Grandpas use bloated, ugly neoprene things with massive plastic Tinker Toy-like plastic fittings that resemble medical apparatuses. The DSLR crowd who aren’t using fake vintage hippie straps to match their fake vintage film filters, are usually more utilitarian and will typically advertise their camera model in bold lettering on their straps. Other classic camera shooters choose bright, nostalgic wide woven “hippie straps” which loudly announce their presence and retro style. Leica shooters tend to sport multi-hundred dollar, handcrafted Italian leather straps which often match their hot shoe covers, soft shutter releases and other pointless jewelry that seem to oppose any concept of utilitarian stealth that they may have idealized when choosing Leica. Many shooters seem to use their camera straps as a form of self-expression.
Psst! Please don’t close this page just because you don’t own or potentially even despise Leica! You may just find that this strap is perfect for your Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Fuji, whatever too! Guess what? Nobody else has copied this design yet! So read on, weary-necked photographer! All that I know is that this is the best camera strap that I’ve ever used and I’m happy to inflate its reputation in true Leica tradition! I believe that it first surfaced in the 1990’s but I invite a more knowledgeable Leicaphile to comment on its precise origins. From the people who brought you the best camera in the world…