, 10:42 AM

Originally posted by kkoether

Same here. I use a Pentax wrist strap on my K200D with the grip installed. Haven't used a neck strap since!

Going around a whole day shooting, do you then just hold the Cam/hang it from the wrist, or do you use some kind of quick access bag?

**ramseybuckeye** · 07-18-2012, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by Santoku

I recently aquired a BlackRapid RS-Sport "slide" strap and have found it to be fantastic for longer-days and/or heavier lenses. The ability to have the camera at ones hip, and to simply draw and shoot is really nice. It is very comfortable, if not a bit more conspicuous with the shoulder support.

I also went to a Black Rapid, the RS-7. It takes the load off your neck, has a curved padded strap, is adjustable, and works great. They are more expense than some of the others. I love it and will never go back to a neck strap. I cannot compare it to the other straps here, but it's a good one.

Tonto · 07-18-2012, 04:24 PM

+1 for Black Rapid, I have an RS-5. Its amazing how much a camera gets in the way on your chest.

Pheo · 07-18-2012, 04:29 PM

Just ordered a Crumpler Singapore Slim - Wanted a strap which doubles as a chest/hip strap - seems to fit the bill - will let you know how I get on.

kkoether · 07-18-2012, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by NKK

Going around a whole day shooting, do you then just hold the Cam/hang it from the wrist, or do you use some kind of quick access bag?

2 weeks ago when I was at the Madison Regatta it was in my hand pretty much the hole day. I also was carrying my LowePro AW200 sling bag if I needed a break. The Pentax hand/wrist strap I find is very comfortable. It doesn't require a death grip on the camera when your not shooting.

Here is the one I use.

PentaxWebstore.com:DSLR Leather Hand Strap DSLR Leather Hand Strap

NKK · 07-18-2012, 11:34 PM

Originally posted by kkoether

2 weeks ago when I was at the Madison Regatta it was in my hand pretty much the hole day. I also was carrying my LowePro AW200 sling bag if I needed a break. The Pentax hand/wrist strap I find is very comfortable. It doesn't require a death grip on the camera when your not shooting.

Here is the one I use.

PentaxWebstore.com:DSLR Leather Hand Strap DSLR Leather Hand Strap

Thank you for your answer - and that looks good. I'm thinking about a hand/wrist strap too, as i usually wrap the normal neckstrap around my wrist anyway, im just thinking that i would maybe be "forced" to carry a bag too, as i would get tired of having the camera in my hand for longer time

And thank you for the link.

Pheo · 07-19-2012, 03:19 AM

Anyone know where you can get one of those in the UK?

Unsinkable II · 07-19-2012, 03:56 AM - **1 Like**

I really like the Black Widow Spider Holster... I just put it on a regular belt and presto. If my kit weighed more, I'd get the dedicated belt.

The advantage to me is that the weight is transferred through my hips (have worn the camera for hours at a time, and you almost forget it's there), and the camera can't flap around away from my body like it can on a shoulder on neck strap.

Black Widow Holster : The Black Widow : Spider Holster

07-18-2012, 08:14 AM	#1
Pheo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brighton, United Kingdom Photos: Gallery Posts: 311	Best alternative Neck Strap? Hi All, So, one of the major conclusions I drew from my shake-down shoot in London on Sunday is I need a better neck strap. Does anyone have any particular preferences for a brand I should look at? So far I've looked at the Op-Tech stuff, but they don't seem to do a combined Sling/Strap without lots of additional parts, and the Crumpler Singapore Sling, which does both, but is twice the price. If anyone else had any innovative ideas... that'd be good!

07-18-2012, 10:07 AM	#6
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	I like the longer, wider Tamrac straps because they're only $20, I can use them as cross body straps, and I like the quick release system. It works and I've never feared dropping my K-x with one. They do seem to be fairly reliable that way. That being said I always end up making padded covers for all my straps because they tend to rub me wrong just like seat belts. I just like designing strap covers too. It's fun and I've sold a few at the photo meets from people seeing mine. I make them out of soft fleece material and with velcro so I can just pop them off and wash them with my clothes when I do the laundry. Almost any strap can be made better with a cover like that. Last edited by magkelly; 07-18-2012 at 10:12 AM.

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07-18-2012, 08:29 AM	#2
georgecape Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kenridge, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 212	Pheo, I changed to a sling style strap due to arthritus and have never looked back - it is amazing and has changed my photographic life. I can carry my K-7 with the Sigma 170-500 all day etc. Cost about $11 from HK. Cant remember brand name but found it on ebay.

07-18-2012, 08:38 AM	#3
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	I use the Optech Envy memory foam neck strap. It is plenty long enough for me to use as a sling/shoulder type strap if I choose to do so. It's quite comfortable, as the foam seems to distribute weight well. It will get sweaty in hot weather, though. The material is supposed to wick away moisture, and I guess it does, but I still notice it. It might be that the foam makes me sweat more? However, I really do like it - it's miles better than the strap that comes with the camera.

