Strap ideas

Hi all,

I'm looking for a new strap for my Pentax DSLR, but don't feel convinced by those straps (that I've seen so far) with plastic 'quick-release' buckles won't 'quick-release' at the wrong moment and with a heavy load! Could be a very expensive mis-hap with a new K-5 and Bigma...

What I'd like is a couple of short lengths of the usual 1/2-inch webbing (4-5 inches long, say, just to keep the metalware away from the camera body) with D-rings at each end, which could then be attached using a small karabiner-type attachment, or even a dog-lead swivel perhaps, to a padded collar-piece. All of this preferably with no branding and in black to attract the least attention.

Am I being unduly worried about the quick-release buckles?

Do any manufacturers have such confidence in their products that they offer an insurance-based guarantee (perhaps covering upto £2k) against component failure of their straps?

Richard

In a word - yes.

Like many others, I use Optech Pro straps and have no concerns about the buckles.

The last thing that I would want is metal D rings and karabiners 'clanking' about on my cameras.

I'm thinking about this strap at the moment, i like the minimal design and the use of materials but it's a "sling" strap for over your shoulder.
http://www.lu.ma/

I made up a strap for my 645 from nylon webbing and buckles bought from climbing shops. There are a few eBay traders who sell these things too.

I'm not 100% confident about using a single strap lug for the whole thing, especially with a heavy lens. My own preferred strap solution is the upside-down attachment type using the tripod bush, either on the body or potentially on the lens if it is a whopper with a separate tripod mount.

Mine is the cheap JJC one from ebay, as shown in this thread. Having been using it for a while with quite heavy lenses I'm more than happy with it for both comfort and ease of use. I used a different body with a conventional strap the other day and it just seemed wrong...

The QR plate for my Giottos Vitruvian tripod fits onto the strap attachment plate just fine.

I bought a Q Strap here from within the classifieds and got the Hand Strap as well from eBay.
It is a great combination, well manufactured and very secure.
You got various combinations of haw to use it.

Use just the Q Strap with the D Ring, The Q Strap with the base plate or all three together and take off the Q Strap when it is not needed for a longer time and have the security with the Hand strap.

Have a look here as this incorporates the Q Strap, D Ring and Hand Strap.

I am using the K5 with the grip and it fits great.

Just an idea

Thanks for all your useful comments.

I have to say that safety/security must be my main priority, comfort second and an easy remove (not necessarily quick) as a distant third priority. Cost is, within the normal price of these things, largely irrelevent (the mini-karabiner idea being primarily to satisfy security, especially if using a screw-gate version).

I'm not sure that a sling-style is for me, but that's largely due to personal preference, and possibly a reluctance to try anything radically new (been in Devon for far too long...).

The Op/Tech looks good, but I may just add a couple of cable-ties when using it with a particularly heavy lens for the first few times !

[Added at edit] SmutjeUK - just spotted your comment - thanks! The arrangement you suggest looks good, too, but I'm not a fan of the sling and I generally keep a Manfrotto QR plate permanently attached to the bottom of my camera to save hunting around for it when needed for tripod/monpod. Might just be too wobbly with all that plugged in!

Very grateful for all your help.

If security is a concern take a look at this one link

A significant point you haven't mentioned is comfort. I use Optech Pro straps becasue they have a huge effect on the perceived weight of the camera.

And if you are worried about security the Optech very effectively 'grips' your shoulder. Webbing will not do this by itself!

But I trust the quick release straps 100% when I am carrying cameras and lenses worth £5000 on my shoulders!

Security wasn't a concern for me, it came as a bonus. Top quality was and the dual harness version is superb. The stainless ball raced fittings are worth every Euro. Bought mine direct from the factory.




Best regards

Absolutely perfect!!! Just what I had in mind and the steel strands in the strap are a bonus (the 'security' aspect I had in mind was simply not dropping the 3Kg of dead weight that is my K-5 and Bigma).

I have now ordered a Pacsafe Carrysafe 100 from Menai Ski & Outdoor, through a certain auction site, for £15 (plus £3 P&P). Will let you know how I get on with it, once I've had it for a while.

Thanks to everyone for their views and useful comments.

Richard

I'm thinking there are trade offs with straps..
I mean for every pro there is a con..

Pro: prevents theif from snatching your camera.... Con: a mugger can grab it and swing you to the ground and choke you with it.(but then again when I used to work as a bouncer, I cut my ties in the back and secured then with velcro, that way if somebody ever tried to grab my tie to choke me, they'd lose that fight before they realized I was no longer in it.).
Pro: It can stop your camera from being dropped... Con: a lot of people damage thier cameras when they bend over to reach for something and the camera swings around...

and the list goes on and on..

I subscribe to the belief that a hip pack is better than a strap....
You take your camera out of the bag/hip pack, fire your shot, put it back in the bag/hip pack.
you take your lens cap off, leave it in the bag.
Keep your bags zipped and secure at all times.

ps.. I often put the hip pack on with the camera compartment empty, and the lens cases with spare lens in one and spare batteries and memory cards in the other, and carry my gear in the back pack.... that way when I grab a camera out of the backpack and carry it around, I can use the hip pack as a third hand, when swapping batteries, cards or lenses... as well as having a handy place to hold the camera between shots... as opposed yo having to take off the backpack every time..

I do like having the clips on the Lowepro straps - I now have two identical straps and the cameras simply get a strap when needed or I can take it off when I'm doing long exposure / tripod work. Didn't realise I wanted the flexibility until I had it

Bret