Camera Hand Straps
Guest Post – Photos & Text by Quin Barrie
I’ve never been a fan of conventional camera straps, particularly the ‘garottes’ camera manufacturers include with their cameras. Aside from being as comfortable as raw burlap sumptuously appointed with ragged wire edging, neck straps have a tendancy to transform a camera into a pendulum of substantial mass; an unfortunate circumstance one discovers in instances like jumping down from a fence, when one is assaulted abdominally by their DLSR. A similar downside of neck straps, is that anytime grip is not maintained on the camera, it acquires the freedom to smack into any object within range, generally with demoralizing consequences.
In considering a solution many years ago, I fashioned one of those really thin camera straps into a simple elegant wrist loop. This worked great in combination with a compact camera bag worn ‘bandolier’ fashion. With this setup, I could carry my old Nikon with wonderful efficiency, storing or accessing with ease, and also keeping it secured to my hand when in use.
Fast forward a decade or so, when I got my Rebel kit with the full battery grip…
I tried my handy-dandy wrist loop briefly, then I realized I could design something new with the strap bolster on the bottom of the battery grip. I transformed my wrist loop into what is now commonly known as a “hand strap”. This was a quantum leap in comfort, usability and security. When adjusted just so, the palm strap works to not only transfer the load of the camera to the hand and allow the fingers to freely operate the camera with a very light grip, but it also enables you to carry your camera securely with minimum effort. In fact, I need only keep my fingers curved around the grip to keep the cammer affixed to my hand as I walk or scramble along the trails seeking out shots. If I simply straighten my fingers, the camera slides off easily to park into my little bandolier bag when the terrain gets demanding.
My hand strap is a minimalist homemade unit I tailored for my camera (and somewhat large hands), but these days, Canon, Nikon and many third party companies produce more elaborate hand straps. They come in a variety of materials and designs, using leather, leatherette and even neoprene and are generally quite inexpensive, around $15.00 to $35.00.
A hand strap may not be to everyone’s shooting style, but they’re cheap enough to test out at minimal risk. The trick is adjusting it just right, so that it’s snug enough to take the camera load and free up your fingers, yet loose enough to allow you to operate all controls and slip your hand in or out of without hassle. Once it’s adjusted just so, it’s a great way to control and use your camera, and spare your neck and midriff in the bargain.
Perhaps when I start wandering the trails with multiple camera bodies, it will be time to look into the variety of over the shoulder straps, but until then I am delighted with how a hand strap suits the way I shoot.
Links:
Camdapter: http://www.camdapter.com
Made Products SafeGrip: http://store.made-products.com/products/toughstrap-safegrip-set
Hakuba: http://www.hakubausa.com/csite/c_products3.asp?cc=50&cs=50
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This post sponsored by the Digital SLR Store
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Thank you for sharing this with us, I too have never been a fan of large neckstraps, and prefer a wrist strap; to which I did a post on my local photo clubs blog, last month very similar to this one. Glad to see I’m not alone on this matter.
http://tcpcblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/who-doesnt-like-whole-neckstrap.html
Thank you for sharing this with us, I too have never been a fan of large neckstraps, and prefer a wrist strap; to which I did a post on my local photo clubs blog, last month very similar to this one. Glad to see I’m not alone on this matter.
http://tcpcblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/who-doesnt-like-whole-neckstrap.html
I started out not liking neck straps. I also have a strong intense respect (vertigo inducing fear) for places and objects that are some distance from the ground. These places turn out to be the best places to take pictures too. After a few close calls where I almost dropped my camera several stories, to almost certain shattering death. I decided I would start using a neck strap in those situations.
So I modified a strap from lowepro and it works how I want it to. I can remove it easily when I am shooting in a studio situation, or put it on if there is the chance I may fumble and drop the camera.
An ounce of prevention keeps my gear happy and me snapping pictures. I did try hand straps, but I have weird small/thick hands. I actually use the neck strap as a wrist strap in some instances. I am not trying to preach the virtue of a neck strap , you have to find what is comfortable and works for you.
