Nikon strap is crap

[noreen]

<p>Thank you, gentlemen! I will save that diagram to check my strap--and any loop-type strap I work with in the future. (I still want a new one, something less emblazoned more cushy. The D300 and lens gets to be quite a weight while one is hiking after birds!)</p>

[sebastianmoran]

<p>The bright yellow lettering "NIKON" is a bit much; I'm a shooter, not a bill-boarda. I use a black Sharpie pen to turn the lettering black. Then I like the Nikon straps.</p>

[gaurav_verma]

<p>Thanks a ton for an overwhelming response from a very active community. I have bought an Op/tech strap as most of you suggested and its also the one easily available down under.<br>

Thanks once again!!!!!! Cheers</p>

[mark_haydon]

<p>Elliot said "I find Nikon's straps too short, too narrow and not padded enough." . . . and I agree 100% !! Given the amount of support on the subject from the posters I think that the individuals bashing the originator of the thread a little over the top.</p>

[lachaine]

<p>I guess I'm happy with just the ordinary Nikon strap because I don't really walk around with the camera hanging from around my neck that much. I usually have the camera in a top loader, and when I'm actively using the camera, I either just hold it in my hand or, I might just temporarily slip the strap on my shoulder. The Nikon strap and others like it just seem to fold down into the case better, with no excess plastic hardware banging about on the camera and other things.</p>

<p>I think my younger brothers may have used fancy leather guitar straps with their cameras back in the 70's, but since I didn't have a Nikon back then, I just used the very similar strap provided by Pentax. I used to think the guitar straps looked dorky :-)</p>

<p>There was a time when I blacked out the yellow or white names on straps like this, but I don't bother anymore. I don't think anyone is going to steal my camera just because of noticing the strap, to be honest. I suppose at this point, Nikon probably considers its strap a classic that must be included in every camera box.</p>

<p>P.S. If you think that strap is narrow, you sure wouldn't have liked the ones they replaced a long time ago: just a narrow leather strap less than half an inch wide. And yet, we all survived somehow.</p>

[alex_iwonttell]

<p>+100 for op/tech, but I also like the PacSafe CarrySafe security strap.</p>

[alex_iwonttell]

<blockquote>

<p>I wonder if the mentioned strap is the very same one, supplied with Nikon cameras since the sixties(?)</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Nope, Nikon used to use much better straps. My F65 strap is almost wonderful compared to the torture they provide with digital cameras.</p>

[hiro]

<p>I don't have a shoulder strap attached to camera. I use a camdapter hand strap and usually bag my body/lens when not in use. On the rare occasion I do use a strap I screw on a black rapid to the camdapter base. Awesome combo.</p>

<p>Of the neckstraps I've used, I like the Domke gripper the best.</p>

[studio460]

<p>I really like Nikon straps. They're low-profile, and have a nice grippy surface for your shoulder. I wear them "left-slung" (both straps + a split-ring, attached to the left strap eyelet). They also don't stretch--Op-Techs are too bouncy for me. I considered Black Rapids, but I'm happy for having less bulk in my straps. But, everyone has their preferences. Try to visit a pro photo dealer to see if you can try one out.</p>

[rob_mulligan1]

<p>When I'm hanging the camera off my shoulder shooting casuallly, and carrying more than shooting, I use my 12 year old Domke. An Upstrap would do the job as well, maybe better. <br>

In the studio or shooting more than carrying, or even hiking in the woods, a Black Rapid RS 7 with a BERT stabilizer strap. The right tool for the right job.</p>

[johnathan1]

<p>another for op tech. I just got the utility strap and love it.</p>

 

[ant_nio_gomes]

<p>Fantastic to see how polemic a strap can be!<br>

Ok, Nikon original straps don't please some people and I even accept quality it is not first grade when compared to "specialist" products, but is it fair to go all the way down the scale and classify them as "crap"?<br>

And what about the people that say those straps are good and have no need to use another ones? Are those people just "crap lovers"?<br>

Independent strap manufactures exist to satisfy particular needs or the desires of people that want more luxurious goods, but a strap is just an accessory and when we buy the camera we pay the one in the box, not the ones we can buy elsewhere that cost a lot more. To get these in the box the price of the camera would certainly go up, and this would not please more persons than the ones that end up buying "better" straps.<br>

I always used the original ones, besides I do not like that much the bright yellow and the model name on, and the only one I did change was the D700 that got the strap of the D70, because it has is no model name. However, I'm considering to buy another kind of strap to soften the impact on my neck area, but I would never a standard strap in the original box to have the same specifications and to classify it as "crap".</p>

[Robert_Lai]

<p>I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Leica strap yet. They are wonderfully easy to take off, if desired. They shield the metal clips in a rubber hood, so that it won't scratch the camera finish. They are thin, and have a nice rubber pad. The only place that shows the manufacturer's name is on the rubber pad, where it is cast into the material. Since it is black on black, it won't be noticed unless someone is VERY close to you. It folds up very compactly in the camera case. They are also made in Germany, for that fine Leica heritage.</p>

