Opteka Professional Wrist Grip Strap for Digital & Film SLR Cameras
by Opteka
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Opteka Professional Wrist Grip Strap for Digital & Film SLR Cameras
Customer Review: Very comfortable and functional
Summary: 5 Stars
Canon didn't leave many options for a "back of the hand" strap on its EOS 40D/50D camera's, unless one uses a battery grip that has mounts for a hand strap (and that's just additional extra weight if you don't need it). This hand strap makes use of the tripod mount, and one of the top neck strap loops on the camera to mount the strap to. It's completely adjustable to any length, and I tucked the adjustment buckle and excess strap length inside the padded strap cover to dress it up. Matches the Canon "look" well.
The hand strap adds a mounting loop on the bottom bracket (the one that screws in to the tripod mount) for re-attaching a neck strap if you like. I don't plan to ever use a neck strap again - they are very uncomfortable when I carry a camera as heavy as this. If you want a neck strap, buy a holster and keep your camera in that to carry with its neck strap...
Personally, I can't stand neck/shoulder straps in general, and use the holster's belt strap for infinitely more comfort, and "quick draw" access to my camera with its new hand strap!
This hand strap allows for the tripod mount to still be used, as it provides a separate socket. I tried it on my tripod and it seemed to hold ok. I couldn't get the hand strap mount to the tripod as tight as I could the camera to the tripod though. Something to keep in mind.
You do need to loosen and move the strap tripod bracket to the side in order to access the battery compartment on the EOS 50D. You DON'T have to remove the bracket though, and can leave your hand securely inside the hand strap even for a battery change. Note that loosening/moving the mount bracket would be cumbersome if also mounted on a tripod. Best to temporarily remove the bottom strap bracket from the camera tripod mount, and then secure the camera directly to the tripod in my opinion. For my Slik tripod, I can access the battery EVEN when the camera is tripod mounted.
The length of the tripod mounting bracket on the strap is roughly 3/4 the width of the bottom of the 50D camera, and this allows one to sit the camera "flat" on a table top, without the camera rocking over to one side. Nice for pix that you want to get in when you don't have a tripod with you. Protects the bottom of the camera from getting scratched on rocks or other rough surfaces you have to set it up on to get that stable shot, or one with you in the picture. Lets the lens hood and strap bracket take the abuse...
Final assessment - given the challenge Canon left us, this strap is awesome if you want to use a back-of-the-hand strap. Very comfortable and functional, and EXACTLY what I wanted. My camera will travel around in a holster or camera bag, unless I'm prepped to shoot, in which case it'll be securely attached to my hand via this strap. I could walk for miles with this hand strap as well, knowing there's no way to drop the camera. One other point - if you trip and fall, it's MUCH easier to direct your camera hand in to the air to avoid ground contact, than to quickly grab for a camera wrapped around your neck and THEN try to keep it from hitting the ground (or hanging you by your neck if it catches on something!!!)
Excellent product!
Customer Review: No complaints here!
Summary: 5 Stars
An off-brand photo gizmo that costs less than $10 will generally disappoint the user; but that's not the case with this grip strap. It is listed as a 'wrist' grip strap, but it has nothing to do with the wrist. The quality and assembly are first-rate. After reading some of the reviews, I think some people expect a grip strap to perform miracles! All it will do is make the camera easier to hold and carry, instead of relying on those ungainly neck straps. That's all I expect from it. It may increase steadiness for some, but don't expect too much from it.
It has three adjustments that should allow almost any user to get a good comfortable fit. First; the bottom attachment plate has a slot allowing the attachment screw to slide fore or aft before it is tightened to the camera. This allows the plate to be attached at different angles, until the user finds what is suitable. Second; the strap length is adjustable through the buckle. Third, and very important in my opinion; the pad can be slid up or down the strap.
I have found this grip strap to fit me best when the pad is centered over my knuckles (not the back of my hand), and the pad is slid down so it does not interfere with my trigger finger. This allows that finger easy access to the shutter button and the control wheel. I also rerouted the strap through the pad so the buckle is below the pad, away from my trigger finger. I have the strap adjusted quite loose, but tight enough that I don't have to worry about dropping my camera as it hangs at my side. This allows my thumb to easily access the back controls; a tight strap restricts finger and thumb movement and gets uncomfortable in a few minutes. I think some who have given this strap a bad review because they can't easily reach the controls probably had the strap cinched too tight, or located too far back on the hand. Mine does not 'press' my palm and fingers into the camera, but just positions them lightly around the camera grip so I can walk around and not have to consciously think about gripping the camera. I also think this helps me to better steady the camera when shooting, but even with this strap, shooting should be done with both hands holding the camera for the best composition and steadiness. If a person just wants to point and shoot with one hand, they should use a point and shoot camera-don't expect a grip strap to turn an SLR into a point and shoot! I do notice some increased steadiness when holding my camera in the portrait (vertical) mode.
I have this strap attached to my Canon 40D camera, my hand takes an XL men's glove size, and I find the strap fits fine. If the strap is restricting your reach to the camera controls, try loosening it, and maybe position it more toward the fingers. If you think the strap allows your hand too much movement since it doesn't clamp your hand tightly to the camera (while still allowing finger movement), I don't know what to say; except I don't know of any strap that does that, and I don't see why anyone would want it to.
