Not too sure how many of you are using some sort of strap on your camera, but after only a short while with a good 35mm SLR in my kit, I decided that there was a need to have more than a simple neck strap on my prized possession. So after looking at what was available back in the mid 70's, I came up with this method. The reasoning was that when out shooting all day long and always trying to get that specific angle for that special shot, which may entail clambering up and down in gullys or over rocks, for that matter, any place you need to contort your body in different shapes, you really don't want to just allow your neck strap to hold your camera and let it swing where it may. Once it's out of your hand, all it takes is a little distraction and one knock on a lens, to damage the lens, mount or both. For me, I decided that the only way to keep the camera and lens in my mind, was to keep it in my hand.
I made up a short strap, which is custom fitted to my hand by measuring with camera in hand, and then sewn in a locked position so as to not allow the buckle to be entrusted to the safety of the device. The strap came from one of my previous cameras and is made with a half twist and rejoined in a loop to make a mobius strip. The reason for the half twist should be apparent in the images attached. When in place, there is only flat material all the way around the wrist and the camera is totally supported by the strap, to the point that if the hand is opened, it will stay in a ready-to-shoot position. Camera in hand - Camera in mind.......no more forgetting about it ! I've used this strap type for years now and slipping it on comes as second nature.
Obviously, this strap wasn't designed to support the weight of a long lens which normally has its own tri-pod mount, but will always give a sense of security for having your camera tethered to your hand.
Here's a few images to illustrate what I use and how it fits my hand....
These images were shot with my Casio EX-V7 .......primarily used for shooting video, but can do an OK job when called upon. No manipulation was done on these shots, since they were only provided to illustrate the text.
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