Hello Everybody
I thought of posting this here after browsing through B&H, Adorama and eBay for days!

I'm after a super simple, old style camera strap without any gimmicks. Ideally a 1.5" wide cotton strap without any detachable buckles !!

The last good one I found is now carrying my D700.

My D800 needs a new strap - I don't like the one that came with the camera and I have an AN-4B strap which is too thin for D800 with the grip and the L - Bracket.

Any recommendations or/and Places to buy would be really appreciated!

In the meantime I'd also like to hear your thoughts about all the new fancy "camera carrying systems" as well!

Regards
Dinil



Struck by Light - Blog & Gallery
Visible Range - Photography & Beyond

Hi Dinel,

I stopped using the OEM straps long ago. While not what you are looking for, the Nikonians Pro Strap made by OpTech make a heavy body like the D1, D2, D3, and D4 series bodies or the D_00 series bodies with grip much easier to carry for long periods of time.\
I also have several Tamrac N-27 Boomerang straps and they are excellent as well.
Good Luck and Enjoy your Nikons!

Best Regards,
Marty

Glad you asked Dinil.

After several years of searching for the right strap, we had one developed for us by OP/TECH USA. In the process we found several that were acceptable, however, the final result, the Nikonians Limited Edition Pro Camera Strap has these features:

• Very light
  
• Most comfortable to wear
  
• Makes your gear feel lighter and can wear it for long without feeling tired or being hurt
  
• Safe, non-slip/skid
  
• Strong & durable
  
• Fits all cameras with eyelets
  
• Easy to attach
  
• Safe quick-connects
  
• No metal parts that could mar the finish of your camera
  
• One size fits all
  
• Fully adjustable length
  
• You can detach the neck/shoulder portion of the strap and use the camera connects to make it a nice short handle of it
  

Have a great time
JRP (Founder & Administrator. Nikonian at the north-eastern Mexican desert) Gallery, Brief Love Story, The Team
Join the Silver, Gold and Platinum members that help this happen; upgrade. Join your personal web site to the Nikonians WebRing
Make sure you check our workshops at The Nikonians Academy

The attachment straps are a male/female pair so when they are disconnected the clip ends fit together and create a hand strap. The clips are also sized for the OpTech USA connector system so one can use other types of straps and connectors from OpTech USA or use the Nikonian neck strap with binoculars with an OpTech USA strap system

George
My Nikonian Galleries

Another vote for the Nikonians Pro Strap by Optech - excellent quality and great value. Wouldn't use any other now...

D2XS + AF20-35mm f2.8 + AF35-70mm f2.8 + AF80-200mm f2.8. or...

Nikkors - 28mm f2.8 AFD + 50mm f1.8 AFD + 85mm f1.8G AF-S...

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Alex

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

I like the Black Rapid strap as it makes your camera stay at your side rather than hang in front of you.

Nikonians is the Smithsonian of Nikon knowledge. If there is a question they can't answer, I want to see the question.

My Gallery: www.HLDPhotos.com
My Blog : www.HLDPhotos.blogspot.com

+1 vote for the Nikonians Pro Strap.
I have 2: one on my gripped D90 and the other one on my gripped D700.

José

Nikonians!!! My best investment made after my camera!!!

D700, D90, F80, F Photomic FTn

For those who might prefer the sling strap as I do, there is a Nikonians version of that:
https://www.ppsna.com/product_info.php/cPath/23/products_id/874

I picked this over the Black Rapid as I like to have the bottom available for the tripod.

Hey I like the Pro Sling Strap. Cheaper than Black Box and appears just as functional. Can I get a trade in allowance?

Nikonians is the Smithsonian of Nikon knowledge. If there is a question they can't answer, I want to see the question.

My Gallery: www.HLDPhotos.com
My Blog : www.HLDPhotos.blogspot.com

On my D3s I use a Lowpro strap similar to the Pro strap. On my Tele primes I use a similar but thinner with strap tab can move between lenses.

I still have the Nikon strap on my D200 and I think the best thing might be for you to look for the older D50/D70/D100/D200 straps. They are a lot softer on the neck that the new ones on the D800 etc.

Another really lovely soft cotton strap is the Artist and Artisan. I think they only make the one 20mm wide one though. I have this on a Fuji X100 and it really is great but is a little small for the D800

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Is the "Nikonians Limited Edition Pro Camera Strap" still available. For some reason I cannot find it in the store.

