Camera straps, oh how I hate them.

Specifically, neck straps. Even more specifically, those neck straps that show, specifically, how expensive a camera you have hanging around your neck.

They are uncomfortable. The branded versions are potentially a bit of a liability. I find they itch, cause my neck to ache, and when you’re using a heavy camera, with a double battery grip, a big zoom and have a flash on board, they just get in the way.

Heck, I’ve even bonked my son in the head with the camera when I’ve leaned over to pick him up.

So, what do I use instead? What do I recommend? Sling straps.

There are many options on the market. Personally, I use a BlackRapid RS-5 – a very comfortable, very practacle strap that keeps the camera sitting off to my side when I’m not shooting, but stays put and distributes weight well at other times. Love it.

They can be a bit pricey though – so, the point of this post is to share a link – the DIY “glide strap” system.

http://www.diyphotography.net/shoot-quickly-with-a-diy-glide-strap

I wouldn’t recommend this with your high end, professional camera (You’ve got thousands of $$$ of equipment, spend $50 and get a rock solid solution!), but for the “pro-sumer” crowd, or even a point and shoot that you want to get off your neck, this is a fantastic solution!