This page is reserved for FAQ on the Y Strap and user comments. Send us pictures of you with your Y Strap configuration and we will post it on this page and give you a link to your site/ work…what could be better?!
FAQ
1. Question: Why does the Y Strap come only in RED?
Answer: Not anymore! As of March 2008 it now also comes in ultra-chic black. You choose or better yet get one of each for your different moods (and heaven knows photographers are full of moods!)
2. Question: How long will it take to get my Y Strap?
Answer: I usually can make the strap in a few days depending on orders so figure around a week to ten days (including shipping) to most parts of the USA.
4. Question: What is the best side to wear your camera on?
Answer: Whatever side you attach the Y Strap to you camera is the side your camera is worn on…for instance if you attach the camera using the left lug then the camera will hang on your left side…so simple. (Most users stick with the one attachment ring and wear it on the left.) Also, when the camera is on your body it should hang so the bottom of the camera is just touching your belt or hip.
5. Question: My camera is larger (like a 1Ds or the new Nikon D2X, will your strap work?)
Answer: Yes, but you may need to use both rings (which are included) in order to get the proper strap to eyepiece spacing. It all really depends on where the lug (strap attachment point) is on the camera. Top lugs on larger cameras can require two rings whereas lugs on the side (or just down from the top) or smaller cameras like a Leica M or Nikon FM2 work just fine with one ring. Experiment and see what works best for you! (Hint: Try one ring first for a bit as it is usually the best.) Also, the 25mm adapter ring is perfect for use with the NO POD…check it out!
6. Question: Why (Y) is it called the Y Strap?
Answer: Y Not. Really it is for two reasons: 1. because of the Y shape the strap makes when the camera is attached (the camera is the lower part of the letter Y…get it?) 2. because the tail end just past the adjustment slip lock is sewn into the shape of a Y…very, very strong and looks cool, eh?
7. Question: Will you ship the Y Strap internationally?
Answer: YES, YES, YES!
8. Question: How durable are the strap lugs on my camera and is there an issue carrying the camera from one lug?
Answer: I have spoken to many camera makers and each has indicated that there is no issue carrying the weight of a camera with lens from one strap lug. I had a conversation with Leica USA and they indicated that since the M6 (20+ years ago) all strap lugs are steel with two steel screws to hold the lug straight with no lateral movement. Older M’s used a brass lug and a crimp to hold it in place but when you consider the M with a lens only weighs 2lbs give me a break. I carry two lens on my M using the M Lens Carrier attached to the base plate and even with all of that you are only talking 3lbs at best.
9. Question: What is the warranty and return policy for the Y Strap?
Answer: The warranty is ONE (1) year from date of purchase. I will refund your $$ less shipping if the strap is found to be defective from normal use (no fair towing your RV with it.)
10. Question: I’m really tall…over 6′4″, will the Y Strap still fit me?
Answer: No worries…just let me know when you order and I will add a few inches onto the Y Strap at no additional charge! The Y Strap perfectly fits most users up to 6′4″+ with room to spare but I’d rather give you a bit more for fine tuning the Y Strap for the perfect fit.
NOTE: It has come to my attention that the following cameras will not work with the Y Strap without some user creative intervention… so if you own a:
- Canon G9
- Sigma DP1
Please do NOT buy the Y Strap as it will not currently work with your camera!
Notice - The Y Strap has been tested by me and other working photographers before being released. Crescent Valley LLC however cannot be held liable for any damage in whatever form from the use of the Y Strap.
Reviews of the Y STRAP:
Posted March 26th on Reid Reviews (Please note that Reid Reviews is a subscription based web site (you have to pay $$ to enter)…but in a nut shell… “It (The Y Strap) may be just the ticket for a photographer who wants a quick and secure alternative to a neck strap.” - Sean Reid, Reid Reviews
Article: http://www.reidreviews.com/reidreviews/
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Posted on DP Reviews April 11, 2008
“I carried the E-420 on the Y-strap - which is an adjustable loop of black webbing with a large keyring, which attaches the left side of the camera… the camera then hangs under your left arm.
It’s easy to tuck the camera out of view under your jacket… highly recommended for unobtrusive street shooting.”
-Brian Mosley
Link to Thread: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=27528534
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The Y STRAP in Puerto Rico-
Give a listen to this user report (audioblog) by the Y Strap Inventor Stephen M. Schaub on his recent photographic expedition in Puerto Rico. Did the Y Strap live up to its claims of being the perfect carry solution???…YES! Was it comfortable for 8, 10, even 16 hours a day of carry???…YES! Listen and discover why (Y) the Y Strap is the perfect carry solution for the active professional photographer.
The Y STRAP Family:
USA (all over), Russia, China, Japan, England, Findland, South Africa, Canada, Germany, Italy , India, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Bahrain and France.
Gallery of Users:
Please email your image of you with your Y Strap at home or on location and a caption you want with the image (as a default I will use your name and location). Image size should be a maximum L or W of 400 Pixels at 72dpi (JPEG). PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT SEND PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL AS I WILL NOT POST IT AND YOU WILL BE FOREVER BANNED FROM ALL SITES OWNED BY CRESCENT VALLEY LLC AND WE WILL THINK POORLY OF YOU, BESIDES.
