A few months ago, we had the chance to review three straps from the Nucis collection courtesy of our friend Matthew Maddock of PhotoMADD. Handmade in Portugal, they embody what every photographer tends to look for from a strap: an attractive and practical design made from high-quality and sustainably sourced materials. For example, the Nucis Cork strap (our favourite of the three straps we reviewed) is fashioned from a mix of eco-friendly cork fabric obtained from the Montado ecosystem of southern Europe and local Portuguese leather.
The most recent product Matthew sent to us to review is the updated version of the classic black leather shoulder strap. Unlike other straps in the Nucis collection, which feature traditional metal split rings to attach the strap to the camera lugs, this classic strap features Peak Design’s anchor link clips, making it compatible with the Peak Design anchor link system.
Anchor links are the most efficient way to attach or remove a camera strap we’ve ever come across. All you have to do is attach the quick-connectors to the camera lugs and you can rapidly attach or remove any strap that has Peak Design anchor link clips.
Having a system like this is extremely useful if you often a) switch between two or more straps, b) switch between camera bodies, or c) want to remove your strap when you store your camera inside a bag. For us, as camera reviewers who constantly test new camera bodies, they are a godsend!
While I was unsure whether the anchor link clips would suit the refined appearance of the leather strap, the combination is actually quite slick and modern. Sure, it will never be as smart as a leather strap on its own but where we lose a dash of elegance, we get lots of added usability.
The classic leather shoulder strap itself is everything you’d expect from a Nucis product. It has been fashioned from locally-sourced leather, machined-stitched along the entire length for durability, and hand-stitched at either end to deliver a feeling of true craftsmanship.
The length of the strap can be adjusted from 95cm to 120cm. Much like a belt, there are six holes, each separated by 5cm along the strap. To adjust the strap, simply push the strap through the metal buckle until it reaches the appropriate hole, place the metal notch inside the hole, and thread the tail of the strap through the leather loop to secure it in place.
Since the strap is very flexible, you can either choose to hang it around your neck as I have done below, or wrap it multiple times around your wrist if you want immediate access to your camera.
The Peak Design anchor links take all the difficulty out of attaching or removing a strap when it simply isn’t convenient to have one. As far as I know, Nucis’ classic shoulder strap is the first leather strap to natively feature the anchor link system but given its convenience, I wouldn’t be surprised if other accessory companies begin to follow suit.
Have you tried Peak Design’s anchor link system? If so, what are your thoughts about it?
