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| Shoelace as neck strap |
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| How I carry a camera |
About 10 years ago I stopped using the neck straps supplied by camera makers and switched to shoe laces.
Why ?
* I rarely carry a camera by the neck strap. I carry a camera as shown in the photograph, ready for immediate use or in a bag. You can see the shoelace strap is wrapped around my wrist.
* The neck strap is for changing lenses, a two handed operation.
* Standard neck straps are excessively wide and bulky. They consume too much space in a camera bag.
* If the camera has strap lugs of the type seen on the GH4 a normal neck strap requires those pesky little triangular metal connector thingies, which I hate.
* Shoe laces are plenty strong and durable enough. I have never had a problem with them.
How ?
If the strap lugs are round type as seen on the GH4 and many cameras, I use round shoelaces. I cut off the crimped plastic ends and taper the cut end with a soldering iron. This allows the lace to be threaded through the round eye. A cut length of 90 cm is about right. I tie off the lace with a bowline and tidy up the loose end with a bit of black electrical tape.
If the strap lugs are of the D type, flat laces can be used. These can be sewn in or tied as above.
Result Light weight, minimal bulk, maximum convenience and utility. The ideal camera accessory.