If you were to ask us which photographer we most closely associate with Fuji’s magical XF35mmF1.4 R, it would be Charlene Winfred.
So it’s only fitting that Fujifilm themselves chose to feature her in their new promo video for this (not at all new) lens. In a world where newer is virtually always equated with better — it’s great to see talented photographers singing the praises of X-Series “O.G.” glass.
Charlene’s got a few Simplr straps, but this one happens to be an F1 (in stealthy castor gray).
Longtime Simplr user Flemming Bo Jensen posted a review of his F1’s, describing them as his “perfect camera strap.”
“…Simplr Straps answered our wishes by making the Simplr F1 strap! … I have been using the F1 models for more than a year now, for hundreds of concerts and festivals and I am never using any other strap – this is absolutely my perfect camera strap!”
Flemming is a working music photographer, subjecting all of his gear to brutal conditions. In fact, we asked Flemming to torture-test the F1’s long before they were released. Now, hundreds of concerts and more than a year later, his F1’s are still working like new!
This epic production spans the 18-month period leading up to the release of the Fujifilm X-Pro3.
The film focuses not only on the ideation, design, and manufacturing process (with the actual designers, pretty cool huh?) — but also the veritable “family” of Fujifilm Ambassadors — with whom the development of this camera was shaped.
Mindy Tan is an exceptionally talented documentary and street photographer, and Fujifilm Ambassador. In the the Fuji Girl series, Mindy talks about gear, technique, and what she looks for in her subjects.
Unsurprisingly, the co-stars here are Fujifilm cameras, including X-T3 and gorgeous pre-release (as of filming) Fuji X-Pro3’s — and the co-co-star (does that make it a best supporting actor?) is an F1 Camera Strap in castor gray.
Fujifilm X-Photographer Charlene Winfred is currently working in Iraq, advancing Preemptive Love’s noble mission, to provide assistance to refugees and residents of war-torn countries. Although she deserves a medal, it would appear she’s settled for a coveted Fujifilm X-Pro3.
In this post, she shares her thoughts on the camera, as well as some truly breathtaking images. If you look closely (okay, maybe not that closely), you’ll see images of strap of choice for said camera, a Simplr F1.
Kevin Mullins, wedding & street photographer par excellence, reveals his thoughts on the highly anticipated Fujifilm X-Pro3, with which he’s been spending some top-secret time. We’re just happy to be along for the ride (that’s a Simplr F1 attached to it). He’s got a video and a detailed post — so be sure to check out both.
Flemming Bo Jensen’s ability to capture the excitement of live concerts is second-to-none. An official Red Bull and Fujifilm X-Photographer, his ability to get “the shot” boils down to experience, timing, skill, passion — and of course, his gear. Want to know what’s in Flemming’s bag? Shotkit just posted a rig rundown with all of the particulars, including his F1 Sling-Style Camera Straps Attached to dueling Fuji X-T’s.
If you’re aware of Fuji’s team of professional X Photographers, you’re probably acquainted with Charlene Winfred. You might also be familiar with her famously battered Fujinon XF35mmF1.4. It’s been attached to every Fuji she’s ever owned. For as many times as she’s written about her gear and lenses, this will be the first time she’s discussed the lens with which she’s become synonymous.
Read about her journey with that lens on Fujilove.com, and if you’d like to know more about Charlene’s work, do that here.
Attached to her go-to rig is what we’d consider to be our go-to camera strap — our F1 Sling-Style Camera Strap. It’s nice when things just work.
As a connoisseur of several camera brands, Hugo’s desire to make his life simpler by paring down his photography gear, was no easy task. In this article, he talks about his camera and lens decision — an Olympus E-M5 Mk II + M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.2 Pro) — which he chose over Fuji and Sony.
We’re flattered he’s chosen a Simplr F1, to live on that camera (pretty sure he gave that some thought as well).
Charlene Winfred is a talented photographer and capable wordsmith. If you know her work, you’ll know much of it relies on a famously battered Fujinon 35mm f/1.4. In this article at Fujilove.com, Charlene discusses her adjustment to a much wider perspective, namely the Fujinon 18mm f/2. Look closely at that fine looking X-T3 and you’ll see our telltale orange logo (it’s a castor gray Simplr F1).