Nikonians is the Smithsonian of Nikon knowledge. If there is a question they can't answer, I want to see the question.

My Gallery: www.HLDPhotos.com
My Blog : www.HLDPhotos.blogspot.com

I use an OpTech Pro strap on all my cameras. Not the Nikonians version, unfortunately. I have four identical straps, each in a different color, to color code what camera they are attached to. Ie, Grey = D800e Black = D3x Blue = D300 and Red = IR Modified D200. They are all reasonably priced and extremely comfortable to wear, with a wide padded section that goes on your neck / shoulder.

BTW, I never use an OEM strap because I don't want to advertise to the world what camera I'm carrying with me.

Steve

A Nikonian in northeastern Ohio

http://stephen-bishop.com

Thanks Everybody!
The last time when I used an OEM strap I was about 16 yrs old and the Camera was a Yashika FX-3

The best strap (in my very biased opinion) I've ever found is on my old F5, which I haven't actually used much in the last six years - but that's the last camera I got "emotionally attached" to and I cannot make up my mind to take the strap off.

I finally managed to find a simple neoprene strap which is not as good as my cotton/leather straps - but I'm happy with it for the moment.

Regards
Dinil



Struck by Light - Blog & Gallery
Visible Range - Photography & Beyond

I have been using an UP strap which has worked well on a D2X for mountain work and hiking. It's best feature is non slipage while on shoulder. But I need to get a strap for my new D4 and will take a good look at the Nikonian strap. In a pinch this week I was forced to put on the strap that came with the camera and learned that Nikon had vastly cheapened the quality of what is in the box, in my opinion it is something for a P&S not a top dslr.

Dave

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

When I got my D7000 I went with the Optec strap and it is as good as a neck strap can be. But, When I got a grip for the camera the strap was always getting in the way and since I do a bunch of landscape work on a tripod, the starp is even more annoying.

So, I went with a Black Rapid strap which of course necessitated the removal of the neck strap. Now I find that most of the time I don't use a strap at all!

Every one's shooting style is different but I find holding the gripped camera quite comfortable and break out the Black Rapid when I need to walk about and such.

Dean
Phoenix, Arizona USA
Nikonians Team Member
Website: The Splendid Silence of Light

Recent Trips: Grand Canyon 2012 Glen Canyon 2012 West Clear Creek

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The Black Rapid strap looks very good, but it would appear that it is optimized for those who primarily shoot handheld. I would find it unusable, however, since the tripod sockets in all my cameras are in use with Arca-Swiss type camera plates for rapid tripod use.

Steve

A Nikonian in northeastern Ohio

http://stephen-bishop.com

For those of you using an L-bracket, here is how I mounted the Black Rapid. I slightly slid my L-Bracket over just a little and clipping the Black Rapid to the corner of the L-Bracket leaving me able to attach the L bracket to the tripod when needed. (Which I don't use that much).

Nikonians is the Smithsonian of Nikon knowledge. If there is a question they can't answer, I want to see the question.

My Gallery: www.HLDPhotos.com
My Blog : www.HLDPhotos.blogspot.com

Lee,
The only problem with sliding the L Bracket as far as I'm concerned is the changing of the pivotal axis on a pan base.

All new L brackets are marked with a line corresponding to the mid line of the sensor. I use a nodal slide on a leveled pan base and pivot the camera on the nodal point. Therefore properly aligning the mark on the L bracket to the mid line of the sensor is pretty important!!

Regards
Dinil



Struck by Light - Blog & Gallery
Visible Range - Photography & Beyond

Here are some photos of the BR attached to the RRS L Bracket. I only slide it to the left just a smidge. The scuff marks on the D300 are from where I attached it without moving it. Later I realized I could move it to expedite the removal and attachment as needed. Note that I can mount the camera on my tripod either position using the BR strap still attached to the L Bracket. (The ring is where I had heard reports of failure of the attachment joint and nobody could verify whether it was at the ring or the berringer clip so I attached the ring as a backup measure of security.)

Nikonians is the Smithsonian of Nikon knowledge. If there is a question they can't answer, I want to see the question.

My Gallery: www.HLDPhotos.com
My Blog : www.HLDPhotos.blogspot.com

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

Thanks Lee, That's neat solution as long as you don't pivot the camera as I mentioned above.

