Really beggining to find my way around the camera now after a couple of weeks from new, fingers are finding most things without having to look for them anymore and I'm starting to enjoy it all.
There is one thing that bothers me though. There's been a couple of occasions when I've found the shoulder strap snagged up round the side screen - spotted it time but I can't help thinking that sooner or later I may cause damage to the screen if not indeed rip it off! Anyone else found this and, if so, have you solved it in any way?

I guess the first thing to do is train yourself to close the screen into the locked position whenever the camera isn't actually shooting. If you aren't shooting there's no point having it out.

If you're using the camera hand held, get into the habit of flipping the strap over to the RHS of the camera away from all the controls and the screen.

If you're shooting on a tripod, get into the habit of feeding the strap through & around the hand grip strap a couple of times, this keeps it out of the way and stops it banging against things in a breeze.

Never, ever, ever carry the camera around with the screen left out/ open, its asking for disaster to strike.

Follow these simple rules and the screen is in no danger.


CS

Really beggining to find my way around the camera now after a couple of weeks from new, fingers are finding most things without having to look for them anymore and I'm starting to enjoy it all.
There is one thing that bothers me though. There's been a couple of occasions when I've found the shoulder strap snagged up round the side screen - spotted it time but I can't help thinking that sooner or later I may cause damage to the screen if not indeed rip it off! Anyone else found this and, if so, have you solved it in any way?

You could take the strap out of the equation by removing it. I've never found it useful, just gets in the way.

Forgot that a shoulder strap came with the A1 until I read this post.

Had to check in the box to make sure I got one at the time.

I think it was the first thing I got rid of.

Next was the microphone holder.

I've always put the strap round my neck unless I'm in danger of hanging myself, whether its stills camera or video, and I'm not about to change, two and a half grand (£GB) is not going to hit the floor for the sake of good practice!!
Chris, I think you may have it by simply changing to over the right shoulder - I'll give it a try. At the end of the day it's something simple that has realy not been thought out properly in the design stage, but nothings perfect.

The strap always struck me as a very consumer-camcorder type feature. Makes sense when you've got a Handicam and you're on vacation somewhere and want your hands free to look at your map or push the stroller...but the A1 is a tad big for dangling and the added safety is offset by the increased cumbersomeness, to me at least. Point is, don't be afraid to lose it if it really gets in the way.

Forgot that a shoulder strap came with the A1 until I read this post.

Had to check in the box to make sure I got one at the time.

I think it was the first thing I got rid of.

Next was the microphone holder.

Agreed on the mic holder too

I use the strap constantly. I do a lot of run and gun stuff and I like using it to shoot waist high moving stuff. Really helps to keep the camera stable.

Clay

I removed the strap after the first couple of shoots. The mic holder after another couple. If I need to dangle the camera over a ledge or something, and there is a risk of dropping it, I still have the strap in my bag and will put it back on when required. But for normal carrying, I find the top handle is comfortable to grip.

Richard

My strap has never left the box, I find it just gets in the way. Also I think that a camera this size is prone to damage if you hang it from your shoulder.
I reckon its one of those things that if your used to using it do it, if not forget it.

Jon

Umm... strap? What's that? :)

I spent a couple of days shooting at an antique car show last summer. The strap is handy if you're by yourself and have to go to the restroom. Better to wear the camera than leave it unattended somewhere. Of course, people look at you a bit weird when you go into a restroom with a video camera.

Of course, people look at you a bit weird when you go into a restroom with a video camera.

I'm not surprised.

I'm not surprised.

me neither!

I haven't attached the shoulder strap yet - and would only do so if it seemed an appropriate way to carry the camera in a particular situation - and that certainly won't be until I have some suitable body armour for it.

The microphone holder will go as soon as I find a small enough screw driver. And the hand strap on the right-hand side? Haven't used it at all as I do 99.9% of my shooting from a tripod. So that will go soon too - if it wasn't already on the camera, it would never have got there.

So go for what suits you and your way of shooting.

i found a use for that silly strap:

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?p=839923#post839923

also, this hard case fits the XH-A1 nicely, and with creative padding and packing, everything else. it's also the right size for carry-on, it locks, and the wheels detach. (i'm buying another one for laptop, hard drive, etc.)!!!
AND it's CHEAP:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10074021&catid=

also, i put the camera in a sleeping bag sac for a dust/moisture/scratch protector when packed in the case. call me obsessive-compulsive, but it works...

The strap is handy if you're by yourself and have to go to the restroom. Better to wear the camera than leave it unattended somewhere.

Of course you have to remember to hang the camera over your back (or fit the raincover).

Shoulder strap, obviously a major defect from Canon. :)

M