DSLR Wrist Strap (on the cheap)

      Since I acquired a DSLR camera, I have found myself wrapping the neck strap around my wrist (like in the 2nd photo) almost always. I do this because let’s face it, the neck strap is useful to carry your camera, but when you are taking pictures is kind of uncomfortable.
      So I decided that I wanted a hand or wrist strap because I don’t feel safe just wrapping the neck strap; but when I looked around I didn’t found something that I liked, some of them you just slide your hand in (very unsafe), some seemed very uncomfortable, complicated and even expensive for something like a strap.
      I also noticed that every single one needed to use the tripod thread and you have to remove completely the neck strap. The big problem is that I use a lot my tripod and the neck strap, and I wanted to keep everything like I already have it and just add the wrist strap.
     So I finally decided to make my own, and I couldn’t be happier with the results, especially because its final cost is less than $1 and I made it in less than 1 hour!!!

Step 1: Tools and Materials

The list of materials and tools is pretty short.
Maybe what is more important is to have sewing skills, by hand or on a sewing machine. 

Materials:
- 0.5m long and ¾ in. wide strap
- One ¾ strap adjuster
- One ¾ quick release buckle

Tools:
- Scissors
- Candle
- Sewing machine (or needle and thread)

Comments

[Rainh2o]

I put this together tonight. FYI I found another way to fasten the strap together. I used a hot razor. I attached pictures to show the concept. You basically heat the razor blade up to right as its starting to get red hot, then you pinch the strap together over the blade and pull the blade out, then hold the strap together until it cools. Its easy to burn yourself so you have to be careful but it basically melts the nylon together and forms a nice strong bond. If there is any rough spots on the seem, you can use the hot razor blade and just touch and smooth them out. I also just used a dog leash and an old metal buckle from another small dog collar. I used the factory formed loop on the dog leash as the part I put around my wrist. I spent about 4 bucks total, might be a bit more if I didnt have the small metal buckle piece from another collar. The nice thing I found about the leash was that it was the same size as the small part of my strap on my camera. Thanks for the idea and inspiration to do this!

[fado1986]

Hi!!! Thanks for the comment. I know you could bond together two nylon pieces with heat (I have used a kitchen knife, its a little easier to handle when hot), but when the force is quite big the bond cant stand it, so I would make some stiches just in case. Im glad you enjoy making this project, and thanks again!

[eugarps]

This is a great idea! I've had a Canon T2i for about 2 years. I totally agree with the neck strap. I only find it useful when I'm taking wide landscape shots of scenery. (When it's still around my neck)
I have two little ones, and most of my photography is done with me stooping down, getting level with them. That neck strap is always in the way!
This is on my to-do list.
Thanks!

[fado1986]

Thank you! Im so glad people have found this Instructable useful. Maybe you can post your results... ;)

[Rainh2o]

Great instructible! I too wrap the neck strap around my wrist but I will have to try this out, seem much better and safer then just the neck strap.

[fado1986]

Thanks for the comment :-) ! And yeah, it feels a lot safer and its really easy to make.

[Lorddrake]

Nicely done.

[fado1986]

Thank you so much. It is really nice to be apreciated :D