Wit Slingers Camera Strap: Quick-On-The-Draw Photography

I love having (and absolutely need) a camera while riding. Whether I'm doing a product review or just hammering some dirt for myself, the camera keeps my mind focused and occupied. I'm always on the lookout for shots, and each ride becomes a mini project.

However, as many of you know, carrying a camera while cycling is a total pain in the arse. In the past, I have carried my camera in a variety of ways. Initially, I stuffed my camera in a hat stored in my frame bag, which was not a smart move for any camera with moving parts as it takes shock from the bike. Then I tried a specially designed bag from Cedaero, which worked very well but still left me a bit concerned with impact and shock. Currently, I use a Rockgeist Big Dumpling hip pack, which is probably the best solution so far as it gets the camera off the bike and away from any potential shock. Despite these solutions, they all shared the same problem: quick access to the camera. If I was ever trying to get a timely shot on the bike—say, if some cows were crossing my path—it was pretty much guaranteed that by the time I got my camera out and set, those cows were long gone.

I had a suspicion for years that the secret sauce lay in a three-point camera strap. So, when I saw that Wit Slingers, one of my favorite bag makers from Germany, released a handmade strap, I messaged them immediately and was lucky to get one to try out.

I'll caveat this review with the fact that this is the first three-point strap I've tried, so my impressions are as naive as they come. Also, please excuse some of the photos in this review. Ironically, taking a good photo of a camera strap is somehow cumbersome and difficult.

About Wit Slingers Bagworks

Founded in spring 2021 by Dutchman Tijmen Kervers, an industrial design graduate, Wit Slingers specializes in making top-notch cycling bags and soft goods. Everything is designed and crafted by hand in Leipzig, Germany. Each bag is made to order and customizable to your exact specifications, with options to choose fabrics on existing designs or even request custom solutions. Wit Slinger products are quality goods.

Unpacking the Wit Slingers Strap

My camera strap arrived with little fanfare, which is great for a one-man shop. Not everything comes in branded packaging, nor should it. The humble packaging reminded me that a human crafterperson made the strap. The Wit Slingers strap comes in a variety of colors and materials. The default material is the durable and lightweight X-Pac X50, but Wit Slingers does offer other fabrics you can check out here.

I chose to go for the black strap as I was apparently not feeling very interesting that day. The black really does fulfill that minimal look that I always dig, but in hindsight, I wish I would have ordered something with a dash of color and a bit more personality. Oh well, that's my fault.

Overall, the strap felt immediately sturdy and solid in its construction. As I started pouring over the details, I could see how much effort and solid decision-making went into the product. All its buckles are Fidlock Mag buckles, which I absolutely adore. There seems to be nothing quicker and easier than Fidlock, so this was a nice touch.

The strap attaches to the camera securely with Dyneema Cord, known for its strength. Tijmen also offers an optional wrist strap as well, which I received but haven't actually tried out yet.

Saddle Up: Time to Ride

This being my first time trying a 3-point strap, it took me a bit to understand how it all works and to get it on myself. Once I had it on, it took a bit of trial and error to access the camera. I noticed a few times in the beginning that the stabilizer would get caught in the strap, resulting in the camera not sitting right on my back. Alas, this was a quick learning and I was able to get the camera on and off. The stabilizer mounts to the main strap with a piece that slides up and down, allowing you to fine tune how the camera sits. Once I had the strap setup and understood how to use it, everything came together like clockwork and it felt fantastic.

I have been riding with the Wit Slingers strap now for about 3 months solid. For most of those rides, I have brought my 35mm prime on my Sony a7. Having spoken to a few friends, they were shocked I'd consider a strap as it just wasn't safe for the camera. And to be honest, they worried me a bit. However, with the 35mm lens, the strap is solid, stable, and secure— and the camera centered on my back perfectly. Surprisingly, the strap does not have to be as tight as I initially thought. At the start, I was tightening my strap way too tight, which was not only uncomfortable but would pop the Fidlock stabilizer mount. After a few rides, I got pretty fast at stopping, unbuckling the stabilizer, getting the camera up, and firing off a shot. What a feeling! I felt like a cowboy gunslinger. I also started playing with being able to shoot from the bike while riding, which arguably may not be the safest thing, but getting the camera from my back to my face was a breeze with the Wit Slingers strap.

My last test for the strap was to try it out with a larger lens. I pulled out my rarely used 18-200mm Tamron, which is obviously much larger and heavier than my 35mm prime. The added weight changed the feel of the strap and I had to tighten the stabilizer to accommodate. This took some getting used to, but after a bit of distance, even the larger lens started to feel okay. I even noticed after a while I had forgotten it was even there. I usually carry my camera with a larger lens in my hip pack as I mentioned before. One of my biggest qualms with the hip pack is that on long rides it starts to feel like an anchor, pulling me down and slowing my efforts on the trail. But with the Wit Slingers strap, I was flying and loving every second of it. I again felt like a cowboy, slinging the camera off my back and firing off shots like no one's business. At one point, I did notice that the camera started to grind into my back, but this was due to my accidentally lowering the stabilizer connection down towards my waist. Once I had it back up, things were amazing again.

An Idea

One aspect I do not love about 3-point straps, and this is not unique to the Wit Slingers strap, is that since the back of your camera body is flush against your body, you will most likely end up with a sweaty viewfinder when you come to shoot. I usually shoot from a live preview anyway, so this isn't much of an issue for me, but it's something worth considering.

However, this really got me thinking on the bike one day. I wouldn't be able to use the strap year-round. It's just way too wet here on our little island in the winter. But, man, would I love a weather cover that was integrated into the strap. Something as simple as a nylon wrap with an elastic to fit the camera inside quickly would probably do it. If this could be done effectively—take all my money!

Wrap Up

Overall, the Wit Slingers camera strap has been a game-changer for my cycling slash photography adventures. Despite the initial learning curve and a few minor hiccups, it has proven to be a reliable and sturdy friend. The strap costs €58.82 (about $85 CAD / $65 USD), which seems to be a higher-end price, but it's definitely worth it for its quality, features, and the fact that it's handmade by a real person. The stabilizer strap and magnetic buckles contribute significantly to a tangle-free and stable experience, making it both functional and user-friendly.

The thoughtful engineering and craftsmanship by Tijmen truly shine through, making this a high-quality addition to any cyclist's gear. With this strap, I felt like a cowboy slinging my camera off my back and firing off shots with ease. Giddyup.

Credits:

Photos

Salty Beard