I started out not liking neck straps. I also have a strong intense respect (vertigo inducing fear) for places and objects that are some distance from the ground. These places turn out to be the best places to take pictures too. After a few close calls where I almost dropped my camera several stories, to almost certain shattering death. I decided I would start using a neck strap in those situations.
So I modified a strap from lowepro and it works how I want it to. I can remove it easily when I am shooting in a studio situation, or put it on if there is the chance I may fumble and drop the camera.
An ounce of prevention keeps my gear happy and me snapping pictures. I did try hand straps, but I have weird small/thick hands. I actually use the neck strap as a wrist strap in some instances. I am not trying to preach the virtue of a neck strap , you have to find what is comfortable and works for you.
I like the one in your pics – is that your homemade one? I don’t see it at any of the linked sites…
I like the one in your pics – is that your homemade one? I don’t see it at any of the linked sites…
I run a neck strap and a hand strap at all times myself. The handstrap is permanently attached, and I have the strap rigged up with a quick release. The neck strap is something akin to the BlackRapid straps. Anyways… yes, the handstrap is always on all of my cameras. I don’t know how to live without them.
As for bandolier-like bag, this might be helpful link:
As for bandolier-like bag, this might be helpful link:
How do those adapters work with tripod quick-release plates? Are they mutually exclusive?
How do those adapters work with tripod quick-release plates? Are they mutually exclusive?
I picked up a cheap hand strap (Sunpak, $25) a couple of months ago and I don’t see me going back to a neck strap … even though it’s -15C outside! (I just adjust the strap to fit my glove.)
I picked up a cheap hand strap (Sunpak, $25) a couple of months ago and I don’t see me going back to a neck strap … even though it’s -15C outside! (I just adjust the strap to fit my glove.)
I use a camdapter bracket with manfrotto quick connect bracket bottom and canon’s hand strap, which makes a battery grip unnecessary. I take way more photos now, since I am not giving up on taking photos at events due to less inconvenience. Camdapter makes the integrated solution which is great for me, because otherwise I would have to stack my normal manfrotto mount with a bracket making it bulky. An added plus for me is that my bag, a lowepro TLZ AW accepts the hand strap without me having to bunch up another strap to zip it closed when storing. Win win for me.
I am also a parent, and have to hold my daughter sometimes, and I can shoot with one hand while holding my daughter with my other arm. Something I could never do safely before, worrying about dropping it to swing at my waist.
I use a camdapter bracket with manfrotto quick connect bracket bottom and canon’s hand strap, which makes a battery grip unnecessary. I take way more photos now, since I am not giving up on taking photos at events due to less inconvenience. Camdapter makes the integrated solution which is great for me, because otherwise I would have to stack my normal manfrotto mount with a bracket making it bulky. An added plus for me is that my bag, a lowepro TLZ AW accepts the hand strap without me having to bunch up another strap to zip it closed when storing. Win win for me.
I am also a parent, and have to hold my daughter sometimes, and I can shoot with one hand while holding my daughter with my other arm. Something I could never do safely before, worrying about dropping it to swing at my waist.
Yep, I made that one out of one of those little neck straps that came with SLRs many years ago. I also tested one I made from the wider strap that came with the XT – although a bit more comfortable, I found it easier to get my hand in and out of the thinner strap.
Yep, I made that one out of one of those little neck straps that came with SLRs many years ago. I also tested one I made from the wider strap that came with the XT – although a bit more comfortable, I found it easier to get my hand in and out of the thinner strap.
Yep, in a way, my small ‘bandolier’ bag works like a strap. It’s for travelling fast and light, and gives me a place to pop the cam when necessary. I made mine out of a small Lowe bag, with the strap taken from a large Lowe bag of mine. (The strap that came with the little bag was little more than a strip of thin seat belt webbing…very feeble.)
This is a pic of the little bag that compliments my hand strap:
http://www.twilightscape.com/temp/bandolier-bag.jpg ;-)
Yep, in a way, my small ‘bandolier’ bag works like a strap. It’s for travelling fast and light, and gives me a place to pop the cam when necessary. I made mine out of a small Lowe bag, with the strap taken from a large Lowe bag of mine. (The strap that came with the little bag was little more than a strip of thin seat belt webbing…very feeble.)
