Peak Design Unveils Leash, the Optimus Prime of Camera Straps
If you’ve ever had to take traditional camera straps on and off your camera, you probably know how annoying the task is. Peak Design, makers of the Capture camera clip system, wants to change the way people think about and use straps. The company has unveiled a new strap called the Leash, a versatile accessory that can take on different configurations and be used for multiple purposes.
The whole system revolves around a quick-connect system that makes it easy to attach and remove strap ends. Tiny “Anchors” made of Kevlar and resin attach to any loop on your camera and can withstand 200 pounds of force. The ability to quickly choose between any of these connectors allows the Leash strap to be used in all kinds of ways, including as a neck strap, sling strap, safety tether, and image stabilizer.
The Leash itself is a strap that can be adjusted to twice its default length, enabling it to transform between neck and sling styles with a quick adjustment.
With one end of your Leash connect to the camera, the other end can be attached to something else — a backpack, for example — to act as a safety tether.
Material-wise, the strap is built from custom-woven seatbelt webbing and is 3/4 of an inch wide. It slides easily over your clothing when used as a sling strap, but is also compact enough to be stuff into your pocket when not in use.
Peak Design will also be selling a smaller version of the Leash, called the Cuff. It uses the same connection system but is an extremely compact wrist strap that can be worn as a cuff when not in use:
Here’s an introductory video that will give you a good idea of how both products work and are used:
Both the Leash and the Cuff will be available by the end of this year or early next year for the price of $40 and $20, respectively. Peak Design is currently taking preorders over on Kickstarter, where the products currently cost $25 and $15, respectively.
The system looks like it will be a hit: over a thousand backers have contributed nearly $80,000 toward the product already, even though the company was only looking to raise $10K.
