27 Comments on Luma Loop – A Radical Camera Strap Re-Design

Terri Stone on Wed, 20th Jan 2010 8:04 pm


Interesting product. It looks like it works well for you, but I wonder how it would be on other body types; on women, for example? In the interests of research, could you please try the demo again wearing a padded bra? I would appreciate it if you would let me know when that new video is uploaded.

Terri Stone on Wed, 20th Jan 2010 8:09 pm


Please also wear a wig that’s at least shoulder-length, so we can see whether longer hair interferes with the strap’s proper functioning.

Damon Lynch on Thu, 21st Jan 2010 12:28 am


I would never use this: it looks like a fantastic way to get your camera stolen!

Ben Long on Thu, 21st Jan 2010 12:31 am


How so? It’s hanging the same way as a normal camera. In fact, given that I just usually carry a camera with a normal strap on one shoulder, rather than over my head, the Luma Loop is actually more secure.

Jennifer Wills on Thu, 21st Jan 2010 12:33 am


Have you looked at the Black Rapid R -strap and compared them? I am curious as to the pros and cons. It would be great to see a side by side comparison, with the wig and bra, and without.

SCOTT Campbell on Thu, 21st Jan 2010 5:44 am


It could be that this is the guy who conceived of this design first, although it has been around for a long time. I made one myself and then there is the R-Strap by Black Rapid and the Sun Sniper by the California Sun Bounce folks.

The interesting variation here is the use of a quick release clip on the lanyard. I’m not sure I would use that design, being afraid it would (a) accidentally release and my camera would crash to the ground or (b) allow for a quick thief to steal it while I was in a crowded place.

Jim N. on Thu, 21st Jan 2010 5:58 am


I recently purchased a Sun-Sniper (www.sun-sniper.com), which is essentially the same thing. What I prefer about the Sniper is the metal clasp attaching the camera to the strap. The lanyard seems like it would allow for lots of swinging around, whereas the metal clasp on the Sniper is a bit more solid. Also, as the metal clasp is one piece connecting the camera to the strap, there are no clasps to accidentally get pushed.

Either way, I prefer these strap models to the traditional ones, which I wore as a “loop” anyway.

Mike Spivey on Thu, 21st Jan 2010 12:49 pm


Re-inventing a well developed wheel. Sixty bucks? At least this product does one positive thing. Makes me feel better about the fifty bucks I spent on my R Strap (with a little safer hardware).

availablelight on Thu, 21st Jan 2010 4:06 pm


+1 for all the comments that say it looks and works just like a blackrapid r-strap with a bit less ‘oomph’

how is this radically different from something that’s been internationally available for several years now?

also wondering how comfortable it would be for anyone possessing more than a flat chest… it looks very tight and restrictive, and if you loosen it then the camera would hang down at the side, exactly like a rapidstrap (which by the way is very convenient and comfortable, specially when you’re using a dual harness)

not liking the plastic clip, and another +1 for everyone who says hanging a camera at your back makes it easier to steal in a crowd

but yes, if you are only comparing it to a normal neck strap, then it is an improvement

Ben Long on Thu, 21st Jan 2010 5:27 pm


Guys, the camera moves up and down the strap. If you’re in a place where you’re worried someone might grab it, just don’t put it behind your back. Put it at your side, or in front of you, just as you would with a normal camera strap.

The plastic clip is incredibly strong. I have tried yanking it apart, and pulling it apart – even with the full weight of the camera, and it won’t let go, so I don’t see this is a security weakness at all.

With a normal strap, I carry my camera hanging at my right side, from my right shoulder, so if someone wanted to grab it, they’d only have to get it off my arm. With this, they have to get it over my head, which is far less likely.

All that said, though, I’ve shot around the world, in central American shanty towns and South African townships, in crowded areas and remote rural villages. In all that time I’ve never had a camera stolen or threatened. Security in those situations is not about your camera strap, it’s about intelligence and how you carry yourself.

Availablelight- The loop is no more tight or restrictive than a normal camera strap hanging over your head. Of course, how much pressure you’re feeling is dependent on the weight of your camera. In that regard, a regular strap has a nice advantage in that you can easily move it to the other shoulder if your “normal” shoulder gets tired.

And yes, I was only comparing this to a conventional camera strap. I haven’t checked out the other ones you mentioned, but will try to get ahold of them and set up a comparison of some kind.

Jim N, I’m particularly curious about the Sun-Sniper because you’re right, the lanyard design on the Luma Loop does twirl, which can be a little annoying.

Andrionni R. on Sat, 23rd Jan 2010 1:14 am


I have a R-Strap, RS-4, and it reminds me of that. They say they’re patent pending right now… I wonder who came first.

One thing I don’t like about that strap in the video is the easy-clip… somebody could unclip it and run with it. R-strap doesn’t have that issue due to the screw binder clip. However, I have to use the tripod hole to lock it in with my R-strap. Eh.. I work with it.

It’s also a pain to switch lenses since the camera’s upside down… a big downside to all those “loop” straps.

James Duncan Davidson on Tue, 26th Jan 2010 7:01 pm


Thanks for the great video introduction, Ben. It’s very cool to see.

To address some of the other comments–the origins of the camera sling are as an adaptation of the sorts of slings that riflemen have used in the military. There have been several companies bring commercialized implementations of it of late and we don’t claim to be the first. Our implementation, however, offers a well built minimal design that emphasizes comfort and flexibility within a minimal aesthetic. Nothing is included that isn’t essential.

