The Monarch BOA Camera Strap. Awesome, Beautiful and Unique.
By Steve Huff
See my video review/overview below
The Strap on my EM1 MKII
Now I said all I could say in the 8 minute video above, so not much else to say here but I will say that these are simply some of the nicest straps I have ever come across. Beauty. Craftmanship. Unique. All of these words come to mind when I attached one to my camera. Starting at $70, they are also affordable for a high end strap. MUCH nicer than any Artisan and Artist strap I have owned, and those cost MUCH more.
These straps are made to be tough according to Monarch…and I believe them. These are some of the toughest well made straps I have come across.
The cream colored strap on me EM1 MKII in the video above is staying on my EM1 MKII. It’s simply gorgeous and probably the best strap I have had on one of my mirrorless cameras..ever. I still love the Tie Her Up straps (especially for rangefinders, Leica, etc) but now Monarch has made their way into my top two for sure.
So if you are looking for a new strap and want something different yet beautiful. Something larger and secure and tough, and one you can even customize to your own length or color, then be sure and check out these BOA straps at monarchstraps.com
Nice review, I ordered it on-line in July 23 on the Monarch site, but should have inquired first, as they seem out of business now.
(I even paid, strange this is still possible, so I lost 160 usd).
Just an update here, alerting other potential buyers.
Thank you
THat’s not good! Why would they take payment if they are not selling? I would do a chargeback with the card company or bank!
This looks very good. Considering Steve has similar fit to me, I’m going for it. Thank you for post, Steve.
James, being cheap doesn’t make you smart, and the opposite of cheap isn’t ostentatious.
“..the opposite of cheap isn’t ostentatious”. I’d not buy that Thomas chestnut. Tat, kitsch and other god-awful design can be highly expensive. There’s no rule. I’m sure you can think of examples.
What counts are top quality materials and excellent design (often simple). The stuff I mentioned has both, no matter what you pay.
Here’s one for you and, sorry, it’s not mine: a fool and his money are soon parted.
And you’re right, “being cheap doesn’t make you smart”. But smart people make good choices of parameters, ie they exercise discrimination, and just sometimes that may include cheap, for whatever reason (in this case an artefact of history where quality and quantity was paramount).
Cheers.
I may have to give this strap(s) a miss. Not sure where the market is for them but in my frequent trips to London and home via the US east coast I don’t see folk with too much ostentatious camera bling. Harlem, perhaps?
Here’s a free ultra-high fashion tip: NOS webbing (made in Canada) from 1943-1945 as issued to all British Commonwealth forces is still readily available along with the high quality brass fittings. With minimal modification the slimmer straps (which have slightly widened areas over the shoulder) can be adjusted to preferred lengths, look quietly cool and won’t have you approached by that Harlem gentleman.
(Sorry, they don’t come in a tin cans..)