Wrist Strap???

[mwall04]

Just getting started with u/w photography and received my first setup yesterday (Nikon D90, Aquatica housing, and S&S stobes).

After spending the day opening boxes like a child at Christmas and putting it all together, I started to think about what I'm missing (if anything). The only thing I could think us was possibly a wrist strap. I don't recall seeing any references of wrist straps in any of these posts, the u/w photo books I've read, or even in photos.

Since I'm going to be carrying around a setup that set me back a lot, why doesn't anyone seem to use or discuss them? Or do they and I've had my head in a hole?

Thanks.

[gustele]

I almost always have my camera attached to my wrist. You never know when you suddenly have to drop your camera; mine is enough negatively buoyant to disappear quickly into the depth.

[Onewolf]

Wrist strap for what? Doesn't the Aqautica D90 housing come with dual grips so that you will be gripping it on both sides with both hands?

Now a should you consider getting a retractable tether to connect the camera rig to your BC in case something 'exciting' happens? Probably.

I think wrist straps are great for smaller point/shoot UW cameras but it doesn't make sense for a big honkin heavy SLR system.

[diversteve]

a retractable tether to connect the camera rig to your BC

Like one of these:
Cetacea Corporation - Scuba :: Coil Lanyards

I use the CRL11 with my video housing. I'd guess it's heavier than yours out of water. I also threaded a locking caribiner through the yellow part just above the loop at the bottom that goes through a convenient hole in my housing handle.

[ScubaSteve]

I would never want my camera tethered to my wrist. It the poop hit that fan, I want to be able to drop my camera and function with my hands while not losing my camera. Right now I use something similar to what Steve linked to and it is clipped to a D ring....not my wrist. Just my opinion though.

Edit.....the one that Merxlin posted IS the one I use. I like it. My rig is pretty heavy but the only time my camera will not be in my hand is if there is trouble, I am testing the connection OR I am on a shore dive and putting on my fins. Pretty much the rest of the time I am holding the handle even if not shooting.

[merxlin]

Like one of these:
Cetacea Corporation - Scuba :: Coil Lanyards

I use the CRL11 with my video housing. I'd guess it's heavier than yours out of water.

Find one you are comfortable with, but I would also avoid a wrist strap for the reasons mentioned.



I use this one. I can extend the camera far enough for any shot, but if I need to drop it I can shorten the coil and clip it, keeping it tighter to me. The plain coil lanyards stretch out pretty far, so your camera ends up between your knees and feet.

[NvScubaSteve]

I agree with the previous posts. I do not like my camera attached to my wrist becuase the way it can get in the way if you need your hands in a hurry to deal with what ever may come up.

I carry a my camera on a retractor that I can lock in place that I attach to a large, easy to feel carabiner. I have found the carabiner is easy to feel for and move around on my BC (Zeagle Ranger) during a dive depending on where I want my camera during different phases of the dive. For example at the end of my dives I generally move my camera to a D ring behind me so my camera is well out of the way during my ascent and stops. During the dive I will move it to a lower front D ring so it is easy to access the camera during the dive and take pictures.

Hope this helps a little.

S

[mwall04]

Thanks. Great insight from everyone. Although I've been a divemaster for over 20 years, once I got the u/w photography bug and decided to jump in with both feet, I almost forgot that I'd be diving when I take these pictures.

I like the connection to bcd versus the wrist. Thanks again.

[AndyT]

Ditto everyone else - I also have the one posted by merxlin. Hardly even notice it's there when taking pics.

[merxlin]

Thanks. Great insight from everyone. Although I've been a divemaster for over 20 years, once I got the u/w photography bug and decided to jump in with both feet, I almost forgot that I'd be diving when I take these pictures.

I like the connection to bcd versus the wrist. Thanks again.

Photographic amnesia. I get it. Symptoms include "hey, where'd my buddy go?" and "now which way was the boat?"