where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
I use the factory supplied strap as a tie around on my wrist, and almost never use it to hang it around my neck.
I also have adorama's b grip, generally used in slow paced events and when using nothing heavier than a 70-300vr.
I am wondering what I will do with my D800, as I most definitely do not want to attach any neck strap to it, and also want to keep the tripod hole available for monopod.
Black Rapid R-7. Like the way the camera hangs at the hip facing aft. D7000 with 24-70.
guys, has any of You used the Think Tank camera strap? any thoughts? how does it distribute weight? also please share Your thoughts about ways to connect camera to backpack. I'm going for a week long trek and unfortunately will not take harnesses with me nor a single photo bag so need some trusted solution.
dormant said:
I don't carry my camera around my neck all day, so am happy with standard wide straps. I had Optech straps, but thought they were too "bouncy".I have a penchant for official Nikon straps that don't come with a camera. My D800E will hang from a Nikon AN-6W Wine Strap
My D200 sports this psychedelic outrage:
I agree, Nikon makes some very good straps- if you buy the ones that don't come with the camera. The Nikon strap on the FM2 is amazing. Very wide, doesn't slip. It appears that my dad bought a spare too. Unfortunately, it uses lugs, and the D40 doesn't use lugs.
Then again, the only lens I have for it is the 50mm 1.2 AI-S, so it's not like it weighs a ton anyway.
I use sun sniper, comfortable, simple, comes with 500 USD insurance (the one i bought) in case someone tries to break it..worth it fo comfort and durability.
@Adamz: I have been looking at straps and saw some offered to attach to a back-pack but I thought about the process of lens changing i.e. camera off back-pack/back-pack off back/open back-pack etc etc. - No thanks!
I am probably going to build my own to get round keeping my circular Slik QD puk on the camera but still using a tripod-hole type mounting.
It certainly is a case of different strokes for different folks.
adamz said:
guys, has any of You used the Think Tank camera strap? any thoughts? how does it distribute weight? also please share Your thoughts about ways to connect camera to backpack. I'm going for a week long trek and unfortunately will not take harnesses with me nor a single photo bag so need some trusted solution.
I have never found anything that really worked except for using a hiking hip pack (Marmot) that holds a body with lens and then in the water bottle holders I put two Lowpro lens sleeves for additional lenses. Everything I have tried just bounces around or starts to chafe after a while. The chest harness from Clik elite look interesting but I don't particularly want to look like a huge dork. But if they work, who cares?
Love to hear anyone else's experiences as well.
TaoTeJared said:
Everything I have tried just bounces around or starts to chafe after a while.
This why I use a Spider Professional Camera Holster as well as a strap. a second lens is carried in a Think Tank lens changer. If you want to take the weight off the belt, a Think tank speed racer can be used
The big down side of the above is it "looks odd" and the speed racer cannot be put on and off quickly, but it comfortable and you can get at everything really fast
I use all Nikon straps, but not the straps that come with the camera. I use either Nikon's wide AN-6Y Yellow strap (on my D3s and D7000) and the AN-6W Wine strap on my D800, FE2 and FM (The beloved FE2 still has the original wine strap on it).
I had a hard time deciding which strap I was going to put on my D800, but since it was the most advanced Nikon ever built, I decided to pay homage to Nikon's storied past and threw an AN-6W wine strap on her.
I don't use any other strap, I've never liked the specialty straps, honestly. I've seen too many cameras fall out of their riggings.
Black rapid, though I do find it annoying how with any lens other than my 50mm it tends to swing around on me. Still better than the "normal" strap i used
I pulled a wine red Nikon stap off my F2 for my D800, but it made my F2 look sad so I put it back and am using a BlackRapid. It's better with the heavier lenses anyway. The cool cat D800 strap stays unopened in the box as an option for the future.
adamz said:
guys, has any of You used the Think Tank camera strap? any thoughts? how does it distribute weight? also please share Your thoughts about ways to connect camera to backpack. I'm going for a week long trek and unfortunately will not take harnesses with me nor a single photo bag so need some trusted solution.
Just to bring it back to what re-started this post.
sevencrossing said:
This why I use a Spider Professional Camera Holster ..
