When it comes to photographing kids your camera is only good to you if, number one, you have it with you and number two, it’s easily accessible.  I can’t tell you how many “Kodak Moments” I’ve missed over the years because my camera was buried somewhere deep in my gear bag and when I finally found it the moment had passed.  In my “other life” while covering the various technology press events throughout the year I always seem to tote way too much stuff.  Back up batteries, video camera, phone, paper, pens, iPad, computer  and of course my DSLR.  Since moving up from the Canon G11 to the Nikon D90 my photography has certainly improved.  However, that has not come without a cost.  The DSLR is big.  It’s almost impossible to pack it in my gear bag (I like to travel light).

If I’m using my D90 I’m strapping it my neck.  For whatever I’m photographing I need my camera easily accessible and I need it free from my bag.  Camera neck straps are so 1970s, let alone very hard to manage.  They are often too short and end up riding too high not to mention they are often very uncomfortable.  The Super-Sniper Pro is a far better solution for carrying your camera on your person and one that once one my DSLR isn’t coming off any time soon.

Read on for my full review.The Super-Sniper Pro is made from heavy duty nylon and features a hidden stainless steel cable which runs throughout the strap.  The insures your camera can’t be cut from your body and stolen – which is unfortunate common practice.  Sun Sniper believes in this protection so greatly that they offer $500 for one-year in insurance should your camera be stolen via strap cutting.  Inside the packaging of the Sun-Snper Pro you’ll find the strap, along with a set of instructions which detail how to attach it to your camera.

Once you pick up the Sun-Sniper Pro you immediately recognize the durable qualities it possess.  It feels strong and sturdy.  This isn’t some cheap nylon strap that’s going to wear or or tear.  The Sun-Sniper Pro has been built to last.

The strap itself attaches to the tripod mount on the bottom of your DSLR.  It screws in very securely and once it’s tightened the strap isn’t going to come off unless you unscrew it.  It also uses what the company calls a “friction eliminating, genuine stainless steel bearing that provides for better spinning with less unwanted swaying.”

The Sun-Sniper Pro can be easily adjusted so that you can size if to your shape.  It’s meant to be worn so that the camera sits just below your waist.  I’ve been using a similar strap for the past year or so I found it difficult to size when I first got it. Not so was the case with the Sun-Sniper Pro.  It resizes easily.  Simply flip up the two Velcro flaps and side the strap to the size you prefer.  Then close the flaps back down.

The portion of the Sun-Sniper Pro which rests on your shoulder is heavily padded with shock absorbing material.  This means it’s super comfortable to wear even for long marathon photography sessions.  Since the strap sits across your shoulder and chest, like a messenger bag would, and not across your neck, like a traditional camera strap does it’s simply much more comfortable to wear.

When you’re not shooting the Sun-Sniper Pro allows your DSLR to hang at your wait at the ready.

When it comes time to take a picture the Sun-Sniper Pro allows the camera to slide along the strap on its unique sliding carabiner.  This means the strap itself virtually stays in place, never tangling or bunching and as you move the camera up and down.

I can’t impress on you enough how much difference using a the Sun-Sniper Pro makes.  Not only does it make carrying your camera around easy but it insures your camera is always at your side at the ready.  Whether your a professional photographer or just shooting the kids out back you’ll appreciate the quick access to your camera the strap provides.  Add it heavy duty construction and insurance and protection from theft and there’s no doubt that the Sun-Sniper Pro deserves a place in your camera bag.

You can learn more about the Sun-Sniper Pro by visiting this page on the company’s web site.

MSRP:  $80.99 (price varies).

PROS:

CONS:  None.