[richard plumb]

I bought a grip for my old 350d and really got on with the hand strap, for me it was very convenient to walk around with it locked to my hand, where the neck strap would often annoy me (too hard and wide)

Was looking to get one for the 40D, but again you have to buy the battery grip. Any reason for this? I can't beleive they couldn't put a little hole on the corner for a hand strap without forcing me to buy a grip.

I *may* buy a grip as I take quite a few shots in portrait mode, but I'm still getting used to the size and weight of the camera compared to the 350d, so I don't want to go there just yet.

any alternatives that don't need a grip? (ideally that I can leave on and still use a tripod)

[weaviemx5]

I've seen a few different versions of the hand straps and they normally attach using one of the points for the neck strap and the tripod thread on the bottom;

http://www.amazon.com/Camera-simulat.../dp/B000H9LM2Y

This was just the first one that came up from a Google search.

EDIT: I knew I'd seen them somewhere before for less ;

7DayShop.com - £8.99

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=102735

Cheers
Steve

[h4rri]

Have the bottom plate off one of those if you need it? Have the grip for the 5D so have no use for it

[dave_bass5]

Ive got one of those types of hand strap. Cost about £20 off ebay a few years ago. Never used it (it went in the bin otherwise you could have it).
The problem was that, with my hands a least, i couldn't reach the shutter button properly. Once my hand was in the strap my fingers we too far forward of the camera and so i had to bend my fingers too far back to do anything.

This was on a 350D, a 400D and my 30D. when i got my 40D it was the same so i chucked it away. Stupid really because now i want a hand grip for my 40D.
I tend to use the short bits from my Camera strap as a sort of safety measure in case i drop the camera but its no substitute for a hand strap.

[JohnG]

I wrap the neckstrap around my hand which keeps my palm pressed to the camera body. It's not ideal but it works.