where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
I currently us a OP/TECH USA camera strap on my D300 with Battery Grip and AF-S 14-24mm and AF-S 24-70mm lens so it is quite heavy. I have been concerned about the connectors that snap together with this strap accidentally coming apart. Has anyone had any bad experiences with this strap?
Is anyone out there familiar with the UPstrap? If so what are your experiences with that strap?
I am very concerned about the small strap with a few thousand dollars at the end of it.
Haven't used either strap, but Scott Kelby recommends the Up Strap. I've been watching DTownTV lately.
I too saw the UPstrap on DTOWN and immediately ordered one. It ships pretty quickly and I got mine in 5 days. It's pretty durable and the shoulder pad is real tough. It wont go anywhere when it hangs from your shoulder. I highly recommend it. I love it so far.
I've used OP/TECH for years but recently changed to UPstep. OP/TECHs are very comfortable, but I my one complaint with them is the elasticity that made them move and swing around more when you were on the go. UPstrap feel more stable and have the best grip when I hang my large DSLR (D3 and D3X) cameras on my shoulder. they just won't move. I have a generic strap they make attached my Domke J-2 bag. This has made a big difference when I travel. Although the OP/TECH distributes the weight of my cameras better, the Upstrap does a good job and I'm more concern with the solid grip I get with these straps.
To All,
I think that I might try one of the UPstraps based on the feedback here. The OP/TECH USA is a comfortable strap, but I am concerned about the safty of this strap. With $3,000.00+ hanging at the end I am concerned.
Does anyone have any comments regarding the UPstrap hanging around your neck?
Which UPStrap clips best fit the D300?
I already have a great strap, would just love some good speed clips for changing things around...
Thanks,
-- Dave
I would say either the SLR Classic or the SLR Quick Release would work on most DSLRs. I prefer the quick release as it's easier to store both camera and strap separated in my case or bag. The Classic attaches as one piece like the original Nikon camera strap. The kevlar strap is overkill. These are pricy straps, but if you're hanging a significant investment around your neck or shoulder, $35 or $55 is a small price to pay.
I was carrying a D3x with a 24-70mm f2.8 for four hours along the Oregon coast, along with a Domke bag with an Upstraps attached to the bag containing 14-24mm, 70-200mm, 105mm micro and a flash and was fine. (They make a camera bag strap, but make sure you order the swivel snaps as well since they are sold separately.) The non-slip pad on the strap does a good job distributing the weight and because of it's solid grip, you can hang it a little further back from the base of your neck so it's more comfortable.
I ordered an OP/TECH PRO awhile back and I like it alot,I looked at the UPstraps and they also look very well made.The quick clip technology has been around for some time now and it is pretty much perfected.I own several bags,cases,guitar straps,and the like and have never had any of them fail.The only thing that I might find annoying in the long run is the elasticity of the OP/TECH strap that ricktoyota mentioned above.
To All,
I have actually cancelled my order for the UPstrap as a result of finding some information about the metal clip on the strap scratching the camera body. Has anyone here experienced this or heard of this?
Based on this I am now leaning toward the OP/Tech USA unless I hear otherwise.
Henry,I have the OP/TECH pro loop strap...no metal to snag or catch on the camera body.
It is the UPstrap that has a stainless steel slide that I have heard that can scratch the camera body.
UPstrap comes with wide black rubber bands that cover the metal loops. As mentioned on my previously entry, I use them on my D3x and D3, and a recently purchased a smaller one for my P6000. I have had no problems with scratching or damaging my camera bodies with the metals loops. The rubber bands are very secure around them. The rubber bands (2 on each side of the strap) also work well to secure the loose ends after adjusting the strap. I haven't had any incidents with the metal loops affecting the cosmetics of my camera bodies...as of yet.
I think the OP/TECHs are great straps as well, so you should be happy with either. Their grip is not as strong as the UPstrap, but far better than most of the other straps out their. With larger, heavier cameras, especially with heavier f2.8 zooms attached, the issue is having a strap with the best grip to prevent slipping when I'm carrying one of the cameras hanging off my shoulder. A D300 is much lighter and the OP/TECH strap would probably work just as well.
I'm glad to see you taking your time to research this issue. With the investment made in bodies and lenses, it amazing to me how many people don't even consider the one piece of equipment that can risk their investment...the strap!
Not really an Upstrap or Op/Tech strap, but I just readjusted my D40's strap according to Nikon DTown's instructions. I find it weird that there's a discrepancy between the lower DSLRs and the higher ones. Fix the manual already!
It looks and feels so much nicer without the tail ends now. To be honest, the strap that came with it is fine for me, and until I get a gigantic paycheck, the strap is one of the last things I'd update. Plus, it's not like it weighs a ton like a D3.
Here is something to think about......the op-tech has been around for what 27- 30 years or so.... with continous upgrades. The Upstrap has a record of what 7 years or so....You would think that if the OP-TECH was a bad strap it would be history by now!!
I do have one Op/Tech strap for one of my cameras and it's been working just fine for the past 3 years walking around through rought crowds of metal heads. I like the way it distributes the weight of the camera and I don't really care about the way it hangs on my shoulder. It can't slide off because I always wear it around my neck or crossed over to the other side. In the places where I go you just can't have it hang from your shoulder, too much chance of it falling off.
This post is 11 months old now,....anything new to say about the BETTER camera straps avialable?
Hi, Good topic Henry! I use the Optech strap on my D700 which comes in handy for the 14-24mm and 70-200 combos, but Ricktoyota is right in that they are very "bouncy" with all that comfortable elasticity they offer. They can bounce right off your shoulder especially on hikes if your not careful. As far as all day comfort though, I really think they are the best out there. Sweet price tags as well.
Let me add my penny, as I recently got some OP/TECH camera connectors - from the visual point of view OP/TECH lacks a lot, but it works - which is probably the most important aspect. Nevertheless, I still prefer Lowepro neoprene straps, unfortunately Lowe doesn't produce all the necessary straps a photographer use.
Anyone use the R strap that really likes it? Looks interesting.Watch thier video.
[strap by BLACKRAPID, edited by adamz]
I too became concerned about the quick release clips on my Op/Tech strap after one of them opened to it's first position. I have no idea how that happened. Luckily I caught it before it fully opened dropping my D90 and 17-55 to the floor.
I now use a Nikon strap which I lengthened by cutting the straps off another Nikon strap and putting them together using one link from a chain rated at 80 lbs.
I lengthened it because I like the camera to be on my right side down by my waist with the strap around my neck so their is no chance of it slipping off my shoulder, as some straps are designed to do. Plus the camera is not hanging upside down as another strap has you do. Now I have complete safety from anything coming apart.
One more thing. I despise the strap connector on Nikon camera's below the D300 level. That "D" ring type rigid connector compared to the swivel connector on the D200-D300 camera's is just so uncalled for. I hate what it does to camera straps. So I ordered from another web site, don't recall who. Sorry. Nikon triangle shaped steel rings with Nikon plastic cover's and placed them onto the D90's awful "D" type ring. Now the camera strap never gets that twisted appearance because of the swivel "D" ring.
I could post picture's if needed.
Thats strange I have never had any problems with my quick release clips opening randomly. They are so stiff its even hard to release them myself. Maybe its possible some people on here got a bad batch? I order mine off ebay as well...
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