A CAMERA STRAP WORTHY OF A LEICA ~ Tải Phần Mềm

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

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 7 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.

Man cuts strips of leather with a carpet cutter.

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.

My Leica strap has been retired and the EDDYCAM now is doing its duty on my Leica M240. 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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