Qimera Gear Flat Strap Angela Nicholson
Tests a camera strap that’s particularly easy to fit and remove ● £49.99 ● www.qimeragear.com
The Qimera Gear Flat Strap is designed with ease of attachment and removal in mind. It’s aimed to be an alternative to Peak Design’s popular straps, but it fits onto the camera directly, without any need for separate anchor loops.
Peak Design’s use of such loops to attach its straps to a camera has a couple of drawbacks. In windy conditions, for example, they can flap around and create slight vibrations and a clacking noise. This can be bothersome for videographers as the sounds are recorded in the audio.
The loops can be fiddly to remove, too.
Qimera Gear’s solution to this problem is clever and practical. The attachment mechanism employs Dyneema loops, or ‘pigtails’, which stay on the strap when it is removed, rather than on the camera. These loops are threaded through the camera’s strap lugs and then hooked onto a plastic clasp that then screws closed. This makes the strap quick to attach and detach.
While the plastic lacks the aesthetic charm of metal, it avoids the likelihood of scratching your camera during use. The clasps are easy to open and close, but while I didn’t experience any accidentally releasing of the loops during my testing, I’d prefer to have the reassurance of a locking mechanism.
Dyneema is 15 times stronger than steel of comparable weight, so the loops are a reliable mount for the strap. Qimera Gear also provides an extra pair of red loops that can be swapped for the fitted black ones with the help of a 1.5mm Allen key. While the loops are effective and easy to use, they look a little unconventional.
The main part of the strap is made from a silky webbing material, which feels strong and is comfortable on your shoulder or across your body. However, as it’s only around 25mm (1 inch) wide, it’s not ideal around your neck for carrying a heavy camera. The strap also has a single sliding fastener that allows quick and easy length adjustments from 93cm to 152cm. This flexibility makes it suitable for various body types and shooting styles.
Verdict
The Qimera Gear Flat Strap is thoughtfully designed and addresses the slow attachment and detachment issue of standard camera straps, without the clacking problem associated with Peak Design’s Anchor Loops. Its robust Dyneema loops and adjustable length make it a practical and reliable choice for photographers and videographers alike, although the unique design is unconventional in appearance.