Holdfast MoneyMaker – Quick Review

As a part-time wedding photographer for the past 4yrs, I have struggled somewhat with the idea of investing into accessories. Bags, Light Stands, Flash Modifiers etc. Cameras and Lenses I had no issues with dropping my money on.

One of the things that always has bugged me whilst shooting an event was the camera straps.

I generally shoot with two cameras, one slung on each shoulder with a telephoto and a wide lens. This is so I can quickly adapt to each shot.

Typically speaking, the camera straps provided with every camera body are worn around the neck and hang the camera in front of your chest/stomach, however as I need two cameras with me, it’s slung over each shoulder and at times during fast moving moments, the cameras do slip off my shoulder. I have always been able to catch it before it fell to the floor, however it’s just a nuisance having to have that concern and worry with damaging my equipment.

For as long as I have been doing photography, the product I have kept my eye on and hoping the price would go down is the Black Rapid RS DR-1 Double Strap.

I have always been hesistant to spend the £100(est) on this product as I have felt “the manufacturer strap works! Sorta…” and the styling of this strap makes you ‘look’ like an overly enthusiastic photographer. In my opinion of course…

The Nylon straps and the thick shoulder padding just looks too much like you’re advertising you’re a photographer at work with lots of gear.

I wanted something more discreet and stylish, and one day I came across an F-Stoppers article reviewing this strap from Holdfast called the MoneyMaker.

The strap itself looks stylish and comes in various colours. It’s made of leather which exudes more fashion appeal over the nylon.

Although the Holdfast MoneyMaker was more than double the cost of the BlackRapid Strap, I couldn’t help but want it.

After over a year of deliberating whether I should purchase this premium strap, at this premium cost! I took the plunge and ordered from Rigu.co.uk.

I have used the Holdfast MoneyMaker on one shoot and some of the issues I faced with it, I would face with any strap, so it could just be me needing to adjust to new working style.

As an example, to put down a camera with the manufacturers strap, so much easier. Slip it off my shoulder, put it down and walk away.

With the Holdfast, which would also be true for the BlackRapid, I needed to unhook camera from the strap, which took only a few seconds longer, but in practice when you’re in a hurry and every second counts, you do notice this! Or at least I did.

The rings which hook the smaller straps onto the body strap at times kept catching on to my shirt, and when I went to raise the camera to my face, the motion was not as smooth due to this.

However, the biggest issue I have with this strap is the colour rubbing off onto my shirt.

Whilst walking around keeping an eye out for candid moments, I had the groom of the wedding randomly rub my chest. I initially thought he was trying to be playful and funny, and then he said “You got something on your shirt”, I looked down and realised the black leather had created marks on my shirt!

Needless to say given the points I had mentioned above, this was not the greatest experience shooting with this strap. However, it wasn’t the worst.

Overtime, the colour may not rub off as all the excess colours may wear off and my shirt catching on the strap can be overlooked.

I will however like to close on the note that if you are looking for a double strap of some sorts, whether it be the BlackRapid or Holdfast, just bear in mind it does have its drawbacks and depending what you value the most for convenience or safety, you might be better off without it. It would be easy to say “Safety”, but there are some shooters who move quickly and would prefer not to be slowed down in anyway… I am one of these shooters. That’s also not to say I would like to throw my kit, but ideally I would like a better balance but for shooting an event, my concern is more for convenience.

The Holdfast itself however, I cannot help but feel disappointed given its price. As mentioned above, it has only been the one official event with this strap, and if my feelings do change I will update the post or re-write a completely new review.

Although my cameras throughout did feel very secure throughout the event, for the moment, I will have to determine this strap overpriced.

On a side note, the service provided by Rigu.co.uk. was outstanding. The item was delivered quickly, kept in contact to follow up everything was OK in terms of the delivery, checked out my work via social media and had a brief conversation over email regarding photography. I found the service to be very personal and it was a joy to deal with someone on this level as opposed to a company simply taking my money and dropping my product on my doorstep, so I do highly recommend Rigu.co.uk.