Shoulder Straps

I've decided to dig out my Optech harness again and give that a go. I used to use it all the time with the Ds, but didn't like it with the K20D.
It may be better for me, at least until I can get a BlackRapid with QR plate.

Still no response to my e-mail from Sun-sniper .

Hiw do you like the sunsniper, the shop here has them too but ain't sure about them... the luma looks better to me but are also more expensive and so is blackrapid...

The JJC one is OK if you don't mind your camera being off centre on your tripod. The tripod screw on it's baseplate is quite a bit off to one side. I'd have to use a long QR plate to centre the camera again and I'm not sure that is possible. Still it looks good for the price. I'll be interested to hear what you think of it Karma.

A couple of the Germans on the boat with me were using the sun-sniper. It seemed to be good, and very useful when wrapped up in several layers of clothing as it didn't tangle in things like scarves, but as I say in several head to head tests the BR comes out on top. That might be due to American Chauvinism of course.

I'll see how I get on - one tripod has got a slot and knurled knob while the lightweight one has got a quick release plate.

Incidentally, the JJC NS-J1 I've ordered appears to be even cheaper (just 9 quid) on Amazon here.

There appears to be a NS-J2 with a different metal attachment plate around as well.

The JJC has arrived - ordered late at night on the 14th - not bad for standard delivery.

The attachment plate has the tripod mount concentric with the attachment knob, so no offset there. However, this made me realise that the tripod bush on the grip is nowhere near the original one on the body... Without the grip the tripod point would be exactly where it is supposed to be using the supplied plate. The plate is slotted so the position can be changed with a range of about 20mm, this does alter the balance.

I did try it without the grip, but the camera didn't hang very well with the rather lumpy Sigma 10-20mm - with the grip it settles into a much more stable and handy position.

This one doesn't have any brand cachet, but seems well-made. Might be a good cheap basis for some extra DIY mods. I'd recommend this one, especially at the 9 quid price I linked above!

Some pics of the JJC NS-J1:

The plate is ABS and the clip seems strong with a very positive spring



By altering the position of the plate you can get the camera to hang the way you want - just reaching back slightly puts your hand in exactly the right place for a 'quick draw'. Here I've changed it so that the point of attachment is above the centre of mass and slightly forward, this keeps the back of the camera flatter against the torso.

Thanks for the photos Karma. It doesn't look like my QR plate would fit on it sadly, but for anyone who doesn't use a QR plate it certainly looks like a good option, especially at that price!

Looks like I'll be sticking with what I have.

It looks OK for light kit but I would not be hanging heavier kit from an ABS plastic bar. Had the plastic plate been metal, then a good option.

Best regards

afterthought...

Gwyn,

If you could have the female part of the QR plate on the end of a sun sniper or similar, then your QR plate could stay on the camera base. Maybe a local machine shop or model engineer could help you out on that?

It's some thing to consider and the sort of thing I could do if in the UK.

Best regards

I understand the concern. I did try pulling the plate and strap apart pretty hard to see how much it flexed (before fitting it to the camera). I wouldn't be at all surprised if it supported 20 or 30 kilos.

The NS-J2 version has a longer metal plate, although I don't know if it is available yet: http://www.jjc.cc/products_info.asp?id=671&cid=0&pid=0&s_series=all

Very interesting thread. I have two that I use that look like Chinese copies of the BR double harness (K7 & 50-150 plus K5 & DA*300) and single sling (any camera /lense combination). They are superb and I use them all the time now.

However as far as security goes, although I am constantly attempting to tighten the screw adapter throughout the day - it's never actually needed tightening ! Even so I have a very cheap (if rather inelegant) redundancy solution .... I tie one end of shortened shoelaces to the camera strap D rings then tie a slip knot on the other end and loop it onto the harness / sling clip. If for any reason the screw adapter should work loose and come out my camera and lense will not fall to the ground and it will enable me to secure it before anything dramatic happens.

I would add that I can add my monopod to the screw adapter (and actually walk around with it attached to the *300) but unfortunately although I've tried a QR plate it doesn't work.

If I hear of anything rather more elegant I'll let you know ... I'm sure you can all think of something that would also work.

Hi - I like to walk along with my camera in my hand, ready to take a phtograph, but I worry that it can be knocked out of my hand in a crowd. So I end up with the supplied Pentax strap wrapped around my wrist as best I can, but it doesnt work very well, and frequently unravels and gets in the way, and can end up being more of a hazard. Are there any short straps available that loop around the wrist and secure the camera, without flapping around and looking ridiculous? I am looking at making one myself but saw this thread and thought I would pick some brains.

Graham

Well, considering my previous experience was their straps from the 1980s with the ME Super and Super A I think the current strap is a big improvement. I'm growing to like my wife's Pentax sport strap or whaever it is called.

Do you mean this Dan? That is not the standard strap.
The Pentax neoprene strap may be more comfortable than the standard one.

The strap supplied with Pentax cameras is not as good as the one I got with my Ds, which was quite long and had two handy pockets for the remote and an SD card. I used it on my Ds and the K20D as well, but then I decided an OpTech was just more comfortable. Plus I like the anonymity of it.
I suspect a good shoulder strap is even more comfortable.

I can see an 'Opteka Professional Wrist Grip Strap' on Amazon for £7.95 - asnyone know if this is worth it?

I have something very similar and I swear by it. Makes it much more relaxing to hold the camera in one hand with your hand dangling by your waist. Because of the strap across the back of your hand you just need a tiny bit of pressure from your fingertips to stop it sliding off your hand. Apart from the finger pressure you can completely relax your hand.

The padded part that goes over the back of your hand started falling apart on mine after a couple of years. I've now completely removed the padding so it's just a naked strap and I like it even more (takes up less space in the bag, and it is less obtrusive when you're wearing it.