Regards
Dinil



Struck by Light - Blog & Gallery
Visible Range - Photography & Beyond

I have been using a BR4 and 5 for several years now. I attached a Kirk knob clamp (using blue loctite) to the Fasten-R. This allows quick connect/disconnect when using a tripod. It does not add any weight or bulk and IMO eliminates the possibility of the Fasten-R coming loose from the camera or lens.

I have used this with my D300 and 70-200 and most recently my Sigma 150-500 when using handheld. I have hiked for miles, climbed in and out of buses and boats and have never had an issue with the clamp coming loose.

Joe

Joe,
Can you please show us a picture or two of your "custom device"?

Regards
Dinil



Struck by Light - Blog & Gallery
Visible Range - Photography & Beyond

I'll take some pics when I get home this evening.

Joe

>Joe,
>Can you please show us a picture or two of your "custom
>device"?

Dinil,

Here a couple of pictures. I hope this helps.

Joe

Attachment #1, (jpg file)
Attachment #2, (jpg file)

Joe,
Now, that is the great grandad of all the detachable solutions I've seen!

Well done mate! I wouldn't have thought of that even after a carton of beer!

Thanks for the pictures!

Regards
Dinil



Struck by Light - Blog & Gallery
Visible Range - Photography & Beyond

Another vote for the Black Rapid. I actually clip it to the D-ring on the left hand side most of the time; when using my 70-200 I have the Fasten-R attached to the foot that came with the 70-200; I bought a RRS foot to replace the stock foot for when I use a tripod, so when switching from strap to tripod I just change the foot (feet?) Have carried my D7000 with various lenses all day without getting a sore neck (my problem with any around-the-neck strap). Also hanging at your side the camera is less conspicuous.

Brett

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Having started what became a huge thread on straps last year I ended up with several new ones and have now found the right combination for me particularly for my D700 and 70-200 VR.

First is a Crumpler Singapore, incredibly comfortable it has sliding adjusters which make it instantly adjustable from neck to sling configuration and for adjusting when the camera is on th chest.
It has click removable straps which leave just two short lengths attached to the camera which are not obtrusive if I want to fit my Sun Sniper to the 70-200 lens socket or with a tripod in place.

Previuosly I was messing about attaching and unattaching different straps to the fiddly little camera rings, now that section remains in place.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

I see that Black Rapid has their FastenR-T1 that is compatible with Manfrotto quick release plates. Do they have the same thing that is compatible with Arca-Swiss type plates?

Steve

A Nikonian in northeastern Ohio

http://stephen-bishop.com

>For those who might prefer the sling strap as I do, there is
>a Nikonians version of that:
>https://www.ppsna.com/product_info.php/cPath/23/products_id/874


Thanks for this tip! I didn't know there was a Nikonians version of this style of strap.

I used the Nikonians Pro strap from the moment i got my first SLR. Even with something as small/light as the D80 the difference in comfort and endurance-ability is almost impossible to describe with words. All new Nikon users that I lead into the fold start out their Nikon lives with the Nikonian pro strap. Can't have them getting tired of a day's shooting before they're tired of shooting.


I recently switched to this "sling" style of strap (didn't know that's what it's called; probably why I didn't know Nikonians sells one), reluctantly giving up my NPS. It's wonderful to have my camera dangling safely at my side rather than banging on my chest. I got the Camdapter version, and am very happy with it.

I came to this strap in a roundabout way.

I discovered about a year after getting an SLR that I shoot much better if I'm using a hand strap. Having the hand strap helps keep the camera balanced and stable in my hand. My favorite is the Camdapter Premium Pro strap, not only because it gives me full access to the battery without having to move it, and not only because the accompanying adapter plate can be chosen to suit your particular camera model /ballhead combination. Ultimately I like the Camdapter strap best of all because it's simply so fly. (I have the Turquoise Sky one and the kidskin one – Lady Nikonian heaven.)

Perhaps the most heavenly thing about this brand is that it's designed so that you can have a hand-strap and a shoulder strap attached to your camera at the same time. When I first got one, Camdapter didn't make a shoulder strap. Nonetheless they specifically designed their adapter plate to be used alongside whatever shoulder strap you wished. No longer would hand-strap users be condemned to having only one hand free during the long periods of a shooting day when you weren't shooting. Nice.

Having a Camdapter hand strap made it natural that when I switched to a sling-strap, theirs was the one I purchased.

The hand strap that I use now, however, is the Nikon AH-4. I've returned to it in favor of my Camdapter straps because it keeps my hand in a healthy and effective position. It took quite some doing but I was able to get the AH-4 to play nicely with the L-plate.