This is a pic of the little bag that compliments my hand strap:
http://www.twilightscape.com/temp/bandolier-bag.jpg ;-)
I got a handstrap for Christmas and use it on my Nikon D90 – I absolutely love it. I still have the neckstrap on it but I’m considering taking it down. For short phototours I use a Tamrac velocity camera bag that can either be carried on the back like a rucksack or swung up the front for quick access.
Alexander> The handstrap my husband gave me allows me to fix the quick release-plate below the attachment thingie for the handstrap. It is somewhat bulky but it is still in the green for me for use without a tripod. I’m not sure if there is a loss in stability, because due to illness and some narrow bread job deadlines I couldn’t test it as much as I wanted. But it does feel sturdy so honestly I’d be surprised if it turned out to be a problem.
I got a handstrap for Christmas and use it on my Nikon D90 – I absolutely love it. I still have the neckstrap on it but I’m considering taking it down. For short phototours I use a Tamrac velocity camera bag that can either be carried on the back like a rucksack or swung up the front for quick access.
Alexander> The handstrap my husband gave me allows me to fix the quick release-plate below the attachment thingie for the handstrap. It is somewhat bulky but it is still in the green for me for use without a tripod. I’m not sure if there is a loss in stability, because due to illness and some narrow bread job deadlines I couldn’t test it as much as I wanted. But it does feel sturdy so honestly I’d be surprised if it turned out to be a problem.
This is a fantastic idea, but I’m wondering how comfortable it it when you shift to holding your camera by the battery grip… I don’t see a lot of room for the hand to move over there.
This is a fantastic idea, but I’m wondering how comfortable it it when you shift to holding your camera by the battery grip… I don’t see a lot of room for the hand to move over there.
I used a Sunpac hand strap for several months last year.
Recently, to my surprise it “undid” and sent my gear tumbling to the ground from chest height.
This may sound trivial, but is there anything I can do to prevent this happening again? (It did seem to me that the strap had been properly secured, but obviously this was not the case.)
I used a Sunpac hand strap for several months last year.
Recently, to my surprise it “undid” and sent my gear tumbling to the ground from chest height.
This may sound trivial, but is there anything I can do to prevent this happening again? (It did seem to me that the strap had been properly secured, but obviously this was not the case.)
The way a hand strap keeps you secured to the body would require slipping your hand out of the strap to grip vertically. For the way I shoot and what I shoot, I’ve not found it an inconvenience. OMMV. :-)
The way a hand strap keeps you secured to the body would require slipping your hand out of the strap to grip vertically. For the way I shoot and what I shoot, I’ve not found it an inconvenience. OMMV. :-)
Watch out for the cheaper hand straps! I bought one last year for my D300 and the screw mechanism which fastened underneath the camera just sheared off and my camera had a bit of a fall.
The screw which went into the camera body also had a threaded hole for the tripod attachment and there was about 1mm of metal between the two -that’s why is sheared.
Try and find one where the threaded tripod mount is not the same piece of metal as what screws into your camera. I now use this one from Amazon which is good: http://www.amazon.co.uk/JJC-Camera-Strap-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000P35C8M
James
Freiburg, Germany
Watch out for the cheaper hand straps! I bought one last year for my D300 and the screw mechanism which fastened underneath the camera just sheared off and my camera had a bit of a fall.
The screw which went into the camera body also had a threaded hole for the tripod attachment and there was about 1mm of metal between the two -that’s why is sheared.
Try and find one where the threaded tripod mount is not the same piece of metal as what screws into your camera. I now use this one from Amazon which is good: http://www.amazon.co.uk/JJC-Camera-Strap-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000P35C8M
James
Freiburg, Germany
Hey Guys during TWIP 030: Brinkmann’s Bag
you showed some neoprene neck strap that Ron is
using does anybody know where to get them
(I could not find the company)?
Thanks!
I use the KGP-02 – it is really a good solution – and it has almost outlasted the D100 Camera Body at this point..
I just gave up on a neck strap since the first model shoot when I almost hung myself with it…..
I use the KGP-02 – it is really a good solution – and it has almost outlasted the D100 Camera Body at this point..
