To help you decide which strap and/or holster is right for you, we’ve created our list of the Best Camera Straps and Holsters for Photographers, updated annually. These lists are based on our personal experience as working photographers combined with extensive research from other reputable sources online.

If we missed anything, or if you have any recommendations on what we should consider for next year, please comment below!  For more “best of” lists, see our Best Of category.

Best Camera Straps

Just like all of our other photo & video accessories, most photographers will have at least two different camera straps in their arsenal that gets switched out depending on the situation. Myself, I’ve got six different straps and holsters and I use each and every one of them. In fact, now that I’m writing this article, I realize that a few of them are due to be retired and replaced with updated versions.

Peak Design Slide Sling Strap (Our Choice)

Our Winner for Best Camera Strap.

The Peak Design Slide, (or Slide Lite), Camera Sling Strap is one of the favorites on the market and for most people we’ve spoken too. It’s a versatile strap that can be used as a standard neck strap as well as a sling or shoulder strap.

It comes with several attachments to work with a plethora of camera systems and integrates seamlessly with the Peak Design Bags & Clip System. The Slide strap is internally padded and both (the Slide and Slide Lite) are made from nylon webbing. There is a grippy side designed for when you’re wearing the strap as a shoulder/sling to help prevent slipping. Both straps have dual quick-adjusters to provide quick and easy adjustments to the length of the strap with easy reconfigurations.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

[Related Reading: The Best Camera Bags According To SLR Lounge]

BlackRapid Curve Breath Camera Strap

Our 2nd Place Winner for Best Camera Strap.

BlackRapid has quickly become one of the most trusted names in camera straps. The Curve Breath is an update to one of their original straps that improves upon its previous model with a new mesh material to improve airflow (or “breathability”) and still offer an incredibly comfortable padding.

The cross-body strap, which is optimized for female photographers, places the camera at waist level to give you quick and easy access while offering you the ability to go “hands free,” letting it hang safety and securely when you need a break or have to use your hands for something else.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

ONA Presidio Camera Strap

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Camera Strap.

The Ona Presidio Camera Strap is our choice for a sleek and retro-looking camera strap to match the rest of your gear and style. Made with Italian Tanned Leather, this strap is also padded with soft neoprene and chrome buckles to allow for easy length adjustments.

The quality material in this strap will ensure that even the heaviest of gear won’t be too much of a strain over the course of a day. This strap is also available in a waxed-canvas design for $30 cheaper if you’re looking for a similar style on a budget.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

Lucky Straps Standard 53

Our Choice for Honorable Mention

The Lucky Brand Standard 53 Camera strap is kind of incredible, from the packaging, to the custom embossing, to the optional strap lengths, and quality oiled leather. The strap is an absolute top quality strap that meets the needs for something functional and comfortable, as well as absolutely great looking with a touch of personal flare!

The strap is longer and more comfortable than most stock camera straps and is designed to be worn like a sling across your body rather than a “standard” around the neck strap. The only downside to this strap is they are made (lovingly) in Australia and as such, are currently only available by ordering directly from the company website, but even so the deliveries are fast, affordable, and trackable!

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Lucky

Best Camera Holsters

While some holsters are technically still a part of the strap category, they’ll provide you with some extra versatility and comfort that a “normal” camera strap can’t provide. Used on their own or in tandem with the camera straps mentioned above, the holster systems will give you a “quick draw” feel that you won’t soon forget.

Holdfast Gear Money Maker Holster (Our Choice)

Our Winner for Best Camera Holster.

The Holdfast Gear Money Maker is a sleek and stylish dual camera holster that not only looks fantastic but functions even better. If you’re a wedding or event photographer, you’re used to having to carry around multiple cameras and lenses, so back & neck pain are nothing new, but the Money Maker helps alleviate that.

This strap is designed to carry one, two, or three cameras all while evenly distributing the weight to reduce the pressure on your lower back.

