I'd never really carried a tripod with a strap before but I thought I'd give it a try. I like it a lot. It's snug on my shoulder and frees up my right hand, which used to bear the burden of the tripod as I tromped along to a job site. But most of all, I like the aesthetics. The leather is thick and gives the impression that it'll supply years of service. I carry it so the tripod hangs horizontally.
In the interests of total disclosure I must say that Gordy sent me the strap as a gift. He did not ask me to write this but I wanted to after having used the strap for a week. It's a niche product that feels both retro and useful. I'm putting the link to Gordy's strap site in case you want a non-traditional (or should I say previously traditional?) camera or tripod strap.
Gordy is smart. He hooked me by sending the first one for free. Now I've been back to the site several times and I'm in the process of deciding which straps I need for a few new cameras. I just can't stand the promotional straps that come in the boxes with the new cameras.......
http://www.gordyscamerastraps.com/index.htm
21 comments:
Yeah - knew those already from the MyFourThirds.com page; they seem to be really good. And since they have resellers in Europe, I think I'll give them a try. Thanks for the reminder.
I love Gordy's straps! All that I use anymore on my small cameras.
Everyone should have one. And the price is rather agreeaable also.
Mikko and Wolfgang,
I'm going to outfit my smaller cameras with them. A nice disconnection from the rigors of industrial design.
Could we PLEASE find a word other than "retro" to describe products that are thoughtfully designed and made out of sturdy and appropriate materials?
A strap for a tripod, that's a great idea!
I also have a Berlebach and among the two problems I have with it (one being the weight) is how to carry it around. I am currently using a dedicated tripod bag for it.
The problem is: it's long. The tripod is almost three feet with the legs at their minimum extension. It looks a but as if I am carrying a sniper rifle over my shoulder.
Scott, What's your suggestion?
Following this I popped over to his site and love the look. However, I have a reservation and that's the width of the straps and how they'd distribute the weight over say a days shooting.
Kirk, that tripod of your is beautiful looking but heavy? Could you carry it for any length of time without the strap cutting into your shoulder?
The tripod is about six pounds but with the "shoulder pad" on the strap it's pretty comfy. My longest jaunt is about 15 minutes and it's perfect for that. We'll stress test it right after Thanksgiving and we'll see how it fairs.
I wish I knew about this before I bought my neoprene strap... the Burlebach is so much easier to carry with one...
These are great Kirk. Good find. These straps are much nicer than the ones that come with the cameras with the big logos strewned across them. Thanks for sharing this.
Think 'll get my wife one for Christmas. :0
Glad you found each other, I've got two of Gordy's straps. One's a snappy black with red thread on the Olympus XA and the other is a classy oxblood on the M3. Highly recommended.
You should be happy Gordy found you, he makes great straps. I've got two: a snappy black w/red thread on the Olympus XA and classy oxblood on the M3. Highly recommended.
Yep. I've bought a few straps from Gordy over the years, and you just cannot beat traditional materials like leather. Like you, Kirk, I absolutely hate the straps that are supplied with new cameras, and that goes for all of them - even the strap supplied with the E-P3 (you wouldn't think that it would be that hard to make a nice soft strap for a camera that size, but apparently it is).
So now I have a Gordy strap on my E-P3, and Domke Gripper straps on my DSLRs. Leather and canvas - can't beat 'em! Unfortunately, this love of traditional materials has led me down an expensive path - I recently replaced some of my Domke bags with Billingham (a couple of my Domkes with which I didn't quite get along, which is the exception because Domke bags are usually the perfect bag). Billingham bags have the best of both worlds - they're made out of canvas AND leather, and no sign of velcro anywhere.
P.S. I'll take an iPad over a Kindle Fire anytime, but then I already have the new Kindle 4. Once again, best of both worlds - Kindle for daytime reading, iPad for when I want to do more than just read and when the light levels get low. And before you ask - yes, I did pay extra for the LEATHER magic cover for my iPad 2. :-)
Tassillo said "carrying his tripod over his shoulder it looks like a sniper rifle" interesting to read that. I have an all black aluminum Manfrotto tripod with a pistol grip head. I carry it with the black padded strap that came with it. I was carrying it through the local park one day when a kid said to his dad "that guys carrying an Uzzi". Best not to use one around the secret service.
Gordy´s straps have a sado look.
Gordy's no dummy ;-)
I'll bet lots of readers did what I just did - put a link to his page for friends and, more importantly, on my holiday wish-list for my family who are always looking for gift ideas for g-pa.
"Scott, What's your suggestion?"
I'm thinking about it. Actually, it's not as easy as I had thought.
More later, I hope.
Yeah, Gordy's straps are really nice - I have one on my Ricoh GRD3. Nice and comfortable, and it looks much better than the one that comes with the camera.
Thanks for posting this Kirk - it's one of those things I never new I wanted until I saw it. Can't wait for mine to arrive - my photog friends are gonna DROOL!
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