I’ve been a fan of Lucky Straps' leather camera straps long before I became a member of the Lucky Straps team. Before I owned one, I saw the straps at random camera stores and attached to other photographers' cameras. I even recall the timber display cameras that Justin had made to help promote and showcase Lucky Straps in stores. However, my first hands-on experience with a Lucky Straps leather camera strap was in early 2020 when I reviewed a couple of straps for Shotkit. I recall being so excited to get the Lucky Straps media kit in the mail as Justin had included a Slim 30 neck/shoulder strap, a broader Standard 53 neck/shoulder strap, and a Wrist Strap. But that’s not all. Justin had also thrown in some stickers and a Lucky Straps T-shirt; my daughter still wears it as pyjamas. The media kit arrived in a simple yet stylish recycled box, and Lucky Straps branding was on display. You can check out my review here and see what I thought all those years ago.
Fast forward to today, and not only am I still a writer for Shotkit, but I am also now part of the Lucky Straps team. Talk about life coming full circle. In case you’re wondering, my role at Lucky Straps includes writing blogs for the site, community outreach to camera clubs, customer support, and hosting The Camera Life podcast. The Camera Life is a live YouTube photography podcast that airs twice a week, every week. Our Monday night show, The Random Photography Show, is a casual and relaxed conversation about photography, gear, news, rumors, and more. Every Thursday, we also run a live show where we interview a photographer to talk about their inspirations, education, experiences, journey, and current projects. Working with Justin and Jim to bring together a live show is a lot of fun. We love what we do.
Since my first interaction with Lucky Straps, I’ve loved the quality of materials and craftspersonship the brand promises. As an official Aussie Made local company, I’m proud to support, promote, and celebrate local. Each leather camera strap is hand-crafted in Bendigo, Victoria, with the finishing touches completed by Justin, Jim, and Yelana from Lucky HQ. I’ve watched these guys work through a bunch of strap orders and was amazed by just how many times they picked up and inspected the straps. The team checks for unwanted marks and flaws in the leather while cleaning up any stitching. To learn more about how Lucky Straps are made, check out the From Our Hands To Yours blog article.
The Lucky Straps Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap
Today’s article discusses my Lucky Straps leather camera strap of choice - the Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap. The Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap is a gorgeous bit of kit made from incredibly soft and forgiving vintage full-grain leather. If you think the pre-softened strap feels amazing right out of the box, wait until you wear it, and it begins forming its own character. With time, the leather softens and patinas, adding marks and scuffs from your countless adventures. The Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap is 30mm (1 3/16") wide, 2.4mm thick (0.094”), and the main leather body measures 37.5cm (15") in length. The strap also features anti-theft, cut-resistant Dyneema® webbing with Lucky’s engineered Quick Release System. The clever Quick Release System features a carrabena-style gate and lock to prevent tampering or accidental release. With the strap fitted to your camera and the Quick Release System ensuring a secure connection, the leather section of the strap passes through a metal D-ring to create a comfortable wrist loop.
The Lucky Straps Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap is a one-size-fits-all strap ideal for any size or style of camera.
Why I Prefer Wrist Straps Over Neck And Shoulder Straps
There are three key reasons why I prefer to attach a Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap to my camera: comfort, creative freedom, and security. Anyone familiar with me will know that I’m a Fujifilm fanboy who has owned, tested, and reviewed almost every Fujifilm camera and lens. As a result, I’ve attached a Lucky Straps Deluxe Leather Camera Strap to various cameras and camera/lens combos. My typical street photography kit is the Fujifilm X-E4 with a compact XF 23mm f/2 prime lens. Alternatively, I will attach a Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap to my ultra-compact Fujifiilm X70 point and shoot. These cameras aren’t very heavy, but they still balance well with the strap. I’ve also attached Deluxe Leather Wrist Straps to some of the biggest and heaviest kits on the market. For example, I’ve comfortably used the strap with the Fujifilm GFX 100S II large-format digital mirrorless camera with the monolithic GF 500mm f/5.6 super telephoto prime lens. The strap supported the weight and proved more than capable of meeting my criteria of comfort, creative freedom, and security.