Available in a variety of colors, (and materials now), the Holdfast Gear Money Maker also boasts a clip design used to attach a sail to a boat, giving you an extra sense of security for your gear.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

[REWIND: Camera Strap Review | Money Maker Camera Harness By HoldFast Gear]

Spider Camera SpiderPro Single Camera System V2 Holster

Our 2nd Place Winner for Best Camera Holster.

Spider Camera’s SpiderPro Single Camera System V2 Holster is a solid favorite among photographers who prefer to not wear straps for their system. On top of the comfort bonus, you no longer need to worry about neck burn and chafing from a full day of running around with one or more straps over your back. The hip holster system frees your upper body by making use of a “utility-belt” style with a quick draw locking system, giving you both quick access and secure safety for your gear.

The belt is padded for comfort and system wear prevention with a triple-action lock system to ensure it doesn’t unbuckle accidently. And for those concerned about the mounting plate preventing you from attaching additional accessories, fear not! The mounting plate system is designed so that you can attach tripod mount/plate or similar accessory as needed for quick shifts in your shoot.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

Peak Design Capture Pro Camera Clip V3

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Camera Holster.

One of the great things about the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 is you can attach your camera to pretty much any existing belt or strap in your arsenal. Strap onto your pants belt, your backpack straps, or some of the Peak Design bags have specific reinforced loops designed for the Clip.

This system uses an Arca Swiss style quick release plate that can withstand up to 200 lbs of force while still providing instant access to your camera with its quick-release lock. The plate can also be used directly as a tripod mount if needed, giving you some extra creative freedom.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

How to Choose The Best Camera Strap or Holster

The thing to keep in mind when choosing your strap and/or holster is the size of your camera, as well as the entire kit that you use on a day-to-day basis. While something like the Holdfast Gear Money Maker may catch your eye for its style and design, if you’re only using a single small mirrorless system, it may be a tad overkill for your current needs. Thankfully, the main part of the selection process will come down to how it fits on you, personally.

You’ll have to be mindful of the room your gear will need to sit properly in the strap/holster and on your body. If a particular belt or strap is too tight, it’ll be pretty hard to get to and use your camera quickly. If it’s too loose, you run the risk of bumping and damaging your gear.

Be sure to try these things on for yourself to find the right fit for you and then start evaluating what additional features you want based on your work and personal habits.

The other things to consider are the materials the straps and holsters are made from, how adjustable are they, if they can support attachments, and the number of cameras (or accessories) they can accommodate.

Summary

Here is a list of all the gear discussed in this article:

• Peak Design Slide Sling Strap (Our Choice)
• BlackRapid Curve Breath Camera Strap
• ONA Presidio Camera Strap
• Lucky Strap Standard 53 (Honorable Mention)
• Holdfast Gear Money Maker Holster (Our Choice)
• Spider Camera SpiderPro Single Camera System V2 Holster
• Peak Design Capture Pro Camera Clip V3

What did we miss? Please give us feedback so that we can check out other bags and keep this list up-to-date.

Kit Neck Strap

This is the strap that typically comes in every DSLR camera kit. It usually features the brand name of the camera and is made of a durable synthetic material. There’s nothing wrong with this strap, and it’s what I used for years as a hobbyist. If this strap is working for you, why spend money on a new one? If you like kit straps and need a replacement, you can purchase them at B&H or another major retailer.

Decorative or Artisan Neck Strap

From one fashionista to another, I’ll admit decorative, and artisan leather camera straps make me drool. Brands like Capturing Couture and Artisan & Artist offer well made, beautiful camera straps from materials like leather, silk, scarves, knit cloth, etc. I’ve refrained from buying them, though because I’m not 100% sure of the functionality of these straps.

If you’re a hobbyist or photographer who does short shoots every once in awhile, these are worth checking out. Or, if you use a rangefinder or micro 4/3 camera, these would be great. For hard-core, full day shooting with a heavy DSLR, I would consider other options or at least thoroughly test these straps before you buy. Make sure you check out the return policy.

