How many of you use the hand strap?

[photosbymorgan2]

How many of you use the hand strap along with the neck strap on your camera? And do you feel it helps in holding the camera?

[caribou]

Very good,

It provides extra sense of security and freedom to shoot. I have the nikon verison which is really good.

[Alice Morrison]

Originally Posted by photosbymorgan2

How many of you use the hand strap along with the neck strap on your camera? And do you feel it helps in holding the camera?

No handstrap here. Gets in my way. Neck straps hurt my neck.

I use neck strap but sling camera over shoulder or carry in a waist pouch.

[photosbymorgan2]

Originally Posted by Alice Morrison

No handstrap here. Gets in my way. Neck straps hurt my neck.

I use neck strap but sling camera over shoulder or carry in a waist pouch.

Have you looked at the Optech neck strap? I hear that it is really good and helps take some of the weight off of your neck. I am going to purchase one soon.

[Alice Morrison]

Originally Posted by photosbymorgan2

Have you looked at the Optech neck strap? I hear that it is really good and helps take some of the weight off of your neck. I am going to purchase one soon.

I have several Optechs. After many years, I understand why there are so many different types of straps: everyone has different preferences. My preference has come to be the very simple strap. Nikon makes a simple nylon strap that doesn't offer any "weight relief" etc. that I love. It doesn't add a bunch of bulk to my camera, it does its job, its light, and it doesn't have a bunch of loose stuff hanging off of it. Domke also makes a simple strap for photographers who have been through them all. That one is second-best to the Nikon strap. I'm sorry that I forgot model numbers. Perhaps someone can chime in with answers.

[Ditchmeaver]

Got two 1D bodies --- both with handstraps --- and I've never even attached them to either body.

[AlbertP]

Originally Posted by Ditchmeaver

Got two 1D bodies --- both with handstraps --- and I've never even attached them to either body.

Same here. Welcome, ditch.

[Mark Thomas]

I only use the hand strap. I find it very comfortable. I used it in conjunction with the nexk/shoulder strap but took it off. I have seen what can happen when the strap gets caught on something and pulls it out your hand. The other plus point is that it can't get cut and your camera stolen while you're carrying it.

Horses for courses I suppose. Ditchmeaver can send them over to me if he wishes.

Cheers

[JohnL]

I have hand straps for both my cameras and use them whenever I've got the grips attached. I also use neckstraps, but rarely round my neck, just over my shoulder or hanging free when camera in use. Soemtimes I wrap the neckstrap round my right wrist when I don't have a grip / hand strap on the camera. I generally take the grips off to reduce weight/volume when I'm travelling.

[lecter]

no, don't use it, don't like it.
too constricting.

[Sherry Young]

I use the hand strap all the time. I find it is a very comfortable way to hold a 1 series camera with a semi-heavy lens (70-200 2.8, 100-400, even the 400 5.6) for long periods of time (i.e. shooting sports without a monopod). Simply raising my arm to a 90 degree angle gives me a much needed "rest", and I can get it trained back on the action very quickly with the next snap or whatever. It is also convenient for moving the unprotected camera safely through crowds. With small lenses, it is even better - the camera just feels like part of my hand.

If I will be walking/hiking with the camera out of its bag, I use an OpTech strap over my shoulder. I also tend to drape the strap over my neck for safety when fiddling with lenses, tripods, etc.

[Alice Morrison]

Welcome, Sherry.

[Sherry Young]

Thanks, Alice. I hope this forum gets off to a great start.

[Alice Morrison]

Originally Posted by Sherry Young

Thanks, Alice.* I hope this forum gets off to a great start.

I hope it doesn't get off to *too* great a start. It's getting hard already to keep up with the posts.

[photosbymorgan2]

Originally Posted by Alice Morrison

I hope it doesn't get off to *too* great a start. It's getting hard already to keep up with the posts.

Alice,

You just don't sleep like me to keep up with all the posts or at least attempt to