I have looked at that one and others many times. I'm not a huge strap user and find them in the way. How well does it work when hiking? What about using it with a 70-200 or the other trinity set?
I use a black rapid and an "S" carabiner clip to control the bottom by clipping it to my belt. Still swings and when going through tall grasses, snags on everything.
I've used Custom SLR Split Strap, Custom SLR Glide Strap, BlackRapid RS-4, RS-7, RS-Sport, RS-Sport 2, Carry Speed Slim, Spider Holster and Herringbone Heritage Hand Strap.
My new setup right now that I'm trying out is the Spider Holster with Herringbone Heritage Hand Strap. I still use my RS-Sport 2 if needed.
My unboxing video
My tutorial on how to install the strap
I couldn't resist! I DID have a Nikon AN-6W Wine strap on the D800, but decided to switch it to the AN-6Y Yellow strap instead. I like it much better, as it now matches our D3s. I guess the wine straps will stay on the "oldies" (i.e. FE2, FM, D7000s). My wife likes it better, at least. :)
#ThatIsAll
Janoch:
I am wondering about your use of metal hook, does it not leave scrap marks on the camera body?
I would also worry about the safety pin accidentally depressing, and unhooking for a disaster.
I ordered a Luma Cinch strap. Should have it soon, so I can't really comment on it yet, but I've read positive comments.
One end attaches to the tripod mount like the Black Rapid, the other end attaches to the left strap mount. This is supposed to keep the camera close to your body and keep it from swinging around.
No scrap marks so far, but then again; the hooks are only used for carrying the camera under coat in extreme cold weather. When taking pics, I just unhook camera and leave the strap hanging around my neck. Works fine. Besides, the hooks are very light and tiny.Nikoner said:
Janoch:I am wondering about your use of metal hook, does it not leave scrap marks on the camera body?
I would also worry about the safety pin accidentally depressing, and unhooking for a disaster.
Safety pin is actually quite firm and btw. I always hook with safety pin pointing towards the camera body, i.e. opposite of what the picture shows... sigh.
Sorry about the poor image quality - bad light, handheld, tiny D40 at work.
Should things however go horrible wrong one day, I'll post story and images here: http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=5382 
Here is my solution. I do not have a problem with the scratching...does not seem to occur. Please NOTE the small "O" ring at the base of the release clip. This prevents the accidental release. The "O" ring must be slipped down over the swivel to be able to activate the release. This is a DOMKE Gripper strap, about 10 or 15 years old at least.
@msmoto: Are the rings still necessary?
spraynpray said:
@msmoto: Are the rings still necessary?
What a great question. These were on my D200 and I think the small triangular strap rings on the D200 would not accept the rather fat hook of the DOMKE Gripper strap. However, once you questioned this, I took the large rings off and the hooks go into the triangular rings on the D4 just fine. Thanks so much... I will try it without the rings and see if this works.
Tommie
The triangles can take Black rapids clip too. I have also found that the manfrotto quick release plates are pretty secure for clipping. What are those plastic things that cover up the triangles for? (scratching?)
Black Rapid R-5 with my D7000, connected to my MB-D11 usually with my 24-70 lens on.
msmoto said:
What a great question. Thanks so much...
Tommie
You are welcome. I commented because it looked like a hardware store odds'n'ends bucket hanging on the side of your beautiful D4!
BTW please stop posting pictures of it. I am trying to ignore them as I cannot afford one. ;-)
Here is my solution to the problem of wanting to keep my Slik tripods' QD puck in place. I turned the original centre out of the puck to take BR's Manfrotto QD plate mounting ring. Looks like hell maybe, but works well:
Nikoner said:
Janoch:I am wondering about your use of metal hook, does it not leave scrap marks on the camera body?
I would also worry about the safety pin accidentally depressing, and unhooking for a disaster.
There's a really good LowePro strap I tried with a D300 that had quick release clips, if I remember correctly, in plastic (eek!). The user said they don't release as long as there is tension on the strap. I don't trust myself with it, but they do sell the same strap without quick release clips.
The LowePro strap was really nice, grippy, with good ventilation- in the box Nikon straps don't breathe on a hot day, trapping sweat and making you feel miserable.
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I'm the only one preferring not to use a strap?
