Review: OP/TECH 37012 Pro Loop Strap

In January I was walking around an unfamiliar city alone, at night, looking for photo opportunities. Most of this city is wonderful, but as I walked I found myself in parts of town that didn't seem quite as nice as where I'd been staying. I tucked my camera under my jacket so as not to attract undue attention.  The problem is, that the black and yellow strap with the bold wording "Nikon D300" was still visible. It was at this moment when I decided that a more subtle strap was in order.  Have you ever noticed that on lower end DSLR models the strap just says "Nikon," but as you climb up the food chain, Nikon also prints the model of the camera on the included strap.  This just screams "MUG ME PLEASE!" Also, I've owned various makes of SLRs for decades, but I've never been a fan of wearing their brand name like a beauty pageant sash across my body.

Anyway, a plain black strap was in order. After a bit of research, I settled on an OP/TECH 37012 Pro Loop Strap. I am so glad I switched. This inexpensive strap has many features that improve both function and comfort.

Comfort:

• The neoprene material is stretchy. It acts like a shock absorber. I always have my battery grip attached and often a big piece of glass hanging off the front. With every step you take, you no longer get abused by the weight of the gear around your neck.
• It's 2.5" wide at the apex. That's a full inch wider than the strap my camera came with.
• On the inside apex of the strap there is a grid of little clear rubberized dots that helps keep the strap in place.
• It's soft. It feels much better than the manufacturers' straps
• I'm and average size male and this is strap was the right size for me right out of the package, without adjusting the length.  It had plenty of room to shorten the length and a bit of room for extension.  If you're a tall or large person, you might need to consider the available extenders to add some length.

Function:

• Attaches to camera with loops.  This is fast and secure. 
• The closer you get to the camera, the thiner the strap becomes. This means you have less bulk interfering with your access to the controls on your camera.
• Quick-release connectors let you switch from a shoulder strap to a shorter hand strap. The orientation of these connectors are swapped on the two ends so that when you remove the middle neoprene section, the remaining ends clip together.
• The strap is quiet. Unlike other replacement straps, this one has no metal swivel clips that clink and rattle when you raise the camera to your eye.
• That grid of little clear rubberized dots I mentioned above keeps the camera from sliding off of your shoulder. While not the way I recommend carrying your camera, it is sometimes unavoidable for short periods of time, such as when I'm wearing a sling pack.

For only about $15, the safety, comfort and function of this strap is outstanding.

Comments

[Thorpeland]

Alex, great review! Your timing couldn't be better. Just this past weekend i was considering a new camera strap. I had no idea what was out there. My only question about this one; how does it attach to the camera's strap-loops? I also use my battery grip and often switch my strap from the side mount to the grips corner mount. Does this strap quick release for easy switching? I hate having to always un-thread the strap then re-thread it. Thanks!

[Alex Suarez]

Thanks for your question, Thorpe. The strap attaches and removes quickly and easily. You pop the quick releases from the neoprene segment, feed the end loops through the eyelets on your camera, thread the strap end though the loop and reattach the quick releases. Done.

Hope that made sense. For more illustrations, check out the images on the manufacturer's web site.

[Thorpeland]

Yup, thats what I wanted to hear. Thanks man. I'll be ordering one tonight. :D