Camera Labs

(Agun, I think you grossly overestimate how much money we make from people shopping through Amazon!)

Anyway, back on topic.

Looks like black is going to be the most popular colour, which makes things easier.

I have just found a different option though which might be better overall:

The Optech Utility strap, here:

http://www.optechusa.com/product/detail ... CT_SUB_ID=

This looks more flexible, and also allows us to print different colours and in larger graphics than the other straps.

Would everyone be happy with this strap, or would they prefer the original one I mentioned?

Thanks,

Gordon

I prefer the utility strap.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

I like Bjorn's idea.. I hate big logos and/or becoming a billboard but a patch or classy fabric or rubber sticker of some kind that I can put on a case or bag to show support for a site/company I would do.

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Canon 7D + 50D + EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM + EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Pelican // Black Rapid // Think Tank // Manfrotto // Garmin

Reflections On Canadian Wildlife
My Flickr

+1 for the utility strap!!!

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Victor
Nikon D300 - Nikkor 16-85 VR - Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR I
www.victorhoffmann.com

Utility strap seems better than the original one.

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

+1 for the utility strap seems like a great idea!

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Canon EOS 1000D + 18-55mm EF-S f/3.5-5.6 II + Jessops 58mm UV Filter | Canon 70-300mm IS USM | Canon 50mm f/1.8

A genuine question, not intended a s a criticism: why are so many of you keen to change the strap? Is it just aesthetics ... the original Canon strap is ugly ... or is it dysfunctional in some other way?

So far , for me, the strap is nothing more than something that stops the camera falling to to the ground if I let the camera go (as long as the strap is around my neck). It hasn't failed yet. I don't understand.

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Brian,
Canon 5DII, 7D, EF-S 10-22, EF 50 USM 1.4, EF-S 60 macro EF 16-35 L USM, EF 24 -15L IS USM, EF EF 100-400L, Canon SX130

Hopefully increased comfort, as the standard bundled ones are unpadded. Also a bit less branding never hurt... the Optech ones also look like they're easy to remove (in part) when they're not needed.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

I would certainly buy one, utility or other kind.

Agun: I kinda liked the t-shirt idea

Hi Brian, I switched for comfort and efficiency of use. I photograph wildlife and as such spend a lot of time walking, crawling and find myself in a lot of awkward positions. When I used the neck strap which came with the camera I found it bouncing off my chest as I walked which became exptremely uncomfortable really fast. I have broad shoulders so wearing it over one just meant it would slip off every time I tried it if I wasnt holding it constantly and running or moving quickly was all but impossible. The strap I have now allows for all of the above and is extremely comfortable even after 12 hours of hiking or walking around. Add to this that when I do grab the camera and bring it to my eye it is now accomplished in what I consider to be the most natural and fastest motion possible and that's why I switched. Oh... and it has what I think to be the quickest release mechanism to release the camera from the strap while still making sure it is all but impossible to accidentaly release from the strap from the camera.

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Canon 7D + 50D + EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM + EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Pelican // Black Rapid // Think Tank // Manfrotto // Garmin

Reflections On Canadian Wildlife
My Flickr

Hi Brian, as the others have said, a decent strap can make the world of difference over the one supplied with the camera. A wider strap combined with slightly strechy material - like neoprene - can spread the load, make the camera feel much lighter and ultimately more comfortable to carry - just like a decent rucksack. Some straps also offer a quick release system for convenience. Some people also like the fact a third-party strap doesn't advertise their camera in big lettering.

As for branded goods, most of us have experienced some poor quality products, and that's something I'm keen to avoid.

That's why I'm looking to partner with Optech, which make what many consider to be the best straps in the world. I wouldn't want to sell you anything less with the cameralabs name on it!

How about "Cameralabs Sponsor" Or Affiliate or something? That would still look somewhat professional.

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I take pictures so quickly, my highschool was "Continuous High".

Can we offer them?
Id really love to have one!

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

UPDATE 15 JUNE 2010

We're planning on producing a cameralabs branded version of the Optech utility strap, here:

http://www.optechusa.com/product/detail ... CT_SUB_ID=

It'll be black with the Cameralabs logo and shutter icon in white.

I need to figure out locations and numbers - if you're interested in buying a Cameralabs / OPTech strap, please vote for your region in the new poll here.

Thanks!

Sweet as Gordon!

Would we be buying them directly from you through Cameralabs?

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Justin
Canon 50D
EF 50mm f1.8, 70-200mm f4L IS USM, 18-55mm IS
430EX speedlight
Photoshop CS4