DESIGNED IN THE 60'S REIMAGINED TODAY - FOR FILM AND DIGITAL CAMERAS

What is the Strapateer?

The only camera strap you will ever need… But you don’t have to believe us - just look at the very many legendary photographers that trusted their cameras to the all-time classic ‘Strapateer’. The ‘Strapateer’ achieved cult status in the 1960s and 70s.

No self-respecting photojournalist or street photographer would consider anything else. Nor should you. The key to the immediate success of the strap was the unique quick release snap which allowed the photographer
to carry the camera concealed from suspicious eyes, theft and the weather.

When a photo-opportunity came along the snap could be operated, releasing the strap from over the photographer’s shoulder - to then be snapped back together ready for action around the photographers neck.

The Strapateer has grown into a complete system of straps: the Type A,B,C & D. The system is ideal for both film and digital cameras

The legend continues

Each strap is handmade with the greatest care and precision - now and always.

These straps survived the rigours of steamy jungle warfare in Vietnam and the clashes and strife of the civil rights protests of the 60s.

You can count on your Strapateer anytime, anywhere. For film and digital cameras.

THE STRAPATEER

TYPE A

The Type A strap will carry all 35mm and digital cameras with standard style strap lugs - which means pretty well any 35mm camera and most digital cameras.

TYPE A

THE STRAPATEER

TYPE B

The Type B has a thicker neck strap than the Type A (1" wide instead of 1/2") and bigger snap hooks designed to carry the weight of your medium format film or digital camera. It can be supplied with the standard split rings for heavier 35mm/digital cameras or with Hasselblad or Rolleiflex clips.

TYPE B

THE STRAPATEER

TYPE C

The Type C is designed for carrying two cameras - one above the other. The Type C uses the thicker 1" strap of the B along with B strap's double snap-link set-up.

TYPE C

THE STRPATEER

TYPE D

The Type D is a wrist strap that is sturdy enough to carry the weight of both 35mm and medium format cameras.

TYPE D

CRAFTSMANSHIP

This strap is handmade in the UK to very exacting standards. It is very strong and yet very comfortable in the hand.

The brightware is all heavily nickel plated and ages with a lovely patina - just like the fittings on the straps always have. The leather is the best in the world and is sourced from the tannery that supplied The Strapateer all the way back to its inception in 1957.

Because of the lovely old school feel of the vegetable-tanned leather, these straps feel amazingly fluid in the hand - with none of that resistance felt from straps made out of cheaper leathers. Your film or digital camera will feel lighter and more fluid in use because The Strapateer subtly enhances the ‘feel’ of taking pictures.

The Strapateer’s unique and supreme quality leather also runs in very fast, developing lovely figuring - but remains stretch free and incredibly durable.

Our founder

Matthew Whiteman has a long career as a photographer and film maker. He also leads educational and training initiatives in the history, theory and practice of photography.

He has a passion for researching the great work of the photographers of LIFE magazine and the Magnum Photos agency.

Photojournalism holds a particular fascination and collecting and using the great cameras of the golden period of photojournalism is a real passion - as is researching and recreating exactly the world’s best design of camera strap: The Strapateer.

Matthew’s work as a photographer has led to the extensive and continuous development of a complete Strapateer system.

And you can see his film work here

He is the creative director at The Latent Image where you can also find his weekly blog.