We previously reviewed the Tap and Dye Legacy Wrist Strap, and though we had some complaints about it the strap overall is still quite an excellent and well designed piece of functional swag. But despite how good the strap was, we still had an affinity for a full length strap for mirrorless cameras. We purchased the company’s Legacy Shoulder/Neck camera strap in the 44″ size, and after some wrestling with the strap, we were able to mount it onto the Olympus OMD EM5. Justin, the strap’s creator and the company’s owner, crafts them in NYC and delivers each strap in their own special cloth case.
But everything from there on is reminiscent of a love story.
Pros and Cons
Pros
– Superb build quality, perhaps the best of any camera strap we’ve ever used
– The company has improved the feel of the interior, so it isn’t as harsh anymore
– Extremely strong
– Wraps around the wrist quite comfortably, though sometimes has some sharp edges
– Looks beautiful on the camera
Cons
– Putting this strap on your camera and taking it off is like fighting a battle with the cow whose hide it came from tooth and nail.
Gear Used
We used the Tap and Dye Legacy Shoulder Strap with the Olympus OMD EM5.
Tech Specs
Taken from the product page
Each strap is treated with natural oils to condition and protect it. Our Dark Amber Beeswax finish undergoes an extensive hot waxing process using melted beeswax and other essential oils to strengthen and waterproof the leather for many years to come.
Quality above all else is our mantra and we strive to make everyone of our products reflect that. So be confident in knowing that your purchase will last you for many years to come.
- Each strap is made from Full Grain, Cowhide leather. All edges will be left unfinished and distressed for a vintage antique look.
- Each strap features durable, high quality antique nickel plated solid brass rivets.
- Each strap by default will be ~ 38″ long without protective strap bumper. Strap thickness is 7/8 oz and width is 1/2″ Measurements: (.5″ x 40″ x .125″) {12.7mm x 965 mm x 3.15mm}
Ergonomics
The Tap and Dye Legacy Shoulder Strap is beautiful and lengthy and in some ways reminds me of old canvas due to its aesthetics–but it is indeed leather. The strap has a smooth exterior that is finished with beeswax and oils for longevity, while the inside is made for a softer feel.
Though the strap isn’t the most pliable vs some of its competitors from Figosa, Holdfast Gear and A7, it still demonstrates quite a bit of strength. I can still scrunch mine together to fit into a compact compartment of my Think Tank Retrospective 7 camera bag.
To connect the strap to the camera, you’ll need to slip a little area over the camera strap loop, and then you’ll need to get Tap and Dye’s split ring in there. It’s quite a feat of engineering that will cause the outburst of random curse words from your mouth as you battle with the strap.
Once you win the battle though, you’ll be rewarded with something extremely sexy on the camera that no other company at the moment has. In addition to that the security will be quite excellent.
Build Quality
The overall quality of this camera strap is second to none. Though for wrist straps I have a personal love more for those from Holdfast Gear in conjunction with their accessories, nothing is as tough as the straps from Tap and Dye. Though they can sometimes be rough on the skin, they’re overall still not so bad and have greatly improved from the previous versions. The edges are still sharp sometimes though, but you’ll only really experience this if you want to wrap this strap around your wrist. In that case, we also suggest that you really break it in as well.
Unlike other straps, it doesn’t have a padded area for extra comfort because it really doesn’t need it when used with lighter cameras–which this strap is really designed for.
In Use
Since the OMD EM5 is a weather sealed camera, we took the Tap and Dye Legacy Strap out into the spring rain showers of NYC. The company states that the beeswax and oil application process is supposed to weatherseal the leather and also add to the longevity.
In our tests, we didn’t feel that the strap got soaked at all or even absorbed moisture.
Another issue that we sometimes find with camera straps is that they don’t let the skin underneath the clothing that they are resting on breathe at times. This strap allowed it as I walked up and down the High Line in NYC and around Chinatown as well. That’s another plus one for this strap.
Finally, we were overall happy that we were able to find a strap that will keep up with the toughness of the Olympus OMD EM5. The camera is weather sealed and is designed to be a constant companion to you. This strap makes that experience much more comfortable overall.
Conclusions
We have to commend Tap and Dye on their efforts in improving their straps. Our biggest complaints were getting the strap onto the camera and the comfort level–but the latter is pretty much totally fixed now. And though we will probably always complain about getting the strap onto the camera, it provides some security that you really can’t get from anyone else in the industry at the moment–and the company deserves a round of praise for this.
Despite all of this, you’re paying quite a price for this strap, but the reassurance that it will last an extremely long time is pretty darn comfy, and its tank-like build will make it all worth it.
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