CAMERA STRAP ROUND-UP
Keep your camera safe and at hand with some of the finest camera straps on the market – Jon Stapley picks the best of the best
1901 Fotografi HCB leather
•£41.95 • 1901fotografi.co.uk
You might not have come across this one before. The 1901 Fotografi HCB is the brainchild of a British photographer named Mark Lewis, and the aim is to provide a simple, functional strap that gives photographers everything they need – and nothing they don’t. The ‘HCB’ moniker is a hat-tip to the pioneer of street photography himself, Henri Cartier-Bresson, reflecting the commitment to using only what’s necessary.
Constructed from top-quality leather from Italy or the US, and tanned using environmentally friendly processes, the 1901 Fotografi HCB is a robust, portable and stylish strap that particularly suits retro-styled cameras – your Leicas, your Fujifilms, etc. The standard version is 115cm long, though you can pay a little extra (£4) to get one in a custom size if you need it. The best way to get one is directly through Mark’s website – you’ll get free shipping if you’re in the UK.
Urth Core Camera Strap V1
• £24.50 • uk.urth.co
It’s important to be mindful of our environmental impact as consumers when enjoying our hobbies. If you want to make sure you’re buying a camera strap with minimal environmental impact, Urth is a great place to shop. The company offers a number of different straps constructed from recycled materials – the Core Camera Strap V1 is made from 100% recycled nylon webbing, with anodised aluminium buckles, a silicone grip, a plastic pebble clip and nylon cords made from our old friend Dyneema. While the clips can be a little stiff at first, they loosen up well with use. Urth also publishes impressively transparent Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) reports of its products, and plants trees to offset the carbon created by their production and transport. While tree-planting isn’t the magic sustainability bullet that firms sometimes like to imply it is, it’s certainly better than nothing, and contributes to Urth being the best choice for those trying to minimise their environmental impact.
BlackRapid Double Breathe
• £149 • blackrapid.com
For those whose future employment is dependent on never missing the crucial moment – wedding photographers most readily spring to mind – carrying two camera bodies is essential. BlackRapid’s Double Breathe is a shoulder-mounted harness designed to facilitate dual-wielding cameras, with one hanging on each side at waist level. Padded shoulder straps made from nylon mesh and foam ease the notinconsiderable weight of two camera bodies with lenses attached. Is it stylish, dignified or chic? Not particularly. Is it functional, useful and smartly designed? You bet.
Now, if you’re the t