<p>I've also used the Op-tech straps with my Nikon F3 MD-4 combination for about a decade. Those straps never give way. But, they are bulkier to fold up in side the camera bag.</p>

<p>For a small camera such as the Zeiss Contessa, I use a thin little Kodak strap that came with my Kodak P&S digital camera. Nobody seems to get uptight about a "Kodak" logo.</p>

[gulfbeach47]

<p>Pierre Lachaine, you said....<em>''P.S. If you think that strap is narrow, you sure wouldn't have liked the ones they replaced a long time ago: just a narrow leather strap less than half an inch wide. And yet, we all survived somehow.''</em></p>

<p>I think I still have scars on my neck/shoulder from the narrow leather strap that came with my 35mm mamiya/secor in 1971. LOL<br>

I thought I was so cool when I replaced it with one of those colorful Hippie straps from the Flower Child era:)<br>

It looks like they are making them again. <strong>Oh no.....Flashback :-)</strong><br>

<strong> </strong> http://www.ephotozine.com/article/epic-retro-hippie-style-camera-straps-for-digital-cameras-released-3622</p>

[zlight_b]

<p>the materials used in most nikon dslr straps are cheap. but beyond that, they, as many others have pointed out, are not padded. some other straps are not only padded but are slightly elastic too and thus reduce (or appear to reduce) the weight of the rig. like the op, i have trouble believing why nikon would not actually supply their expensive dslr's with more substantial straps. after all, it's free advertizing.</p>

[mjferron]

<p>Nikon makes some fine wrist straps that screw to the tripod socket. I won't leave home without one. Who needs a neck strap?</p>

[gulfbeach47]

<p>''Who needs a neck strap?'' At many events I am carrying two cameras. Neck strap needed. I usually have them slung on each shoulder.</p>

[david_olsen5]

<p> The Nikon strap that came with my Nikon D80 is black with Nikon in gold letters so it is not as gaudy as the gold strap on the first page. It is 1 1/2 inches wide. On my F6 I have a Domke Gripper strap which is about the same size, has rubber lines through it so it doesn't slip. My FM2n has a Tamrac strap about the same size, but I think the Domke is much nicer. The Domke was probably less than $ 30.</p>

<p>DaveO</p>

[david_olsen5]

<p> The Nikon strap that came with my Nikon D80 is black with Nikon in gold letters so it is not as gaudy as the gold strap on the first page. It is 1 1/2 inches wide. On my F6 I have a Domke Gripper strap which is about the same size, has rubber lines through it so it doesn't slip. My FM2n has a Tamrac strap about the same size, but I think the Domke is much nicer. The Domke was probably less than $ 30.</p>

<p>DaveO</p>

[noreen]

<p>Yup, John, those that you link to look just like the ones I use. I wonder if they hold up as well as the originals. :)</p>

[robert_koenig1]

<p>I like the Crumpler Industry Disgrace. Works good on the neck or as a shoulder strap. I find it very comfortable and well made.</p>

[jim_desabia]

<p>I like using an old guitar strap . . . they're comfortable, adjustable, and they do not advertise the value of the camera to potential thieves</p>

[JDMvW]

<blockquote>

<p>4 pages and counting of posts about stupid camera straps, shouldn't we all go and get lives?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I'm always amazed to see references to the pages of posts.<br>

When this started the first thing I did was to go to "My Workspace" and set the display to <em>all pages</em> showing. I personally find this much more convenient for anybody who is not still using a "300-baud dial-in modem" (remember?). ;)</p>

<div></div>

[bms]

<blockquote>

<p>Robert Lai , Sep 16, 2011; 05:29 p.m. I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Leica strap yet.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Funny, I was going to, though I think the Leica strap attached to a D3 with 70-200 VR wouldbe painful. Never minded the Nikon staps - you think it cries "expensive camera" more than the D3/70-200 combo? I actually never considered changing the straps on my Nikons until now. I have a black rapid for my Leica, mostly because Ifind it more convenient than the Lieca strap. I guess I would try that on my D700....</p>

<p> </p>

[jay_drew]

<p>I don't know why one would want to use a strap that advertises a top camera brand name. The last thing I want is to be seen out in 'pubic' w/ an expensive camera advertised around my neck. I'm going to cover any Nikon logo w/ something like "COSINA" (any suggestions for cheap or comical brand names appreciated) or my last name to help w/ it's identification if stolen, if I can find white print on black tape. You say thief’s are smart enough to pull the tape off? Maybe, maybe not. <br>

I have no strong feeling for or against Nikon; Canon; whatever brand. They all have their good & bad points. My interest is in not attracting interest of potential thief’s, strong arm robbers, to my slightly expensive camera(s)<br>

My favorite strap is a 30yr old black leather one that says absolutely nothing. The only way to remove it is by turning it through the key ring, which suites me just fine. I never remove it whether or not it's on a tripod.<br>

MY 2 cents, JD</p>