If you think all camera straps are the same, then think again. Did you think about it? Well, then you know that the camera strap is basically connected to the camera and hangs around your neck. Pretty simple, right? Well, it can get a little more complicated than you think. When you consider the comfort, the convenience and the style, then it becomes more than just a plain strap. It becomes a feature.
OP/TECH Utility Sling Strap seems to incorporate these characteristics in their product. The Utility Sling Strap consists of a neoprene shoulder strap, two quick disconnect System connectors, and two Uni-Loop Adapters.
The first thing that caught my attention was the Sling Strap’s ability to slide the camera smoothly up and down the strap. Considering that I always carry my camera strapped across my chest, this feature made this strap ideal for for me.
I find it cumbersome to have anything strapped around my neck. I don’t find it comfortable, let alone convenient. Your camera just hangs there in the way of your body, ready to knock into something. I like to have my camera at my side and out of the way when I am not using it, then when I need it, I just just bring it up to my eye. Having the camera rest in front of me just seems to get in my way. When my camera rests at my side I can keep my hand on it to avoid it swaying back and forth and I have control of it. This way, I feel like my hand is in a normal, relaxed position rather than if I held the camera in front of me. Besides I don’t like anything pulling on my neck. But then again keeping the camera to my side could just be a personal preference too. Since I typically shoot and carry my camera with the strap over my shoulder, it is refreshing to have a company make a product that caters to your preferences. Big thumbs up to OP/TECH.
Another feature that I unknowingly discovered is the non-skid neoprene section of the strap system. One night while I was taking pictures of my brother’s band, I mentioned to one of my friends that I noticed that my camera felt different. A good different though. My camera didn’t feel uncomfortable after a long time of having it slung over my shoulder. What I was noticing was that my camera was feeling lighter and comfortable. I have a Canon 60D with a battery grip on it so those two together have added weight. Since attaching the Sling Strap to my camera and using it all night, I could definitely tell the difference.
The shoulder pad is made with OP/TECH’s patented internal “control-stretch” system which allows reduction in the weight of the camera due to the stretching of the neoprene. And because the strap is wider in width, it helps reduce pressure on your shoulders, making it more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Basically, the neoprene acts as a shock absorber, kind of like a bungee cord, lessening the weight of the camera. And because it has a the non-skid pad, it stays in place when you slide the camera up and down the strap.
The straps are attached to the neoprene strap by heavy duty plastic connectors. They feel sturdy and strong enough to support my camera with the additional battery grip and extra non-kit lens. After weighing my camera with grip and lens, it came to around 6 lbs. These connectors aren’t made from cheap plastic. They feel very solid and they lock solid too. However, for those of you who want added security or want that extra peace of mind, OP/TECH sells Secure-Its. They are type of Velcro that threads through the connectors to help prevent the connectors from coming apart.
The straps have a cord loop at the end that attaches to the camera body. There is a piece of leather that combines the loop and the connector together. The leather tab seems to be quality leather and the stitching is well sewn. This is reassuring to me, considering that this is one part of what is securing my camera and keeping it from falling and smashing to the ground. OP/TECH appears to use quality material in the construction of their products. I have a leather hand strap that I like to use on my camera, and I was able to also attach the OP/TECH connectors with a little effort. It would have taken less effort without the hand strap attached, but it really was no problem at all. I love having both straps attached to my camera. It allows me versatility when I maneuver my camera at shows and gigs.
I have been using the Utility Sling Strap for awhile, and it has turned out to be a very useful addition to my DSLR camera arsenal. My camera glides smoothly and flawlessly each time I use the strap, and my camera hangs nicely at my side and out of the way until I need it. And when I need to take a picture, I just grab my camera, slide it up to my eye and take my shot.
You never really think about camera straps unless you are looking for something with a cool or pretty design since they really only serve one main purpose – to hang your camera around your neck. But when you think about it, a camera strap has factors and characteristics that can make carrying your camera comfortable, tolerable, and maybe even enjoyable. Because OP/TECH offers many numerous connectors in their catalog, you can literally have connectors on other cameras, or binoculars for that matter, so that attaching your neoprene strap is as easy as unsnapping and snapping the connector to swap out to another camera.
In addition to the connectors on the Utility Sing Strap, I have a Uni Adaptor loop that I use with my Canon 20D. With this smaller strap, it can be used as a small carrying handle without the neoprene pad attached.
