Many photographers shun the supplied camera neck strap for one of the Peak Design models. The choice has just broadened with a new color and other small changes.
I wonder whether Peak Design realized they were onto a good thing after they released the Sitka collaboration strap. The camouflage design's huge appeal for wildlife photographers, who often dress in muted greens and browns to help hide them from the birds and animals they are trying to capture, resulted in the stock selling out almost immediately upon release.
The company otherwise produced a limited range of what it calls colorways: Black, Ash (gray), Midnight (a pastel blue), and Sage (a pastel green). Of those, Sage was probably the color most suited to wildlife photographers. But a new edition is available to photographers that may appeal to those venturing into the wilds to spot birds and animals: Coyote.
Peak Design sent me two of these straps to test: the Slide and the Slide Lite, but they have also released the Leash in this color, as well as the Cuff wrist strap.
What Are Peak Design Straps?
If you haven’t met them before, many online camera reviews show two buttons hanging from the strap loops on the camera. Those are the Peak Design anchors, and their ubiquity shows how well respected they are among photography writers. The straps attach firmly to these anchors using a secure quick-release mechanism.
Peak Design straps come in three sizes. The widest is the Slide, which is suitable for larger cameras and lenses. If you use a hefty 35mm camera system, then this is the strap for you. I use mine solely for my largest telephoto lens. The next size down is the Slide Lite. This is the perfect fit for my smaller mirrorless cameras and lenses. Then, for still smaller cameras, the Leash is the perfect choice.
All the straps are fully adjustable and can be used as a short neck, over-the-shoulder, or across-the-body strap. That last option is my preferred one, especially when cycling with my camera. Plus, when at event shoots, I often carry two camera bodies with one Slide Lite crossing my body in each direction.
The straps are easy to adjust with quick-release buckles that glide up and down the strap on either side. The straps are reversible too. One side is grippy and holds fast against clothing while the other side smoothly runs over clothing.
The anchor loops attach securely to the camera and the button fits firmly into the straps, held in place with a sprung clip. The loops of the anchors are layered, and the color-coding of the layers makes it obvious when they start to get worn even with a cursory glance.
What’s in a Color
It’s hard to describe the new Coyote color. It’s a kind of cross between beige and bronze, and because of the weave and the slightly silky finish of the strap, the tone changes considerably with the direction of the light. Weirdly, it blends in well with the green of the jacket I wear for bird watching. Both straps I received sport all-black decals and features, and, pleasingly, all-black anchors too, as opposed to the standard red and black ones.
Peak doesn't introduce new colors often. The brand believes that good design is timeless, and as such it does not chase seasonal fads or force itself into yearly product refreshes. When Peak adds a new colorway to an existing line of products, it does so with great care and intention. That's why the Peak team believes that something as simple as a new strap color is worthy of celebration.
It’s easy to dismiss a different colored strap as having no obvious benefits to a photographer. However, there are clear reasons why you might want a particular color.
Firstly, having a strap that hides against one’s clothing makes the photographer less conspicuous. Secondly, there is the reason that some people object to, and that is the idea of personal style. Of course, for those having a holistic approach to art, choosing equipment that looks great and matches one’s style is important. I have certainly found the most creative people I have met, including photographers, do have their own style as art impacts every aspect of their lives. Thirdly, color coding your cameras when using multiple cameras can be useful; I do it on wedding shoots when carrying two cameras and different colored straps is an easy way to tell them apart.
Peak Design straps are limited to muted pastel tones, and the new Coyote isn't an exception. The range will suit the majority of photographers, including me, but some might prefer to stand out from the crowd and would prefer brighter colors; jacquard straps are forever popular.
Added Extras
The new color Peak Design straps come with the usual range of accessories that you find. There are four anchor links, two split rings with their covers for attaching to the camera’s strap anchor points, a tool for easily fitting and removing those, a plate that secures to the base of the camera that acts as an additional anchor point, a hex key, and a neat storage pouch.
Environmentally Aware Products
One of the great things about Peak Design that makes it so popular is the brand’s environmental credentials. Peak Design has been a member of 1% for the Planet since 2015. It’s also a Certified B Corporation and is certified climate-neutral. As a business, it offsets its environmental impact and prioritizes happiness over growth. Its mission also claims that it aims to succeed at the expense of no one. The straps contain 35% recycled nylon.
What I Like and What Can Be Improved
What I Liked About This Addition to the Range
- Hugely versatile range of straps with the flexibility of different carrying options.
- Very well made.
- The all-black buckles also add to the unobtrusiveness of the straps.
- A comprehensive range of strap widths.
- The new inconspicuous Coyote shade matches the other pastel colors in the range.
- Minimal use of plastic packaging.
What Could Be Improved Next Time
- Some longer loops for the anchors would be advantageous for Slide users who attach their straps to long lenses with the thicker anchor points.
- There was one problem using the Slide, although it was more through my carelessness. When in storage, with the strap attached to my long lens, the Slide’s metal buckles aligned with the camera body and scratched its metalwork. Therefore, I advise removing the strap when putting the camera away.
In Conclusion
With the new Coyote color, Peak Design has once again added to its high-quality strap range, improving the design along the way, albeit in a small way. Although cynics may dismiss this upgrade, the new color will become popular, as are the current colors in the range.
