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Hey there FashionPhotographyBlog.com readers! A while ago we posted a review of the unique camera straps produced by New York-ased, camera strap manufacturers, Cecilia Gallery. We loved the Incan-inspired Peruvian designs and great quality of the Argentinian leather in their hand-crafted camera straps. This time round, Cecilia Gallery announced their latest range of 2.5cm leather neck strap and we were fortunate enough to get a hold of one of these new straps to give it a bit of a road test and to find out how these new camera straps stack up to their predecessors – a quite high benchmark I reckon, since we loved their original straps, but we were up to the challenge.

In case you are not aware, Cecilia Gallery produces camera straps using quality materials sourced from all over the world, from the alpaca wool of Peru, the cowhide leathers of Argentina, to nylon fro the mills in the US. The unity of these pieces created a stunning range of eclectic, trendy, patterned camera straps for DSLRs. Now the company is expanding with a new set of neck straps, that are thinner and ideal for smaller cameras, like mirrorless cameras. While this new range of camera straps takes on a more simplified approach with a refined elegance compared to the larger, stylish patterned straps onIt the original straps, the new 2.5cm neck straps may be the compatible assessor for the photographer that is looking for a subdued and robust camera strap that is fashioned with good quality leather.     

To put it out there, the black 2.5cm leather neck strap we reviewed is a simple camera strap with very basic design features. Whether that is a pro or a con, that is really up to the individual’s taste. I like the idea of whipping my camera out and intriguing people with my camera strap with its Peruvian patterned stitching. It’s a great conversation starter. However, if I think laterally about it, when I travel overseas I don’t want to draw too much attention to my camera. So really, you know your own circumstance best to know how much attention you would like your camera strap to draw. Just know that Cecilia Gallery has camera straps to cater for both, conservative and colourful tastes. The same soft, Argentinean leather, that is now quintessentially associated with Cecilia Gallery’s products, is echoed through to the 2.5 cm neck straps. The texture of the strap is finely pebbled as I ran my fingers across the quality stitching, Cecilia Gallery definitely upholds their impeccable quality in this strap.    

I did find that the neck pad on the 2.5cm leather neck strap, quite stiff which makes it tricky to wrap the strap over the wrist. Softer neck pads would make it easier to run from location to location – just shoot, wrap the strap around your wrist like a makeshift hand-strap and then go. Those who do the same thing, you know what I’m talking about right? It wouldn’t be a problem if you are not a “wrist wrapper”. Mind you, I did assume that the neck pad was stiff because the strap was brand new and had not had the leather broken into yet.   

Flexible, small split rings that come with 2.5cm leather neck strap are sturdy and able handle the pulling of any camera gear attached to them. However, one issue that I did find was that on a couple of occasions the split rings got caught on the leather bumpers. This occurred when I put the camera over my neck or shoulder. The rings catch onto the leather bumpers easily because they are thick soft leather pads. In order to avoid this, you’ll need to do manoeuvre the ring upwards and keep it clear from the bumpers, so that rings don’t get caught. It’s just something I noticed, and it won’t bother you unless you are constantly putting down and putting back on multiple cameras on camera straps around your body.

If you want to get technical with the specs of this camera strap, I’ve provided them here (courtesy of Cecilia Gallery’s website):  

– Leather: full-grain Argentinian cowhide;

– Interior: nylon (175lb tensile strength)/polyester;

– Hardware: nickel-plated tempered steel ring, zinc-alloy slider & keeper;

– Adjustable length: 37 in. – 54 in. (94 cm – 137 cm);

– Neck length and width: 14.5 in. x 1 in. (37 cm x 2.5 cm).

To adjust the strap to your preference, there are two sliders that can shorten the strap down to 37 inches or increase the length up to 54 inches. The neck pad itself isn’t moveable, however, it’s sufficiently wide enough to rest the camera comfortably around your neck and does the job as you go around with your camera. The strap may look simple, but like Cecilia Gallery’s previous products, they are built to handle the wear and tear that photographers place on their camera straps.

According to Cecilia Gallery’s website, the 2.5cm neck strap camera straps have been tested to carry up to 175 pounds. Mind you, I imagine that the more weight you add to the camera the more pressure you will add to your neck with the weight of camera digging into you. That was a major issue I had other camera straps I’ve used, particularly when I traveled and had to carry baggage or was on foot all day with the camera tugging on me. Luckily, this camera strap has extra polyester padding to distribute and cushion the weight.    

Cecilia Gallery’s 2.5cm neck strap is a minimal fuss leather camera accessory that pairs itself nicely with mirrorless cameras and their slimline appearance. Soft leather, strong nylon webbing, polyester padding to protect your neck and adjustable straps to custom tailor the length to your needs, this camera strap is an affordable product for the quality you are getting. There were some negligible issues in regards to the bumpers getting caught on the split rings and the rigidness of the neck pad when we first tested the straps. However, I’m sure these can be solved with a bit more time for the leather to wear.

The black 2.5cm neck strap we reviewed is priced on Cecilia Gallery’s website currently at $ 68. Whether that’s cost effective or pricey for you, we are looking at the long-term value of the product. The company is known to make sophisticated and sturdy camera straps, and the last thing I want to deal with when I’m on a shoot is the camera strap breaking on me, and more so, the camera that was around my neck is now smashed on the ground. For me, investing in a Cecilia Gallery camera strap is an affordable insurance for my piece of mind when it comes to handling and protecting my camera. For more information about Cecilia Gallery’s 2.5 neck straps you can check out here.

Stay tuned, because one lucky person can receive their own black 2.5cm neck strap courtesy of Cecilia Gallery. FashionPhotographyBlog.com has one to giveaway, and you can find details on how to enter our competition right here on our website shortly.

PHOTO SOURCE:

Images courtesy of Cecilia Gallery

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