These days it seems like there is a new ‘must’ have for Photographers every two minutes. They range for the ‘in’ camera bag to a set of actions that will transform your editing process.  I learned a long time ago, to research and pick my purchase carefully or I would have a computer full of templates I don’t use and a closet of bags and other things that sit gathering dust.

However, I have been SEARCHING for a comfortable camera strap.  I have to say there are many custom straps out there, some more functional then pretty and others more pretty then functional.  My primary reason for a new strap was that I wanted to hide that big NIKON D700 or D300 that Nikon uses to brand it’s higher end cameras.  To me I was walking around with a red flag that said: “hey look I have EXPENSIVE gear ROB ME.”

I looked at so many straps it’s not funny. So many of the straps on etsy had me concerned as I was not sure about the durability of their clips.  Then a friend posted a link to Abie Straps.  I was immediately drawn to the colors, variety and the quality of the straps.  Here was something that seemed not just functional, but pretty too!

I got my strap last month and I am really blown away at the construction and how comfortable the strap is.  I will start with the entire process, her ordering was easy to use and I loved that her site told you how many were left of each item.  No order and hoping it was in stock, which really helped me to narrow down my choice.  The order was placed late on a Wednesday and I had my strap on Saturday morning.  That speaks volumes about the service and the commitment she has to this product.

The strap it’s self is amazing. It’s wide, but not too wide.  The back side is soft black suede and just feels amazing against my neck. I have two cameras and change them out during a session, I hated changing to the camera that has the cover on it – that’s how comfortable the strap is.  The leather trim finish off the edges nicely, it’s these details that make me love the strap so much.

The strap — look how nicely the edges are finished.

The strap is lined with the suede and is so comfortable on your neck!

The strap was clearly designed so you can adjust it and create the length you need.  It comes in three pieces, two sections that you hook to your camera and then the third section which is the padded strap. Pretty sure I did not describe this using the proper terms (LOL).  I love that I can remove the strap easily to work on a tripod and add it back in just as quickly if I am on my way out the door.  There was plenty of webbing so this would work for me at 5’2” and just as easily for my friend who is nearly six feet, and we rarely find something that fits us both!

There are a few things I don’t/didn’t like. The first is that there were no instructions with the strap. That would have been helpful for those like me who are not always the most savvy at putting things together.  However, after contacting the company I am pretty sure this has been resolved and that there are now instructions available.

After weeks of using the Abie Strap I am in love and wanting one for my second camera, OK it’s sad to say that I often won’t use my back up camera as it does not have the nice comfy strap on it.  Christmas is coming if anyone needs to get me a gift…..LOL!

The clips:  So easy to use to take the strap on and off and STRONG!

Love the details they just make this something special.

Just love the look of my camera with the strap!

To get a discount on your Abie strap use the code “SHANNON” …see below comments for amount…and leave some blog love while you are there!

Shannon

Many of us are familiar with the EXPO disc (and even though I don’t have one I want one LOL).  This little tool makes getting the prefect white balance so easy, which in turn will make editing a much easier task.

The makers of the expo disc have come out with this new product that I find so intriguing. I really want to get one just to see how it works.  Those with a NAPP membership were able to get a discount on it (check out the NAPP website).  This is the Roque FlashBender, the part that makes it so interesting to me is how easy it would be to slip into even the smallest camera bag to always have on had to direct your flash.  Let’s face it I am a sucker for cool new things that make my life easier.  That is probably why I am so in love my my little flash to start with — great power and portable too!