Strap for cash

'Can you review a camera strap' I was asked...
'Yes I can' I replied... but how am i going to make this a bit more interesting?
How about testing it off the beaten track in India!

OK, the strap in question is from Funkyphotographer.co.uk and first impressions were good. I am testing the white carpet style embroidered neoprene version. It's light and flexible, slightly wider than my Canon SLR straps (1cm) and also slightly shorter... by about 10cm. It came with metal rings (that keyring type) on both ends. These looked a bit cheap, but I guess that they are for non-SLR cameras with smaller eyeholes. I took these off straight away and it now it looks and works exactly like the original straps supplied with my Canon cameras.

On location:

It was taken out to India where it was used and abused, probably more than a strap should be. In hindsight, white was not a great colour choice, though a quick wash made it look like new again.

The strap was a little short for my height (six foot two inches) but I sling my camera quite low down. It worked and felt really nice, like a proper strap... the Canon originals seem to be a little less flexible and don't pack away very gracefully.

The Neoprene means that it doesn't slip on your shoulder; my well used Canon strap is now quite shiny and slips around a bit.

I love the fact that I am not advertising my camera equipment to the world... advertising a three grand camera and lens around your neck might be a little risky in some areas.
Ah, it doesn't have an eyepiece cover... what do you mean you haven't used yours... oh, neither have I.



Final conclusions:

Pros
Wider and thicker than the Canon originals.
Feels and folds like a strap should.
Doesn't slip.
Limited run of 200 straps per design.


Cons
Shorter than the Canon originals (by about 10cm).
No eyepiece cover...

For version 2 I'd like to see a memory card pocket at the base of the strap... something that comes in quite useful for my trigger happy technique ;-)

I think this would make a lovely Fathers day gift, beats a tie any day!