Fujixpassion.com Reviews the M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap

Simplr M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap Review at fujixpassion.com

We’ve made it no secret that, although our straps work well on virtually all mirrorless cameras, we’ve got a particular affinity for Fujifilm cameras. So, we were pretty excited to be reviewed by fujixpassion.com.

Here’s a snippet:

“As soon as I took out the M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap from the packaging, the first thing that stands out is the build quality. Although it’s a very simple piece (as the name implies), everything on this strap denotes a high standard of quality, from the materials chosen to the manufacturing itself. The nylon strap is thin, light and soft.”

Read the full review at fujixpassion.com.

Patrick La Roque Reviews his Simplr Camera Straps

Patrick La Roque's Camera Straps

Patrick La Roque is a photographer, writer, speaker, and member of the Kage Collective.

He’s a remarkable visual storyteller, who’s work could equally evoke calm or frenzy, warmth or solitude.

Here’s a little of what Patrick thinks about his M1a & M1w:

“…Basically, these are products that don’t flash or glitter, that don’t call attention to themselves at all. Everything about them is understated and subtle. But they’re beautifully crafted and ready-made for mirrorless systems. …As much as I still love the feel of my leather straps, I can’t dismiss how much lighter and easier to work with these are. Just quickly being able to vary the length with little friction, to remove them altogether if they’re in the way…it all adds up.”

Read the full review on Patrick’s site.

Palle Schultz Reviews the Fuji X-H1 & our M1a has a Cameo

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Coinciding with the release of Fujifilm’s new X-H1, Palle Schultz discusses this camera’s capabilities in both technological — and real world terms — as only Palle can.

You may recognize Palle’s strap of choice — our very own M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap (in Castor Gray)!

Palle Schultz is a photographer and videographer based in Denmark, and an official Fujifilm X-photographer.

M1a on ShotKit’s “Best Camera Straps” List Again for 2018

Best Camera Straps List 2018

The Simplr M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap has been named to Shotkit’s newly updated 2018 Best Camera Straps list:

“With many camera strap manufacturers trying to revolutionise the humble camera strap with the addition of crazy gadgets and gizmos, it’s nice to see some brands trying to perfect what we already have by keeping things simple.

The aptly named Simplr M1a mirrorless camera strap is made from lightweight, strong, military grade nylon webbing and heavy duty plastic hardware that won’t scratch your camera.

My favourite feature and the main reason for inclusion on this list of the best camera straps are the detachable connectors, which allow you to remove or reattach the main portion of the strap in seconds. If you’re like me and appreciate the freedom of using a camera strap whilst walking but hate having it hang in front of you whilst shooting, this is the perfect solution.”

Although we were part of the 2017 list, it’s worth noting that this list is curated annually, and we’re happy to be included for 2018 as well.

Shotkit started in 2014, chronicling the gear well-respected photographers were using to get their work done … Today it’s an ever-expanding resource of the best gear, workflows and photography inspiration.

Curious to see what kind of company we’re keeping? Head over to Shotkit and read their list of Best Camera Straps.

Fujifilm Presents “Dual Vision” (but just one camera strap)

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Fujifilm Global just released this video featuring the Roaming Frame dynamic duo of Charlene Winfred and Flemming Bo Jensen — plus their dueling X-Pro2 and X-T2 cameras. It’s a fun but informative piece talking about the differences between these two cameras, and the photographers that use them. Watch closely and you’ll see they both prefer the same camera strap — our Simplr M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap.

Charlene Winfred Reviews Her M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap

Charlene Winfred's Fuji X-Pro2 with a Desert Tan Simplr M1a

Charlene Winfred is a nomad photographer, videographer, writer, Fujifilm X-series ambassador and half the production team of Roaming Frame.

Charlene’s approach to equipment epitomizes what we’re about here at Simplr: No muss. No fuss. Things should just work, work well, and keep working … without too much thought.

She even came up with a couple of new ideas for her M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap — including lashing extra weight to a tripod (and one more that we hope she’ll never need to make use of).

“The Simplr promise is, well, simple. Their straps are strong, functional, and aesthetically understated. All the qualities I like in equipment, in general.

Things I really like about my strap:

  1. It’s long. I can wear my camera slung across my body, which is SUPER. Never had a strap I could do this with.
  2. It weighs nothing. This is always a boon.
  3. Because it’s made of nylon, it’s also extremely supple and very comfortable to use.
  4. It’s super convenient for video because the main strap snaps off, and the connectors are so light, they make no difference hanging there on the little X-E3, whether it’s on a gimbal or tripod.
  5. The main strap, when disconnected, is useful as a general tie down.

