Many of the best accessories are simple, aesthetically pleasing and eminently practical. Artisan and Artist camera straps fall into this category. They are handmade from quality materials, and are both beautiful (well, to my eye) and work well.
They are not cheap (should we expect a high quality, handmade item to be so?), and have a somewhat austere simplicity that some might find off-putting. In this latter regard, they fit into a tradition of simple, ‘form follows function’ design, and perhaps for this reason are often associated with rangefinder aficionados.
For my own cameras, I have presently opted for an adjustable model, which allows the user to determine the precise location of the camera on the belly / chest when the strap is around the neck. They offer non-adjustable versions too, for those who are happy with the length on offer (it depends on your size and physique of course), which again derives from simple designs past (notably the bundled film Leica M strap, with its formidable spiked rubber neck pad). There is the bonus of a little more economy to the non-adjustable version.
Personally, I find my A&A straps very comfortable. So much so that I hardly notice wearing my, admittedly smallish, cameras. The straps are not especially wide, but there is just enough width to make them an effective upgrade from thin nylon straps. The material is wonderfully soft, and in that regard feels very luxurious. They are finished with hand stitching, which I find attractive to look at, and a beautiful printed logo.
I am unable to comment on the hardiness of the straps because I have only owned mine for about a year and a half. Suffice it to say, they haven’t aged very much and fill me with confidence that they will last a great deal longer (probably a good few years). The leather and ringlet system at the ends works fine with my cameras, although it is certainly a little tight on my Sony A7II. This may be a consideration depending on the position of the lugs on your camera, but I doubt it’s of too much concern.
If you are looking for a little luxury and practical excellence in an accessory for you camera, look no further than an A&A strap.