Please send your email with attached photo (please only one photo per user) to: info@indianhillimageworks.com
The subject line of your email MUST read: Image for Y Strap Gallery
For years I have used a neck strap. My biggest complaint was how much my camera moved around. If I tried to climb over rocks at the beach or bend over to pick up my kids the camera would swing out away from my body and hit the rocks or my kids if I wasn’t careful. I have been looking for a better strap and I found it in the Y-Strap. It keeps the camera close to my body at my side, but I can quickly bring it to my eye when I need it. I love the simplicity of the Y-Strap. It has both a simple design and is simple to use. I have tried to modify the Y-Strap to try to make a “better mouse trap” but after several attempts I am back at the original configuration. The Y-Strap makes it so convenient for me to carry my camera with me all the time so I don’t miss a shot.
Thanks for the comment- my kids also appreciate the fact that my camera no longer clobbers them everytime I pick them up!
Enjoy the Y STRAP…Y.B.NORMAL!
Brilliant idea and execution, Stephen! I can’t wait to get my black one!
Got my Y-strap in the mail, just in time before taking off for Guatemala. The side/hip-wearing style kept the camera out of the way when I had to slip and slide, up and down to the shoreline at Lake Atitlan and, an added bonus, out of view, mainly, when walking around town. It was also easy to keep wearing while sitting down and emailing at the local internet café. Love it!
I received the strap Monday afternoon, thanks for getting it here so quickly. I immediately put it on my M6 and wore it for the rest of the day in order to get used to it and figure out what length worked best.
I like it a lot! At first it didn’t feel right as I have worn a Leica on my left shoulder for about 30 years. The Y Strap is much kinder to my posture and is very convenient, the camera is very accessible and quick to get up to my eye. I normally carry the one camera with a 35mm lens and some film in a pocket ad your strap fits this way of working nicely. Well done.
Best,
Richard Wasserman
Is there an easy way to attach a quick release, so that the camera can be easily detached for tripod use?
John- there is no reason for a quick release as the Y Strap attaches to your camera strap lug and in no way interfers with the tripod mount so you do not need to remove it for tripod use…I did this this morning on a shoot and it was perfect! I never trust quick releases on a camera strap…murphys law!
I am so glad I stumbled across this strap on a web hop session. Can’t remember, oh yes chasing down TMax with Diafine, finding it.
Shipped, efficiently, to the UK I have now hardly taken it off (out of the house :-0). Solved my carrying problem. I have nearly always worn my neck straps across the body to avoid decapitating the children and taking chunks out of shop counters but you can’t bring the camera up to the eye easily. Problem solved.
A current thread in the Leica User Forum on “pimping up” cameras has revealed another happy user with his M8 to add to mine. this was my post and will link to the others.
http://tinyurl.com/3r2moz
I know some people distrust blind links as above this is the full URL:
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/50452-how-do-you-accessorize-your-m8-2.html#post531608
Good shooting to all.
Received my Ystrap yesterday (5th April). Delighted with it. It snowed here (UK) today but my M8 was perfectly protected under my coat at the side of my body as Stephen described.
Between the Ystrap and the Thumbs Up i feel ready for anything.
Well done Stephen.
Thanks for the Y-strap !
Here is some pictures of me in action on a kids session today. I really enjoy the strap, no banging cameras into kids anymore.
from a sunny Sweden,
Patrik
The Y Strap is now my standard strap on my M8 and also my digital SLR!
Thanks-
Earle
Stephen,
My red strap arrived a few days ago.
Used it yesterday evening on walk along the beach and it worked well underneath an open coat …. it was comfortable & worked well.
Thanks for a great product & service.
Regards
Chris
The Y Strap arrived a few days ago.Finally got it hooked up and it works like a charm…..When hooked to my M2 which doesn’t have a half case the large ring works great….When attached to the M8 I must use both rings as the large ring (only) rubs against the leather snap portion of the half case.No more straps wrapped around my hand ….nor do I have to worry about the strap slipping off my shoulder……wonderful product……Regards, Bill ps I’m a large man,maybe a strap 6″ longer could be offered
Bill- Thanks for the nice feedback regarding the Y Strap and the M8! I have made custom length Y Straps for a few customers over 6′4″+…I’ll add this option to the FAQ now. I do this service at no additional charge as each strap is made one at a time anyways….great suggestion!
Cheers-
Stephen
Stephen - Thanks a lot for the Y-strap. I checked it out only at home so far, but it’s great.
Wow, after less then a week from ordering the strap arrived already in Switzerland. What a great and super-fast service from you!
All the best from Zurich, nik
I got the Y strap today - that was easily the fastest package I’ve ever received from the States, great job Stephen! (Amazon takes twice the time in comparison).
From what I’ve seen so far, it deserves the praise it gets - a simple yet great piece of equipment. I’ll post a longer review when I get to play with it more than just at home.
All the best
The best thing since sliced bread. I wore it for a week on a canal boat trip and could barely tell that I had a big camera hanging off my body. Bravo!
Y Strap and Wrist Wonder work very well and in black even draw less attention if you want to follow the argument.
i hve a small rubber band put on both (temporarily, until i find a better solution/material) order hve the loose ends of the straps not flapping around/ mean being attached to the main strap (this can be easily done- you are the magician and you may think of the appropriate material, small and undisturbing in size and feel - and maybe 2 so you can manipulate the flapping ends even better, like you can find on watches?).
maybe the thought of a quick release as mentioned by one of our friends is in the end not so far fetched- if you also think of the flexibility you can switch quickly from Y Strap to Wrist Wonder or else.
Many thanks for the service!
a happy client who will spread the news!
brgds, Guenter