First line of safety - use a strap

[Greg]

In your hands you will be holding upwards of £5000 of equipment. Even the lowest cost R series camera and RF lens is still about £2000.

I have seen, owners with lesser cameras, equipment being hand held whist leaning over the side of a ship, a bridge, or just standing still in doors on a hard floor, without a strap. All it needs is an accidental nudge and your camera has gone for ever. At best it hits the floor most likely lens first. Have you tried dropping over 1Kg of delicate soft aluminium, plastic and glass from a metre high to see what happens? Be sure it will make you cry.

All cameras have provision for a strap, even a compact has facility for a lanyard. Use it or lose it

 

[GeraldHerd]

A few days ago I had a 100-400 tele /1.4X TC detach unexpectedly from the R6. Fortunately the strap(which includes a safety tether) kept the camera from the floor and I was gripping the lens barrel, so nothing bad happened. Next time I’ll pay more attention to the clicks when mounting lenses.

 

[Ed Cordes]

I use a Black Rapid strap when hiking and in the precarious situations mentioned above. However, when mostly stationary and from my car I do not attach the strap. I must admit I do not like the standard neck straps.

 

[Greg]

A few days ago I had a 100-400 tele /1.4X TC detach unexpectedly from the R6. Fortunately the strap(which includes a safety tether) kept the camera from the floor and I was gripping the lens barrel, so nothing bad happened. Next time I’ll pay more attention to the clicks when mounting lenses.

Ooooo, close call. Bet it made your heart miss a beat

 

[Greg]

I use a Black Rapid strap when hiking and in the precarious situations mentioned above. However, when mostly stationary and from my car I do not attach the strap. I must admit I do not like the standard neck straps.

I'm not keen on a regular strap. I don't like the weight on the back of my neck. I have tried over a shoulder and under the other arm but that needs a very long strap and it can swing around a lot.

Currently I use the camera bag shoulder style with a shortish strap and the camera strap around my neck as usual and the camera sits on top of the bag so the bag takes the weight. Also its easy to tuck the camera away in bad weather or on the move. Its easy to get it out as everything is previously in possession

 

[MaraLee]

I use the Peak Design Slide and hand clutch for double insurance. The clutch gives added stability as well. The Slide adjusts in length instantly and can be used as a neck or shoulder strap. It’s made of webbing like a seat belt and can be attached and unattached from the camera quickly.

 

[Greg]

I use the Peak Design Slide and hand clutch for double insurance. The clutch gives added stability as well. The Slide adjusts in length instantly and can be used as a neck or shoulder strap. It’s made of webbing like a seat belt and can be attached and unattached from the camera quickly.

I just watched their video. I might invest in one

 

[DBeach]

If the first line of safety is to use a strap,, I suggest the second line is to not put your expensive gear in an unkonwn precarious spot where it might not be so secure. There's a happy ending but on Easter Sunday walking through the kitchen of my daughter's house with the R6 and 24-105L and RF-EF adapter after shooting some grandkid portraits, the wife needed a quick hand. I put the gear on top of the fridge thinking no little ones will grab it from there. Within 2 minutes, daughter opens door of fridge which I now realize is quite thick, not like the one I have at home. R6 and lens crash to the floor and I assume that at least one is now a paper weight. But I can't find any evidence. Everything works as before. I thought the focus was off but careful anaylsis with a focus chart showed that it's as good as ever. I'm not a rookie and should know better, but it happened and I don't mind being lucky. But prefer being more careful.

 

[MaraLee]

I just watched their video. I might invest in one

It's a really nice strap. I do recommend it. It comes with extra connectors for replacing as they wear, too.

 

[MaraLee]

If the first line of safety is to use a strap,, I suggest the second line is to not put your expensive gear in an unkonwn precarious spot where it might not be so secure. There's a happy ending but on Easter Sunday walking through the kitchen of my daughter's house with the R6 and 24-105L and RF-EF adapter after shooting some grandkid portraits, the wife needed a quick hand. I put the gear on top of the fridge thinking no little ones will grab it from there. Within 2 minutes, daughter opens door of fridge which I now realize is quite thick, not like the one I have at home. R6 and lens crash to the floor and I assume that at least one is now a paper weight. But I can't find any evidence. Everything works as before. I thought the focus was off but careful anaylsis with a focus chart showed that it's as good as ever. I'm not a rookie and should know better, but it happened and I don't mind being lucky. But prefer being more careful.

I would have had a heart attack.

 

[Greg]

It's a really nice strap. I do recommend it. It comes with extra connectors for replacing as they wear, too.

If the first line of safety is to use a strap,, I suggest the second line is to not put your expensive gear in an unkonwn precarious spot where it might not be so secure. There's a happy ending but on Easter Sunday walking through the kitchen of my daughter's house with the R6 and 24-105L and RF-EF adapter after shooting some grandkid portraits, the wife needed a quick hand. I put the gear on top of the fridge thinking no little ones will grab it from there. Within 2 minutes, daughter opens door of fridge which I now realize is quite thick, not like the one I have at home. R6 and lens crash to the floor and I assume that at least one is now a paper weight. But I can't find any evidence. Everything works as before. I thought the focus was off but careful anaylsis with a focus chart showed that it's as good as ever. I'm not a rookie and should know better, but it happened and I don't mind being lucky. But prefer being more careful.

I can imagine all the suppressed blasphemous

 

[billsmut]

I've used a peak design strap since I got my 5DIV, I didn't like the way canon wrote the camera name on the strap, it was like an advert to come and mug me

 

[dmiller68]

I have been a Blackrapid guy but was looking for a new one. After looking into the peak Design I think I'm going to give it a shot thanks for all the comments about them. I don't think I would have looked at them if it was for this thread.