I just gave up on a neck strap since the first model shoot when I almost hung myself with it…..
I still have the standard Canon neck strap. I tried the Optech pro one recommended by Scott at the store, but didn’t like the idea of quick release buckles on the neck strap. Sounds like it was asking for trouble. I don’t go around like Scott does into the wild, so maybe my standard neck strap is fine for me for now.
I have, however, always wanted a wrist strap, but don’t have a grip to attach it to. I tend to carry my camera in my paws anyway, so it seems like a good idea. I was tempted to buy a third party one or the Nikon one just so it can attach to the tripod mount. I still haven’t got around to it yet though.
Half the time I just took the regular Nikon strap off, and the other half I had it on but just ignored it or wrapped it around my wrist. None of those were great options, obviously. I had been looking for a new solution, and was reading into hand straps, and then ran across the R-Strap from BlackRapid. At first glance it’s a neck strap, but it works a LOT differently, and also works a LOT better. The camera, especially with long lenses, stays out the way until you need it, but is just about as handy as with a hand strap.
Hi Lars, Smugmug are giving away free neoprene neck straps just now. You just have to go along to their website and fill in the form and a few weeks later it will arrive. Got mine the other day and it’s really good for a freebie.
Here’s the site: http://www.smugmug.com/free-stuff.mg
James
Freiburg, Germany
Hi Lars, Smugmug are giving away free neoprene neck straps just now. You just have to go along to their website and fill in the form and a few weeks later it will arrive. Got mine the other day and it’s really good for a freebie.
Here’s the site: http://www.smugmug.com/free-stuff.mg
James
Freiburg, Germany
I use both a neck and hand strap. The neck strap is the quick release kind so i can remove it quickly when I don’t need it. The hand strap stays on all the time because I love it too much!
I use both a neck and hand strap. The neck strap is the quick release kind so i can remove it quickly when I don’t need it. The hand strap stays on all the time because I love it too much!
I have the Sunpack model and it has a threaded tripod mount hole on the bottom of it so you can attach generic quick release plates to the hand strap base. I do find it’s not as stable as using it directly on the tripod. If you are talking about one of the ‘specific to the camera plates’ from Really Right Stuff, etc., they would not mount flush to the camera as the mount for the hand-strap sticks out a bit at the bottom of the camera.
I have the Sunpack model and it has a threaded tripod mount hole on the bottom of it so you can attach generic quick release plates to the hand strap base. I do find it’s not as stable as using it directly on the tripod. If you are talking about one of the ‘specific to the camera plates’ from Really Right Stuff, etc., they would not mount flush to the camera as the mount for the hand-strap sticks out a bit at the bottom of the camera.
(Sorry it’s taken me a week to reply to this) – I’m still using an OpTech strap, and still enjoy it. Available most everywhere including B&H.
(Sorry it’s taken me a week to reply to this) – I’m still using an OpTech strap, and still enjoy it. Available most everywhere including B&H.
Hi James,
thanks a lot for the tip to get one from smugmug!
Looks like I have to get one of them as well.
Shortly after my post I decided to get the Kata Reflex E
Kata has those great Camerabags with the option to clip the Camera onto it.
Even with the Lowepro bag I use I think I can find a way to fit it on there.
Its really great to be able to take the neck strap off especially if you have to put your
DSLR in a Ziploc bag during the winter time.
Hi James,
thanks a lot for the tip to get one from smugmug!
Looks like I have to get one of them as well.
Shortly after my post I decided to get the Kata Reflex E
Kata has those great Camerabags with the option to clip the Camera onto it.
Even with the Lowepro bag I use I think I can find a way to fit it on there.
Its really great to be able to take the neck strap off especially if you have to put your
DSLR in a Ziploc bag during the winter time.
No problem, I was traveling the last week anyway ;)
Thanks for the reply!! Yes, B&H is really a photographers dreamland.
btw did you mention radio lab on twitter? if so thanks! its a very good
show
No problem, I was traveling the last week anyway ;)
Thanks for the reply!! Yes, B&H is really a photographers dreamland.
btw did you mention radio lab on twitter? if so thanks! its a very good
show