3 Reasons Why Your Camera Strap is No Good
photo by James Bold via UnSplash
For years I carried my cameras around using the strap that came with them.
And if you’re like me, you know that using the factory camera strap isn’t exactly the most comfortable experience…
Yet, many photographers keep using those flimsy, uncomfortable straps instead of upgrading their strap to something that’s more functional.
If you’re one such photographer, do yourself a favor and consider these reasons why your camera strap is no good - and why a new camera strap is in order.
Factory Camera Straps are Uncomfortable
photo by Miss Zhang via UnSplash
As I just mentioned, the strap that came with your camera is a flimsy, uncomfortable, thin piece of material.
Very seldom do they have much - if any - padding, so they just cut into your shoulder the longer you shoot (or the heavier the gear).
I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to stay motivated to keep shooting when I have a shooting pain in my shoulder from the camera strap.
Aftermarket straps like the Hyperion Camera Strap shown above solve this problem.
In this case, the thick, yet soft cordage that’s used for the strap helps distribute the weight of your gear over a larger area on your shoulder.And thanks to the round shape of the strap, there’s no hard edges to dig into your muscles.I’ve used this strap multiple times, and I have to say that it’s surprisingly comfortable, even when I carry my Nikon D850 with a big zoom lens.Learn More:
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photo by Clay Banks via Unsplash
Sure, factory straps are adjustable...to a point. But they try to be all things to all people, and that’s just impossible to do given the incredible diversity of photographers.
What’s more, it’s not like you can customize how a factory camera strap looks, either.
When you unbox your camera, you know that the strap will be black with the camera manufacturer’s name emblazoned on it.
Not only are these things ugly, but nothing says “Hey, I have an expensive camera you can steal” like carrying it around with “Canon” or “Sony” or “Nikon” in large print on the strap.
Instead, opting for one of the best aftermarket camera straps gives you much more control over customization.
For example, if you’re tall like me, you can custom order a longer camera strap to ensure that the camera hangs on your body exactly where you want it.
And opting for a third-party camera strap also means that you can get something that fits your personality.
When I ordered my Hyperion Camera Strap, I got to choose the color of the strap itself as well as the color of the binding.
They have hundreds of color combinations, too, so it’s not like you can’t find the exact look you want!And when you carry your camera with a strap like this, you aren’t a walking advertisement for your camera, either. That means improved safety for you and your gear because you’ll be more discreet. What’s not to like about that?!
Factory Camera Straps Aren’t Versatile
Lastly, factory camera straps are pretty much a one-trick pony - they’re a shoulder strap and that’s it.
And given how uncomfortable they are, not having any options for carrying your camera in another manner means your shoulders will tire sooner rather than later.Again, an aftermarket strap can help you avoid this fate.My Hyperion strap, for example, is 53 inches long, so it’s ideal as a shoulder strap. But I can also wear it as a sling strap or even as a wrist strap if I so desire. Any of these options is possible (and comfortable!) thanks to the manner in which the strap is constructed.
The point is that having a strap that’s comfortable, customizable, and versatile will only help you in your endeavor to capture gorgeous photos.
After all, the more comfortable you are, the longer you can shoot!
If you’re ready to upgrade your shooting experience, see what you can find in an aftermarket strap. You’ll be glad you did because a better strap is among the best photography gear you can buy.