Customer Review: Decent accessory for Nikon D60
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this product a couple of months ago and initially wasn't sure I liked it. I am just a hobby photographer and had never used a hand strap like this before. When installed it takes a while to get used to. You can install a regular neck strap using the molded anchor point and the remaining strap anchor on the camera. This is a little disconcerting at first and causes the camera to hang at an angle instead of level. So, it changes the handling ergonomics of the camera. Also, I have found the base doesn't really mount flush with the camera bottom so, you have to compensate if you are using a tripod.
So, it sounds like I really didn't like it. Then I took it off my camera. Man did I miss it! It makes the camera much easier to handle and less likely to be dropped. The camera simply stays on your hand even with a relaxed grip which is very nice. I have found the camera hanging at an angle keeps the lens (especially telephoto) against the body and less susceptible to bumping when moving around. The tripod issue is still there but, I almost never use a tripod and you can either deal with the flatness issue by either temporarily unscrewing the base or adjusting the tripod if you want to keep a quick release on at all times.
I have it adjusted so that my index finger is outside the strap so, I can reach the shutter release and other adjustments. I don't have it tight on my hand. Just snug enough that my curled fingers engage the camera. You just have to play with the strap tightness until you find the right adjustment for you. You need to figure out the proper neck strap orientation if you are using a curved strap so that the neck strap doesn't cross in behind your camera when you raise it for a shot. If it does the neck strap connections need to be reversed. Or, put the camera over your neck the other way with a flat strap. Sounds more complicated than it really is...you'll figure it out.
Overall, I highly recommend this product. It a simple, inexpensive device that makes my camera easier for me to use. I don't know how well it would perform on a larger camera body. Probably the same.
Pros:
Aids greatly in preventing accidental drops.
Holds the lens closer to the body when used with a neck strap (you may or may not like this).
Works well on small camera bodies like a D60 or similar.
Light and inexpensive.
Will allow one-handed operation of the camera for quick shots when necessary.
Can be used with or without a neck strap.
Cons:
Changes camera ergonomics which you may not like.
Base doesn't really sit level when tightened down.
Hope this helps!
Customer Review: Wrist Grip for Canon XSi
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this wrist strap for use with a Canon XSi DSRL. The included longer strap felt a little silly to me since it was such a small camera and it was weird having it on my shoulder or around my neck. I wanted really a wrist strap since the camera was small enough to be able to hand hold most of the time with a little bit of support from a strap.
This wrist strap does the job. It's not extremely comfortable to use, but it isn't unbearable either. Since I have purchased this, I don't even carry around the included strap at all anymore. I am not a professional just an enthusiast, but I find it's more convenient to have my camera in my hand and if I think I'm not going to be using my camera for awhile place it in my camera bag.
It is comfortable enough to be used for extended periods of time. On hot humid days though the material isn't pleasant to have against your skin for extended periods of time. Having the wrist strap on the camera doesn't require me to make any adjustments in my camera bag. I can still place my camera in it's slot and it's actually easier then when I had a neck strap since I don't have to account for a large strap.
Some cons I have noticed:
You can't set the camera down level on a table when using this. Because it screws into the tripod attachment slot on the camera bottom, the bottom portion causes the camera not to sit level on the surface. It will either end up balancing precariously or more often balancing using your lens (which I don't imagine is ideal). If a flash is mounted on the camera it only compounds this problem. If I need to quickly place my camera down, I might place it on it's side so that it doesn't fall over, otherwise I don't often put the camera down just in fear of it being knocked over.
The wrist strap does prevent you from using the included neck/shoulder strap or a most other strap setups. I know for many people you wouldn't necessarily want to use both, but I don't think it would have been too difficult to have made it so both could be used (in the event you wanted too).
I'd highly recommend this product and if mine broke for some reason I'd get it replaced.
Customer Review: Awesome Camera Grip
Summary: 5 Stars
I got a grip that looks exactly like this one from Ebay so I don't have the Opteka grip. I just wanted to comment on the functionality.
I have a Canon T2i with no battery grip. I would consider myself to have medium sized hands.
So, I loosened the grip so that it would fit over my knuckles. With my index finger I can take photos and turn the dial no problem. With my thumb, I can turn on the camera no problem. However, I would have to use my left hand to turn the camera off (which isn't a big deal to me).
I can use my thumb to press any of the other buttons on the back of the camera. I had no problem pressing the play button or the delete button. If you are going to view/delete a lot of photos at once I did find it more comfortable to place my left hand underneath the lens and slide my right hand out of the grip just a bit (my fingers are still wrapped around the front of the camera). This way my right thumb has more room to move around.
There is a spot where you can tie your neck strap to the hand grip (which is located on the bottom of the camera). You could probably take the neck strap and just throw it over your left shoulder. I haven't done this yet but I think this would be more comfortable than having the camera hang off of your neck.
As for that plastic buckle that the strap wraps around. People have mentioned that it can get in your way. I did find it a nuisance because my hand would rub up against it. So, I just slid the whole strap so that the black buckle would be underneath the leather grip itself. Others have said that they took the strap and had the black buckle to be underneath the camera (one of the user pictures shows this). You can decide for yourself which method you like better.
Overall, I like these kinds of grips. I can still reach everything with my right hand while the leather part is over my knuckle. So, I'm happy with it.