As advertised, this thing just works with no fuss. Like the camera, it doesn’t get in the way, and you don’t have to fiddle with it. Attach it, forget about it and go shoot. If you need a tourniquet, it’s there for you.”

Read the full review at CharleneWinfred.com

M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap Blessed by Bless This Stuff

M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap Review on BlessThisStuff

Bless This Stuff curate all manner of manly stuff. For instance, right now our M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap is surrounded by a Ducati Panigale V4, some kind of intense coffee maker, and a 1965 Porsche 356.

“If you´re looking for a new camera strap that is both functional and stylish without breaking the bank, check out the M1a Camera Strap by Simplr.”

Read the full recommendation at BlessThisStuff.com

The Phoblographer Hates Highly Recommends our M1a

Chris Gampat the Phoblographer reviews the M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap

It’s not often you read a review that starts with the word “fugly” … and concludes with this:

“In terms of functionality, the Simplr M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap has to be one of the best straps from a small American manufacturer on the market. I’m pleasantly surprised despite how simple and deceiving it looks. Can it use some more Patina? Heck yes. But does it serve its purpose? It more than does; and I’d even recommend this strap be used with full frame DSLRs.

Best of all for a lot of you folks: they’re only $42 on the Simplr website. If you don’t care about Patina the way that I do, then I strongly suggest that this is THE SINGLE BEST strap that you can upgrade to.”

Read the full review at ThePhoblographer.com

Kevin Mullins’ Fujifilm X-E3 Review (plus a few words about his M1a)

M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap on Kevin Mullins' X-E3

Kevin Mullins is a highly regarded UK wedding photographer.

In addition to his impressive professional wedding portfolio, he also runs the popular f16.click site, dedicated to his personal work and all things Fuji.

Kevin recently posted his thoughts on the Fujifilm X-E3 … and we’re happy to report that it pairs nicely with the Simplr M1a he’s got attached to it.

“By the way, the strap you see in these images is a Simplr Camera Strap which I picked up whilst in New York. It’s a really comfortable, non-slip and visually attractive strap.”

He’s an official Fujifilm X-photographer, and member of The KAGE Collective — an international group of visual story tellers.

Read Kevin’s full X-E3 review at f16.click

 

Palle Schultz’s Video Rig … with a Simplr M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap

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Palle Schultz is a photographer and videographer based in Denmark, and an official Fujifilm X-photographer.

In this video Palle talks about his compact video rig … including a Fujifilm XT-2, and a Simplr M1a camera strap, for stabilization and insurance against accidental drops.

“I really like it because it’s easy to snap off, and the ends are really small … The good thing about having it here, is you can actually stabilize with it … and also as a safety precaution if you drop the camera.”

Check out his YouTube channel.

Bert Stephani Reviews his M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap

Bert Stephani's Fuji X100F with a Desert Tan Simplr M1a

*This review is for our now discontinued M1a, succeeded by our F1.

Bert Stephani posts his thoughts on his M1a Mirrorless Camera Strap, along with some excellent images.

He’s a Belgian commercial and editorial photographer, an official Fujifilm X-photographer, and member of The KAGE Collective — an international group of visual story tellers.

“I have been looking for a new camera strap that is both functional and stylish without breaking the bank. … at 42 USD, it seemed to be too good to be true. … So far, I love this strap. It has pretty much everything I personally want in a strap.”

Read the full review at BertStephani.info

DIY Quick-Release Paracord Camera Wrist Strap with Instructions

DIY Paracord Camera Wrist Strap attached to Fujifilm X-E2s

So you want to make a paracord camera wrist strap. Great! We love DIY. It’s how Simplr began — making one strap for myself.

A Short Rant on What’s Wrong with Most Camera Wrist Straps (opinionated)

Just as our camera straps are a little “different”, so too is our suggestion for a DIY paracord wrist strap — and if you use a mirrorless, micro four-thirds or compact camera, you’ll find this article particularly relevant.

Commercial wrist straps tend to be overly complicated and bulky — more focused on looks than function. At Simplr we’re all about getting rid of excess bulk — and if you’ve got a smaller camera, why would you want a wrist strap as thick or inflexible as a garden hose? It’s just silly.

