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Quick strap: DIY Velcro flash strap

A removable, non-destructive DIY velcro flash strap inspired by the Honlphoto Speed Strap. Now you can stick stuff to your flash without gluing velcro onto it. Disclaimers: this poorman's rendition uses adhesive, where Honlphoto's Speed Strap (a modest $10) appears to be a far more durable stitched design. Do not use this version in hot or humid environments, as the adhesive in this version may leak or fail. Do not store your flash with the strap attached. Do not use this strap as a carry handle for your camera and/or flash. This is provided for educational purposes only, and I am not responsible for direct or indirect damages that may occur from this do-it-yourself project. Once you've completed this project, check out lumiquest, strobist.com and honlphoto.com for lots of cool attachments, like gels, gobos, snoots, and grids.
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  • This removable strap quickly and securely anchors bounce cards, diffusers, gels and many more modifiers easily, and non-destructively.<br /> <br /> Time: 15-30 minutes<br /> Cost: about $10<br /> Makes: 3-5 straps

    This removable strap quickly and securely anchors bounce cards, diffusers, gels and many more modifiers easily, and non-destructively.

    Time: 15-30 minutes
    Cost: about $10
    Makes: 3-5 straps

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Main Ingredient: 2" wide self-adhesive hook and loop fastener, about $7

    Main Ingredient: 2" wide self-adhesive hook and loop fastener, about $7

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Second ingredient: tennis racket grip tape, about $2.50.<br /> <br /> Tools:<br /> -scissors <br /> -ruler

    Second ingredient: tennis racket grip tape, about $2.50.

    Tools:
    -scissors
    -ruler

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Cut 2-1/4 inches of hook tape for Canon 550EX. You basically want a piece half an inch shorter than the width of your flash. If that's confusing, cut two inches and be done with it.

    Cut 2-1/4 inches of hook tape for Canon 550EX. You basically want a piece half an inch shorter than the width of your flash. If that's confusing, cut two inches and be done with it.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Cut about twelve inches of hook tape. (for Canon 550EX). You want enough to wrap around and overlap the top side, as shown. The strap may be cut slightly shorter for smaller flashes, or longer for larger ones.

    Cut about twelve inches of hook tape. (for Canon 550EX). You want enough to wrap around and overlap the top side, as shown. The strap may be cut slightly shorter for smaller flashes, or longer for larger ones.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Unroll the grip tape. Cut off the tapered portion. We want nice, rectangular strips of grip tape here.

    Unroll the grip tape. Cut off the tapered portion. We want nice, rectangular strips of grip tape here.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Lay out the loop tape as flat as possible. It will flatten out a bit more after you peel off the backing a bit later.

    Lay out the loop tape as flat as possible. It will flatten out a bit more after you peel off the backing a bit later.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Lay down the hook tape

    Lay down the hook tape

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Lay down the hook tape

    Lay down the hook tape

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Measure and cut grip tape. It should be long enough to go slightly past (and later under) the hook tape piece.<br /> <br /> For my Canon 550EX, I used 10" pieces of grip tape.

    Measure and cut grip tape. It should be long enough to go slightly past (and later under) the hook tape piece.

    For my Canon 550EX, I used 10" pieces of grip tape.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Cut a second piece of grip tape of the same length as the first.

    Cut a second piece of grip tape of the same length as the first.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Peel the backing off the loop tape, then carefully lay it flat on your table, sticky side up.

    Peel the backing off the loop tape, then carefully lay it flat on your table, sticky side up.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Peel off the grip tape backing

    Peel off the grip tape backing

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Apply grip tape to loop tape. Make sure the shiny side is face down, and the grippy, matted side is face up.<br /> <br /> EDIT: Oops, the shiny side is actually more grippy, so stick the matted side down.

    Apply grip tape to loop tape. Make sure the shiny side is face down, and the grippy, matted side is face up.

    EDIT: Oops, the shiny side is actually more grippy, so stick the matted side down.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Attach second piece of grip tape. There may be some overlap in the middle.<br /> <br /> EDIT: contrary to the photo, make sure the shiny, grippier side of the grip tape is facing up.

    Attach second piece of grip tape. There may be some overlap in the middle.

    EDIT: contrary to the photo, make sure the shiny, grippier side of the grip tape is facing up.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Smooth both pieces of grip tape down. If you get wrinkles, peel off carefully, and re-apply.<br /> <br /> EDIT: it's very hard to peel off the grip tape. Make sure you straighten both pieces of tape as much as possible before sticking them together.

    Smooth both pieces of grip tape down. If you get wrinkles, peel off carefully, and re-apply.

    EDIT: it's very hard to peel off the grip tape. Make sure you straighten both pieces of tape as much as possible before sticking them together.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Peel off the hook tape backing

    Peel off the hook tape backing

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Attach hook tape to the end, coverering up the cut ends of the grip tape.

    Attach hook tape to the end, coverering up the cut ends of the grip tape.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • REVISED: shiny side grip tape on the inside, hook tape on the outside. It will work as originally pictured, but the shinier side of the grip tape is more retentive.

    REVISED: shiny side grip tape on the inside, hook tape on the outside. It will work as originally pictured, but the shinier side of the grip tape is more retentive.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • Wrap the completed strap tightly around flash. When you're done, you simply peel off the strap. Do not leave the strap on your flash in hot environments, as the adhesive may melt onto your flash.

    Wrap the completed strap tightly around flash. When you're done, you simply peel off the strap. Do not leave the strap on your flash in hot environments, as the adhesive may melt onto your flash.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

  • You can now quickly and securely attach bounce cards, diffusers, gels and many more modifiers easily, and non-destructively.

    You can now quickly and securely attach bounce cards, diffusers, gels and many more modifiers easily, and non-destructively.

    DIYflashgripstrapvelcro

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