Sling Strap

The Sling Strap is actually what my Chiropractor recommended for full day shooting, and he made sure I promised I would use the strap equally on both shoulders throughout the day. After asking my local wedding photographer friends, many recommended the BlackRapid Sling Strap, so I went with that. The fact that they have one designed specifically for women appealed to me. I used it for awhile, and it was, in fact, 100x better than using my plain old neck strap.

I had some issues with this particular strap, though. I didn’t like the fact that my camera was swinging around by my hip, sometimes banging into things. Plus, a few of my friends had experienced major damage to their camera or lens when the strap came undone unexpectedly. Yikes! It was still causing strain on my neck, too. After awhile I started ditching the strap and going without any strap at all. For one nicknamed “Butterfingers,” this was not a good idea.

I came across the Peak Design Slide strap at WPPI in March, and they let me take one home (yay!). I was skeptical because I just didn’t see how it would be much different from the Black Rapid Sling strap. I did like the fact that you can use this one as a neck strap, sling strap or shoulder strap (versatility is good!).

After using it for a few months now, I’m in love. It’s comfortable on my shoulder and easy to adjust. Instead of swinging by my hip, I can slide my camera around to the back and have it nestle there nicely. It’s sturdy and firmly attaches to my camera. I’ll keep it!

Hand Strap

Peak Design let me test out a hand strap, too. I honestly thought this would be the best solution for me since it takes the strain off the shoulders, so I was surprised that I didn’t really like it. I found I missed having my hands free when posing or moving lighting around. Especially when working with kids, I need to have my hands available and setting my camera down on the floor was not a great solution.

For someone who has an assistant for lighting and posing or is doing street photography, I think a hand strap would be fantastic. There are various brands available at different price points. I’ve heard great things about the Spider Pro Hand Strap (check out a full review by clicking here).

Wrist Strap

For small point and shoot or lighter weight cameras, I love a wrist strap. Peak Design Cuff is actually designed to hold up to 100 pounds! So you could technically use it with your DSLR. I like that it’s a thicker strap than most, easily adjustable and secure on the wrist (remember the Butterfingers?)

The nice thing about wrist straps is that they can be a more affordable option to keep your camera secure. The Joby DSLR wrist strap is just over $10. There are also options available for keeping your waterproof point and shoot cameras afloat, like the Ruggard Floating Wrist Strap for only $4.99!

Double Camera Strap

Hard-core wedding photographers who shoot with two camera bodies during a full day of shooting need a heavy duty solution for carrying around all that weight. A double camera strap is one option. I haven’t tried one myself, but I know several photographers who swear by them. Various brands manufacture them. I’ve heard great things about the various models made by Blackrapid, and this one called the Moneymaker by Holdfast looks super sexy on Jay, don’t you think?

Camera Holster

A holster style, like the Spyder Pro Holster, has caught my eye recently. I’ve seen Photographers like Sue Bryce and David Beckstead use them in person and they seem super handy. If you need to have your hands free but keep your camera securely tucked by your side for easy access and get the weight off your shoulders, this seems the way to go. You can even use two, one on each hip.

Check out these full reviews of the Spyder Pro Holster.

Conclusion

Deciding on a camera strap isn’t always easy.  The decision factors in comfort, overall physical health, and even personal style.  Hopefully this guide has helped you narrow down your selection.  Which camera strap type do you use? Which do you want to try out?

Informal surveying of camera manufacturers and repair centers confirms that “impact damage” causing dings, dents and worse, is a major culprit of physical camera damage followed distantly by liquid damage (usually rain or spilled beverages). By reminding camera users all over the world to simply check the security of their straps—camera straps, gadget bags, etc.—it’s possible that most of these expensive disasters can be avoided. Honestly, until I had this discussion with the RucPac team, I didn’t give my straps a second thought, but I decided to check one of my workhorse dual straps and I found that one of the clasps was actually starting (and more so almost completely) wore through and definitely needed replacing!

