a bit of a poll

[back alley]

when walking around with one camera - how do you carry it?
around the neck, over the shoulder or with strap wrapped around your wrist?

just curious...

joe

[Rich Silfver]

If it's a 35mm camera I carry it over my shoulder or in my hand - never around my neck. Just a personal preference I guess.

[taffer]

my 1st option is in my hand, with the strap around my wrist/hand (you may look at this accessory, but check for compatibility with the bessa-r)

http://www.konermann.net/sling.more.html

2nd choice is over the shoulder, and just sometimes (hip shots?) around my neck, 'cos that was it always bounces against my chest if i don't put my hand over it.

again probably personal preferences, but also if you're looking for candids, the camera around your neck may not be the better option...

anyway you may experiment and find what suits better to your shooting style.

[RML]

I carry all of my RF's with a strap around my neck but with the camera in my hand (with the lens cap always in the same back pocket of my trousers). I've bought Op-Tech straps for each of my Bessa's, my Canon Eos, and just yesterday for my CL as well (which I, *blasted!*, dropped on the pavement while attaching the strap to the camera).

[ZeissFan]

RML -- sorry to hear about the CL ... ouch!

For most of my cameras, I use the Domke Gripper. For the heavier cameras, I like the wide Domke. Actually, I've come to like the wide (1-1/2 inches) one better than the narrow one.

I almost always keep my camera around my neck. Watching people with cameras hanging from a shoulder makes me cringe -- it's hanging out there just waiting to be banged into a doorway, a lamp post, a mailbox or be ripped away by a thief.

Some cameras just don't have an easy way to attach straps, so those I just carefully.

I hate to say this (automatic jinx), but in 25 years or so I've yet to drop a camera from my hands. One fell out of my bag a few years ago. I'm sure I'll now drop my favorite camera later today or tomorrow.

[back alley]

i just realized i did not answer my own question.

i do all 3.
i know it's not cool to wear a camera around your neck but i sometimes do it. cameras are so plentiful (w/ digital in almost every hand) that most people don't seem to take notice of mine.
i like it on the shoulder when walking, but mostly in the hand when planning to shoot.

joe

[SolaresLarrave]

I carry my stuff around the neck and pointing downwards. Easy to do! Just turn the ends of the neckstrap where they connect to the camera and it'll hang securely with the lens pointing down... to avoid sun burns on the shutter curtains.

Of course, lenses always covered with a UV filter! :)

[Doug]

In the hand sounds very "ready for action" but I just don't ever do that. I often need that hand for other things!

Around the neck is somewhat uncomfortable and obvious, but years ago for street photography I used to carry two cameras that way at the same time, one with a much shorter strap. That was fast too!

I favor shoulder carry now, especially with the camera hanging vertically. I adjust the strap so that the camera is held against my side by the elbow. My only struggle with this is keeping the strap from sliding off my shoulder.

[taffer]

Doug, maybe you'll find this link interesting... non-sliding straps !

http://www.upstrap.com/

[Doug]

Thanks, Oscar! Do you use one of these straps? How does it work for you? It seems to me I've seen something like this, but without the actual strap, just the rubber pad that can be used with an existing strap. Some of my straps do already have some kind of non-slip surface... I will bookmark that URL!

[taffer]

Doug, I haven't tried them myself (yet) but a friend of mine uses them and is really happy with the product. I may probably go for the 2 RF set, as I have a couple of strap orphan cameras now.

Another interesting website is www.photoequip.net just in case you're looking for a camera grip.

Oscar

[Brian Sweeney]

Over the shoulder and in an ever-ready case, usually with the detachable top off.

[wierdcollector]

I guess I'm an odd bird as far as this goes, but I always have mine around my neck. Not very comfortable and yes, it does bounce all over, especially with my large belly. Otherwise I find mine slides off every few steps and for aggravation alone, I'd prefer not to carry that way. I'm also bad for never ever using the never ready cases, I put those in a cupboard or two for future usage and can't find the proper one in a hurry. I store most of my equipment on shelves for display, so I have to remove straps/cases and only leave the D rings on.

[oftheherd]

Depends, either over the neck or over the neck and under an arm. Hopefully less easy to slip off my neck by a thief. The camera bag if I have one is always over the shoulder. It's usually too heavy (:bang: ) to think a thief can grab it and run without it banging the ground first. That should give me a chance to give him my tripod too.:D

[back alley]

oftheherd,

have you checked your private messeges lately?

joe

[pvdhaar]

I carry my gear (35mm as well as 6x6 SLR) with a strap around the neck.

For 35mm it's a matter of convenience, I've got my hands free and can grab the camera in a jiffy.

For the 6x6 with waistlevel finder it's not so much a matter of convenience, but necessity. The pull of the neckstrap steadies the camera and allows very low shutter speeds without camera shake.

[LionFlyer]

Depends. I like a cross draw and I am right handed. Mostly over my left sholder so it rides just behind my left arm. If I am working with it I go to a strap around the neck but carry in my hand. Or I loop the strap around my left hand a few times as a safety and hold on to it. That way I have a lot of control plus I can carry it down low so it is not as noticable. I don't walk around with it in its never ready case around my neck.