Camera Strap Reviews: Pro – BosStrap & Enthusiast – iMO Straps

Camera straps come in a variety of designs and although the standard straps that come with a camera are functional and indeed support the camera, they do have their shortcoming, including bold colored company names advertising the equipment you carry.

We’ll take a look at 2 different camera strap companies. One is designed for professional DSLR photographers carrying heavy equipment, while the other is designed for all of you photo enthusiasts with lightweight cameras.

BosStrap Generation 3 Sliding Sling Strap System with the New Patent Pending Generation 3 BosTail (G3 Tail)

This is a camera strap that was made with the professional photographer in mind – those who carry heavier DSLR cameras and lenses. It has addressed all the standard strap shortcomings (slippage from your shoulder and weight pressure on the back of the neck), along with many additional, unique benefits.

Photo of person wearing the BosStrap Generation 3 Sliding Sling Strap System with the New Patent Pending Generation 3 BosTail (G3 Tail)

Because BosStrap is worn sling-style, diagonally across the chest, there are no issues with it falling from your shoulder or with it creating equipment weight strain on the back of the neck.

The Sliding Strap Sling System is a two part system:

A. 1 ½” strap with a smooth action, nickel plated metal slide that moves along the strap.

B. A 12″ Generation 3 BosTail that attaches to the left camera strap lug and can be removed from the metal slide fitting.

Once you have attached the G3 Tail to your camera and the metal slider and made the adjustments on the 64” strap and long G3 Tail so your right hand falls on the camera grip, you will find that you can quickly and smoothly pull your camera up to your eye as it slides along the strap.

In the field:

You’ll find that the strap position doesn’t change much at all as you perform the action of pulling the camera up to your eye over and over again, nor does the smooth metal slide catch on your clothing. There is a buckle called the triglide that is positioned so the metal slider and camera cannot slide back from its location on the strap, so the camera always fits within your grasp. And the 1 ½” wide strap distributes the weight of your equipment more evenly across the width of the strap at the top of your shoulder. Personally, finding a way to add some adjustable, washable padding at the shoulder would feel even better, since collarless, light weight clothing is worn in the hot Florida sun.

When the camera is not in use, it is set up to rest at your hip with the lens pointing to the back. However, as a woman testing the strap, I found that this position made the strap slide towards the neck causing equipment weight discomfort and constant readjustment. It was much more comfortable with the metal slider hanging inline directly below the center point between the shoulder and neck. I just readjusted the strap length so my hand still fit at the camera’s hand grip. In the altered position, the camera rests inside the hip bone when not in use and has little movement and swing when walking hands-free.

Photo of the BosStrap patent pending G3 Tail

The Patent Pending G3 Tail attaches to the left camera strap lug – NOT TO YOUR TRIPOD SOCKET. This made it easy to switch from tripod to shoulder and back again. While you’re shooting, the tail stays out of the way, whether you are shooting horizontally or vertically. The tail has a great feature – a cam buckle with a safety sleeve attached, creating two levels of security. You don’t have to worry about it detaching accidentally and yet, it can easily be removed from the sling strap if you like, while it remains attached to the camera.

Note to the original review: With extended use, I have noticed that the nylon webbed tail is beginning to fray on the edges, so you’ll want to keep inspecting it to be sure it does not tear all the way across the webbing.

Specifications:

Type of Strap: Sliding Sling (This provides much better weight distribution.)

Color: Black
Supports over 60 pounds -10x the weight of a typical professional rig

Occupies Tripod Socket: No (This I found to be a key feature.)

Attachment: Point Left Camera Strap Lug

Fully Adjustable: Yes, both sling and the G3 Tail (Easy to adjust.)

BosStrap Material: Nylon Seat Belt (This is strong, durable, flexible and lightweight.)

BosStrap Size: 1½” wide, 64” long

OP Tail Material: Nylon

OP Tail Size: ⅜”wide, 12” long, 1,100 lb test (Well made and I felt my camera was secure.)

Fittings: Metal, Acetal, Nylon

Storage: Wrap around lens, no need to remove

Weight 4.0 oz. (112 grams)

Warranty: Yes, full 1 year on defects

Manufactured: USA

Users: Left or right-handed shooters
No fittings, buckles or screws to disconnect, ever!

Overall, I found the camera strap to be a good piece of equipment and would recommend it to both professional and non-professional photographers. However, just be sure to keep an eye on the webbing of the tail for any frayed edges.

Be sure to check out the BosStrap Light Line of Sliding Sling Straps and a Unique Hand Band BosStrap LT Line for lighter cameras and video equipment weighing up to 3 lbs.

To get more information or to order you BosStrap with the G3 Tails visit www.BosStrap.com.

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On the other end of the spectrum are the fashion straps that are made for camera enthusiasts.

iMO Straps

If you are a photo enthusiast or amateur with a light weight camera and would like a cosmetic and functional upgrade from the standard camera strap that accompanies your camera, then iMO has a wonderful variety of fun designer straps that make a fashion statement.

Photo of black and white patterned iMO camera strap

Photo of quick releases on cameras by iMOstraps

The straps appear to be well made with heavy leather ends. The stitching holding the nylon straps that attach to the camera or to the nylon quick release strap appears to be strong, but I’m not sure it would stand the test of time.

They are worn around the neck, so unless you have a lightweight camera, you are going to feel the pressure and weight on the back of your neck. Also, you will have sliding off the shoulder issues if carrying your camera on the shoulder. “Our original idea is to put it on the neck or across the body – no extra anti-slide material is added.”

They come with or without a quick release strap, depending on which design you choose. If you want to have more than one strap and have fun with a variety of designs, choose the straps that accommodate the additional quick release strap.

The straps without the quick release will be more secure, as I had great concerns with the security of the quick release strap. Though they state that the webbing is strong and can hold a lot of weight, the small unprotected, plastic release could break or release accidentally. The nylon strap attached to the release is merely folded over and held with one small rivet – no stitching.

I would recommend them for the casual, lightweight camera user only – the photo enthusiast. And even at that, if you chose a strap that utilizes the quick release buckle, I would keep an eye on it.

You can find them at www.imostrap.com.
This is a Hong Kong company, but delivery was quite prompt and all was intact.

Prices vary according to design.

by Marla Meier, APM Editor
Review: © 2012 Marla Meier. All Rights Reserved.
Photos provided by Bostrap and iMO.

All written content (and most images) in these articles are copyrighted by the authors. Copyrighted material from Apogee Photo Mag should not be used elsewhere without seeking the authors permission.

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