Those of you who are looking for the perfect hand strap for your camera might want to have a look at the new Spider Pro Hand Strap. Shai Eynav, inventor of the Spider Holster just posted his product description on “tilt” where you are able to pre-order a Spider Pro Hand Strap and be among the first people to start enjoying it.
For a brief history about Shai’s company, I would like to share the following……
Back in June of 2009 I noticed a small start up company who were introducing a waist belt based camera carrying system. I wrote a long email to Shai Enyav, here’s an excerpt…
June 26, 2009
“Shai, your Spider Holster caught my attention asI have been looking for (and dreaming about) a system, almost exactly like the one you have designed. I must say that I am really excited about your product. Over the years I have built, tried and modified several different camera holster systems using “camera bags”, but I’ve always wanted just a “bare camera”, clip-in system. For transport, the holster bags are great, but trying to work out of them is inconvenient and cumbersome. Shai, you seem to have solved that problem.”
A few days later I received a reply…
“Dear Karl, We are honored to receive your email and elated at your excitement about the Spider Holster. The first holster design came as I was traveling (then working for Masa Acher, an Israeli travel magazine.) and so I completely understand your frustration w/ some of the existing systems. I believe the Spider will be an asset to you and to many others in many different fields. Right now, we are looking at August to have the Spiders. You will be one of the first people I will mail the Spider straight to (we have a few others that want to test/review it) but of course, none of them will match your field tests!.. and please run it as hard as you can. I personally can not wait for you to try/test it and truly am looking forward to your review and any suggestions you may have to improve.”
Photo by Scott Sharick, August, 2014
This exchange of emails over 5 years ago was the beginning of a friendship and a business relationship which has fundamentally improved the comfort and ergonomics of my daily work routine. Over the years I’ve shared my experience with fellow photographers and encouraged them to explore the benefits of a system has provided us all a revolutionary way to carry our cameras.
During my initial experience using the Spider Holster I decided that I wanted to incorporate some type of hand strap and since there was nothing that integrated with the Spider Holster system, I fabricated a simple hand strap from a left-over UP-Strap camera strap that I had received from Al Stegmeyer, inventor of the UP-Strap.
By mid 2010 Shai and I were kicking emails back and forth about the pros and cons of various hand straps. I sent Shai a shot of my “jury-rigged” system (photo below). Upon seeing my key ring attachment mechanism, Shai immediately sent me a more sophisticated “D-ring” to try.
Sept 23, 2010…
“Hey Karl, Just wanted to make sure you have received your new belt/spiders.. (I sent a D-ring just in case you would like to play a bit with a hand strap..) Let me know when you have a moment. Many thanks, Shai”.
Well, now almost 4 years later the Spider Pro Hand Strap is going to be a reality. So, if you’re in the market for a hand strap you owe it to yourself to have a look at the design rationale behind Shai’s latest creation. Shai doesn’t produce anything other than top-notch, well thought out, professional, ergonomically designed gear that really works out there in the real world. See all the info about the new Spider Pro Hand Strap here.
I can’t wait to get my hands on one and put it through the meat-grinder. For me, the biggest advantage over my current hand straps will be easier access to camera controls and the CF card door, as well as quick entry of my hand into the strap due to its “non-floppy”, semi-rigid design.
Wow, we’ve come a long way baby!
Happy shooting,
Karl
Karl,
I saw this strap in person a few weeks ago and cannot wait to finally have it on my cameras. The design works beautifully and is well worth the wait. I think you are going to be very pleased.
Thanks for the input, Kim!
My photography life has never been the same since I got my Spider Holster/s. Love it. I’ve held my camera with a 70-200 precariously out over cliffs and buildings and bodies of water and peoples wedding cakes and thought “I really need a strap just in case!” Knock on wood, nothing tragic has happened yet. How cool that you got to be such a large part of that process. Looking forward to having my hands on one!