It’s telling that when you look at videos and images of professional photographers many use Peak Design gear. There are indeed cheaper straps on the market, but you do get what you pay for and you are paying for good quality.
Peak Design really is as good as it gets for camera support gear, bags, and pouches. I don't want to think about how much I've spent with them, but I've been happy with pretty much everything.
Yes, you certainly get what you pay for. Thank you for the comment.
Yep. Peak designs really is the Peak of Photographic support gear and even more. I really want some of their luggage line. The first bag I got from them was the everyday sling and I loved it so much I ended up buying the messenger, the small camera cube and the everyday back pack. I use them often and take the back with me to work daily for the past 3 years. It's been the best back pack I've ever had and it's still holding up. I'll definitely be buying more of their products in the future.
I've had the coyote strap for a few weeks now and it's easily my favourite colour of the bunch. Especially the black anchors and the slimmed-down "D" rings are a nice touch. I miss the days when they made the brown Everyday Messengers and Backpacks.
Thanks Ondřej. I wish they had coated the D ring too. But otherwise, these are first class straps and outperform others on the market.
"When in storage, with the strap attached to my long lens, the Slide’s metal buckles aligned with the camera body and scratched its metalwork."
That's the reason why I removed those metal parts. If you wrap the strap around the camera to store it briefly with the strap, you will scratch either the camera or the lens.
Sorry, but any strap maker who hasn't yet figured out that metal parts are a bad idea is, in my view, incompetent.
I guess it's a compromise to do with robustness and the ability to slide the buckle. If people are aware of the issue, then the scratching could be avoided. I wish I had read this article before I used mine. Oh, hang on...
I've used one of these for about a year. They're good straps, nothing groundbreaking but they do the job. The quick release system works well and they are very comfortable because of the padding.
I like that you can attach an anchor point to your qr plate, so the camera points down instead of forwards. I also like that you can choose to have a "grippy" section of the strap on your shoulder or reverse it so that it moves easily.
The buckles are the main issue - as noted in the article. To avoid scratches I detach the strap, roll it up into a ball and give it its own section in my backpack. The full size slide rolls up to about the size of a small lens.
The strap pairs well with their standard plate - because it has holes in the corners to attach the anchor points. My other plates only have holes in places that would interfere with mounting it back onto a tripod
Thanks, Andrew. I agree with all that. I have been thinking of modifying an Arca Swiss plate for my Benro Tripod. The tripod has a failsafe mechanism that doesn't work with the Peak Standard Plate. So, adding a couple of holes to the Benro QR plate seems a good idea.
$70 for a canvas neck strap? Are you kidding me? For half the cost, I'll stick with a neoprene Op/TechUSA strap that's soft, absorbs shock, makes the load feel much lighter, and protects the nerves in my neck and shoulder. Oh, and no metal bits to scratch my camera. Duh.
I still have the one I bought 25 years ago, and a bunch of others, too.
I had a neoprene strap years ago, but carrying a big DSLR and lens around Helsinki one day I got a neck injury. They are great for absorbing impact but don't reduce the weight of the kit. I totally get it if you prefer a neck strap, but I like the flexibility of this system so I can quickly shorten it to have the camera around my neck, and then lengthen it again to put it across the body.
I don't think the price is out of the way, but I suppose it depends on one's budget.
Thanks for another interesting comment, Jacques.
They often go on sale too, especially around holidays. I think mine cost around $60, so still quite expensive, but it was worth the money.
The original reasons why I bought the slide were the padding - so that even a heavy camera with a large lens is still comfortable to carry - and the width. I found narrow straps dug into my shoulder or neck after a few hours, even when I am using a fairly light setup. I tend to carry my camera around for an entire day when I'm using it, so it was really important to me that the setup is comfortable.
There are other reasons why I think this strap is great, I mentioned those above, but these were what made me pull the trigger on the purchase.
It's really easy to lengthen an Op/TechUSA strap by simply clipping on a pair of extensions. I find, though, that the same length works well on my shoulder or around my neck. I'd want the extensions only for wearing cross-body.
I don't know... Maybe I am an outlier; I have never used a camera strap in a decade now, even when walking around the streets with the camera.
Yes, I know a few people who use the Cuff and love it. Although I shoot with small Micro Four Thirds gear, I find having a strap more convenient. But it's horses for courses, of course. Thanks for another super comment.
No worries. I do have an older version, but I never used it. However, I still use their original Peak Design backpack (I believe that was their first Kickstarter bag campaign) and the next version, in addition to their tripod. The tripod is a bit wonky for the GFX but sufficient for the hikes without extending the last portion of the leg (my other tripod, the sturdy Manfrotto 055, is too heavy for a hike).
I love these straps , it’s easy to attach and remove. No strap when shooting from a tripod, and easily attached when walking around. And I agree , the loops could be made a little longer, now my L-plate gets in the way a bit and makes the loop on that side even shorter
Thanks for the great comment, as always Ruud.
The PD straps are still too long for me. The design and quality is great. Their original straps could be shortened. The new ones are molded instead of sewn so can't be shortened.
They are fully adjustable so can be shortened. At its minimum length, the Slide light leaves the camera sitting above my solar plexus, which is too short for me. How short do you need it to go?