The search for a camera strap for my DSLR is over for good. Finally someone came up with something that is both comfortable to wear (especially important while traveling) and functional when it comes to actually taking photos. The strap is called Cinch and it is designed and made by Portland, Oregon-based Luma Labs. The key to what makes Cinch special is the ability to easily make the strap longer so you can quickly bring up your camera to take a picture – then tighten it all right back up and be on your way. The other huge plus is the fact that the design puts the camera in a perfect cradle while you are on the go. This is a very important aspect if you are walking around all day, because no one likes a camera impaling you in the side the whole time. Or maybe you do get down like that, though probably better if we don’t talk about it.
I recommend this strap even if you already have something you think is good. I guarantee the Cinch is better. And don’t worry, I’m not pumping this up because they gave me one for free. I own another strap from Luma Labs and when they did the pre-launch for the Cinch they offered a existing customers a chance to buy Cinch early as a sort of beta test and I went for it. I’m glad I did.
In my opinion, it’s hard to find good camera accessories period – let alone ones made in America. So hats off to Luma Labs for doing things right. [LUMA LABS]
Thanks as always Mike. Off topic, where is the jacket your wearing from? Pretty slick.
Very nice, and very similar to this Glide Strap from C-SLR: http://www.customslr.com/products/glide-strap
I own the Glide Strap and couldn’t be happier with my purchase. I especially like how it attaches to the camera’s tripod mount to allow for an easy turning radius.
It’s those little things that make a difference.
Great gift item for the hobbiest or pro.
Jacket is Aspesi.
Ditto Ryan, above. The Glide Strap is the first really new strap system in decades. I use a battery grip on the bottom of my SLR and therefore, with longer lenses etc. it all becomes a burden. The glide Strap allows the camera lump to fall to your hip and be out of the way and not banging into things that your chest comes up against, (railings, ladders, cars, etc.) until you are ready to pull it up. Then, it glides along the strap by a trolly loop, the end of which is screwed into your tripod socket on the base of the camera body. The overall strap is probably 4′ doubled, but is adjustable and VERY well made, including a steel inner wire to prevent slash and run in crowded tourist areas. Typically German engineering all around.
And speaking of little things making a big difference, I wear it all over a Billingham Photo Vest (Made in England) that is another gorgeous Egyptian cotton (and Ventile double lining) tour-de-force in engineering with its collar, snap epaulets and pockets within pockets, etc.
anyone have a recommendation for a camera bag for a SLR? am looking for something lightweight/easy to travel with ideally…
@mckemi: It depends on your load. For big equipment and glass, consider the backpack bags that are made with a real frame (like a real backpack) that distributes the weight; several around just check the structure.
For shoulder bags, I have a couple of Billingham (England) in cotton twill with gorgeous leather accoutrements.
http://www.billingham.co.uk/pages/index.php
They are widely available on line and at good photo stores.
Only thing I always specify is that the interior is NOT black, so you can find that errant lens cap or filter.
I’ll stick with the UpStrap, also made in the USA. Not as fussy as the Cinch.
I would also like to bring your attention to the Diagnl Ninja strap. See: http://www.diagnl.jp Full disclosure: I came up with it in the first place, and my partners in Japan have done an excellent job developing it further. I think it kicks ass, but clearly I am biased. :) I’ll be working on bringing it to the US market in the first half of 2012.
@mckemi – I’m partial to the Think Tank Retrospective 10 for functionality, and the ONA Union Messenger for looks and functionality. ;)
Can anyone opine about how these compare with the BlackRapid R-Straps? I’ve been using those and was happy about how well the camera glides into a shooting position until the strap connector unscrewed itself twice from the tripod socket…not good!
I gotta get me one of these. In these pictures, is it the regular size model?
been looking for one for ages now, not enough places stock them
I ken I saw this same concept before- nice adaptation.
http://www.vikingtactics.com/videos/pop-instr_video1_sling.html
No offence intended, but Mr. Williams is “doing it wrong”. If you’re carrying a DSLR with a long lens that is “impaling you in the side”, do what the photojournalists do. Hang the camera off of one shoulder (not across your chest), but instead of the hanging it the natural way with the screen bouncing against your body, flip the camera around – so that the flash/hotshoe is against your body. The lens will wrap around your back and the whole camera will hug your body. This method also puts the camera grip in the perfect position to grab and quickly snap a few shots – with one hand. Works beautifully. This cinch strap looks pretty cool, but largely unnecessary, IMO.
I’m a professional photographer, but take my advice with a grain of salt; I shoot architecture, so if the camera isn’t on my tripod, it’s in my bag!
@Friederike, I am not familiar with your brand but the Glide has a very slick rubber grommet that contacts the base of the camera around the tripod mount screw, and then the beautifully machined aluminum big knob (nice big knurls) allows you to crank down and compress the rubber grommet. This leaves the aluminum, attached to the loop, to rotate freely, yet independent of the rubber grommet and screw. This is probably not clear, but trust me, it can’t unscrew from use of the camera– all but the rubber rotates freely around the mounting screw.
There are two kinds of photographers: those who use tripods, and those who do not.
@Ray Hull, I tried searching for the Billingham Photo Vest but only found it made in nylon and not in cotton. Do you have any links that would lead me to the cotton model? Thanks in advance and happy shooting!
I have the Luma Loop strap. Apparently Luma stopped making them because of a patent dispute, even though they admitted they stole the design from the rifle straps used in World War I. Great company, great build quality. They document the patent issue here: http://lu.ma/blogs/news/4540122-an-open-letter-to-our-customers-past-and-future
looking good michael!!
been too long.
Hi Michael,
Do you still shoot with your FF x100?
Frankie.