[Related Reading: Best Camera Straps and Holsters of 2019]

“This idea came from a discussion I had with a journalist at a recent consumer photography show,” says Michael Fleisch, managing director of Cecilia. “He mentioned that he had just narrowly missed disaster when he noticed that the strap on his DSLR camera had mysteriously unfastened itself. He was lucky enough to catch it. If a loose strap could happen to him, we realized, it could happen to anyone.”

“Reminding folks to check their straps is such a helpful thing to do,” says Laurens Parsons, founder of UK-based RucPac. “So, when Cecilia contacted us and asked if we’d like to share spreading the word, we immediately agreed to carry the message across our side of the globe.”

So, with International “Check Your Camera Strap” Month beginning this week, there is no better time for photographers to take a moment to make certain that the straps on their precious photo equipment are properly connected and secure.

And on that final note, be sure to pull out your straps, mounts, and clasps and give them a good once over to make sure everything is still in tip-top shape, and then tell us your stories in the comments below! Have you or someone you know had a strap-catastrophe? Did your Strap-Check catch something you may have missed? Let us know!

The brand’s attention to detail and style is evinced as soon as you receive one of their straps in the mail. They ship their straps in a box stamped with their logo, and when you open it you’ll find your strap enclosed in a fabric bag which bears the same. The strap came rolled in a nice little coil with a handwritten inspection tag and a leather sample attached.

This strap is made from top-grain leather with an exterior of ‘floater’ leather and an interior of nubuck, which is velvety soft on the side that potentially comes into contact with skin.

The strap is not adjustable, but I found the length to be perfect on my 5’3” frame, leaving my camera perched steadily and comfortably on my hip. It felt very intentional in the way it fit, though photographers of different sizes will obviously have different opinions on the fixed length.

Rubington’s website FAQ states that they do take custom orders, so if you’re really tall or small, that’s an option for a strap that fits well. I found the standard size to feel tailored to me, and it has been comfortable to use for extended periods with fairly heavy gear (a 5D Mark II and 24-70mm f/2.8L II) and feels durable. Aesthetically, no babying is required to keep it looking nice.

A unique feature of Rubington’s straps, and also my favorite, is the ‘Rubi-Loop’ quick release connectors. The typical camera strap requires an intricate pattern of under and over, finessing around plastic pieces to be held in place with tension. I dislike these for numerous reasons, mostly because they’re fiddly and annoying to attach and I have had them come undone on me, thankfully while a camera was firmly in my grasp.

[REWIND:] HAWKESMILL CAMERA MESSENGER BAG REVIEW | THE JERMYN

The Rubi-Loop is a system where the ends that attach are held to the main section of the strap with a sturdy YKK® plastic clip. To attach it, you unclip the loop from the strap, insert it through the place where it attaches to the camera body, and pull the buckle through the loop created at the connection point. From there, you reattach the strap via the buckles on both sides of the camera. It’s easy and feels strong and secure. If that process was hard to picture, you can watch this short video from Rubington’s YouTube channel:

The price is a little on the steep side at $129.95 USD for the Rado and $119.95 USD for the Signum, but it’s pretty will in line with competitors offering similar products and the strap is well-made and feels like it should last a long time. They are handmade in the United States and as a company, Rubington has a commendable commitment to sustainability.

From their site:

“We are committed to environmentally sustainable business practices at all stages – making the right choices to protect the future. We support the preservation of resources, ensuring our products, packaging and operations are safe for both our consumers and the environment.
We also take great pleasure to be working with like-minded partners such as our two important suppliers; YKK® International and Dani Leather USA – both companies actively engaged in environmental protection in all their operations worldwide.”

[REWIND] LEICA M10 HANDS ON | AGE & GUILE VS. YOUTH & SAVVY IN LEICA’S NEW SIGNATURE DISH

With all of this taken into account, the price seems justified. They do come with a 2-year warranty against manufacturer defects. In all, the brand seems to have integrity and ethics while making quality products, so in my book that makes them worth a look if you’re in the market for a leather strap. Check them out here.

