Context is what defines what a photographer should use. Without knowing in what context people use camera straps, it's tough to pick if a strap is right for you, and if so, which.

The strap I use is a heavily padded version of the standard neck-strap. It makes a world of difference for comfort but otherwise works much like standard strap. Actually, it has a quick-release system which I rarely use.

PROS

• Faster lens changes: Straps allow a camera to hang conveniently right in front of me -- a great spot to change lenses, which I sometimes do dozens of times per day. When strapless it takes me at least twice the time.

• Fail-Safe: The neck-strap I use stays on my neck most of the time. If I set up my tripod on a precarious location, I keep my neck through the strap. Shooting downwards from a balcony, you better keep the strap on!

• Security: Keeps the camera safe from accidental knocks. If it gets knocked or I get pushed, chances are the camera will not fall. In some environments such as crowded streets or markets, it is impossible to prevent something from knocking the camera.

• Hands-Free: There are plenty of things to do while taking pictures that work better with both hands free: handing out business cards, writing people's emails, handing model-releases, etc.

• Anti-Theft: There less risk someone can take away my camera if its attached to my neck. Some camera straps have en embedded metal wire to prevent slashing.

• Multiple Cameras: The straps may get entangled but at least it makes it easy to shoot with multiple cameras.

CONS

• Noticeable: A camera strap makes it obvious that there is someone with a camera taking photos.

• Shooting Down: When shooting the nadir shot for a panorama, the strap needs to be carefully folded up to prevent it from showing up in images.

ALTERNATIVES

There are a few different straps which I use regularly, mostly with smaller cameras. My favorite stealth strap is a Hand-Strap, which wrapes around the palm, though some photographers prefer a wrist strap. Pros/Cons for these straps:

• More safety than no strap. Particularly from accidental knocks.

• Strain risk: With a hand strap you support the weight of the camera at all times, so I rarely use it with something big.

There are tons of custom straps and I have had issues with all of those that I've tried (I haven't tried them all) except for the Bosstrap:

• Block the tripod mount: Most rapid straps hook to the tripod mount which can be annoying when using a tripod.

• Poor tripod contact: Even the few models with a pass-through offset the mount making it so your camera is no longer aligned on its optical axis. Straps can also reduce the contact-surface between the camera and quick-release plate.

• Where is the bag?: Have you seen the videos selling rapid straps? People never use a camera bag! My guess is that it would get entangled with a shoulder-bag (my favorite) and not work at all with a sling (second favorite) and probably cause difficulty with a backpack, which you should probably never use for photography anyway.

There are a few more complex options aimed at professionals that I haven't yet tried:

• Harness: Good comfort and distribution of weight. Holds multiple cameras easily. Extremely secure.

• Holdster: You can have holders which attach to your belt (actually, a friend had two sown to a padded belt) and simply draw the cameras out and drop them back when you need to free your hands. This worked well for 2 cameras with one lenses each but probably wont scale.

• Belt-Clips: At a local store I saw a clip that attaches to an ordinary belt with a matching piece that screws into the tripod-mount (not my thing) but lets the camera slip and lock into the clip quickly.