I had always resented taking photos.
It wasn’t that I wasn’t creative, or that I didn’t like photography. I’ve felt that the art of photography has been perverted.
Let me explain:
I’ve been to a lot of tourist attractions. Christ the Redeemer, Machu Picchu, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, I live in NYC. You get the point. I see a lot of people taking a lot of photos. I’m jaded.
There’s nothing wrong with taking photos of tourist attractions. In fact, I think it’s great. You’ll never know when you’ll need the photos, whether to use when bragging on social media or showing the world how great your life is, or to prove that you actually visited the site. Pics or it didn’t happen.
But unfortunately, I’ve felt that tourist shots have gotten to the extent where taking photos detracts from the subject. I’ve seen too many flocks of tourists with DSLRs elbowing their way for snapshots. There’s more to the world than what can be seen through a viewfinder. You miss the nuances. The subtle details are overlooked. We’re more interested in getting the shot than appreciating the subject. It’s borderline exploitation.
After getting the Peak Design Slide Summit strap, I had a new need/excuse to take some photos. I jumped on the opportunity and started taking a couple of pics around the house. Eventually, I found myself going out on day trips just to take photos. The camera strap has been a catalyst to my rekindled interest in photography.
The unwieldy DSLR and it’s corresponding strap is a trademark of the modern tourist. The Peak Design Slide Summit is the antidote. Here are my thoughts on the strap:
Pros:
- Versatile, perfect for adventure travelers or urban travelers
- Can be used as a neck strap, sling strap and shoulder strap
- Beautifully and intuitively designed
- You’ll look more like an artist than a tourist with this strap
- Compatible with all cameras
- Compatible with most tripods, I used the strap with a Oben carbon fiber camera strap
- Durable, made of a seatbelt type of material, the anchors/connectors are made with Dyneema (Dyneema is a super strong material, think Kevlar, made by a Dutch chemical company)
- Includes a standard Arca Plate which is compatible with most tripods, like my Oben
- Easy to adjust the length, there was a simple buckle, similar to that on Timbuk2’s messenger bags
The strap can be worn 3 ways, but my preferred method is as a sling strap. I left all 4 included anchors on my camera so I could easily switch between neck strap, sling strap and shoulder strap.
Overall, the strap has a really easy to use and intuitive design. With the Peak Designs camera strap, Nikon D600, Ugmonk Mountain’s t-shirt, and my marbled blue Giorgio Armani square glasses, I feel like a designer.
The strap’s package contains:
- The strap
- Hex Key
- Standard Arca Plate
- 4 Dyneema Anchors
- Microfiber Pouch
When you’ve got $3000+ worth of equipment hanging from your neck, you’ll want to be certain the strap is secure. The Slide Summit strap uses anchor/connectors made with Dyneema. If you’re wondering just how strong Dyneema is, check out this video which compares Dyneema rope with steel rope:
The Peak Design strap comes with a tripod plate which the anchors and strap can connect to. The plate fit perfectly with my Oben tripod. Not sure if your tripod will work with Peak Design’s strap? Read this article on their website.
I’d love to see a full leather version of this strap in the future. Maybe a collab between Peak Design and Will Leather Goods, or just the Slide Summit made of Horween Leather.
Cons:
None. The strap was that good.
I’ll update this if I come across any issues.
The Verdict:
The Slide Summit by Peak Design is probably the best camera strap on the market – definitely the best strap I’ve ever used.
Although this is a product review of a camera strap, it’s almost a story of transformation – not really in a melodramatic way. The strap didn’t just make my camera easier to use, it made me want to take photos.
The obnoxious acts of tourists are beyond my control. I still wouldn’t entitle myself a photographer, but at least I’m no longer a cynic.
-
Design - 10/1010/10
-
Durability - 10/1010/10
-
Value - 9/109/10
Where To Get The Peak Design Slide Summit Camera Strap:
Shut up and buy the Slide Summit camera strap by Peak Design. It costs retail $64.95 each for the red and blue straps and $59.95 for the black strap. Pricey? Yes. Gorgeous? Yes, as well.
- You can find the strap on PeakDesign.com
- At your favorite camera store, be it Adorama, B&H, etc.
- And of course, Amazon.com
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below.
The Peak Design Slide Summit camera strap was provided for this review. As always, this Peak Design Slide Summit camera strap review contains only my honest views and opinions. 🙂 Find out more about me and this site here.
Is your grippy strips also on the ‘Outside’ of the straps? If the ‘normal’ orientation of the strap is to have the buckles to the outside, don’t you think the grips should be towards the inside? I wish it didn’t have these grip strips because they are absolutely hideous on the burgundy
Hi Mansard,
Honestly, I have no idea whether the grippy black part is supposed to be on the outside or the inside. Personally I usually use it with the grips towards the inside. The attaching cords get somewhat twisted, but it’s not really a big deal. That’s one thing about the strap that really doesn’t make sense.