Splurged on that camera didn't you? Well, if I were you, I'd invest in the best leather strap to give my camera the security it deserves.
“Absolutely perfect! This is the perfect accessory for an expensive camera. Sometimes the included neck strap gets in the way when shooting action or portraits, so I take it off, putting my investment at risk. The Popov leather wrist strap is strong, attractive and doesn’t get in the way! I might need a couple more soon!”
A strap is a must-have camera accessory. Straps provide security for your camera even while it’s in use. Your entire camera ensemble becomes safer, easier to carry, and—if you’re rocking Popov Leather—more stylish.
There are different strap styles. At Popov Leather, we make wrist straps.
Our camera wrist strap is small, simple, and modestly-priced. It’s the perfect way to keep your precious camera safe while adding a bit of leather style to your gear.
Here are the strap’s dimensions:
| Popov Leather Camera Wrist Strap: Length and Width | |
| Length | 6” (approximately) from wrist to camera |
| Width | ½” |
The wrist strap consists of a single leather strip assembled with a solid brass key ring, slider, and rivets.
To wear the wrist strap, fit your hand inside the loop. You can then easily move the slider and tighten the fit.
The strap adjusts to form a snug and secure fit on any wrist size. The leather contact against your wrist is smooth and comfortable, unlike other harder synthetic materials that are often used for camera straps.
Table of Contents
Camera Strap Varieties and Materials
Holding your camera in your hands without any added security is a recipe for disaster. One bad move and your prized possession goes crashing to the ground.
To keep cameras from free falling, photographers use straps that wrap around a body part. The camera can then hang in place hands-free.
Manifacturers typically make camera straps from leather, nylon, paracord, cotton, canvas, or cloth. Leather is a great option because it’s smooth yet non-slip and holds up well against the elements.
Here are the four most common camera strap types:
- Wrist strap
- Neck strap
- Cross-body strap/sling strap
- Harness strap
A neck strap is worn around the neck like a necklace. A cross-body strap is worn over one shoulder and hangs the camera towards the opposite hip.
Harness straps are the most intense option. Furthermore, professional photographers use these when they rock multiple cameras or shoot in challenging positions. Photographers wear a harness strap like a backpack to provide the highest level of security and stability.
Wrist straps are the most low-key strap option. Compared to other styles, wrist straps have less bulk and are the least likely to get in your way while taking photos. They’re quickly attached to and removed from your wrist, and they easily fit in camera cases and gear bags.
All camera straps are designed primarily to protect your camera. The variety that’s best for you depends on the type of photography you practice and your personal preferences.
Protect Your Camera From Drops
Straps provide convenience and a bit of style. However, camera security is the primary function of any strap.
Most wrist straps (including those made by Popov Leather) connect to a single point on the camera. The loop is easily tightened around your wrist, and won’t loosen until you manually push the slider.
Using your strap is incredibly simple and there’s not much that can go wrong.
Even with your strap attached, you’ll probably want to keep your hand on your camera most of the time. But, if you ever want to or need to release your grip, your camera will stay tightly attached to your wrist.
Compared to a neck strap, a wrist strap holds your camera less tightly to your body. However, there’s safety value in a wrist strap’s simplicity. When attached to your wrist, moving the camera on and off of a tripod or fully extending your arms for a shot is no problem—all the while keeping your camera secure.
“What’s not to like? Great leather quality (duh, it's Horween), sturdy hardware, and a cool rustic look on a modern DSLR. I discovered the accidental advantage of this strap the first time I dropped the camera, and the extra elasticity of leather vs nylon web made for a much less jarring stop than expected.”
Use Your Strap To Reduce Camera Shake
Camera shake refers to the unintentional hand movements that rattle your camera when you take a photo. Consequently, this results in blurry shots.
If you’re shooting on low shutter speeds without a tripod, camera shake can be difficult to overcome.
Your camera strap can help. Besides the primary security and convenience benefits, straps are functional. You can use your strap as a tool for taking better photos.
Any strap style can be used to stabilize your camera. By pulling the cord away from the camera, you create tension. The camera then feels more frozen in space, helping you to grip it without shaking.
With longer straps, photographers use various grips to squeeze the strap on one end while pulling the camera away at the other end. You can even step on the strap with your foot to create tension while shooting subjects that are low to the ground.
If you’ve got a wrist strap, the tension is established right next to the camera. The strap is just a few inches long. So, your face, hands, and the camera can all be up close to one another—gentle twists and tugs are all you need to establish tension and stabilize your camera.
Are There Downsides to a Leather Camera Strap?
Okay, okay. This is a pros AND cons overview. While we’ll never have a bad word to say about leather, it’s important to note that a wrist strap won’t be the perfect solution for every photographer’s needs.
If you want to do a lot of hands-free camera carrying, you might prefer a neck strap or cross-body strap. These styles are more practical as carrying solutions, while a wrist strap is best viewed as a safety device.
Our hands move around a lot and provide a less secure anchor than the upper body. Your camera will bounce around if you let it hang from your wrist while you walk.
Wrist cameras are more appropriate for smaller and lighter cameras. There’s only so much weight that you want hanging from your wrist. A wrist strap is ideal for a point-and-shoot camera or a mirrorless camera with a small lens.
Leather Goods for Stylish Tech Gear
For camera straps and other tech accessories, you can’t go wrong with leather. As a matter of fact, leather beats out other material choices in durability, flexibility, and touch. Plus, nobody’s ever raved about the smell of vinyl or nylon—but fine leather goods give you that unmistakable, heavenly aroma.
While we’re best known for wallets and belts, the Popov Leather team pours a lot of our creativity into tech products. Our product line for high-tech accessories currently includes these leather goods:
- Camera wrist strap
- iPad sleeve
- AirTag and AirPod case
- Apple Watch strap
- Desk pad and mouse pad
- Cord wrap
All of our items are made from full-grain Horween leather—the best of the best. Additionally, products are available in these leather color options:
- English Tan
- Heritage Brown
- Natural Brown
- Black
Popov Leather goods are built to last. Consequently, we stand behind our products with a lifetime guarantee. Over time, your leather will develop a rich, one-of-a-kind patina. It’ll show its wear and tear in the form of rugged beauty marks, but the leather will hold up year after year.
For your next prized leather possession, check out our tech collection. For more buying guides and leather-related topics, visit our blog.
Article by Ryan Popoff
Ryan Popoff is the creative mind behind Popov Leather wallets, iPhone cases, belts, watch bands and journals since 2013. With a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, my leatherworking journey began at home. I wanted to create a simple leather wallet that could fit into my front pocket and — to my delight — it was a hit with family and friends. Hopefully you love our honest, quality leather goods too! Reach out with questions.
How does one purchase a leather camera strap? I can not find one on your site. Little article about how great one is wets the appetite.
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