Camera straps for large lenses

[nellyleelephant]

Can anyone recommend a strap for a large telephoto lens? I use the strap that came with my Canon 500 but it has no padding, isn't very wide and to be honest, I don't really trust it!

Any other large lens users have any recommendations?

[MikeGTi]

I guess it depends on how large you're talking.

I used to used a Black Rapid with my 70-200 2.8 IS and just attach it to the tripod ring instead of the camera - it was actually really comfortable.

[nellyleelephant]

500 f4 large.

I need the strap to fix to the lugs on the body of the lens. The lens foot needs to stay clear so I can attach it to a monopod.

[ExPat2B]

I tried a strap on the lens lugs, and the lugs are just in the wrong place. The lens hangs down vertically by your knees, and bangs around, and as it cannot slide on the lens lugs it cannot be brought to bear quickly.

Instead I use a black rapid style backpack strap or standard black rapid.

http://r.ebay.com/Rop29O


Screwed very tightly ( plumbers wrench ) into a neweer arca plate. ( I like the neweer ones as although the built in spirit levels are useless, they have a very ergonomic rubber tightening screw that works well with gloves or fingers )

http://r.ebay.com/mMgCPE

And I have a 20cm PU 200 plate on the foot of the tripod to attach it to. I use a long plate as it also provides a variable center of gravity for when I change bodies, add a flash, or Macro extention tubes or teleconvertors, as I can slide the lens backwards and forwards on the monopod or wimberly gimball head. It also provides a good base for getting down on the floor, and a good grip for hand holding.


http://r.ebay.com/tNc85m

I have matching arca plates on my monopod, and my beike copy of the wimberly gimball head on the tripod has a plate built in already.

This solution allows me to sling the lens by its centre of gravity by my hips, which makes walking easy, as it is horizontal, and as it is a gliding strap it can be brought to the eye very quickly. As there is plenty of space on the 20cm foot, you can leave the strap attached and put the monopod on, or quickly swap between them, and when you take it off the tripod you can attach the strap first, which eliminates the risk of dropping it. The massive neoprene pad on black rapid is very comfortable.

The arca swiss system is very secure, and the allen lugs stop it sliding out even it if gets loose. I was worried about it, but I have walked for days with without problems, and it is easy to tighten by hand. If it does become loose, it is very obvious as it slides up and down the plate, but will only come off if you undo it all the way. You could add a second safety strap on a carabiner.

[nellyleelephant]

Thanks ExPat

Lots of good info there, I shall look into the black rapid strap, seems to do what I want.