Give Your Shoulders a Break by Using a Camera Belt
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If you’ve never had the pleasure of using a camera belt before, it is high time you try one.
I use my camera belt specifically for travel, and I’ll tell you why below, but I also have friends who believe that their camera belt is, hands down, the best camera strap alternative they’ve ever used.
Let’s talk a little bit about the benefits of a camera belt, before I give you a recommendation for my favorite Holdfast camera belt.
Benefits of Using a Camera Belt
There are so many benefits of using a camera belt, from comfort to practicality and price. Let’s dive right in.
Keep Both Hands Free
I think the best benefit of using a camera belt is that it allows you to keep both of your hands free. Depending upon which photography niche you work in, this can be incredibly beneficial.
I have photographer friends who work in family portraiture and need to chase down toddlers all day who use camera belts to keep their camera strapped down while they do so. I also have photographer friends who work in wildlife photography who need to use both of their hands for rock climbing while getting to their photoshoot destinations. It works for them as well.
Even if you aren’t doing anything quite as extreme as rock climbing or chasing down kids all day, it is much simpler to do your job if you aren’t worrying about accidentally damaging your gear while it’s swinging around your neck.
It’s Secure
Another benefit of using a camera belt is that it is secure. If your camera gear is expensive, then you know how worried you are that it’s going to get stolen. If you’ve ever had this unfortunate circumstance happen to you, then you’re probably even paranoid about it.
Camera belts ensure that your gear is strapped to your body at all times. There’s no way for a pickpocket to steal your camera while you’re wearing a camera belt because you would feel it being removed.
This is especially helpful if you’re traveling a lot or if you are working in a developing country where technology is frequently lifted from people.
It’s Great for Travel
Camera belts are also wonderful for traveling. Whenever I’m traveling for work, I’m usually trying to save as much money as I can, which means I’m stuffing myself into crammed buses in the Peruvian countryside or subway cars in New York City.
I want my camera to be right by my side so I can use it whenever I need it, but I also don’t want to be worrying about it while I’m trying to pay for a ticket or lug my other belongings alongside me.
A camera belt allows me to constantly have my camera within reach without hindering my other movements.
It’s More Comfortable
If you’ve ever spent a 16-hour day shooting with a camera hanging around your neck, you know how incredibly sore your shoulders and back get.
When you keep all of this weight on your hips, rather than around your neck, you won’t need to immediately take a trip to the masseuse the next day.
While your comfort isn’t the most important thing during a shoot, it is pretty darn important considering you’ll make your clients happier if you’re in a better mood.
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Our Favorite Camera Belt
The Holdfast Tanker Belt is our favorite camera belt. This belt is made out of sturdy Water Buffalo Leather, so it only gets better as it ages.
It also comes in a variety of colors, like tan, burgundy, and black, so it will match the rest of your gear.
Each belt is made of two different 9oz pieces of leather, so that you have a base belt and a top belt. Your belt will also come with 3 D rings that are interchangeable so you can carry other small items on your belt, like a wallet leash. But, since they are interchangeable, you can also remove them when you’re not using them.
We love this belt, in particular, because it does not move after you’ve put it on. Other camera belts can slide around, or sag your pants, and are really more trouble than they’re worth.
Plus, for $175, this will be the last camera belt you ever need to purchase because Holdfast provides a lifetime guarantee on all of their products.
Holdfast does participate in an After Pay program that allows you to break down this payment into interest-free installments if $175 is a little too much for you to swing right now. This way you can get your gear now, but pay for it later.