When to Use a Camera Wrist Strap (highly opinionated)

We like camera wrist straps for two things:

  1. Cameras that are too small for a neck strap: If you’ve got a pocketable camera, like a Ricoh GR — you don’t absolutely need a neck strap (there’s a good chance you’re here because you already know this). A wrist strap can be much better-suited to these really small cameras.
  2. For occasions when a neck strap is superfluous: Maybe you’re shooting handheld video. Maybe you’re in the studio or just shooting stuff around the house. These are times when a neck strap is superfluous … but you’ll still want a little insurance policy to guard against drops

Don’t be that guy or girl, swinging your big camera from your wrist as you stroll along, as if it were some kind of pendulum:

“Hey, I don’t remember that scratch/ding on there,” –or– “What the heck happened to my lens?”

Your camera should be in your hand most of the time. There’s no reason to be hanging six pounds off your wrist all day. Your wrist strap should be your insurance policy against drops.

… Voila, this (less bulky) paracord camera wrist strap.

What We’ll be Making

A non-braided paracord camera wrist strap with a quick-release  — a nice, utilitarian design that’s strong enough for a DSLR, yet packs small. You don’t need much to make it, and the total time is about 20 minutes. Once finished, you’ll have a very useful accessory that takes up virtually no space in your camera bag.

Paracord Camera Wrist Strap Materials

  1. 550 Paracord — available from Lowes, Home Depot and about about a zillion places.
  2. 3/8″ Quick-Disconnects — These are the ones we like, but you’re welcome to use others.

Tools Needed

  • Scissors or Sharp Knife (No, we’re not responsible if you cut yourself.)
  • Lighter or Matches (Don’t burn yourself either.)

How to Make It

  1. Figure out how big to make the loop. Your preference may vary, but around 8″ would be a good starting point. Paracord is cheap and plentiful so there’s no reason to obsess over this … You can always make one that’s bigger or smaller if you’re not happy with the size of the first one.
  2. Tie a knot. You can tie a simple overhand knot at the end. Our preference would be something a little bigger that you can hold onto, like a lanyard knot.

    This is a lanyard knot. It looks a little more “finished”.
  3. Finish the loose ends. Clip the loose ends of the string, then melt with a lighter so they don’t fray.
  4. Attach it to the female connector. Feed the loop end through the connector. It’s easier if you use a loop of string or dental floss to pull it through. You could loop it once around (like the way the string attaches to the strap lug) or you could do something a little bit more decorative, like this:
    Paracord Camera Wrist Strap
    Feed the loop through the middle, then over the lanyard knot.

    Cinch it and you’ll end up with this.
DIY Paracord Camera Wrist Strap attached to Fujifilm X-E2s
DIY Paracord Camera Wrist Strap attached to Fujifilm X-E2s

That’s it. Cheap, useful and good-looking.

An Introduction to Mini QD Loops™

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The quick-connectors we use on our M1a and M1w straps are Op/Tech USA Mini QD Loops™ (They come in 1mm and 1.5mm versions, but we only use the stronger 1.5mm version).

We’re often asked if they release accidentally. We’re happy to report, we’ve never seen or heard of this happening. To release them, you have to apply significant pressure to both sides — simultaneously. It’s virtually impossible for them to release unintentionally.

We’ve found them to be small, strong (check out our strength test) and reliable, but don’t just take our word for it — They have a 4.6 rating on Amazon with 250+ reviews.

If you’d like to use your M1 Series strap on more than one camera, or just want some spares, we sell them here.

Meet Simplr

Jason Petrisko

When I got my first mirrorless camera, a Fujifilm X-Pro1, I was excited to ditch my bloated DSLR. For the first time in years, I had a reasonably-sized camera with truly professional image quality — and I was excited to pair it with the exact right strap.

30 years prior, When I “borrowed” my dad’s camera (a Fujica ST701, which I still have), the strap left a lot to be desired. It was far bulkier than necessary, especially for a small 35mm SLR. Its oversized metal hardware was uncomfortable under my hand, and left a telltale wake of scratched paint on the camera. Stylish as it was, combining both velour and embroidery, it would become a relic of that bygone era — no doubt bested by any number of modern straps…

…except it wasn’t.

Shockingly, every present-day strap suffered from at least one of the issues I’d noted three decades ago — unnecessary bulk, clumsy hardware under my hand (where it’s most annoying), or metal that could damage my camera and lenses — so I decided to make my own.

Suffice to say, it came out pretty good … good enough to make some more. Thus, Simplr was born.

Today, our camera straps are favored by thousands of working professionals and serious amateur photographers worldwide — that realized, like me — they needn’t use bloated straps designed for big cameras.

JP