The $2 Camera Strap

I got tired of trying to find a quality camera strap that also happened to be stylish and cheap. So i decided to take matters into my own creative hands. This I think cost me about $1.77, and about 15 minutes of thinking and planning while at work. This has worked out very well for me, so now i will tell you how to make a cheap and durable camera strap of your own for just a few dollars.

This is my first instructable, so as usual comments and suggestions are welcome.

Step 1: Gather Materials

The materials are very easy to find, you should be able to get them at any decent outdoor store, or anywhere that sells climbing equipment. And the best news is you should already have your most expensive piece of equipment: your camera! All you will need now is a few feet of 1" nylon webbing (enough to make up about 3/4 of your total strap length, its better to be too long here than too short, since you can shorten it later) and about 2 feet of thin, light rope, both of which should cost little more than a few cents per foot.

You will also need the knowledge of a few useful knots, which i will be providing.
For more information on knots and lots of other useful knowledge join the Boy Scouts. Pictures of my Troop can be found here

Step 2: Sheet Bend

This knot is extremely useful, it is mostly used for tying two ropes together of different thicknesses. This is also how you will adjust the length of your strap. Just untie (very easy with this knot) and when you re-tie, use more webbing to make your loop.
It is also very simple and safe, it will usually not slip (NOTE: I said "usually." don't expect it to support your weight. In fact, don't expect any knot to hold your weight unless it is a climbing knot, that's their job.) I was told that this knot was used by sailors to tie down sails with rope, hence the "Sheet" part of its name.

First take your larger rope and bend it (this is the "bend" of the sheet bend). In this case this is our webbing. Next slide the smaller rope up through the bend. this can be seen in the first picture.

Then, take the free end of the smaller rope and run it along the back side of the webbing, and then slide it under itself on the front side. this can be seen in the second picture.

Step 3: Two Half Hitches

In this step we will attach your strap to the camera using two half hitches. This knot will slip up against whatever or whoever it is died around and will not slip.
Again, i apologize for the poor picture quality, i will do what i can to describe with words what is in the pictures.

With your smaller rope take whichever end is not attached to the webbing and feed it through your camera strap loop on your camera. Tie your everyday overhand knot (picture 1). With the end of the rope tie another. this can be seen in the second picture... sort of.

Step 4: Repeat 2&3

Repeat steps two and three using the other end of the webbing, the other piece of small rope, and the other side of your camera.

Easy enough.

Step 5: </Instructable>

Now you have your strap! This should be easy to adjust, and strong enough to withstand anything your camera can. I would advise writing your name and phone number on the webbing of your strap with a permanent marker, in case it gets lost.

One thing that my friend recommended is to use electrical tape and tape a film canister onto the small rope part. This way you will have a place to store your next roll of film until you change, for those of us still using film, anyway. Great tip, Scott.

One final thing,make sure the knots wont slip or come undone once they get some weight on them. If you tied them correctly then I don't know why they would, but better safe than sorry. Just give the strap a few good, strong tugs to get the knots tight and settled and to make sure they wont slip. Once you are satisfied that you wont drop your camera then go out and enjoy.

As always, thank you for looking and please feel free to comment and give advice or criticism on my first instructable.