Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Canon EOS R5: Full Review

    March 7, 2023

    Hashtags for Nature Photographers: Grow Your Instagram

    February 25, 2023

    How to create amazing abstract photos using water.

    February 20, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Learn Photography SkillsLearn Photography Skills
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • Blog
    • Inspiration
    • Reviews
    • Courses
    • Tutorials
      1. Camera Tutorials
      2. Editing Tutorials
      3. Lighting Tutorials
      4. View All

      10 great pieces of advice for R5 users.

      January 16, 2023

      What are ND filters?

      January 7, 2023

      Night photography tips from an expert

      January 3, 2023

      7 things new camera owners should try first!

      December 25, 2022

      What is the RAW file format?

      January 11, 2023

      What is 16-bit color depth?

      January 5, 2023

      How to disable “Press & Hold to right click” for your Wacom tablet – On Windows 11 

      July 11, 2022

      What are image file formats?

      March 10, 2022

      When should you change the “ISO” in your camera?

      December 5, 2022

      How to use a flash to freeze fast movement.

      April 17, 2019

      Create a stunning product photo using freeze frame photography!

      April 11, 2019

      How to get started with flash photography

      April 1, 2019

      Abstract Nature Photography: Creative Tips & Techniques

      February 16, 2023

      What is a 360 photo sphere?

      January 28, 2023

      5 landscape tips to set your photos on fire!

      January 27, 2023

      3 underrated techniques for moody nature photos.

      January 25, 2023
    • Forums
    Learn Photography SkillsLearn Photography Skills
    Home»Reviews»What is the best camera strap?
    Reviews

    What is the best camera strap?

    ShawnBy ShawnFebruary 6, 2019No Comments5 Mins Read
    Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    One area where there has been some innovation of late is in camera straps. For a long time there weren’t a lot of aftermarket camera straps available. But in the past few years we’ve been blessed with some interesting choices.

    Qualities of the best camera strap

    There are a few things a camera strap needs to do to be considered the best. It needs to be comfortable to wear for many hours at a time. It needs to be easy to adjust. I needs to be easy to remove and attach to different camera bodies or telephoto lenses. It needs to hold the camera in a way that makes it stable while walking around. It needs to be made well enough to last a long time.

    The stock camera strap

    The camera strap included with my camera did not meet many of my criteria for best camera strap. It holds the camera at an odd angle against my body that makes it ungainly to walk with, especially with a heavy lens. I pretty much end up holding the camera in my hand when using the stock strap while walking around. It’s not very comfortable, and it’s a pain to attach to the camera body. There just isn’t much redeeming about the strap but it does seem pretty solid so I’ll give it high marks for apparent toughness.

    However, toughness only thing the stock strap has going for it. There just isn’t much else going on with the stock strap setup that is right. And I think the burgeoning 3rd party camera strap market is proof of that fact.

    Let’s remember that hanging the camera around the neck from two attachments on top of the camera body is an old tradition from a time when cameras were generally used with much smaller lenses. As time has worn on photography has changed a lot. Even new 50mm standard lenses are being made relatively large due to their fast apertures and highly corrected optics. It just doesn’t make sense to hang a camera body and large fast lens around your neck. Not only is it not comfortable but it’s ungainly.

    Enter the Peak Design Slide camera strap

    The solution to all this for me has been the Peak Design Slide paired with the Peak Design Standard Plate. With the standard plate attached to the tripod mount of the camera, you can quickly and easily attach one side of the Peak Design Slide to the left of the camera and the second side to the Standard Plate. This transforms the camera strap into something vastly more comfortable and convenient to use compared to just attaching the strap the old fashioned way.

    peak design slid attachments points on camera
    The Peak Design Slide attaches to the Peak Design Standard Plate on the bottom of the camera and the camera loop on the top left.

    What attaching the strap like this does is allow the camera to hang in a much more natural position on your hip rather than sticking out and bouncing around on your stomach. This makes carrying the camera with a heavy lens like a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom an absolute breeze.

    peak design slide holding camera and 70-200mm lens
    The Peak Design Slide allows the camera to hang naturally at your side while you move around.

    In addition, the Peak Design Slide is super easy to adjust, which makes it even better to carry a lens with. Simply pull the lower handle up to tighten the fit and the camera is now snugly secured against your waist, making it super stable for long walks or hikes.

    https://youtu.be/OQ2iP0itzU4

    And the wonders don’t cease here, I haven’t discussed one of the coolest things about the Slide, the Peak Design Anchors. The Anchors are the actual attachment point for the strap and are super easy to attach to a camera or lens. What’s really nice though is that the Anchors can be snapped in and out of the Slide at the press of a button. With this superpower now simply add Peak Design Anchors to anything you want to carry at some point be it a tripod, lens, or camera, and when you head out with you gear attach your strap in the blink of an eye to whatever you’re taking with you on the trip.

    peak design anchors
    Peak Design Anchors

    I also use this great feature when shooting on a tripod. Instead of having your strap blowing in the wind or dragging all over the ground or water as the case may be, once you have your camera secured on the tripod, just snap the Slide off the anchors and stick it in your bag. Now you don’t have to contend with the danger or annoyance of having your camera strap dangling around waiting to get caught on someone or something while you’re working with the tripod.

    Final Thoughts

    I have had the Peak Design Slide for about a year and in that time it has performed its job admirably. If you’re in the market for a new camera strap definitely look at the Slide, I think it will help you perform at a higher level onsite or on set.

    Shawn
    • Website

    Shawn is the Editor and Co-Founder of Learn Photography Skills. In addition to Learn Photography Skills you can find Shawn's work at: www.kenesseystudios.com

    Related Posts

    Gear

    Canon EOS R5: Full Review

    March 7, 2023
    Reviews

    2022 Camera Gift Guide

    November 19, 2022
    Reviews

    PTGUI – Panorama Tools Software Review

    October 28, 2022
    Add A Comment

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest updates from Learn Photography Skills on all things photography, including creative techniques & equipment.

    Top Posts

    What is the difference between Canon RF and EF mount?

    January 4, 20211K Views

    Why don’t photographers just use one super zoom lens?

    November 30, 2022553 Views

    Canon EOS R5: Full Review

    March 7, 2023412 Views
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    All Time Most Popular

    What is the difference between Canon RF and EF mount?

    January 4, 20211K Views

    Why don’t photographers just use one super zoom lens?

    November 30, 2022553 Views

    Canon EOS R5: Full Review

    March 7, 2023412 Views
    Our Picks

    Create a stunning product photo using freeze frame photography!

    April 11, 2019

    What I have learned shooting panoramas.

    August 17, 2021

    REVIEW: Sabrent USB 3.2 Rugged Waterproof Enclosure for M.2 NVMe SSDs (EC-WPNE)

    July 17, 2020

    See Every New Post!

    Sign up to receive an update when new posts are available to read on LPS.com!

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    • Photography Courses
    • Forums
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    © 2023 Learn Photography Skills

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.