Hi Mark, I stumbled upon our conversation from 2017 and I just want to say it’s 2020 and the camera strap I got from you is still going so strong and it has aged so well! I stepped on it once with my boots and it left a mark but it just adds to the character of the leather strap. I sold my Olympus camera a year ago,
But I’m still hanging on to the strap. That’s how much I love the strap. I’m hoping that I’ll get to use it again when I get a new camera. Thanks for making such high-quality leather straps... will recommend your shop to my friends

I ordered a Rodchenko in Barnach Red, length 135cm late Monday. By tea time I had an acknowledgement from Mark to say that the strap was made and would be in the post next day.

Today (Wednesday) the strap arrived by 11.00 am.

The Rodchenko is an object of desire, a beautiful handmade functional item that is a joy to have and to use, strong enough to give confidence with a heavy camera/lens combination and sold at a very reasonable price.

I congratulate you, Mark, on your talent, service, packaging and presentation (great gift box and bag). Much appreciated and thoroughly recommended.

Regards Bob

FOGDOG Northern California film photographer writes about old cameras, photography and life.

A bad camera strap can really foul an otherwise wonderful day of photography. There’s nothing worse than having your strap constantly sliding off of your shoulder or getting in the way of your film advance lever. Or straps that make your camera hang in some weird, out of balance way.

I have tried loads…and I mean loads…of different kinds of camera straps and there is one that I keep coming back to time and time again: The 1901 Eggleston camera strap from 1901 fotografi. Owner Mark Lewis is an award-winning portrait photographer based in the UK and for years he searched for a comfortable, long-lasting and good looking camera strap. Unsatisfied with what he found on the market, he began to make his own out of top-quality Italian leather and only the best metal hardware.

Unboxing a new Eggleston leather strap is such joy!

Mark makes several different styles of straps, but I first discovered his simple fixed-length Egglestons when I was looking for a nice leather strap for my Leica M2. I didn’t want a big, wide bulky strap on the graceful little Leica rangefinder and the Eggleston was perfect.

These straps are so nice and comfortable, so well made and good looking, that they quickly found their way onto my larger and heavier SLR bodies. Even with the size and weight of say…my Canon F-1, the Eggleston is just perfect!

And here is the best part of Mark’s great camera straps…the split rings. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I really struggle with camera strap split rings. Many are just so hard to pry open that after moving a strap from one camera to another, my finger tips end up hurting. Not with the 1901 straps. Mark told me he spent a lot of time searching for just the right ring and the time spent was worth it. These splits are so easy to open!

The 1901 Eggleston straps cost about $30 USD plus shipping. They come in a wide variety of colors. Mark makes these straps by hand, responds to email inquiries promptly and ships quickly. And unwrapping a new Eggleston and taking it out of its box and little pouch is a sublime experience. The leather is so soft and the smell is just fabulous!

I love supporting photographers who create products for other photographers. If you are looking for a high quality, reasonably priced strap for your camera, take a look at the wonderful leather straps from 1901 fotografi.

'I have just purchased and received my second ‘1901’ strap. To say my expectations have been exceeded would be an understatement. Your straps are without doubt the ‘Missing’ component for any camera. They are made from the softest and exquisite leather which has been hand made to perfection. Your advice pre ordering and honest opinions, ensured that I ordered the correct colour combination and strap accessories for my camera. Thank you again for being ahead of the game with such an innovative product'.

Michael Schogger

An overlooked accessory, straps are a very personal thing, making your camera comfortable on your body, improves your photography experience. A strap that is comfortable for one person, may not be for another. The manufacturer straps that come supplied with a camera, are often short, and loudly branded. A short strap only allows the camera to be worn one way, round your neck and in front of you, often bouncing uncomfortably, as you walk and usually not at a comfortable height for resting one hand on. Branded straps, shout look at me, I’ve got an expensive camera, and instantly mark you out as a tourist!!

I prefer longer straps, and often wear them in a cross over style, so the camera is to the side of me, but with enough strap length so the camera can be easily brought up to my eye. There are times when I might wear the camera in front of me, for instance for candid street photography, but again I find a longer strap length more comfortable to rest by hand on. Straps are available with detachable connectors or as permanently fixed to the camera body, the former allows one strap to be used with different camera bodies.

Wrist straps are becoming increasing popular, especially for lightweight mirrorless cameras. I often have a wrist strap and detachable connectors fitted to a camera body, so that it can be carried either way, I also like the wrist straps that tighten around your wrist on a lasso type arrangement, this enables you to ‘drop’ the camera safely to have free access to your hand.

The quality of a strap is very important, you do not want it to break, sending your expensive camera equipment to the ground. Personally I would only buy reputable brands, and I would always check out the online reviews.

Straps are available in a wide variety of styles, but these are my choices:-

For my stealth black X100F, a custom length (130cm long) 1901 Fotografi Steichen Leather Strap in Stereo Black (www.1901fotografi.co.uk – direct sales), not only does this look the part, it is beautifully made (and smells lovely!) and suits the rangefinder style of the X100 series. I went for a fixed length strap as I felt the buckle of the variable length straps made an awkward join, and the extra bling of the buckle would make the camera stand out more.

See the full article on David's site here:  https://www.davidyeomanphotography.co.uk/blog/2017/8/30/camera-straps

I recently purchased my first one of these straps from you and it is by far the most beautiful, softest, high-quality leather strap I have come across in years of searching. I'm looking forward to having two more for my other cameras. Thank you for the thought and care that you clearly put into your work. It just so happens that William Eggleston is also my favourite photog. It comes as no surprise that this strap is complex yet simple, is named after a man who's work exudes the same qualities.

J Stapp

Hi Mark,

I received today my Eggleston strap (old collodion brown in standard length) and just had to let you know how exceptionally pleased I am.
The workmanship is superb and it's just a beautiful accessory.
It fits my Fuji X30 perfectly both practically and aesthetically, and the leather is so soft it's a pleasure to hold in the hands.
I read about 1901 a while back in Amateur Photographer where your products were highly praised and came to see them in person at this year's Photography Show at the NEC.
Some would say "it's just a strap, what are you getting so excited about?" but it makes a very welcome change to see something created with skill and love that's clearly made to last.
Thank you.

David Richards

I just received the strap today and wanted to let you know its perfect! The length is perfect (I know I specified the length, but I was still nervous when I ordered it). The leather is gorgeous... and it's so soft! I want to thank you again and let you know you have a very happy customer.

Phil Chang

Mark- I just got the two straps in today and could not be any happier!! My favorite thing about the Rodchenko is that it is similar to the strap that came with the Nikon F2's in the 70's, but made even better. 
Also, I hate straps that advertise camera brands , so that alone makes this my favorite strap! I love the way it is easy to put on and take off, but at the same time I feel very secure that it will hold the camera- I will tell everyone I know about them, as I think you have a fantastic product!

Many thanks,
DZ