For 8 years we’ve been putting our camera straps on the wrong way. Start the embarrassment….now.
Yes, there is indeed a right way and a wrong way to put on your camera strap. The wrong way can be pulled open, resulting in your shiny fancy camera meeting the floor at a rapid speed.
The right way is super secure (even with strong huffing and puffing, which I kindly demonstrate for you in the video below) and will ensure safety for your precious gear. And it is only ever-so-slightly different than the wrong way! Go figure!
After discovering this gem of wisdom, we created this video for you so you can make sure you’re doing it the right way. Have a watch now! I’ll even show you precisely why the wrong way is wrong!
Now tell us in the comments, what kind of strap are you using for your camera? What do you find most comfortable? We’re always interested in better ways to lug around these heavy contraptions, so we would love your advice!
Happy photographing!
Kaity says
I am SO happy to realize I have been doing this correctly! When I first read the title of the post I thought for sure my camera straps would be wrong. Glad to know I’ve got something figured out!
Thanks for posting!
– Kaity K.
Lauren Lim says
High five, Kaity! Always feels good to know you were doing something right, hey? :)
Nathan says
haha great video! I feel like an idiot now :X
Rob Lim says
Hey, we’ve been doing it the wrong way our entire professional career!
Gaetan says
I only use a strap for travel photography, Black Rapid. I’m a big guy, a strap limits my movements.
Lauren Lim says
That’s a good point, Gaetan! We also change up whether we use a strap at all. When we shoot portrait sessions we don’t usually have it on, but for travel we find it helpful! Thanks for the comment!
Tyler says
I use Peak Design’s Leash design, set up as slings. It has its own removable clips that attach to the camera, which are really great. But I use my old neck straps on my portable lightstands, and I’m glad to see that I’ve been doing it right! They’re pretty tough to destroy, but it’s good to know that they’re not going to fall off when I’ve got one over each shoulder plus a 25lb camera bag walking through the middle of the city en route to a job!
jerry says
I would like to recommend Domke U.S. Post Office Shoulder Pad It looks heavy but is very light & boy does it take the strain off of carrying either a large camera bag or a heavy camera/lens. I liked the first one I purchased so much that I purchased more for my other equipment.
BJMRamage says
Cool. I’ve had mine right when I used the OEM strap! I think I read the instructions…crazy, I know.
But last year I switched to a Sling-style and that fits to the Tripod mount. Liking this a lot better. The hardest part was trying to get those Triangle eyelets off the camera so they didn’t jingle about. *and now I hope I never want to get them back on as they were quite the pain to remove.
D says
Great advice – I never even realized! :-)
jeff says
Enjoy the tutorial video and it’s funny come to think about it after all that 40 yrs of handling a camera but had never read or followed the instructions as to how and ensure as the camera strap was correctly installed.I am glad to spend a few minutes to ascertain as all is well…Thanks for a simple video that was well made.
Craig says
That is NOT the correct way to install a camera strap. A properly installed strap loops back over the center of the buckle and terminates between the two previous loops. I’m amazed at how many websites endorse the technique found here. SMH.