The Artisan's Buying Guide to Camera Accessories: Straps, Bags, Journals, and Custom Cameras – Our Favorite Brands
These days it can be hard to find quality accessories of any kind. I know I’ve clicked on Instagram ads only to realize the sleek messenger bag I hoped to buy was just a cheap, overseas drop-ship product.
To assist the online camera community in finding high quality camera accessories, I created this camera accessory buying guide of products I love. Each company in this list aligns with Artisan Obscura’s philosophy and mission. All of them share a love of beauty, functionality, and craftsmanship. All of them are run by artists for artists.
Plus, their products look absolutely dope.
If you’re in the market for camera straps, camera bags, custom cameras, or leather notebooks, you’ve come to the right spot.
Camera Straps
Hawkesmill (UK)
They have a very simple goal: “We want to create the finest camera bags and leather camera straps available today, regardless of cost. We have become a throwaway society, where products are cheaply produced and quickly discarded for the “newest” and “latest and greatest”. This is extremely evident in photography, where GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is prevalent. Our customers are those that understand the value of a handmade product. And care about provenance and origin of their products.”
The move toward an economy of appreciation is something I can get behind. The durability of Hawkesmill’s camera straps also says that they aren’t just making empty promises. Their leather goods last for years and keep their natural beauty the entire time.
Tap & Dye (US)
Tap & Dye is run by a skilled craftsman, Justin Waldinger, and his approach speaks right to my heart; “Each good is made to order to uphold the highest quality standards so quality control begins and ends with me. And as no two straps are alike, they will age beautifully and uniquely for each owner. It is currently small operation based out of my studio space in Brooklyn, NY where I design and craft every good.”
I love the emphasis on unique, one-of-a-kind design. I don’t know about you, but it can be hard for me to invest in a product like a t-shirt when I know thousands of other people are out there wearing the exact same thing. For high quality camera straps made in the U.S.A., check out Tap & Dye.
Camera Bags
Ona (US)
In Swahili, the word ona (pronounced ō'na) means, “to feel,” “to believe,” and “to experience with the eyes.”
I highly recommend that you experience their camera bags with your own eyes. They are some of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever seen, crafted from leather, canvas, and brass materials.
I truly appreciate Ona’s commitment to using the best materials on the market. “We use premium materials, such as full-grain leather, waxed canvas, and solid brass hardware. We source all of our materials with great care from some of the finest suppliers around the globe, from the United States to Italy.”
Ona’s camera bags succeed on all fronts: look, comfort, durability, and camera protection.
Peak Design
While peak design may embrace functionality more than aesthetics and looks, they’ve succeeded in creating some of the most durable, dependable camera bags on the market. If you’re looking for a bag that you can take around the world in difficult conditions, this is the brand for you.
Peak Design is also especially eco-friendly and culture-conscious. They donate 1% of their revenue to environmental nonprofits. They also guarantees their products for life, and refurbish broken items to keep them in use and out of landfills. Peak Design believes a close-knit team and 100% employee ownership are keys to the effective pursuit of their mission. I’m happy to hear they will stick to these guns, especially when the temptation to grow bigger and faster arises.
Cameras
Dora Goodman
Dora Goodman Cameras is quite unique. They offer free, open-source files that you can customize to your heart’s content. Basically, you can 3D print your own camera! Artisan Obscura loves customization. We love how hot shoe covers and soft release buttons personalize a camera, but Dora Goodman takes customization to a whole new level. They also offer accessories. You should definitely check them out.
Notebooks
MurDy Creative
While notebooks and journals aren’t camera accessories, per se, I personally love a good writing pad. A beautiful notebook inspires me to write down my ideas and catalogue my life, giving me a greater appreciation for the world and my role in it. Murdy Creative, in my opinion, creates some of the world’s best leather notebooks.
I hope you’re inspired by this quote by founder, Colin Murdy, ”My continued hope is to provide my community with ways to create their perfect journals. What we carry with us is an extension of who we are. I believe it should be the best.”
I know it can be hard supporting artisans. Many Artisan Obscura followers are artists themselves. And artists don’t always make the most money. That said, all the companies on this list emphasize simplicity and living with objects you love. You could buy a camera strap from Amazon, but it will wear out in a year or two. It also won’t hold the same meaning as a custom strap created specifically for your order.
Life is an investment. And I can promise you that you will enjoy your purchases, whatever they are, if you invest time, thought, and effort into them.
“If you buy quality, you only cry once.”
Happy browsing!
Drew