In the past I always used
the camera straps supplied by Leica with their cameras. There was little reason to do otherwise. But that has changed. As of late quite a few valid alternatives
have emerged. The material of choice
still is leather, but other materials, mainly mountain climbing ropes, have garnered
quite a following. As with so many other
things, prices vary widely, as does the workmanship.
The LEICA Barnack Berek
Blog has earned quite a good reputation over the almost 6 years since its
beginning. That has led to many accessory
manufacturers to contact us to introduce their wares, including many camera
strap manufacturers. That has also
enabled me to test many samples that were provided.
Obviously, the market for camera
straps is a lot larger than what I have been able to physically test and
evaluate. Subsequently, I cannot in good
conscience give an accurate rating of what is out there.
But of all the camera
straps that I have had the chance to try, and there were some very excellent ones, one does stand out. To me it is still the best answer of why
anyone would want to replace the strap supplied by Leica. That is 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.
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.
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.
My 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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How can a simple leather strap be worth almost 150 dollars?
ReplyDeleteA 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.
DeleteLooks like an overpriced item just to accommodate Leica owners with too much money.
ReplyDeleteI 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 or 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.
DeleteDon't let the nay-sayers get to you. I bought the EDDYCAM, and I agree with you 100%. It is without a doubt one of the best camera straps on the market. another example of "you get what you pay for."
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, they won't get to me. I always hear the same old arguments which ultimately shows lot of envy for not having a Leica. Subsequently excuses have to be made.
DeleteBut not everyone can afford a Leica
DeleteI agree, most people cannot. But that is no reason to make excuses why other equipment is just as good.
DeleteDon't you think that Canon, Nikon, Fuji and Sony are equal to the Leica?
DeleteNot in their entirety. A camera system is a chain of many links and there are some rather weak links in other manufacturer's chains. The weakest one being the manufacturing process. As good as it has become, no massproduction can achieve the tight tolerances to which Leica equipment is made; that goes for their cameras as well as their lenses. On the other hand it is these tight tolerances that are necessary to achieve optimum performance levels. With lenses that means that they will work at virtually full performance, even wide open, and not stopped down a few stops. Unfortunately these extra steps are expensive, more so than what is indicated by the performance increases. If the expense of the better performance is worth the price of a Leica is something everyone had to decide for him/herself.
DeleteJono Slack wrote:
ReplyDeleteThey look lovely Heinz, but no strap with metal on it should ever be used on a camera with an LCD. It always ends in tears (and scratches)
I understand your concern. However, I have had this strap on my camera for over two years now without any harm to the LCD at all. The metal parts of the strap have a very smooth surface which, if it ever touches the LCD, just glides across it.
DeleteJono Slack answered:
DeleteMetal parts are harder than LCDs. Of course, it depends on how you manage it, but you only have to put it carelessly in a bag once and there is no going back. It’s done!
Touching is one thing, but put carelessly in a bag and then carried for a couple of hours with the metal pressed on the screen is another. It can be really bad ( I know, I’ve done it )
Added to which there really us no need for metal connectors!
Points well taken. I guess one reason why I haven't had any problems is the fact that my camera carrying case is very compact. The compartment for the camera does not allow me to put the camera in unless I carefully wrap the strap around it in a specific manner. That keeps any of the metal parts far away from the LCD. As a matter of fact, I never gave this potential problem a thought. I guess, just to be sure, I will coat the metal parts with a rubberized coating to avoid any possible problems.
Delete