I'll never forget the beginning wedding I photographed equally a second shooter. I was only in that location for well-nigh viii hours and by the finish I had a killer, killer migraine. It took a couple days to recover, and I was like, "Wow, maybe weddings are non for me." I actually ended up having to get to my chiropractor because my neck was and then potent. He recommended I attempt a different camera strap. I had been using the standard neck strap that came with my camera and my neck merely couldn't take the weight for all those hours.   I've been on the hunt for the perfect photographic camera strap ever since and have discovered in that location are and then many dissimilar types that work for different types of photographers. In this article, nosotros'll help you discover which camera strap type is right for y'all.  To run into our specific recommendations, check out our article on the best camera straps and holsters.

Kit Neck Strap

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This is the strap that typically comes in every DSLR camera kit. It usually features the brand proper name of the camera and is made of a durable synthetic material. There's nothing wrong with this strap, and information technology'due south what I used for years as a hobbyist. If this strap is working for you, why spend coin on a new one? If you like kit straps and demand a replacement, you lot can purchase them at B&H or another major retailer.

Decorative or Artisan Neck Strap

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From one fashionista to another, I'll acknowledge decorative, and artisan leather camera straps make me drool. Brands like Capturing Couture and Artisan & Artist offering well fabricated, cute photographic camera straps from materials like leather, silk, scarves, knit fabric, etc. I've refrained from ownership them, though considering I'grand not 100% sure of the functionality of these straps.

If you're a hobbyist or lensman who does brusk shoots every once in awhile, these are worth checking out. Or, if y'all use a rangefinder or micro 4/3 photographic camera, these would exist great. For hard-cadre, full mean solar day shooting with a heavy DSLR, I would consider other options or at least thoroughly examination these straps before you buy. Make sure you check out the return policy.

Sling Strap

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The Sling Strap is actually what my Chiropractor recommended for full day shooting, and he fabricated sure I promised I would employ the strap every bit on both shoulders throughout the 24-hour interval. After request my local nuptials photographer friends, many recommended the BlackRapid Sling Strap, so I went with that. The fact that they accept 1 designed specifically for women appealed to me. I used it for awhile, and it was, in fact, 100x amend than using my manifestly old neck strap.

I had some bug with this particular strap, though. I didn't like the fact that my camera was swinging around by my hip, sometimes banging into things. Plus, a few of my friends had experienced major damage to their camera or lens when the strap came undone unexpectedly. Yikes! It was still causing strain on my cervix, likewise. After awhile I started ditching the strap and going without whatsoever strap at all. For one nicknamed "Butterfingers," this was not a expert idea.

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I came across the Peak Design Slide strap at WPPI in March, and they let me take ane home (yay!). I was skeptical because I merely didn't meet how information technology would be much unlike from the Black Rapid Sling strap. I did like the fact that you can utilize this 1 as a neck strap, sling strap or shoulder strap (versatility is good!).

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After using it for a few months now, I'chiliad in dear. It's comfortable on my shoulder and easy to arrange. Instead of swinging by my hip, I can slide my photographic camera around to the dorsum and take it nestle at that place nicely. It'south sturdy and firmly attaches to my camera. I'll go on it!

Hand Strap

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Summit Pattern let me examination out a hand strap, too. I honestly thought this would exist the all-time solution for me since it takes the strain off the shoulders, so I was surprised that I didn't actually like information technology. I plant I missed having my hands gratuitous when posing or moving lighting around. Especially when working with kids, I need to have my hands available and setting my camera downward on the floor was not a great solution.

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For someone who has an assistant for lighting and posing or is doing street photography, I recollect a hand strap would be fantastic. At that place are various brands available at unlike cost points. I've heard swell things almost the Spider Pro Hand Strap (check out a full review by clicking here).

Wrist Strap

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For pocket-sized point and shoot or lighter weight cameras, I love a wrist strap. Peak Design Cuff is really designed to hold up to 100 pounds! So y'all could technically use information technology with your DSLR. I like that information technology's a thicker strap than most, easily adjustable and secure on the wrist (remember the Disqualified?)

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The prissy affair about wrist straps is that they can exist a more than affordable option to keep your camera secure. The Joby DSLR wrist strap is but over $10. There are also options bachelor for keeping your waterproof signal and shoot cameras afloat, like the Ruggard Floating Wrist Strap for only $4.99!

Double Camera Strap

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Photo courtesy of Jay Cassario

Difficult-core wedding photographers who shoot with ii camera bodies during a full day of shooting need a heavy duty solution for carrying effectually all that weight. A double camera strap is one pick. I oasis't tried one myself, only I know several photographers who swear by them. Diverse brands manufacture them. I've heard nifty things virtually the diverse models fabricated by Blackrapid, and this 1 chosen the Moneymaker by Holdfast looks super sexy on Jay, don't you think?

Camera Holster

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A holster style, like the Spyder Pro Holster, has defenseless my eye recently. I've seen Photographers like Sue Bryce and David Beckstead employ them in person and they seem super handy. If you demand to have your hands free but go along your photographic camera securely tucked by your side for piece of cake access and get the weight off your shoulders, this seems the way to go. You can fifty-fifty use two, one on each hip.

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Check out these full reviews of the Spyder Pro Holster.

Conclusion

Deciding on a photographic camera strap isn't always easy.  The decision factors in comfort, overall physical health, and even personal style.  Hopefully this guide has helped you narrow downwardly your option.  Which camera strap type do you use? Which do you want to endeavour out?