In particular, I like having a strap and a hand strap attached to my camera at the same time.

At this point I've managed (with a lot of intricate threading of eyes and loops and holes) to create the following set-up:

• RRS L-bracket


• Nikon AH-4 hand strap attached to camera and L-bracket


• Camdapter sling-style strap attached to camera and hand-strap

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I have a Markins leather hand strap on two of my cameras. They are great !

Steve

A Nikonian in northeastern Ohio

http://stephen-bishop.com

>In particular, I like having a strap and a hand strap
>attached to my camera at the same time.
>

>This set-up lets me shoot with the hand strap, carry the
>camera with the sling-strap, and put the camera on a tripod or
>switch out the battery whenever I wish without having to
>remove anything.
>
>The disadvantage of my new set-up is that the long strap stays
>afixed when I'm shooting from a tripod.

>
>— LaDonna
>
LaDonna,

I prefer using a wrist strap and was always concerned that it might slip off my wrist or I would not be able to find a suitable location to put the camera down when I needed two hands.

My solution was to go with a Pro Strap Wrist strap http://www.prostrap.com/ and I added the Op/Tech sling strap as well. The wrist strap attaches to right "camera strap eyelet" and the detachable connection for the OpTech strap is connected to the left "camera strap eyelet". That leaves the tripod socket free for plates and or grips and you don't actually have to unstrap the camera to place it on a monopod or tripod (which was why I developed this system for myself). Once the camera is on the ---pod, you can quickly remove the sling strap to keep it out of your way.

For those of you that have a creative streak: Op/Tech will let you create your own strap covering for a small upcharge. http://optechusa.com/custom-strap.html

I am here to learn.

Candy

Visit my Nikonians gallery One A Day Challenge.

I owned the Black Rapid RS-4 for a few years, and then I became aware of the Luma Loop sling strap. I purchased the Luma Loop and found it to be superior to Black Rapid products. The Loop was constructed of higher quality materials and I felt it was more comfortable than the RS-4. The luma Loop was my favorite strap until Luma Labs developed the Cinch. I purchased the Cinch as soon as it became available, and now it is my favorite strap. Again, the Luma products are constructed of high quality materials, and the Cinch caries the camera closer to the body with more stability than the sling straps.

Tim,
I knew somebody here would know about a ridiculously good camera strap that would tick most boxes, if not all! - based on the video on manufacturer's site Cinch is it!!

Thanks for your input! I have one question for you though!
Based on what I saw on the video the strap did not have a quick release/strap detach system - was that correct?

I personally hate those detachable straps! What I like is an old style safe, light weight, comfortable strap that I can put on the camera and forget about!

Regards
Dinil



Struck by Light - Blog & Gallery
Visible Range - Photography & Beyond

Dinil,

You will be pleased to know, the Cinch does not have quick-attach straps. For my application, I have one end of the strap connected to the left side strap lug and the other end connected to my tripod camera plate (which is always on my camera). If you don't have a camera plate, you can connect the other end of the strap to tripod socket adapter, which comes with the strap. I leave my strap on the camera fulltime.

The Luma Labs guys have said they are working on a quick- attach accessory, but they don't have availability date yet.

Regards,

Tim

Thanks Tim, all my cameras have grips and kirk L-Brackets, so it is not an issue!

Regards
Dinil



Struck by Light - Blog & Gallery
Visible Range - Photography & Beyond

Hi Nikonians,
I have been using a Pacsafe strap for quite a long time and it has given me good service. It is though not made to support long lenses.
The reason I purchased it is because it has a wire extending through it from end to end. Pacsafe is a company that specialises in manufactureing structures made from strong wire to make safe, backpaks, bags, and cameras for the traveler. If you travel around the world and need a safe strap that cannot be cut through by a roving camera thief this strap is very safe to have.
Regards Joe Monaghan

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

For a long time I was a user of the Lowe Voyager Neoprene Straps , a while ago I switched to Skooba straps , they are fantastic ,just as comfortable but less bulky than voyager & cooler in hot climates as thinner. No quick release (good , don't trust them) , only downside is the thin webbing can start to pull a little bit at the attachment point to camera , solution is simple , tie a knot in it !
For some reason these don't appear on Skooba's website but they are readily available from Hong Kong sellers on ebay.
Skooba shoulder straps for holdalls are also great , best I have EVER used

I highly recommend the Bosstrap. Very comfortable.
Dennis

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.