The small rectangle of rubber was actually included as part of the strap to thwart light from entering into the viewfinder. In collaboration with DIY Photography, photographer Bassam Sabbagh displays its use in a short video.

Straight from the Canon 80D manual, we find that the “rubber thingy” that Bassam refers to is an eyepiece devised to keep stray light from entering “when using self-timer, bulb exposure, or a remote switch.” The stray light that leaks through can cause the picture to look dark and therefore the rubber rectangle of magic is meant to act as a wall to block light from seeping in.

[REWIND: NEW PATENT FROM CANON PROMISED BETTER EDGE PERFORMANCE FROM SENSOR]

Although light leaks through the optical viewfinder isn’t a common occurrence, for time-lapses and long exposures it can be a precautionary measure for low light conditions. It is important to note that “prism above the mirror that’s used to redirect the image” makes it possible for light to leak through, even though the mirror retracts up when a photo is taken (DigitalTrends).

We’d heard about Cecilia and have always been impressed by their support of not only well-established photographers but up-and-coming photographers as well. They curate an online gallery of ah-mazing images, which you can check out here:  Cecilia’s curated online gallery, and we were stoked to chat with them extensively about camera straps. Amii is an ardent “neck-strap-wearer” and always looking to up her game with a better quality strap, and Cecilia is a rad company. They’ve been around since 2013 and are in the fifth generation as a family-run business that has its roots in the Cromwell Leather Group, which has been around since 1898.
We got out hands on a Black Baby Alpaca Wool/Black Leather Camera Strap, which Amii used extensively, as well as their Black Baby Alpaca Wool/Black Leather, Ring End Wrist Strap that we thought we’d put to the test because we needed a wrist strap that was not only low profile but also elegant and well-made and that we used as a backup strap for those occasional moments when Andy doesn’t have our cameras strapped to his RL Handcrafts camera harness.

[RELATED: CAMERA SLING & HARNESS REVIEW | THE ANDINO, CLYDESDALE, & DERRINGER BY RL HANDCRAFTS]

Our Cecilia straps held up in fantastic fashion for what we needed them to the most: weddings. Weddings for us average 15 hours. Combined with our regular wedding use, we took these straps with us on numerous engagement sessions, which typically last at least 3 hours and that take us anywhere from graffitied buildings in the inner city of Phoenix to remote, isolated areas in the Arizona desert. We require a lot from our equipment, and that means we require even more out of the gear that keeps our gear safe, straps in this case.

All that said, our Cecilia camera straps have been with us since the end of March, 2016, and by our best estimate, we beat ’em up through at least 200 or so hours of not only weddings and engagement sessions, but also the occasional elopement, editorial session, and corporate event. After all those hours, and three months, we’d say they basically look like they did when they came out of the box and that’s key for us because we want our straps to look as good as they perform.

We moved the straps from one camera to another more than several times and crammed and shoved them into our travel cases, backpacks, and Amii’s camera bag so many times there’s no way we could count. They were hung from Amii’s neck and wrist or hung from Andy’s side, as he attached and reattached cameras to his harness, and they were tossed on the seat of our van and dragged across grass, cement, and the desert floor. And they were with us as we climbed our way through desert brush and cacti, jumped up on tables or chairs at weddings, and lay on the ground to get that better angle or shot at weddings.

As far as performance is concerned, we gave the Black Baby Alpaca Wool/Black Leather Camera Strap and the Black Baby Alpaca Wool/Black Leather, Ring End Wrist Strap an easy 5 stars.

But how many features can a camera strap have, right? Well, in the case of Cecilia’s line of straps, you get multiple options for materials and attachments.

The neck straps come wide or narrow, and even a fixed length (53 inches). They’re also constructed from either an Argentinian cowhide leather/Peruvian alpaca wool combo or an Argentinian cowhide leather/nylon option.