 

[Robbie_B]

I have a cross body strap screwed in to the tripod mount for the R6 with big lenses, but for when I am using the RP I have a PD wrist strap for a bit of security. It is handy and unobtrusive.

 

[Normware]

I use a wrist strap I made from paracord with peak design anchors. I do not like neck straps, When not in use I carry them in a sling bag or backpack.

 

[Copterdoc]

I'm not keen on a regular strap. I don't like the weight on the back of my neck. I have tried over a shoulder and under the other arm but that needs a very long strap and it can swing around a lot.

Currently I use the camera bag shoulder style with a shortish strap and the camera strap around my neck as usual and the camera sits on top of the bag so the bag takes the weight. Also its easy to tuck the camera away in bad weather or on the move. Its easy to get it out as everything is previously in possession

I'm not fond of neck-straps either. I chose to go with the SPIDER Camera Holster as it puts the weight at the hips or on a backpack shoulder strap as an option. The attachment will allow you to mount on a tripod but locks firmly in the holster shoe. You could add a tether as security if you feel it necessary. I only use neck-straps in our helicopters and also a tether to the helicopter for safety. Offers many options.

 

[JWILL]

I agree. Use a strap of some sort or take out accident insurance. I have mine on a strap and I still worry.

 

[JWILL]

If the first line of safety is to use a strap,, I suggest the second line is to not put your expensive gear in an unkonwn precarious spot where it might not be so secure. There's a happy ending but on Easter Sunday walking through the kitchen of my daughter's house with the R6 and 24-105L and RF-EF adapter after shooting some grandkid portraits, the wife needed a quick hand. I put the gear on top of the fridge thinking no little ones will grab it from there. Within 2 minutes, daughter opens door of fridge which I now realize is quite thick, not like the one I have at home. R6 and lens crash to the floor and I assume that at least one is now a paper weight. But I can't find any evidence. Everything works as before. I thought the focus was off but careful anaylsis with a focus chart showed that it's as good as ever. I'm not a rookie and should know better, but it happened and I don't mind being lucky. But prefer being more careful.

Oh my gosh! I would have stroked out and been on the floor too along with the camera/lens. Glad that everything seems to be okay.

 

[MaraLee]

This thread, and a healthy dose of caution (read: paranoia) cost me nearly $400 in insurance on my R6 body and two most expensive lenses. LOL

As a side note to anyone wishing to purchase Canon's Care Pak on multiple items, I advise doing it on one item at a time because after the purchase, you must then register the Care Pak service just as you do the equipment, only it's attached to the individual item. Their email acknowledgements do not say WHICH item the service corresponds to, so you have to figure it out on your own if you buy multiples like I did. Buying them and registering individually would be much easier.

 

[KEN_A]

Never ceases to amaze me when watching some YouTube videos how many are walking around with the camera just held in their hands and no straps of any kind. I suppose some are sponsored but it still seems crazy to me. The supplied Canon straps are very narrow and extremely uncomfortable though and I put it through a wider strap for the neck area. Currently have an AirStrap on order which seems to have some really good padding.

 

[LaurieAndersonPhotography]

I use the Peak Design Slide and hand clutch for double insurance. The clutch gives added stability as well. The Slide adjusts in length instantly and can be used as a neck or shoulder strap. It’s made of webbing like a seat belt and can be attached and unattached from the camera quickly.

Exactly my set up! love PD products!

 

[Copterdoc]

Never ceases to amaze me when watching some YouTube videos how many are walking around with the camera just held in their hands and no straps of any kind. I suppose some are sponsored but it still seems crazy to me. The supplied Canon straps are very narrow and extremely uncomfortable though and I put it through a wider strap for the neck area. Currently have an AirStrap on order which seems to have some really good padding.

I once lost a wrench while adjusting the rotor on a helicopter. It slipped from my hand, passed through the perforations of the landing pad on the oil platform, and was swallowed by the sea. Fortunately, I had just at that moment finished the adjustment so only had to suffer the embarrassment of the lost wrench. A lesson in securing your tools.

All that being said, I agree that neck straps are a pain. I am using the Spider Pro carrier (https://spiderholster.com/). It moves the camera to a position on the hip and has a very secure method of quickly attaching and removing the camera from this location similar to a holster. Very secure. In addition, I use the Peak Designs hand strap for a secure grip when in my hand. This combination works well for me. It also helps to remove the weight of the camera from around the neck when wearing a backpack. I'm going to add the optional holster for the opposite side so I can attach a lens to allow quick changes without digging through the backpack. Another advantage is that the more weight you can carry lower on the body, the lower your "center of gravity (CG)" and I find this improves my balance.

Another of these types of carriers is called "the cotton carrier" I think. Similar concept with multiple locations for carrying.

 

[slclick]

Every camera body of mine has an L plate with a Custom SLR hand strap. The L plates have QD connections for my customized Black Rapid Cross Shot straps adapted with Magpul connectors. Easy on and off, various ways to hold and carry. Been doing it this way for 10 years and it's been perfect.

 

[Copterdoc]

Every camera body of mine has an L plate with a Custom SLR hand strap. The L plates have QD connections for my customized Black Rapid Cross Shot straps adapted with Magpul connectors. Easy on and off, various ways to hold and carry. Been doing it this way for 10 years and it's been perfect.

Interesting use of the "Magpul" adapter for sure. Can you provide a picture of the same?

 

[slclick]

Interesting use of the "Magpul" adapter for sure. Can you provide a picture of the same?

 

[Copterdoc]

So it appears that the Magpul MS4 Dual can be used in both shooting venues. Nice. I will have to try that out.