Last Updated on 04/20/2016 by Chris Gampat
There are a number of photographers that deeply care about their camera straps based on their shooting techniques, and for the ones that demand versatility, the options that Hawkesmill offers are very attractive. Sure, you can go that cheap, fugly strap that comes with your camera–but I’ll bet you loads of money that on a full day’s shoot that it’s going to become annoying and painful after a while. So what you’ll do is wrap it around your wrist, sling it around your shoulder, maybe around your chest, or you’ll do that pretty antiquated method of just putting it around your neck. To that end, a standard camera strap will never be anywhere as comfortable as what the guys over at Hawkesmill are making.
But for the photographer that loves the versatility of a comfortable and soft to the touch strap that they can sling around their chest or wrap around their wrist in various situations, what Hawkesmill offers will be very attractive thanks in part to Horween Chromexcel leather. Along with the products that Cub and Co, TAP and DYE, and Great State offer, you’ve got a number of solid options to choose from.
Tech Specs
Lug mount versions, Nikon, etc:
- Four sizes available – 100cm, 110cm, 120cm, 130cm.
- Two colourways available: brown with orange stitching, black with red stitching.
- Horween Chromexcel leather. Known for its durability and softness, as well as it’s lack of colour-transference. Meaning, the colour will not rub off on your clothes.
- High quality split rings attach to lug mount and “bumper guards” ensure the split rings don’t scratch the camera.
- Handmade in England.
Flat mount versions, Canon, Etc:
- One size fits all. Strap is adjustable from 90cm to 130cm.
- Two colourways available: brown and black.
- Horween Chromexcel leather. Known for its durability and softness, as well as it’s lack of colour-transference. Meaning, the dye will not rub off on your clothes.
- Each strap is riveted at stress points. Recommended max weight is 7lbs. Although strap has been tested to support weight up to 30lbs without breaking, or splitting.
Ergonomics
Hawkesmill camera straps are essentially long, thin pieces of leather with just enough padding and thickness to make them very comfortable when carrying most modern day DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. The largest part is the main shoulder pad that isn’t very thick but because of the design is impressively comfortable.
With age, it’s also going to look pretty rad.
There are two variables: flat mount and lug mount. The brown strap you see here is lug mount. EAch strap secures itself using a belt system that works very effectively and allows for adjustment.
If you own certain cameras, it will also make getting into these lugs very simple. The process of attaching and detaching the straps is very simple.
The other strap in black is the flat style that will appeal to canon shooters but can even have appeal with others. These straps are a but tougher to work with in general though.
The reason for being tougher to work with: you’ll need to use the split ring and slip ir around the strap loops. It’s far easier than other companies–primarily TAP and DYE but it’s still kind of a pain overall.
Build Quality
These straps are very well built and use very secure stitchings to maintain their high quality nature. On top of this, they’re also incredibly comfortable. For what it’s worth though, it’s not worth switching from a current horween chromexcel strap to.
These straps will be best appreciated by the photographer that switches their strap configuration around. Like to wrap it around your wrist? The leather is soft yet strong to be comfortable. What about around your chest? The straps won’t make your shirt sweat at all–which is a big plus when walking around in the hot summer.
Conclusions
The Hawkesmill camera straps are incredibly well made, feel great, and overall have a nice appeal to them. They surely do their job and they do it rather well. But they’re also expensive. The reason for this has to do with the leather involved as Horween Chromexcel leather isn’t cheap and is a creme de la creme for leathers.
If you want one strap that’s absolutely perfect and gives you room to make adjustments accordingly, then spring for these straps. Otherwise, consider what Great State, Cub and Co and TAP and DYE make.