The neck straps have a traditional “slider/keeper” attachment (shown in the images throughout this review) or ring attachments like in the images of the wrist strap. And though we went all-black because it best fits our branding and style, the neck straps come in nearly thirty different colors and/or patterns.

You get similar features with the wrist straps. There are over twenty combinations of materials and colors, and they are made out of Argentinian cowhide leather and Peruvian alpaca wool.  The wrist straps also have two attachment options: rings or cords.

We love the design in general because we can tell that their design team, based out of Mamaroneck, New York, takes great care in their thinking, planning, and execution.

The edges are finished with superb stitching, and we love how the wool isn’t itchy at all; in fact, alpaca wool is hypoallergenic because, unlike sheep’s wool, it contains no lanolin. And this particular alpaca wool is spun to a lovely soft and almost silk-like texture. Finally, we love how the ring attachment is “padded” with an extra piece of leather to keep it from scraping against the camera’s body. Overall, it’s a 5-star design.

Judging the quality was a bit tricky for us. On the one hand, we love how Cecilia seeks to source the best materials, as mentioned already; the full-grain Argentinian cowhide is super soft and very supple right out of the box.

The interior of their straps has nylon webbing running through the ends that reinforces them for both strength and reliability, which in turn allows for a tensile strength of 250 pounds for the neck straps and 130 pounds for the wrist straps. The woven webbing is sourced from mills in the USA, and some polyester is used for additional padding. Some models are hand-assembled in New York City while others are assembled in China and/or Mexico.

We also appreciate that the adjustable length of Cecilia’s standard neck straps is 26-52 inches, with a neck length and width of 20 inches x 1.5 inches and a tab length of 19 inches x 0.4 inches.

On the other hand, while the ring attachment on the wrist strap is a solid nickel-plated tempered-steel ring that looks as shiny as when we got it, the hardware on our neck strap is definitely showing some wear. The hardware on our all-black strap is made from Zamac, a zinc-alloy, and the black coating has worn a bit such that a brass-like coloring is showing through. Of course, there are non-black options that we imagine wouldn’t show similar wear. Plus, we’ll readily admit that we beat up our gear to a decent degree. For those reasons we gave the straps 4 stars for quality.

We have no problem with the reality that not everyone is going to buy a camera strap that approaches $100. However, with a range in prices from $36 to $104, we’d argue that there is an option for even the most budget conscious photographer looking for exceptional performance and quality. We faced a reality long ago: we can’t charge thousands of dollars to photograph a wedding and show up with a neck strap emblazoned with a giant yellow “Nikon D750” logo. We just can’t do it. Cecilia’s straps are made out of quality materials, and they put a lot of care into the design and build. The straps are a 5-star value.

Overall, we’re pretty stoked on Cecilia and their products. They have a cool history, they care about photography, and the company is clearly run by good people. And that’s as important to us as solid gear that looks good and holds up to the demands that we put it through. That’s the case with Cecilia’s camera straps so we gave them 5 stars overall. There was no second guessing this rating on our end.

The specific neck strap Amii has been wearing, and that is pictured in this review, is available for $94 from Cecilia. And you can find the wrist strap we discussed for $42 from Cecilia.

Finally, if you want to check the myriad options of Cecilia’s line of camera straps, from wide to narrow neck straps to ring or cord tethered wrist straps and ranging in price from $36-$104 here’s the link: Cecilia camera straps.

And we’d love to hear your thoughts on camera straps. Have you had the opportunity to use Cecilia straps? Do you have a favorite brand, or do you use the strap that’s in the box? Feel free to comment below, and we’d love for you to join the conversation over at our ever-growing Facebook Photography Community group.

Gear, oh how you know I LOVE gear! I love looking at, trying on, and especially shopping for new gear. When it came to camera straps, though, I usually had a more utilitarian goal in mind. Does it work? Is it comfortable? Is it cheap? Sadly, these had been the deciding factors in the piece of my setup that influenced how I would lug around 10-20 pounds of stuff for 8-12 hours a day. After a season or two of this mindset, my body was definitely ready for a change.