Comfort
I’ve suffered from neck, shoulder, and back issues for years and, as a result, have to be selective about what gear I pack and how I carry it. My limitations mean I can’t carry a heavy camera on a neck or shoulder strap. Even a lightweight camera system is out of the question. Or at least, I can’t carry gear on a neck or shoulder for long despite how comfortable the longer Lucky straps are. With all of this in mind, I need to be very selective about the kinds of camera bags and straps I employ. What’s more, I must be selective about the weight and size of the cameras and lenses I work with. As a result, I prefer to always carry my camera in my hand. Rather than have a camera slung over my shoulder or around my neck, I find the wrist strap option best and the most comfortable. Not only is the full-grain leather incredibly soft, but it’s also flexible while creating a secure and comfortable closed loop around my wrist. The Lucky Straps Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap doesn’t cause chaffing or pinch my skin.
Creative Freedom
I’ve shot for many years and have attempted and even worked professionally in various genres. Knowing how I approach my craft, I find wrist straps give me a lot more creative freedom and flexibility of movement. Being a street and travel photographer, I always have my camera in hand. That way, I’m ready for the shot and can see, compose, and capture in moments. While neck and shoulder straps allow you to spread the load more evenly across your body, I find them less forgiving than a wrist strap. A wrist strap lets me move dynamically to work with the unfolding scene. Depending on the light, composition, and featured elements, I often squat low, hold my camera at waist height, or hold it up high. Having the camera on a wrist strap means that the camera is a natural extension of myself. Where I move, the camera follows! If a neck or shoulder strap isn’t the right length, it often limits your range of movement while holding the camera away from you.
Security
Another key element of my street and travel photography kit is security. While many photographers rely on a camera sling, bag, or backpack to keep their kit safe, I often don’t carry one. All too often, I walk out the door with my camera in hand and a spare battery in my pocket. I leave my camera bag, accessories, and additional lenses behind at home or in the hotel room. Working without a camera bag full of glass means I make the shot work with the minimal gear in my hand. It’s also important to note that I can’t comfortably carry a big heavy bag. Using a wrist strap attached to my camera with a single lens means I don’t get distracted hunting around in a bag looking for the best lens for the shot. Instead, with the camera attached to a wrist strap, I’m always ready for the shot and can point and shoot. When traveling, I feel incredibly safe, and my gear is secure thanks to the locking Quick Release System, anti-theft, cut-resistant Dyneema® webbing, and the overall premium build quality. Lucky Straps have been tested to support massive kits, and Justin has even tested one with his Lecia Q3. Check out the video here!
The Final Word on Lucky Straps Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap
As a photography gear reviewer, I’ve tested a lot of camera straps from some popular and reputable brands. And a handful from some dodgy brands (dodgy is Australian-slang for corrupt, low quality, and crap!). I always find myself returning to the beauty and benefits of a Lucky Straps camera strap. They’re gorgeous, locally made, and manufactured from premium materials by Australian craftspeople. I’ve also watched the end-to-end process from the leather being graded, cut, and sewn to personalisation, quality control, and packaging. All care is taken to ensure you get the best strap for your money and to meet your creative needs. Given the quality of materials, assembly process, and customer care, a Lucky Strap leather camera strap will outlast your camera and, if cared for, should outlast you! Leave it in your will for the kids to fight over.
The Lucky Straps Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap is an essential investment for any street or travel photographer looking for comfort, creative freedom, and security. As far as investments go, it’s a surefire bet that should last a lifetime! The Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap is available in 9 leather colour finishes, plus you can personalise your leather camera strap with embossing and foil fill finishes. You can personalise your strap with your name, a favourite photography quote, or a business name. We even do custom designs and brand logos upon request. Check out our page for more information on Lucky Straps' personalisation options! Granted, I’m now part of the Lucky Straps team, but I’ve loved these premium, locally made, leather camera straps for years - long before I hosted The Camera Life podcast. If you’re a street or travel photographer or find neck and shoulder straps less comfortable, look at the Lucky Straps Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap.
