There are eight totally different coloration styles of the OpTech Professional Loop strap and pricing appears to vary slightly relying on which coloration you go for, this was definitely the case when wanting on Amazon. With costs for the Forest, Nature and Navy fashions throughout $15-20, however the black prices nearer to $20, and the Crimson and Royal variations are near $30 so there’s probably much less inventory of those. Proudly Made within the USA it’s pretty simple to pay money for the complete spectrum of colours, although right here within the UK the place I’m writing from I may solely discover the usual black and royal blue fashions on Amazon which each retail for round £20. So there are some respectable financial savings available for those who’re not too fussed on the colour.
Regardless, $15-30 for a digital camera strap is on the extra reasonably priced aspect and makes it very budget-friendly. I’ve additionally not too long ago reviewed the Peak Design Slide Lite and Urth Core Digicam Strap which each retail for round $70. And while each of those straps may very effectively be value the additional spend, it’s positively good to have a product just like the OpTech to cater for photographers with smaller budgets.
OpTech Professional Loop Strap: Design & Dealing with
The OpTech Professional Loop has beefy neck padding which will increase consolation particularly when hanging heavy telephotos lenses out of your neck for lengthy durations (Picture credit score: Dan Mildew)
The OpTech Professional Loop Strap is proudly Made within the USA so it’s spectacular the corporate has managed to maintain the value very enticing at across the $20-30 mark.
It’s just like the digital camera straps which come inventory along with your digital camera in that that it’s a big piece of cloth with changes for size, nonetheless the place it differs and is an enchancment is that theres a big padded piece of froth across the neck space to cushion this a part of your physique and supply extra consolation. The froth padding measures 34cm throughout and at its widest it’s 6cm and likewise 6mm deep so there’s so respectable thick padding and is especially helpful for heavier setups and DSLRs which may trigger the load hanging to actually dig the strap into your neck. It may also be worn over the shoulder as an alternative of a neck strap.
The Professional Loop has fast launch straps for every digital camera lug and will be rapidly tethered or untethered from the strap by its buckles (Picture credit score: Dan Mildew)
The 2 cloth straps coming off either side of the froth pad are product of nylon, although the there’s some stretchy elastic materials working alongside the again of the froth so as to add rigidity and assist and to cease the froth from tearing below heavy masses.
Each straps have a fast launch plastic buckle to take away them quick and can also be used to string them via the eyelets of your digital camera. While this was high quality on the chunky eyelets of my Canon EOS R6 Mark II, some cameras could have smaller eyelets and require a break up ring for use to connect them – sadly none come included with the strap.
The short launch system is primary however efficient, although because it’s fairly chunky it is not as fast to launch the fast launch tethers to the digital camera as say the Peak Design or Urth methods which use skinny twine to suit via the digital camera strap lugs (Picture credit score: Dan Mildew)
While I obtained maintain of the OpTech Professional Loop for this evaluate which has bigger 2cm width, there’s additionally the marginally extra reasonably priced Professional Strap which has thinner left and proper fast launch straps and is simply 6mm vast. This implies the straps will undoubtedly get in the way in which rather less however be higher suited to lighter setups.
By way of {hardware} the strap makes use of two leather-based tabs and likewise plastic buckles and adjustment rings. Given the value level I can see why there’s no steel {hardware} discovered right here, and while this does imply it won’t final as lengthy after heavy use, it does assist to maintain the load down.
OpTech Professional Loop Strap: Efficiency The OpTech Professional Loop is on the market to suit a variety of builds and is totally adjustable from 61cm to 129.5cm. I obtained maintain of the Professional Loop model with its wider 3/8” straps which might take heavier setups in comparison with the thinner 1/4” model.
OpTech claims the Professional Loop can take as much as 66Kg, although suggests loading up not more than 7Kg for a cushty expertise. OpTech proudly says its giant neoprene pad ought to make it really feel such as you’re carrying half that weight of what you’re carrying, in comparison with a traditional neck strap. In my expertise the curved neoprene pad evenly distributed the load and did add consolation when capturing.