[REWIND: THE CURE FOR GEAR ACQUISITION SYNDROME]

Before the Money Maker, I had used/tried a few other options including the Black Rapid strap, the Spider Holster, and the regular “camera strap” stuff including neck/hand straps. My longest use was the Spider Holster coupled with a few Think Tank Lens Changer bags. I loved this system, and it was honestly very functional. I just couldn’t get past the point that I looked a bit like a construction worker with the bags and belt hanging off and bumping into everything. I used to frame/roof houses, and this setup was oddly similar to my belt system I had for hanging tools and nails on my waist. With a brand that is SO intent on how everything looks and feels, I wasn’t really satisfied until form/functionality met STYLE with the Money Maker.

Many photographers I have chatted with love that, along with being highly functional and easy to use, it’s also very “cool” looking and fits well with a clean/modern fashion as well as the “down to earth” or more “hipster” vibe.

Performance can sometimes be a bit of a “general” topic with camera straps, but with the HoldFast system, the performance was an area I was pleasantly surprised to find it excelled in. Durable construction aside, this thing just WORKS. I’ve worn the leather version in pouring down rain, frigid cold and sweltering heat with zero functionality problems.

Aside from issues you deal with wearing ANY extra layer (sweat, a bit of irritating rubbing, etc.), the simplicity of the design and the extra steps they’ve taken to ensure security with the safety strap as a backup to the regular clasp means I never had to worry about the latches failing or the buckles coming undone.

The older version with the “O” slider attachments definitely took some minding to keep from pinching your arms or chest as you slid the camera up and down, but the upgraded sliders completely eliminate this issue. There is a slight “metal-on-metal” squeak that happens occasionally with the clasp and the part that screws into your tripod mount, but a little chapstick on the metal clip solves that rather quickly.

Using the tripod mount as your attachment point for the Money Maker does make that spot inaccessible for use with a tripod without taking the accessory clip off the camera (which is easy to do by leaving it attached to the Money Maker and turning it to loosen it/re-tighten it when put back on), but many tripod mounts have a clip on the bottom with a similar ring attachment that easily fits into the Money Maker clasp.

Long term wear of the leather and metal parts has proven to be very durable, and the performance is actually better with use/time as the leather molds to your body size and shape and the metal pieces have shown no breakdown or noticeable “loosening” over two seasons constant of use.

The Money Maker itself is a fairly simple system. It is designed to carry either one or two camera bodies as well as including d-rings to include an optional third camera or attaching one of the various new Sightseer accessories to make it truly multi-functional for holding lenses, carrying cards, wallet contents or a cell phone, etc.

Along with updating the slider design, the good folks at HoldFast have changed the slider strap from being a specific size to an adjustable length strap to accommodate shooters who prefer the camera being portrait style.

Being able to “add-on” your favorite size lens bags or the Sightseer modular system also allows you to modify the Money Maker to make it a hiker/adventurer’s dream. You can take as much or as little gear with you on your trips as needed and pare down the kit when not needed (up to 8 different pouches/accessories are available to be added on to the strap or attached to the lens bag via a double set of velcro backed/snap system on the front or two similar loops on the sides).

I couldn’t think of one single way I wanted to use this system that I didn’t have the option to do with the available pieces! As an added bonus, each accessory has multiple attachment points to use in whatever way you choose for the day you are using them.

[related products: NEED SOME HELP WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED]

I’ve highlighted most of the simplistic and functional design points in the other sections, so I will focus more on the style in this section as well as a few other options HoldFast offers.

With colors and styles to fit a wide variety of looks, the Money Maker was an obvious choice for someone looking for some style to their otherwise “techie-looking” gear haul.

There is also a cloth or “vegan-friendly” version of the strap now available called the Camera Swagg, as well as a single, cross-body style sling with attachment points for the Sightseer system of accessories!

