Wednesday, January 28, 2015

A CAMERA STRAP WORTHY OF A LEICA



Woman wears brown elk-leather camera strap around her shoulders.

Why would anyone replace the original Leica camera strap that is supplied with the camera?  After all, it is a Leica strap, even says Leica on it.  I was wondering about the same thing; that is until I discovered the EDDYCAM  strap from Germany.

This thing exudes quality.  Not that the Leica strap is bad, but the EDDYCAM  strap is in an entirely different league.  The EDDYCAM is the first and only ergonomic elk-skin camera strap.  It was developed by Edlef Wienen, an avid photographer and industry insider with decades of experience and a genuine passion for aesthetics and nature. Created for people that expect the best quality, functionality and comfort from their camera strap. The ergonomic design, use of Scandinavian elk-skin leather and painstaking production in a small German factory make EDDYCAM particularly comfortable yet extremely durable – and therefore simply unique.

Step 1: Storing and sorting
The raw elk hides are first preserved in salt or by drying, and stored at low temperatures
This is where the initial quality control and sorting takes place.

Edlef Wienen

Man cuts strips of leather with a carpet cutter.    Sewing machine produces a strap.
the EDDYCAM straps are mostly made by hand

Elk-skin is a high quality natural product and is not only one of the thickest leathers in the world, but also one of the finest.  Production of the elk-skin straps doesn’t start with the actual manufacturing in Germany, but much earlier – somewhere in the Scandinavian boreal forest. This is the home of the elk whose leather is responsible for EDDYCAM’s high quality. The elk-skin is tanned and dyed in a small Finnish tannery before being sent to the workshop in Bavaria for further processing. This is where the cutting, bonding and stitching takes place and components are attached – all very carefully, as you would expect from an exclusive natural product, and mostly by hand. The soft and skin-friendly surface, ergonomic strap shape, infinitely adjustable length and pure natural rubber padding attached with solvent-free adhesive ensure that EDDYCAM doesn’t pull or pinch your neck or shoulder – even after hours of wear.

Above all, EDDYCAM’s extreme durability is down to solid artisanal workmanship and the robustness of the elk-skin and other product components. From webbing quintuple-stitched with special thread (4700 N tensile strength), to non-breakable stainless steel length adjustment clips or sturdy polypropylene connecting elements – only consistently high quality in every part of the camera strap can guarantee its supreme durability. This makes it almost indestructible, even put to the toughest use in the harshest climates – and we guarantee that for five years.

Fan made of different coloured elk-leather straps.   Spool out of elk-leather straps.

The Leica strap has been retired and the EDDYCAM now is doing its duty on my Leica M8.  Fastening it to the camera turned out to be a bit tedious, but that was well worth it.  I don’t think I have ever used a camera strap that is as comfortable to wear as the EDDYCAM.


For more information on the EDDYCAM strap go to: www.eddycam.com

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4 comments:

  1. How can a simple leather strap be worth almost 150 dollars?

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  2. A while ago I might have agreed with you. However, once I received the EDDYCAM and once I saw how it is made, and all that goes into its production, I came to the conclusion that it is well worth it. This strap is something one almost has to experience. I have never seen anything like it, and there are a lot of really well made straps on the market.

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  3. Looks like an overpriced item just to accommodate Leica owners with too much money.

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    1. I am sorry, but you obviously have not had a chance to hold this strap in your hands. Go to the EDDYCAM website and look at the video on how it is made. That will change your mind. As for Leica owners having too much money - that is a typical worn out non-argument. I know pro photographers that spend as much ot more on their non-Leica camera equipment. From my days in retail, I can point to many beginning photographers that scraped together their last nickel to get a Leica. Not too much money there.

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