As far as the loads that can be carried, we made a fun video that illustrates how strong the system is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEUNv5VDKXY&feature=channel

Duncan

Dustin on Wed, 17th Feb 2010 10:27 am


I have a Blackrapid RS-4 and love it, but I think some of the ideas on the Lumaloop are pretty good. I like the ability to put the camera connector on something besides the tripod screw. More flexibility is nice. Also, I would feel much better about the the two quick release clips if they weren’t plastic clips or had some secondary connector. I just don’t trust the plastic clips enough. I would feel the need to add a second ‘failsafe’. Maybe just a long strip of velcro over the clip would be enough, or using something more substatial than plastic clips. Taking an extra second to disengage the connector is better, in my opinion, than relying on something that could let you down.

george whitson on Thu, 18th Feb 2010 11:15 am


I’ll ready to purchase one of these systems. My concern is whether I can attach the strap to my really right stuff L brackets that I keep on my camera. I see that you can with the luma loop but wonder if any of you know whether that’s true for the other two systems?

george

Ben Long on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 10:32 pm


George: I got the Sun Sniper and the R-Strap. They both attach by simply screwing in to the tripod mount on your camera. So if your L brackets don’t have some kind of pass-through tripod mount, you’ll be out of luck.

Ben Long on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 10:34 pm


Hey Dustin – I really wouldn’t worry about the Luma Loop plastic brackets. Check out this video showing them supporting hundreds of pounds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEUNv5VDKXY&feature=channel

These are the same types of brackets that I use to hold my motorcycle bags onto my bike, and they’ve never let me down, even after thousands and thousands of on and offroad riding, carrying shifting, oddly-weighted loads at high speed.

Alf Nielsen on Tue, 23rd Feb 2010 11:55 pm


Wow, this looks cool. And very much what i need for my new Camera.
I’m gonna make it my self though. Seem straightforward enough

Thanks for the review.

Ian-Sebastien Sweeney on Sat, 27th Mar 2010 3:10 pm


I love the Luma loop and did order one. One of the thing I also like is the tripod plate you have on your camera. Can you tell me exactly which one it is. I would like to have one similar!
Regards, Ian

Ben Long on Wed, 31st Mar 2010 11:37 am


Hi Ian, that was a plate from reallyrightstuff.com. Here’s their plates page: http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/04.html

Anonymous on Mon, 5th Apr 2010 11:28 pm


You mentioned that you now have the Sun Sniper and R-Strap as well. How do they compare in your estimation? Thanks.

Ben Long on Mon, 3rd May 2010 10:58 am


I much prefer the Luma Loop. The other straps are big and bulky and not nearly as comfortable. It’s their pads slide around and get in the way, and I don’t personally need the extra little pockets and things. The Luma Loop is minimal and light and works great. For those worried about the connector, don’t. It’s incredibly sturdy – the camera’s not gonna come off accidentally.

Johnny Chin on Mon, 17th May 2010 5:12 pm


Ben, thanks for the video and the review. Unlike others, I am not worried about the plastic clip because my current Tamrac camera straps have similar quick-release clips and they have yet to fail me (except for neck pain after 10 hours of shooting). I am almost ready to pull the trigger and buy this to replace the camera straps on all my cameras. I love the fact that this does not use the tripod mount on the camera (where I have a quick-release plate for my tripod and/or flash bracket). However, the $60 price tag for the strap and $10 for each loop is a bit pricey in my opinion. Hopefully one day they would have a “package” deal and lower the price. Thanks again for the review.

Dan Valente @ danielvalentephotography.com on Tue, 1st Jun 2010 6:18 am


It’s hand made in the USA, I think it is a great product.

I had the black-rapid, and honestly, the materials and construction quality were 100% sub-par. The Luma Loop is constructed much more like my bike messenger bags with high quality parts.

I use it for shooting weddings where theft is much less likely. It’s nice to be able to swing the camera out of the way while navigating through a crowd, blocking the camera with your body.

I only have 1 loop currently, but am going to add another for my 70-200mm on it’s tripod mount.

It’s a great product, and at $60, very competitively price vs. the BlackRapid strap considering its superior quality.

Lyn on Wed, 16th Jun 2010 8:49 pm


Hi Ben
Do you use two bodies at the same time? I have seen a B;ack Rapid strap for this but it looked awfully bulky. Do you have any suggestions for shooting with two bodies (Nikon D300 and D300S in my case) that will prevent me from strangling myself with the straps? I’m not very large, but size doesn’t seem to be the main problem — organization is.

Thanks!

Annie on Mon, 28th Jun 2010 8:54 am


Hi there–Are there any women out there who have tried this strap? If so, I’d really like to hear your thoughts. Being reasonably well-endowed, I wonder how comfortable this would be, or how conspicuous I might feel with the strap emphasizing my girls! Thanks for any input.

Jane on Sat, 3rd Jul 2010 12:13 pm


There is a version of the R-strap for women:

http://vimeo.com/13041046

Ben Long on Mon, 5th Jul 2010 9:33 am


Annie – I asked James Duncan Davidson, the creator of the Luma Loop about this issue. He said “Several of the women I know have attenuated the dividing line effect by wearing darker clothes. White shirts tend to emphasize. ”

As for comfort, if you normally wear a camera strap over your head, crossing your chest, the Luma Loop won’t be any different.

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