Once you put your hands on any of HoldFast’s goods, you will realize they are made of rather stout materials. The Money Maker is 100% leather (American Bison, Water Buffalo, and Snakeskin are also popular options!) and they are very proudly made locally to the home base in Oklahoma, so they are 100% Made in the USA! The stitching on the closures are very smooth and heavily connected, so there is no problem with them coming apart. On the bags, the binding and even the zippers are super smooth, and the cloth inside is very fashionable, soft and well thought out with extra removable “pads” included to go between lenses, add extra padding on the bottom or as spacers. The clasp is a sailing rig that has been weight tested to over 200lbs (and as the site says in their F.A.Q., they stopped at 246 lbs b/c the machine they were testing it with broke, haha!) So, it’s safe to say that anything you can strap to it is going to stay attached!

The leather is going to be a bit stiff when you first get it, but they offer a leather cream in the store as well as using traditional “breaking in” methods of bending, flexing and rolling the leather to soften it up. It takes a bit for it to get “worn and soft,” but the work is worth the reward of having a super smooth, ruggedly constructed but clean and fashionable camera harness.

This is likely the area I have found the most kickback when talking to people about the Money Maker system. It isn’t “cheap.” But, remember when I said earlier that I looked for the CHEAP alternatives to using quality straps? Well, there are easily some places you can make sacrifices in cost with gear and be completely ok. This wasn’t one of those areas for me.

It is nearly impossible for me to separate quality and cost from value when it comes to products like this. The cost for the leather versions of the Money Maker is between $215 and $490 with the “Camera Swagg” cloth system weighing in at just $145. When I compared to what I had invested in the Spider Holster and bags for my lenses, however, I actually SAVED money being able to carry my camera bodies and lenses on my shoulders vs. strapped around my waist. Being able to have a system with incredible comfort AND being made out of long-lasting, quality materials made this a system that would cost my business less than $50 a year even if I only kept it for five years (and I’m halfway there already!).

The stress it takes off my lower back and hips coupled with the incredible functionality and fashion of this system makes it an easy win in my book. If you’re worried about being “cool enough” to wear one, believe this geek when I say you’ll look great! It’s actually another one of the F.A.Q.’s on the site, and this is what HoldFast has to say about that – “I actually hear this a lot, people say I like the strap, but I’m not cool enough to pull it off. Well, it’s designed to enhance your style along with being extremely comfortable. So we can ALL use more comfortable straps, and since it enhances your look then, of course, it works with anything. This strap is FOR YOU!”

Not physically holding the camera all day on shoots and weddings, being able to slide it up to shoot and then literally let it hang by my side all the while being suspended across the broad, strongest part of my back has made my body elated, my fashion sense satisfied, and my business happy knowing this is a solid value that will continue to serve me and my clients for years to come. If you’re looking for a new system or some additions to your current HoldFast lineup, you can enter the code “diblasio” in the discount area at checkout to save yourself 10% (and in case you’re wondering: no, they don’t pay me to say anything about their company. It’s not a kickback, just a discount code for our readers!) Click here to see the full HoldFast lineup.

Currently, I have a camera strap I use from Peak Design, which I love, but the camera still bumps into things around the height of a table. So my search for a hand strap or wrist strap continues. The following video caught my eye because not only is it DIY (which I love), but the wrist strap is a paracord bracelet which is very trendy at the moment. Paracord bracelets are made of a lightweight cord originally used in the suspension lines of a parachute and became a fashion accessory a few years back (Plus, it’s handy if you ever need a rope).

Youtuber Bo Ismono demonstrates in this ~3:00minute video, how to make the following wrist strap:

Using only a handful of items, the most difficult part is braiding (tying) the cord (which I’m sure my 10-year-old could figure out as an art project). You only need a carabiner, a key ring, some para cord, a lighter, measuring tape and some sharp scissors.

What do you think? Is this something you would make for your camera?

[Via Reddit]