The multi-talented Patrick La Roque appeared at Photokina 2018 in Cologne, Germany to discuss his unique approach to commercial photography. Accompanying Patrick was his up-until-then top-secret Fujifilm GFX 50R — adorned with a secret Simplr F1.
A huge “thank you” to Patrick, and the entire extended Simplr pro family, who volunteer to test our stuff — before it’s attached to your camera.
Here at Simplr HQ, we’re largely Fujifilm shooters — so it’s exciting to have one of our products reviewed over at fujixpassion.com.
Here’s a snippet of their F1 review:
“Everything in this strap is thought and designed for the user. It fulfills its function, it’s comfortable, robust and very durable. …It’s simple to use and with the adjustment tab you can quickly change the length to suit your needs, regardless of whether you wear it as a neck strap or sling-style.”
As one of the first professional photographers who graciously volunteered to test our stuff, she’s been using Simplr straps out in the field for quite a while — so it’s not a huge surprise that she’s a fan of the F1 — because feedback from Charlene and other pros went into the design of the F1.
Here’s a little bit of what she had to say:
“There’s nothing about a Simplr strap that asks to be admired or fawned over, no flash or fanciness. I love plain, sleek things that are made well though, and this is exactly what I found attractive about it at the start. It’s all class…
…as far as I’m concerned, Simplr straps are how straps should be made. They’re light, easy to use, and comfortable, combining function beautifully with form. Black accents of extenders, keepers, buckles and stitching against the various strap colors gives those clean lines a subtle elegance.”
If you’re an inquisitive Fuji user, FujiLove.com will no doubt be familiar to you. If you’re unfamiliar, you really should check them out. It’s a great site, with an endless flow of quality editorials and reviews, from a collective of knowledgeable contributors.
Fujifilm’s newly released GFX 50R video features Patrick La Roque’s lyrical words and imagery, and if you look closely, a lug mount Simplr F1 (in army khaki).
It’s worth mentioning that, unlike the GFX 50S which uses the uncommon Hasselblad-style camera strap connectors, the rangefinder-style GFX 50R uses a standard lug mount!
ThePhoblographer.com publishes a ton of great content for photographers trying to elevate their craft, or just keep up with the latest and greatest new photography gear.
*If you’re just installing Simplr Split Rings, not an F1 camera strap, you can skip straight to 1:07 in this video.
Your new F1 will be more pleasant to use if you do a quick “break-in” before installing it on your camera. Adjust the strap from minimum to maximum length about twenty times, by holding the end and pulling on the adjustment tab.
Mounting a camera strap with split rings is just like putting a key on a keychain — but instead of a key, it’s a camera.
Situate your F1 so the adjustment tab is in front of your body when the camera strap is fully-extended, and the camera is worn sling-style. Some people prefer to wear the camera on their left, others to their right. Do whatever feels most comfortable for you.
Double-check the orientation of the strap to make sure you’re not installing it backwards or inside-out.
Pry a small gap in the split ring, just wide enough to feed the end of the wire through the lug on your camera. It’s unlikely you’ll need any tools for this; your thumbnail should suffice.
Turn the split ring until the entire wire has passed through the lug and it springs back together (just like a keychain).
Your new F1 will be more pleasant to use if you do a quick “break-in” before installing it on your camera. Adjust the strap from minimum to maximum length about twenty times, by holding the end and pulling on the adjustment tab.
The flat mount version of our F1 camera strap installs similarly to a “traditional” camera strap, with a significant difference — the sliplok and keeper are used only for installation, not to adjust the length of the camera strap.
Situate your F1 so the adjustment tab is in front of your body when the camera strap is fully-extended, and the camera is worn sling-style.
Feed the webbing once through the keeper, then the sliplok, as shown.
Insert the webbing through the lug, far enough so the webbing can double-back along itself. The webbing loop will be about 6″ (15cm) long.
Feed the webbing back through the sliplok, then the keeper, as shown.
Cinch the keeper close to the D-ring (push it past the stitching that holds the webbing together). This will keep everything nice and neat, with no stray webbing anywhere.
