So I'm just going to say it - I HATE camera straps. I'm constantly fighting with it getting in the way when I slap my camera on my tripod, zooming, focusing, shooting down at things, etc. I guess if I actually put the strap around my neck that would help, but do people really do that? :) That being said, I do use it to sling over my shoulder now and again. Anybody found a good compromise or is it just me? I'm just about ready to ditch the strap.
try a hand strap, you have to hold your camera all the time but the strap around your hand takes most the weight off your fingers and makes it quite comfy. Otherwise I wrap the neck strap around my wrist and just carry my cam all day, I never have it around my neck unless changing lenses or need both hands for something quick.
good rules, Scott. My dad always had that rule too. If you have the camera, it's strap better be around your neck. Also, don't set the camera down and leave the strap hanging over the edge.
A funny story. A few years ago I was at a conference with a couple of colleagues and a very intelligent university professor I know offered to take our photo. Handing my camera over to him, I said very tongue in cheek that it was an idiot-proof camera that you just had to point and click.
When i had the photos developed, that particular photo had a funny line down the middle. It took me a while to realise, but I worked out eventually that it was the camera strap that must have dangled in front of the lens as he took the photo. So I found out that it wasn't an idiot-proof camera after all!!!
I like to have the strap around my neck when taking photos in precarious positions e.g. on the back of a motorbike, near the edge of the deck on a ferry or when up high looking down. If I am leaning out to take a shot, I hold the strap tightly in my hand or wind it around my wrist.
I have a colleague who says he doesn't use a strap but some sort of a hand hold/glove. I haven't seen it but it might be what you're looking for.
I'm with Louise. My Big Lug" Nikon DSLR camera has a strap, my lightweight Nikon DSLR does not. The strap chokes me when I am trying to shoot. However, I have to hold the other one in my hand, and I have to put that one down to use the other. Can't win.
With the camera in my right hand, I put the strap taut around my elbow (the outside tricep area) like you are wrapping up a wrope or long cable. I find that it keeps the strap out of my shots and helps to steady me.
Agree with craigy... I wrap my wrist around the strap 3 times then loop whats left of it under my thumb. This gives me the confidence that even if i let it go, it wont drop and also sits comfortably in my hand
I've only ever dropped my camera twice - once it fell out of my camera case as I was picking it up (leading to me observing Scott Miller's rule 2!), and another time it actually fell off the tripod because I hadn't secured the base properly. Both times were on carpet, thank God, and the camera seems none the worse for it. But I've never ever dropped it out on a shoot, and I don't use the strap at all, it just gets in the way. I think the only time I've ever really used it is when leaning over the balcony of somewhere high or on riverside railings. Just watch, I'll go drop it today!!
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
1. Always where the camera strap;
2. Zip up the camera case EVERY TIME I unzip it.
Can you guess why I have those two rules?
When i had the photos developed, that particular photo had a funny line down the middle. It took me a while to realise, but I worked out eventually that it was the camera strap that must have dangled in front of the lens as he took the photo. So I found out that it wasn't an idiot-proof camera after all!!!
I like to have the strap around my neck when taking photos in precarious positions e.g. on the back of a motorbike, near the edge of the deck on a ferry or when up high looking down. If I am leaning out to take a shot, I hold the strap tightly in my hand or wind it around my wrist.
I have a colleague who says he doesn't use a strap but some sort of a hand hold/glove. I haven't seen it but it might be what you're looking for.