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Hand/Wrist Strap for the a900?

mjm6

Member
Hi folks,

Is anyone using a hand or wrist strap for the a900? I have used neck straps for years, but I generally would prefer to have a hand strap if possible.

Markins makes a QR plate that has a strap lug on it, so a hand strap would be viable on the camera:

Link Here

Using this strap with the QR plate and you have a good way to carry the camera with one hand... maybe. That's the question. Anyone try an approach like this?

Any other options for this?

Oh yes, I'm a new Sony a900 convert, after spending the last 25 years using Canon 35mm gear.


---Michael
 

tom in mpls

Active member
I used the Markins strap on my 5D; it is wonderful. I have another on order for my A900, but plan to use it with my new ImageTooling.com P1DS_LP QR plate. Since the strap is not yet in my possession, I have not been able to try it out. I agree this is the best way to handle the camera.

Please note that the ImageTooling.com web site doesn't list this plate yet, but I exchanged emails with Jim (Mr. ImageTooling, I guess) who told me about his new plate. It fits the A900 whereas his original P1DS that I have on my Canon does not.

http://www.imagetooling.com/
 

Terry

New member
I have the Sony strap and bought the Hassy strap that Guy and Marc have used. I find the Hassy strap a bit too big for the camera but I just was trying it out before going to Iceland and I don't know if I had it optimally set up. Not sure if Marc uses his with a battery grip which might be the difference.
 

mjm6

Member
Tom,

Thanks for the mention of this other plate. I wasn't aware of them, so it's worth looking into.

TEB,

Are you referring to the standard Sony strap (that comes with the camera)? Or is there a hand/wrist strap from Sony and Hassleblad? I don't intend to get the vertical grip for the camera, so anything that relies on that won't work for me.

I've always liked the OP/Tek straps for a neck strap, and if I need to, I'll use one of those, but if I can get a hand strap to work well, I think I'd prefer that approach.


---Michael
 

mjm6

Member
TEB,

OK, thanks. That looks like it'll work on the other plates as you indicate. Maybe I'll chase one of those down.


---Michael
 

Braeside

New member
The nice thing with the Sony handstrap is that you can use the neck strap at the same time as there is a buckle on it to attach the strap.

The Sony neoprene strap is excellent because it can unbuckle so that if you are using a tripod you can remove it and clip the small lengths left on the camera together to keep them out of the way.
 

mjm6

Member
Breaeside,

That part of why I like the OP/Tek straps so much, when the strap is not needed you unclip the strap and then you can clip the two ends together into a much shorter hand strap, or just leave them dangle. Plus, the neoprene softens the shock of the camera on the shoulder.


---Michael
 

Eoin

Member
I've always wondered what people were raving about with these OpTech straps. I got one for one of my a900's and hey! I'm now a believer. Talk about comfortable, talk about making the weight disappear, talk about not having to constantly re-position it on my shoulder. Possibly the best few €'s I've ever spent to make my photography life that bit better. Recommended 1000%.

With regard to hand straps, I use my old Canon 1D type hand strap with my a900 sometimes. Either with a battery grip or with the RRS L bracket fitted. I have the extra buckle fitted to allow use of the shoulder strap, but by in large I tend to use just the hand grip on it's own without the complication of extra trailing straps getting in the way.
 

mjm6

Member
Eoin,
The one drawback to the OP/Tech straps (other than cost) is the bouncy neoprene, which can really get the camera moving if it's heavy, or has a heavy lens attached. You have to worry about it bouncing into a table or something if you aren't careful. Especially if you are moving quickly.

But I think they are great overall.


---Michael
 

dhsimmonds

New member
I use the Sony handstrap with the vertical grip and I like it. It feels very similar to my ex-Leica R9/DMR set up with it's standard handstrap.
 

jdbfreeheel

Member
+1 for the Sony Hand strap. I lucked out a while back and found it mis-marked for 1/2 the retail price (at a Sony Store no less) and they honored the marked price.

I use it with the RRS L bracket and am happy with how it works.
 
D

dmcnickle

Guest
Are you guys talking about the Sony hand strap or the grip belt that TEB provided a link to?
 

dhsimmonds

New member
Me too..... I call it a handstrap but Sony describe it as a belt(?)! As an Anglo-Saxon, belts to me are what I wear around what I laughingly call my waist!
 

mjm6

Member
Tom,

I got the plate you recommended, so I'm all good there, and I'm waiting on the Sony strap that Terry recommended.

I like that the Sony strap allows a regular strap to be connected to it as well. I'm not sure if the Markins does or not.

Anyway, I should be good to go shortly.

Now all I need to do is figure out a very small/light travel tripod and ball head for those times that I can't take my Gitzo 1348 (like next month, when I travel to Italy)...


---Michael
 

tom in mpls

Active member
I like that the Sony strap allows a regular strap to be connected to it as well. I'm not sure if the Markins does or not.
Yes, the Markins strap does have a lug at the top of the strap to attach a neck strap.

My vote for the neck strap is the Optech.
 

jsparks

Member
Tom,

Now all I need to do is figure out a very small/light travel tripod and ball head for those times that I can't take my Gitzo 1348 (like next month, when I travel to Italy)...


---Michael
I'm going to Italy in October. I've decided to skip the tripod and just take a tabletop tripod (Manfroto). None of the lightweight tripods I've seen seem adequate. I've also decided to leave my A900 at home and take a Panasonic G1. Without using a tripod, the difference between the two is a lot smaller than I expected. I think it takes a good tripod to get the full benefits of the A900.
 
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