Strapped

When I got my F3, all I wanted was to put it into use with the equipment it was designed for. I needed a strap and I began to search for the branded strap that came that was stock to my camera. I enjoy researching my interests, I dove deep back in time and looked at photojournalist from the 80’s that used the F3. 

Steve McCurry, the guy that took one of the most famous photographs, the Afghan girl (Nikon FM2) didn’t use a Nikon logo strap. 

Eddie Adams, the renowned Nikon using war photojournalist that took the photo of the Saigon street killing scene, the head shot of the Vietnamese guy, I didn’t see any photos of him using a Nikon strap, and he was a part of Nikon’s advertising campaign. 

Jim Brandenburg, primarily a wildlife photographer, I could not find any pics of him using a branded Nikon strap. 

As a matter of fact if you search the internet for “what cameras do the most famous photographers use?” You’re going to find most of the best photographers in the field use a skinny nylon or a leather strap in black or brown. Or they don’t use a strap at all. In the searches that I did, big branded camera straps were typically seen on sites with advertisements. Amateur photographers with the logo strap in full view, and most were young. Seems I didn’t see any older photographers using branded straps.

Recently, I made a social media post in a popular forum, I made a joke (really, not really) about the F3 motor drive, the MD-4 being a “boat anchor” because it is heavy and I preferred to use my camera without it. But when I did, I used a particular strap. A gentleman picked right up on my choice of strap saying it was ugly and he used a Nikon branded straps. I didn’t think much about it at the time.

“Ok, use what you want.” 

It really doesn’t matter to me what you use to take your pictures.

My point? Who cares what strap you want to use, use the strap that makes you happy. Or don’t use one. Or role play, be who you are, use an advertisement strap, it does not matter to anyone but you. You shouldn’t care what other people think of you, it’s really none of your business what I think.

Personally, I think there are better straps than an advertisement strap.

I believe in choices.

The Nikon F3 with the MD-4 motor drive is heavy. If you are carrying another camera and and a shoulder bag with a bunch of your stuff, you probably are hustling and your shoulders are going to be a little sore from the strap bite wearing that logo strap. 

Or are you even using a strap at all?

If so, use the strap you want.

I use a black strap, an Optech, a cheap and comfortable when I carry the boat anchor hanging on my neck. 

I use a strap that works for me. A Nikon branded advertisement strap works but I’ve learned. If I used a Canon, a Leica, or a Hasselblad, I would use the same strap I use now, it’s comfortable and cheap, what it costs does not matter but I do enjoy a good deal.

I choose the strap based on the job that it’s tasked for, comfort.

My last Optech was $10, the lens I love is $700 and the camera another few hundred. Money strap, the Optech is a steal. My F3 is my favorite camera but I sure do have fun with my FG. 

Use what you want. You want to show others what camera you choose? Do it. I don’t. You want to spend money on a Leica? None of my business, that’s your interest, be you.

I’ll be me and personally, I like comfortable black strap that blends in and works.

I’ve got a bunch of Nikon straps, I bought them to use and now they live in a shoebox in my closet. My camera is black, so are my straps. 

What kind of strap do you use or not use?