Which Camera Strap With Sigma 500mm Lens? (1 Viewer)

[Jeremy]

Hi,
I do most of my wildlife photography with a Canon 40D and a Sigma 500mm f/4.5 lens. I often carry the camera over my shoulder using the Canon strap supplied with the camera. It's not very comfortable, so I'm looking for a better strap; preferably one with quick release, so I can get the strap out of the way when using a tripod, etc. I'm thinking of something like this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294 - but (like the Amazon reviewer) not sure about the safety of the quick-release catches and whether they are strong enough to hold the weight of my 500mm lens.
So, what camera straps do you use with your long, heavy lenses?
Cheers,

 

[Stranger]

I use an Opticron harness purchased from In Focus at the London Wetland Centre.

 

[Roy C]

Hi Jeremy, are you carrying the combo via the camera strap - if so would you not be better carrying via the lens strap. Although I always carried my 400/5.6 via the camera strap I would not do so with my 300/2.8 which is lighter than the siggy 500.

 

[Jeremy]

Hi Roy, I bought the lens secondhand, and there was no lens strap with it. Yes, I'm currently using the camera strap.
Stranger, do you mean this: http://www.somersetcameras.co.uk/products/opticron-harness/1639/ ? What I'm looking for is a shoulder strap, so doesn't look suitable, but thanks anyway.

 

[michha62]

I wouldn't use the camera strap with that lens attached - It is far too heavy and you will eventually run into trouble with the electrical connectors between camera/lens. Put the strap onto the lens. These are very comfortable on the shoulder....

http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~ProductID~5946.html

Regards
Mike.

 

[Stranger]

Hi Roy, I bought the lens secondhand, and there was no lens strap with it. Yes, I'm currently using the camera strap.
Stranger, do you mean this: http://www.somersetcameras.co.uk/products/opticron-harness/1639/ ? What I'm looking for is a shoulder strap, so doesn't look suitable, but thanks anyway.

Thats the one.

 

[malc1]

You've all got me thinking as to whether it's safe to carry a big,(120-300 2.8 & 150-500 6.3 on the camera strap. My 350d is plastic anyway. I've looked at the spec and there is a strap but I thought is was for the lens case. sigma could have made the case big enough to hold a camera mounted on the lens. A Lowepro 75 AW looks good but is not big enough for either lens plus camera. I wonder if a tripod strap would suffice.

 

[Jeremy]

In the end I went for this one: http://www.amazon.com/Tamrac-N-5057-Neoprene-Boomerang-Black/dp/B0009KKQO6 . I paid £14.99 + p&p from Hilton Photographic. Much more comfortable than the original strap, and the quick release works well and seems to (so far!) support the weight of the heavy lens. Quite pleased with my purchase!

 

[derekbez]

For what it's worth (two months later), I use a home made version of the Blackrapid R-Strap. I like the way the camera hangs comfortably at my side or behind me, always ready. Google "diy r-strap" to see how to make one.

As Mike says, I've started becoming concerned about the heavy lens not supported though.

 

[Duke Leto]

Bought a couple of meters of inch wide webbing and a couple of buckles from a local outdoor shop for about £1.70, a cheap and secure lens strap

 

[Andy Hurley]

I wouldn't use the camera strap with that lens attached - It is far too heavy and you will eventually run into trouble with the electrical connectors between camera/lens. Put the strap onto the lens. These are very comfortable on the shoulder....

http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~ProductID~5946.html

Regards
Mike.

Can only agree, especially in cold weather the camera shows the no lens attached error because the weight of the lens is carried through the connectors and not directly by the lens body.

Andy