When it comes to your Canon camera, having the right strap can really make a difference to the shooting experience, making it more comfortable, or just suiting your personal style more than the strap that came with the camera.
In this guide we’ll explore the different types of camera straps in Rigu's range that are compatible with Canon cameras, including options for various models, and what to consider when making your choice. I've covered the main three connection types (and camera types), and will provide some general advice as well.
The connection type is usually obvious when you look at the camera, but if you're not sure or you're buying a gift for someone, please feel free to get in contact and we can advise what will be appropriate for your camera.
Most Canon Cameras Have a Flat Mount Connection
The vast majority of modern Canon DSLR & mirrorless cameras use a standard flat mount camera strap connection. This includes the entire R lineup and EOS DSLR cameras (as of September 2024). A flat mount is a metal bar connection that's usually around 13mm wide which allows you connect a loop of material to the camera.
Flat mount straps are usually pretty strong, which makes them a secure and reliable option for even the heaviest of camera body & lens setups. A few of our top rated flat mount straps can be found below, but be sure to check out the full range for many more options, including wrist straps and neck straps in a variety of colours, sizes, and materials.
Please note that ring connection straps are not appropriate for a flat mount in the vast majority of Canon models. In some cases you can get the ring on, but it doesn't sit well and moves around when you're using the camera. If you really want to use a ring connection strap with your flat mount Canon camera, consider converting the ring connection to a string loop using our strap adapters.
Smaller Canon Cameras Usually Need a String Loop Connection
Canon's smaller cameras such as the compact PowerShot point & shoots and the G range are usually best suited to a string loop connection strap, but there is quite a lot of variation between models and connection types. The G range for example has what looks like a flat mount connection, but it's smaller than normal, so most of Rigu's flat mount straps don't work with that range. String loop straps are fairly universal fit and will work with the recessed connections that are found on some compact cameras.
I've put a selection of out most popular string loop straps below, but take a look at the rest of the range for more options.
Vintage Canon? Probably a Lug/Ring Mount Strap
When it comes to older Canon cameras, almost all of them are a "lug mount." That's the little metal nub with a small hole in it that you can attach a split ring to. Not every vintage Canon will have this connection, but from my research the vast majority of them do.
Rigu has a great range of ring connection straps; leather, nylon rope, cotton straps in various lengths and almost every colour you can think of too.
If you prefer the look of some of our flat mount straps, please bear in mind that Cam-in flat mount straps come with a free set of split rings (with leather backing tabs to protect your camera body) that you can attach to the camera and then install the strap on them. String loop straps also work with lug mount cameras, so it's possible to use almost all of our straps with a lug mount.
Again, there's a selection of ring connection straps below, but you'll find a lot more at the lug mount strap category page.
How to Choose a Camera Strap
Choosing a camera strap is quite a personal thing; it depends on you, what you shoot, and what gear you're carrying. There is no one perfect camera strap that will suit everyone, but there usually a camera strap that will work well for each person.
I'll run through a few things to consider when choosing a strap, but of course personal taste is a big factor too, so whilst I have a lot of knowledge when it comes to camera straps, this is just advice rather than rules.
Camera Gear Weight
If you're a sports or nature shooter with a full-frame DSLR and long lenses that's quite a lot of weight to be carrying for an extended period of time. A wider strap will help to spread the weight of your gear over a wider area, whereas a rope strap or a 10mm wide leather strap might dig in and become uncomfortable after a while. A longer strap can be worn cross-body which tends to be more comfortable than a neck strap as well. Thicker straps tend to offer a little more comfort too, look for a dual layer strap or one that's neoprene-backed. It's important to note that every strap we sell is strong enough for heavy setups (other than a couple of exceptions that no one would be using with big setups anyway), so think more about wearability and whether something will be comfortable when choosing a strap. In terms of durability, I recommend a flat mount or ring connection where possible with heavy setups, as over a time a string connection could degrade with the strain being applied to the string, though this would take quite a long time.
Entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless cameras sit in the middle of the spectrum when it comes to weight, so it's natural to point people at your standard widths of strap like most of the flat-mount range from Cam-in. That said, if you like the look of a wider strap, it's going to feel good and it will look fine, same with a rope strap, but I'd recommend avoiding the thin leather straps with this kind of camera, 10-15mm wide straps aren't going to be comfortable during a long shoot, and they look a bit odd paired with a larger camera.
If you've got a lighter setup like a point & shoot, or a vintage camera with a small lens attached then you don't need to worry about the weight that much. Rope straps and thin leather straps are bestsellers for this kind of camera. They don't get in the way when you're shooting, aren't bulky in your camera bag, and tend to look better when paired with a small camera than a standard sized camera strap.
Strap Length
Rather obviously, personal choice (and size) is a huge factor here. I recommend measuring out your current strap if you have one, and basing your choices around that. It's a lot easier with flat mount straps, as the majority of them are adjustable and so you have a lot of flexibility in terms of how you wear that strap. Ring connection straps tend to be fixed length, so it's important to decide what length you'd like to have a camera sit on your body at before placing your order.
If you need a ring connection strap of a specific length and Rigu doesn't offer it, we can create a custom length vegan leather camera strap for you in a variety of colours.
Material
Camera straps generally don't need a lot of maintenance, and they're pretty durable, it's very rare for a camera strap to "wear out", so material choice is mostly related to what you find comfortable and think looks cool. Even with a leather strap you probably don't need to condition it more than once a year unless you are shooting regularly in wet weather, but if you were doing that you probably wouldn't opt for a leather strap in the first place.