You know that neck strap that came with your camera? Yes, the one that has the big Nikon/Canon/Sony/Fuji/Panasonic/Olympus logo on information technology. That affair should stay tightly locked in the box your camera came in.

Neck straps, especially the stock ones, are much more trouble than they are worth. Lose the strap and non only will your photography look ameliorate, you will look better doing it!

Practice you lot even demand a neck strap?

Photo by Peak Blueprint

If you lot spend most of your photo time shooting from a tripod, you definitely don't demand a neck strap. In fact, during long exposures, that lightheaded strap is likely moving nigh in the wind and causing sharpness-killing camera shake. I've seen many photographers standing backside their tripod-mounted cameras with the cervix strap still around their necks. This is a recipe for photographic camera milk shake likewise.

On the tripod, it'south best to go fully strapless and bask the unencumbered freedom of letting the tripod carry your load instead of your cervix. I use a curt piece of parachute cord to connect my camera to my tripod in case I accidentally unlock the clamp, but I could probably do without that precaution as my Really Right Stuff clench has never always failed me.

If you camera is e'er in your hand, the neck strap is likely wrapped around your wrist and hand in some sort of nasty tangle. Opt instead for a manus strap or short lanyard which will ease your grip and ensure your precious photographic camera stays close at paw. Peak Design makes a wonderful hand strap called the Clutch, which works very well for those who work for long periods of fourth dimension with camera in hand.

Sling information technology, cowboy!

Photo past Acme Design

If you don't want to take your camera in your hand or on a tripod, but close and handy, you need a sling. Once you endeavour a sling, you lot will wonder why you lot ever messed with the cervix strap.

Black Rapid started the sling revolution with their innovative sliding clip, but I observe their over padded and stiff neck pads never stay put and the joy of shooting slung is replaced with the frustration of fiddling with a wandering pad. Another outcome with the Black Rapid straps is the attachment mechanism, which uses the cameras tripod socket. If you don't need the socket for anything (like a tripod), it's not a problem. Many highly mobile photographers dearest their Blackness Rapid straps, but I plant the hassle of how the camera dangles dampened my enthusiasm and that darn pad!

Superlative Pattern has joined the slinging party with their Slide serial of straps that allow you to free up your tripod socket past attaching their handy anchors to your cameras stock strap points, or to the included Arca-Swiss plate.

I find the adjustable Slide works very well when I want to carry my camera over my shoulder purse style, cross-torso slung like a Blackness Rapid strap, or ever effectually my cervix if I want to remind myself what information technology was like dorsum when I used the stock strap. When I desire to use my photographic camera on a tripod or in my hand unencumbered by straps, the anchors detach from the strap in moments for complete liberty.

Just I've got two cameras — now what?

The Money Maker system from HoldFast Gear lets you carry two cameras at once.

The slings go all crazy crisscrossed when you lot deport two cameras, and then more innovation is needed when you stone multiple cameras. Black Rapid has this dialed with their system of dual-carry harnesses that keep everything in its place and so you can shoot with either camera without battling crossed straps. Wedding shooters who have to lug multiple cameras swear by them, and the more than fashionable Money Maker system from HoldFast Gear.

Save yourself and your neck!

By ditching the stock cervix strap for a more evolved system, you volition save your neck some serious strain and you will look much more serious about your arts and crafts. I'm not saying that a featherbrained strap will brand or break your photography. Many iconic and powerful images are shot by photographers who acquit their cameras with stock straps.

I tin can tell you that past thinking nearly how yous carry your camera and finding a organisation that works well for your mode of shooting, yous will observe yourself more comfortable carrying your gear. When you are more comfy, you are more likely to exist artistic and energized. Your photography will benefit.

Now go cut that airheaded strap off of your photographic camera. Quick, before someone sees you!