07-18-2012, 08:41 AM	#4
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	Let me throw a curve ball. I have a wrist strap on my K-5/7. It works better than I ever imagined, and havent dropped it either. I seem to be more ready for those fleeting moments. It is cheap enough that to me it was worth a try.

07-18-2012, 08:47 AM	#5
Santoku Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 131	Originally posted by Pheo Does anyone have any particular preferences for a brand I should look at? So far I've looked at the Op-Tech stuff, but they don't seem to do a combined Sling/Strap without lots of additional parts, and the Crumpler Singapore Sling, which does both, but is twice the price. If anyone else had any innovative ideas... that'd be good! I recently aquired a BlackRapid RS-Sport "slide" strap and have found it to be fantastic for longer-days and/or heavier lenses. The ability to have the camera at ones hip, and to simply draw and shoot is really nice. It is very comfortable, if not a bit more conspicuous with the shoulder support.

07-18-2012, 10:12 AM	#7
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	Originally posted by Fontan Let me throw a curve ball. I have a wrist strap on my K-5/7. It works better than I ever imagined, and havent dropped it either. I seem to be more ready for those fleeting moments. It is cheap enough that to me it was worth a try. Same here. I use a Pentax wrist strap on my K200D with the grip installed. Haven't used a neck strap since!

07-18-2012, 10:42 AM	#8
NKK Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Malmö, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 583	Originally posted by kkoether Same here. I use a Pentax wrist strap on my K200D with the grip installed. Haven't used a neck strap since! Going around a whole day shooting, do you then just hold the Cam/hang it from the wrist, or do you use some kind of quick access bag?

07-18-2012, 02:41 PM	#9
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,288	Originally posted by Santoku I recently aquired a BlackRapid RS-Sport "slide" strap and have found it to be fantastic for longer-days and/or heavier lenses. The ability to have the camera at ones hip, and to simply draw and shoot is really nice. It is very comfortable, if not a bit more conspicuous with the shoulder support. I also went to a Black Rapid, the RS-7. It takes the load off your neck, has a curved padded strap, is adjustable, and works great. They are more expense than some of the others. I love it and will never go back to a neck strap. I cannot compare it to the other straps here, but it's a good one.

07-18-2012, 04:24 PM	#10
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	+1 for Black Rapid, I have an RS-5. Its amazing how much a camera gets in the way on your chest.

07-18-2012, 04:29 PM	#11
Pheo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brighton, United Kingdom Photos: Gallery Posts: 311 Original Poster	Just ordered a Crumpler Singapore Slim - Wanted a strap which doubles as a chest/hip strap - seems to fit the bill - will let you know how I get on.

07-18-2012, 05:09 PM	#12
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	Originally posted by NKK Going around a whole day shooting, do you then just hold the Cam/hang it from the wrist, or do you use some kind of quick access bag? 2 weeks ago when I was at the Madison Regatta it was in my hand pretty much the hole day. I also was carrying my LowePro AW200 sling bag if I needed a break. The Pentax hand/wrist strap I find is very comfortable. It doesn't require a death grip on the camera when your not shooting. Here is the one I use. PentaxWebstore.com:DSLR Leather Hand Strap DSLR Leather Hand Strap

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07-18-2012, 11:34 PM	#13
NKK Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Malmö, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 583	Originally posted by kkoether 2 weeks ago when I was at the Madison Regatta it was in my hand pretty much the hole day. I also was carrying my LowePro AW200 sling bag if I needed a break. The Pentax hand/wrist strap I find is very comfortable. It doesn't require a death grip on the camera when your not shooting. Here is the one I use. PentaxWebstore.com:DSLR Leather Hand Strap DSLR Leather Hand Strap Thank you for your answer - and that looks good. I'm thinking about a hand/wrist strap too, as i usually wrap the normal neckstrap around my wrist anyway, im just thinking that i would maybe be "forced" to carry a bag too, as i would get tired of having the camera in my hand for longer time And thank you for the link.

07-19-2012, 03:19 AM	#14
Pheo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brighton, United Kingdom Photos: Gallery Posts: 311 Original Poster	Anyone know where you can get one of those in the UK?

07-19-2012, 03:56 AM - 1 Like	#15
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	I really like the Black Widow Spider Holster... I just put it on a regular belt and presto. If my kit weighed more, I'd get the dedicated belt. The advantage to me is that the weight is transferred through my hips (have worn the camera for hours at a time, and you almost forget it's there), and the camera can't flap around away from my body like it can on a shoulder on neck strap. Black Widow Holster : The Black Widow : Spider Holster