Shoulder Strap Worries at DVinfo.net

Brian Robertson · February 29th, 2008, 10:38 AM

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?

Chris Soucy · February 29th, 2008, 03:32 PM

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

Benjamin Hill · February 29th, 2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Robertson

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.

Bill Watson · February 29th, 2008, 04:53 PM

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.

Brian Robertson · February 29th, 2008, 06:29 PM

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.

Benjamin Hill · March 1st, 2008, 04:57 PM

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.

Benjamin Hill · March 1st, 2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Watson

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

Clay K. Carson · March 3rd, 2008, 08:59 AM

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

Richard Hunter · March 3rd, 2008, 07:33 PM

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

Jonathan Shaw · March 3rd, 2008, 10:03 PM

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

Bill Busby · March 4th, 2008, 01:59 AM

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

Bill Pryor · March 4th, 2008, 11:09 AM

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.

Bill Watson · March 4th, 2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

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

I'm not surprised.

Christopher Kuhn · March 5th, 2008, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Watson

I'm not surprised.

me neither!

Annie Haycock · March 5th, 2008, 11:44 AM

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.

February 29th, 2008, 10:38 AM	#1
Brian Robertson New Boot Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumbria UK. English Lake District Posts: 13	Shoulder Strap Worries 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?

February 29th, 2008, 03:32 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,688 Images: 18	Hi Brian............ 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

March 1st, 2008, 04:57 PM	#6
Benjamin Hill Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Iowa City, Iowa Posts: 670	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. __________________ youtube.com/benhillmedia linkedin.com/in/benhillmedia

March 3rd, 2008, 10:03 PM	#10
Jonathan Shaw Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 552	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 __________________ www.ginclearfilm.com www.facebook.com/ginclearfilm

February 29th, 2008, 04:53 PM	#4
Bill Watson Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Noosa Queensland Australia Posts: 248	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.

February 29th, 2008, 06:29 PM	#5
Brian Robertson New Boot Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumbria UK. English Lake District Posts: 13	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.

March 3rd, 2008, 08:59 AM	#8
Clay K. Carson Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Little Rock, Ar Posts: 49	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

March 3rd, 2008, 07:33 PM	#9
Richard Hunter Trustee Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lipa City Batangas, Philippines Posts: 1,110	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

March 4th, 2008, 01:59 AM	#11
Bill Busby Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 959	Umm... strap? What's that? :)

March 4th, 2008, 11:09 AM	#12
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	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.

March 5th, 2008, 11:44 AM	#15
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	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.