Camera Straps

Nothing beats the humble camera strap! When it comes to keeping your camera secure, safe and accessible, a good camera strap is the ideal companion for any photographer or videographer, whether you’re roaming the hills of the Peak District or putting in a day in the studio. 

Camera straps come in different configurations and can be worn in various ways – around the neck, across the body or on the wrist are the most common. Whether you’re using DSLR cameras, a mirrorless camera or a compact, a good, reliable strap should be your first port of call for keeping your gear safe and within arm’s reach.

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Camera Straps

When buying a strap for your camera, it’s important to think about a few things. The weight of your camera kit is a key consideration – different straps are rated to different maximum payloads, so if you’re using a heavy setup, it’s important to make sure the strap you buy can take it!

Also, think about the configuration of strap you want – do you prefer the idea of a camera neck strap, or a shoulder strap that’s worn across the body? There are also camera belt straps worn on the waist, and wrist or hand straps that allow you to keep lightweight cameras close at hand. Again, the weight of your kit will to an extent dictate the type of strap you use.

The top camera strap brands

Loads of companies make great camera straps – more than we can exhaustively list here! But let’s take a look at the key players.

Peak Design is something of a legend when it comes to camera accessories. Since exploding onto the scene with the crowdfunded Capture Clip, the firm has built up a portfolio of great straps, camera bags, tripods and other devices.

Strap-wise, Peak Design offers a few options. The Peak Design Slide Camera Strap is one of the most popular – it can be used as a sling, shoulder or neck strap, and its length can be adjusted from 99cm to 145cm. It comes with the Peak Design tripod plate, with attachment points for anchors and compatibility with Arca-Swiss quick release systems. 

There’s also the Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap, which may be worn around the wrist, but is strong enough to handle up to 90kg of camera kit! And the Peak Design Leash, made with twist-resistant nylon webbing, and can be worn across the neck and shoulders, or sling-style. 

A Peak Design strap attaches to your camera via anchor links, a bespoke system that’s key to the amazing strength of the straps. 

 

OpTech straps are favoured by many professional photographers and others who carry heavy gear outdoors for long periods. The OpTech Pro Loop Camera Strap is arguably the gold standard for camera straps – it boasts a patented weight-reduction system that evenly disperses weight across the neck and shoulders, making carrying your camera for long periods much easier. 

There’s also the OpTech Utility Strap Sling, which is worn across the body in camera sling style, but can easily be converted to a neck or camera shoulder strap, thanks to its quick-disconnect system. The Uni Loop connectors also allow the camera to slide up and down the strap with ease. 

There are plenty more great straps from OpTech, including the OpTech Super Classic Pro Loop, which is an excellent bird camera strap for keen bird spotters.

Black Rapid straps are built for comfort and longevity, designed for those who want to wear them for long periods. Many of its straps are made with enlarged shoulder pads, including rubber moulding for a more comfortable and secure fit. 

The Black Rapid Cross Shot Breathe is designed to be worn cross-body, and support heavy loads without causing undue strain to the wearer. Its spring-loaded bumper locks can slide and down the strap to limit camera movement. 

There’s also the Black Rapid Wrist Strap, with the FR-5 Breathe, which weighs just 45g but can support a reasonably sized mirrorless camera. It’s comfortable and strong, made with one hundred per cent nylon.

Camera manufacturer straps

Don’t count out your own camera manufacturer! Most of the major brands produce their own range of straps, and these can sometimes be the best fit for your setup. You can get camera straps made by Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, GoPro, Panasonic and more. And they aren’t necessarily the kind of basic strap that comes bundled with a camera – some manufacturers also offer high-quality leather straps that hold your camera with style as well as security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where’s best to buy camera straps in the UK?

If you don’t want to buy your camera straps online, then you can pay us a visit in-store to have a look at the straps available and discuss your needs. Use our store finder to find your nearest location.

How do you fit a camera strap?

Every strap is different of course, and so it’s always worth checking manufacturers’ instructions for how to fit and secure your specific strap. With that said, here are a few tips that will apply to the majority of camera straps you’ll use:

• Make sure the plastic fastener is right-side up. 
• Feed the strap through from the outside in.
• Make sure you create a large loop by feeding the strap through the fastener and the camera lugs. This will lessen the chances of the strap working itself loose.
• Check the strap regularly, to ensure you catch problems before they become serious.

Are camera straps universal?

Yes – even when a strap is designed for a specific camera, it will probably work with others, as straps pretty much always attach in the same way.

How long are camera straps?

Most users wear a strap at about 27-29 inches – this is the regular length that works for most photographers. If you are significantly taller or shorter than average, then consider looking at straps that are extra long or extra short for a more comfortable fit, but bear in mind that many straps have adjustable length, and these will likely fit the majority of body types.

Are camera straps necessary?

In the sense of being required to take a picture or shoot a video, no. But a shoot of a few hours in different locations simply isn’t going to be practical without a strap; you’ll either be holding your camera the whole time, or constantly taking it in and out of your bag. There’s a reason that most cameras will come bundled with a basic strap!