Measuring over 6cm on the widest level and 6mm deep the neck padding provides a lot consolation when utilizing heavy equipment for lengthy durations both used on the neck or over the shoulder (Picture credit score: Dan Mildew)
I loaded the strap up with my previous DSLR and 70-200mm f/2.8 lens which tipped the scales at 2.4Kg – one third of the beneficial most weight. With this in thoughts the strap can be appropriate for heavier optics reminiscent of a 400mm f/2.8 or f/4. The important thing query I requested myself was may I depend on a $15 strap to maintain my costly telephoto lenses secure and safe. The quick reply is sure, although if you’d like further safety you could be higher off with a product such because the Black Fast Sport Breathe which is a cross-body design with an addition security tether and extra substantial steel {hardware} in comparison with the plastic buckles discovered on the OpTech – although it’s far more costly at $100.
The within of the neck strap has grippy strips to assist hold the strap in place (Picture credit score: Dan Mildew)
On the within of the neoprene pad you’ll discover strips of grippy materials, probably rubber or silicone, and these add slightly extra grip in comparison with the comfortable and clean really feel of the neoprene. I assumed this may be uncomfortable on my neck nevertheless it really wasn’t and it did assist hold the strap in place and cease the digital camera swinging round an excessive amount of. It additionally works effectively over a coat, or shoulder, and once more right here it retains the strap in place properly.
There is a heavy obligation elasticated strap that runs alongside the again of the neoprene padding so as to add further assist and cushioning (Picture credit score: Dan Mildew)
A small concern I had with the OpTech Professional Loop, though it’s additionally a degree I’ve raised when reviewing different digital camera straps is that the left strap lug is feminine, whereas the best aspect is male, and for those who’re not paying consideration it’s fairly simple to by accident combine these up. Contemplating they’re not the quickest attachments to place in your digital camera or binoculars it may be slightly annoying when this happenes.
One factor value noting is the nylon straps take up water so you must be slightly cautious when capturing out in a downpour and also you’ll must wring your strap out and cling it as much as dry totally afterwards. The neoprene pad was slightly extra water-proof with water drops beading off it, however would take up moisture when pushing the water drops into it, so it is going to probably take up sweat over time and wish cleansing.
OpTech Professional Loop Strap: Verdict The OpTech Professional Loop is a strap that doesn’t break the financial institution and is a transparent improve from the inventory strap normally included within the field with a brand new digital camera. The substantial neoprene padding helps with consolation no finish and the truth that it’s accessible in not one, however eight totally different colours helps add some distinctive character to your digital camera setup and makes it helpful to establish which digital camera is yours when put down on amongst a bunch of photographers – reminiscent of at a sporting occasion.
The OpTech Professional Loop is a strap is 100% an enchancment on the inventory strap and it aides consolation so it’s a particular win for those who’re on a strict funds. Although for sports activities photographers searching for a extra comfy solution to lug their heavy and costly telephoto lenses, I feel I’d be extra inclined to go together with a strap such because the Black Fast Sport Breathe which makes use of extra dependable steel {hardware} and has a safety tether ought to the principle one come unstuck – however at $99 it’s significantly more cash.
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Options
The Professional Loop provides padding, fast launch tabs, and coloration choices, however lacks steel {hardware} and tether for full-featured efficiency.
★★★★☆
Design
The OpTech Professional Loop Strap is colourful and padded however bulkier than inventory straps and lacks quick-release comfort of contemporary designs.
★★★★☆
Efficiency
The OpTech Professional Loop Strap is comfy and versatile for heavy gear, however Fast Disconnects are clunky in comparison with Peak Design.
★★★★☆
Worth
The OpTech Professional Loop is budget-friendly, comfy for heavy gear, affords coloration choices, and makes a considerate reward for photographers.
★★★★★