"The R-Strap" DIY project

[radiophoto]

Back a couple of weeks ago on the flickr ICCD 09 forum, somebody posted a link to an on-line commercial for the "R-Strap", a revolutionary way of carrying your camera diagonally across your body so it hangs at the hip.

The creator of this strap wanted $44 for it, or something like that, and somebody else at the flickr forum found yet another link to make your own D-strap for much less (not as much flash, but certainly as effective).

For those of you with cameras that do not have strap lugs, but do have tripod mounts, this might be useful for you.  I have posted a photo of my own strap below, but have added a paragraph describing cosmetic modifications already in use that are not showing in the photo.

Take a look and let me know what you think!

Pete
http://www.flickr.com/photos/f6point3/3501910763/

EDIT (2011) this photo was taken down by me and I can't find it on my computer to re-post it!

[jake]

Huh - that's smart. Gordy's Straps does a tripod mount strap, but he keeps it at a wrist strap I think. He might be a bit worried about the tripod screw loosening so wants to keep the hand close by. I guess that might be offset by figuring out a double-locking nut on the tripod screw. Still this looks like a good deal, especially in cities where having the camera over your shoulder is more stealthy.

Speaking of straps, all the birders I traveled with in Cuba had these shoulder harness things for their binoculars. Doesn't solve the same problem as above, but I hadn't seen them before. Anti-neck/lower back fatigue.

[jamesmck]

Is there a picture somewhere of someone wearing one of these?

[Kin Lau]

Speaking of straps, all the birders I traveled with in Cuba had these shoulder harness things for their binoculars. Doesn't solve the same problem as above, but I hadn't seen them before. Anti-neck/lower back fatigue.

You're kidding! Every birder I know wears them here. It's a very easy way to spot another birder.

But it's lousy for camera's tho.

I've been eyeing an R-strap for a while. It suits the way I like to carry a camera... I can't stand neck-straps.

[LarryD]

Hey he invented it because of ICCD 09. A change of scenery gets juices moving.

[radiophoto]

James, here is a review with the original video commercial:

http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2008/archives/2136

Pete

[jamesmck]

Thanks, Pete.

[radiophoto]

You're kidding! Every birder I know wears them here. It's a very easy way to spot another birder.
 
But it's lousy for camera's tho.
 
I've been eyeing an R-strap for a while. It suits the way I like to carry a camera... I can't stand neck-straps.

Kin -- mine was very comfortable, even with the tank of a Zenit I was carrying on May 1st. There was a little bit of camera swing, but I compensated for that by walking funny.
 
The DIY is easy -- I ended up buying the webbing at a fabric store, then getting a nylon dog collar (a lucky accident) for large dogs (only $2.99) and cutting away the clip, D-ring, and sliding buckle, and they were the perfect size. If you don't get too close you can't read the words "Vista-Pet" on the clip.
 
And you won't have to sew anything together, just use the buckles and adjust to your own body size. I started out with 2 yards of the webbing, but found that I didn't need that much. Maybe 1-1/2 yards (I'm 6'0"), which would leave a little extra for slack.
 
I suppose if you had a shoulder pad from some other type strap you could put that on, but I don't have one and it didn't seem to matter, comfort-wise.
 
All-in-all, I believe I saved about $35.00 by doing-it-meself.
 
Pete

[Justin Smith]

Thank you for sharing your version Pete, I might have to try this! I just can't see spending that much for a real R-Strap. Lately, I've carrying my thrift store Canon AF35M on walks with my daughter. I really like the side-mount strap and the way it hangs (I just pretend it's my poor-man's M5 :rolleyes:).

I've been thinking of making my own SLING for my Vivitar 35EE. I was thinking a slit ring and a $1 black dog collar from the Dollar Tree would work. Just use a lighter to fuse the cut ends of the nylon to keep them from fraying.

[jake]

You're kidding! Every birder I know wears them here. It's a very easy way to spot another birder.

Yeah well, I go birding a lot but mostly by myself. Hermit-style birding. I remember a thing called a Kubanhitch or something similar back a ways. What I prefer is the typical thin Leica strap. These harness things all seemed too stretchy. Not for me I suppose. But then earlier this year I popped something in my neck, so perhaps I will change my tune. Or just start doing  steroids.

[radiophoto]

Thank you for sharing your version Pete, I might have to try this! I just can't see spending that much for a real R-Strap. Lately, I've carrying my thrift store Canon AF35M on walks with my daughter. I really like the side-mount strap and the way it hangs (I just pretend it's my poor-man's M5 :rolleyes:).
 
I've been thinking of making my own SLING for my Vivitar 35EE. I was thinking a slit ring and a $1 black dog collar from the Dollar Tree would work. Just use a lighter to fuse the cut ends of the nylon to keep them from fraying.

Justin, that sling is a pretty sweet invention.  I may try one of those myself for a more lightweight camera.  And yep, that's how I sealed the ends of the strap I made, using my handy Bic lighter.
 
Did the Vivitar 35EE have a boob job or something?  
 
Pete

[Justin Smith]

Did the Vivitar 35EE have a boob job or something?  
 
Pete

Not exactly, but I could use an "over-the-shoulder boulder holder" for my TLS with Vivitar 200/3.5. That thing is heavy! :eek:

[jamesmck]

The R-Strap / Sling looks great for some environments, but for trail walking and other places where odd postures are likely, I need something to keep the camera from swinging when I bend.  Something like the "birders" thing.  I did some searching and found and ordered this one that seems to have possibilities.  Got good reviews from people on Amazon.  Reasonable price.

James

[radiophoto]

I've been thinking of making my own SLING for my Vivitar 35EE. I was thinking a slit ring and a $1 black dog collar from the Dollar Tree would work. Just use a lighter to fuse the cut ends of the nylon to keep them from fraying.

Justin, I made my own Sling today -- found that it will work better with a thinner nylon band (thinner, not narrower), like the kind you get on an ID neckstrap.  I had a lot of trouble even with that, getting the split ring to go through the strap lug on top of three layers of the webbing.  Still, it seems to work, although I might stick with the straps.

Pete

[Justin Smith]

Thank for the tip, Pete! The lugs on my Vivitar aren't particularly long, so I think I will have to go pretty thin. Maybe, I'll check out the craft section at Wal-Mart (the only craft supplier around here )

I think I'll stick with straps on most of my cameras too, although I am going to try a Sling on the smaller/more lightweight ones. (Especially for street shooting.)