Since I first encountered Evris Papanikolas and his new TieHerUp camera straps back in the middle of 2015, his company has gone from strength to strength. His straps are now gaining an international reputation for quality and attention to detail. They’ve been welcomed by photo bloggers from around the world, including Thorsten von Overgaard, Steve Huff and, of course, humble old Macfilos.
Rock n’ Roll M10 Limited Edition
A couple of weeks ago a parcel arrived from Cyprus containing two of Evris’s latest creations for me to test. One is a variation of the successful leather-link Rock n’ Roll neck strap made specially for the M10; the other is a simple, classic narrow leather strap which is now gracing my Mk.I Monochrom.
I have liked the original Rock n’ Roll strap since it was announced and have both versions — the design with split rings for lug-equipped cameras such as the Leica M, and the wider model designed for the Leica SL and its DSLR-type fixings. All of them have a springiness about them, thanks to the linked construction, and all are very comfortable.
The new strap for the M10 is narrower at 7mm but retains the attractive linked construction of the original. Evris says it is a slimmed-down strap to match Leica’s slimmed down camera. To add emphasis, three of the links towards one end of the strap are in red leather. It’s certainly an unusual touch but I think it complements the M10 perfectly.
I’ve been using the strap on my new M10 since the camera arrived and I find it extremely comfortable and just about the right length. It is the shorter, 100cm version but there is a 125cm model for those who prefer to sling the camera over their shoulders. As always, the leather is of great quality and the strap is soft and supple.
Classic All-Black M10 strap
The second strap, also designed to match the M10, is a traditional narrow leather design, just 15mm wide. The Classic All-Black M10 strap is made from a soft premium leather from the island of Crete and has a matte finish; it is just 2.1mm thick. It is very supple and can be wrapped easily and comfortably around the wrist to double as a wrist strap. The ends of the strap are finished with black waxed thread and the double thickness at the split-ring helps keep the ring away from the camera body. This is not an adjustable strap and is all the better for it. I dislike straps with flapping size adjustment and much prefer to use fixed length designs. It is better, in my opinion, to decide your preference and buy a fixed-length strap to suit.
The Classic All-Black is a very simple but extremely attractive strap and I love it. While it is linked specifically with the M10, it will go with any Leica of any age.
I can thoroughly recommend both these straps. You can buy them direct from the TieHerUp website here. The Rock n’Roll M10 strap costs €120 or €130 in the longer 125mm version. The Classic All-Black is €59 or €69 for the longer version.
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