Artisan and Artist Silk Camera Straps

[Nando]

I have a black A&A silk-cord strap for my M3. I've had all sorts of straps from cheap Chinese-made straps to Luigi's and the A&A silk-cord strap is by far my favourite. I have the camera around my neck when I'm not using it - but its always ready. When I am using the camera, the cord is wrapped around my wrist. It is extremely comfortable.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

is a 'rein' round?

Leather reins are usually flat, but you might be able to find round ones made of braided leather. I do a lot of work for a tack shop in New Mexico and have seen round braided rawhide and round braided horsehair reins. Problem with them is rawhide is quite stiff and horsehair is very scratchy/itchy on the skin! I'm sure I've seen braided leather too but don't think she carries them anymore. I think Weaver Leather and Buckaroo Leather both make them if you can find a shop that carries either brand of tack.

 

[SonC]

I think the stuff at both climbing shops and marine supplies are going to be pretty harsh compared to A&A's silk.

I'm a big guy, and think A&A could probably win some more customers if they would offer longer straps; that goes for their cases and leather straps as well.

 

[gdi]

I think the stuff at both climbing shops and marine supplies are going to be pretty harsh compared to A&A's silk.

I'm a big guy, and think A&A could probably win some more customers if they would offer longer straps; that goes for their cases and leather straps as well.

You are right, any braided rope will be stiffer than the hollow braided silk kumihimo strap from A&A. I guess one could DIY...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb5vy8egtQQ

 

[kermaier]

I wear my camera cross-body on a LeicaGoodies strap, which is slightly too short at 48", so 37" will definitely not work. (For reference, I'm 5'11" medium build.)
Ari

 

[dave lackey]

A better bet may be a marine rigging shop, I believe you can get more supple rope there, and a larger selection of sizes and colors.

The best looking rope would be double braid and you want to put an eye splice in each end and use a split ring or snap. To do this you need a set of splicing "fids"; they come with instructions for making the splice. Or you could pay the shop to splice it - probably $10-15. The end result will be a very nice, clean looking splice.

A simpler, less elegant, approach is to use 3 braid twisted rope. No tools, other than a knife and cigarette lighter, are needed for the splice, and it is not as clean looking. But a splice can be completed in about 5 minutes. It may be hard to find a color other than white in 3 braid.

Double braid splice -

Hmmm...now THAT might work....🙂

 

[splitimageview]

I really like the silk A&A. Very light, easy to roll up and use as a wrist strap.

That said, it's hard to beat the Luigi straps for soft leather comfort.

 

[rxmd]

If you want to make your own silk strap, silk rope is a common fetish item. You can get it in bondage shops or order it online. That's possibly where A&A gets it from. It also comes in different colors and degrees of coarseness. Just saying.

 

[back alley]

i knew i'd seen it SOMEWHERE...

 

[SonC]

If you want to make your own silk strap, silk rope is a common fetish item. You can get it in bondage shops or order it online. That's possibly where A&A gets it from. It also comes in different colors and degrees of coarseness. Just saying.

All these years I've been shopping for camera gear in all the wrong places. :bang:

 

[kshapero]

If you want to make your own silk strap, silk rope is a common fetish item. You can get it in bondage shops or order it online. That's possibly where A&A gets it from. It also comes in different colors and degrees of coarseness. Just saying.

My mom does NOT allow me in such places.

 

[John Lawrence]

I've got two of them, and they're fantastic for wrapping around your wrist - if you shoot that way. I've heard some say that they're not really long enough for use around the neck, and for the taller person I can see how this could be a problem, but as a dedicated wrist wrapper, I've never owned or seen a better camera strap.

John

 

[jsrockit]

I've heard some say that they're not really long enough for use around the neck, and for the taller person I can see how this could be a problem,

I'm 6' 2" tall and I use this strap (as well as other short A&A straps) around my neck. It basically falls right under my chest and I like it there for easy access. It all depends on what is comfortable for you and your way of working, not the size of the person.

 

[dave lackey]

I'm 6' 2" tall and I use this strap (as well as other short A&A straps) around my neck. It basically falls right under my chest and I like it there for easy access. It all depends on what is comfortable for you and your way of working, not the size of the person.

Okay, measurements and contemplation. It seems that the A&A strap will work fine around the neck. Never used a camera in that position before, so I will take an old strap, cut it to length and give it a few days to see if I like that position. I have always used the shoulder or cross-body straps.

The silver strap is just too nice to not at least try out a facsimile before discarding the thought.🙂

 

[back alley]

i dislike the around the neck, on the chest position...feels very awkward to me.

 

[thegman]

I have the A&A silk strap, it's very nice, but of course, not worth the money, no strap could be. I also have a Gordy's strap, which is not as nice, but of course a lot cheaper.

It's really down to whether it's worth it *to you*, for me, I don't regret buying it, but nor would I buy another one if I lost it.

 

[jsrockit]

I use the black label bags version of this strap...and they offer a longer version.

 

[seakayaker1]

I use the A&A Silk Strap on two of my cameras. I prefer to carry the camera in my right hand when out and about. It is either in the bag or in my hand. I find the AA strap very comfortable when wrapped around my wrist so the length works for me well.

I also think it is a beautiful strap that compliments the camera nicely.