Camera Straps

[Subpopulus Hibernia]

How do people keep cameras around their neck underground? Or do they do it at all? I took the nice strap off my SLR so it wouldn't get all mucky underground (also, it was a pain getting it over my helmet). I took it off and just the held the in my hands camera for a bit but this obviously isn't ideal. I then made a setup made of side squeeze clips and accessory cord. Now I can keep one clip around my neck while I cave and clip the camera into it when I take photos. Works well but I have to take it off and put the strap back on when I want to go strolling about town with my camera.

 

[simonsays]

My waterproof compact goes in a padded case which either lives in my caving sack or is clipped to my belt with a karabiner.

 

[Penguin]

I just leave the standard slr strap attached, and just loop it over my hand when i take it out of the case.  Doesn't get especially grubby since i carry a cloth to wipe my hands on before using the camera.  I'm more concerned about dirt on the camera than the strap, the strap's washable though i've never needed to wash it.  I rarely hang it from my neck, since i'd need to use a hand anyway to keep the camera away from my dirty oversuit, so i just use the strap looped on my wrist. 

The camera case and case strap does get grubby because it hangs around my neck in use, but i throw it in the wash now and again with my undersuit.  When i'm not taking a photograph the camera goes back inside the case and is zipped up, leaving my hands free to reposition me for the next one if i can't do it while holding the camera in one hand.  For travelling the case goes inside a drybag. 

 

[dunc]

I use a waterproof compact that lives in a drum, never carried around neck, carry it in my hand if the next shot is within a short distance. I figure round the neck the camera (lens more importantly) could get wet/muddy against an oversuit, depends what caves you go down I guess..

 

[Andrew W]

My SLR is only ever either (1) in its pelican case, (2) on a tripod, or (3) in my hands so I don't use a strap at all.

The camera is now relegated to cave only use but back when I used it above ground as well I had a strap that had quick release clips so you could remove the bulk of the strap before going caving, just leaving the short ends attached to the camera body. This meant that I didn't have to faff around properly removing the strap before going underground.

 

[Subpopulus Hibernia]

Travelling about the cave isn't the problem, I've a Pelicase for that. The problem is that when I have the camera out I have to sort out flashes and triggers and then move about instructing assistants. This usually sees me clambering over rocks with an SLR in my hand, which is far less managable than a compact (compacts take a knock better than SLRs anyhow). Having it dangle around my neck isn't much of a problem, I usually take off the upper half of my oversuit anyway and it only dangles against my clean furry. The camera being on a tripod is useful but usually I don't bother with it. I would like to use the strap but then again I don't want it getting all manky after repeated mucking it it up and rewashing. Don't want people laughing at my grubby camera at the Transmission Party.

What I really want to know is whether people use the straps, if they're worth the bother or they just clutch the camera and don't drop them.

 

[Rob]

Took my neck strap underground once and never again. It picks up dirt which then gets put in my case, transfering it onto everything. Nightmare! Can understand if you try hard and take your oversuit top half off each time, but underground photos take too long already, i'm all for speedy approach if possible.

I now use a hand strap, similar to the Canon E2, but obviously a cheap china copy. Had this in use for 4 years and it's still going strong, and i never take it off the camera. Looks like this:

and like this (different model) when on a camera:

I've even been known to clip it onto my harness using this, whilst prussiking between shots. Not a great idea really, but it works! Also takes up less space in my peli case, to fill it with more flashes and torches. The camera feels confident in the hand, and is nice to use on the surface also. I hardly ever use my neck strap now, unless i've got a dog to walk as well.

 

[Subpopulus Hibernia]

Brilliant! Cheap chinese hand strap for SLR camera now in the post for Mr. S Hibernia.

 

[streapadair]

How do people keep cameras around their neck underground?

Round my neck?  No thanks, sounds a bit dangerous!

I do carry a small leash in my Peli - just a foot or so of accessory cord with one of those toy 5kN krabs at each end, for use in precarious high places where dropping it would be terminal, but I hardly ever use it.  If I do, it just clips into a 6mm split-ring that I've put on each strap attachment point on the body, and the other end to my harness.

My SLR is only ever either (1) in its pelican case, (2) on a tripod, or (3) in my hands so I don't use a strap at all.

Pretty much the same here, except that I do have a camera I use both below and above - for that, I use a SunSniper strap on the surface - it attaches to the tripod socket on the battery grip that doesn't come underground, so it's easy to manage.  And it goes nicely across the shoulder, not around my neck.  Not cheap, but really good, and still usable with a rucksack over the top.