You can check out the Utility Sling Strap and a whole lot more products and accessories on OP/TECH’s website, as well as helpful videos demonstrating and showcasing a few of their products.
Keep in mind that OP/TECH offers many many various systems that you can customize to fit any needs you may have. You can check out the tons of straps and connection adapters as well as bags, cases, and covers on their website.
Product Information
| Price: | $24.95 |
| Manufacturer: | OP/TECH USA |
| Pros: |
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same company that makes the tom bihn strap. they are good straps.
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The Real Person!
Bill
And they also have some other nice products and gear that I like on Tom Bihn’s site.
I really like these straps.
I have one of these, and love it. I had looked at others that worked in a similar way by screwing into the tripod mount at the bottom of the camera, but these posed two problems for me. One, if you use a tripod (and I do) then you have two things competing for the same mount. One of the solutions is cross-compatible with Manfrotto/Bogen tripod heads with a quickrelease, but there’s another problem. I don’t trust something that’s screwed into the bottom of the camera not to come loose while it’s hanging from my hip. The Op/Tech strap addresses both of these, and it’s held up beautifully in use.
It’s worth pointing something out…it uses quick-release buckles to hold the camera on the strap, and the strap to you. If you have a concern about thieves (like during a recent trip to Europe) then Op/Tech makes straps that wrap around the buckles, keeping them locked together. It’s very effective, I must say.
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Rob
I agree.
When I was looking for a strap like this before I really did not want a plug screwed into my camera’s tripod mount. It seemed counter intuitive. Plus I also did not trust the screw coming undone or a breaking off. I’m sure it probably wouldn’t break but I would keep thinking about it in the back of my head and I don’t need that kind of paranoia. 🙂
Also, I think I mentioned about OP/TECH’s Secure-Its system connectors in my review that adds some security to the connectors.
Anyone can check them out here: : http://www.optechusa.com/secure-its.html
I have two op/tech handstraps for my sony nex’s. superior fit and usability.
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Dmitriy
I have a leather handstrap on my camera and find handstraps very useful and gives me a feeling of security when I don’t have my camera strapped around my shoulder. I don’t feel like I’ll accidentally drop my camera since its strapped to my hand.
I use a RapidStrap from BlackRapid and LOVE it. The tripod connector hole is not an issue, however. I bought an Arca mount bar for the bottom of the camera and I put a Kirk 1″ Arca mount on the end of the RapidStrap. I use the Optech straps as extra security in case the RapidStrap connection mechanism fails. I can disconnect the camera and put it on my 3LeggedThing tripod with Arca head in mere moments without having to unscrew anything.
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Mark
BlackRapid makes some cool straps too.
I checked out 3LeggedThing tripods. I really like their travel tripods. They look super sturdy and I like how compact they are.
From someone who has traveled extensively with an expensive DLSR slung around his neck, I think that anything with a quick release feature represents a potential security problem. I have also had quick release clips get hit while wearing and open, particularly when there is a heavy weight, like a camera and lens, pulling on it.
I use Pacsafe’s Carrysafe strap, which has a steel cable running from end to end to prevent knife and run attacks, plus a security clip that will not come undone casually by a thief.
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RGrenader
I saw Pacsafe straps awhile ago. If you are in an area where security or theft of your camera is an issue I would want the steel cable too.
If I remember right, I think Pacsafe straps are suppose to be slash proof too.
All that is stopping £6000 of gear crashing to the floor is a small plastic quick release clip. It only takes one idiot to press it either on purpose or accidentally and that’s the end of the warranty. Slightly unnerving with that in the back of my mind.
I’ve been using an Op-Tech Utility Sling strap for several years, first with a Canon 7D and now with an Olympus OM-D. Really comfortable and convenient. Instead of attaching the loop to the right strap lug, I find that attaching to the left strap lug works better. Keeps the connector out of the way of my fingers when I’m gripping the camera with my right. I attach an Op-Tech neoprene wrist strap to the right lug to use when I unclip the camera from the sling. I love their stuff, their modularity for customization, and that they’re made in the USA! Really great stuff.
I was going to ask about that Walter! I don’t understand why the OP TECH video recommends the right lug. I would also put it on the left side for the same reasons you mentioned!