Why Choose a Leather Camera Strap
At Bowman, we live and breathe leather camera straps. It’s an incredible material which softens and wears beautifully. How many other materials get better with age? Once it’s broken in, it will be perfectly suited for its owner, adapting and changing to their individual shape and carrying preference. Furthermore, it’s incredibly strong; a very important consideration when it’s holding up something as precious and valuable as our beloved cameras. Beyond all this though, we think that the beauty of a leather camera strap cannot be beaten. Classic and stylish, they look great on every camera and a good quality one will last you for years.
Comfort level
Leather is supple and soft and will only get better over time, forming to your body. To speed up this process we offer rounded and polished edges for extra comfort. Nylon straps are often durable and cheap. However, they are not as soft on the skin and can lead to chaffing . Unlike leather, nylon is not breathable which is something to consider when shooting in hot weather. In contrast, leather is soft, breathable and comfortable for long shooting sessions.
Strength
Leather camera straps can comfortably support heavy set ups. Our widest strap has a max recommended weight of 2.25kg (5lbs). Though it could easily carry 10kg. This is more than enough for the majority of photographers and means you don’t have to compromise on style and comfort when considering the safety of your camera.
Style
There is no denying that a leather camera strap is the perfect addition for vintage film cameras. Their classic simplicity complements and highlights the beauty of the camera without taking away from it. However, they also fit just as beautifully on a modern DSLR, adding sophistication and a touch of luxury to your setup.
Rolleiflex and Canon with Bowman Leather straps
Artisan made
We’re passionate about leather craft. There is nothing mass produced about our straps. Each one is hand-made using traditional tools. Care, time and skill goes into every strap and due to the beautiful patinas of veg tan leather, each camera strap is unique.
Type of leather
It is important to remember not every type of leather is created equal. Good quality leather should last a lifetime, age beautifully and be incredibly strong (that’s the type we use). However, that’s not always the case and you should watch out for cheap, mass produced leather straps.
Explore Our Handmade Leather Straps
If you’re thinking of switching to leather, we make a small collection of handmade camera straps designed to suit different cameras and shooting styles. All our straps come with the option of classic split rings or Peak Design anchors.
