Over the years, I have discovered that having the right equipment for the job is essential. This doesn’t just mean cameras and lenses, but also ancillary equipment like tripods and straps. I decided to give both Peak Design’s excellent Slide and the Slide Lite a try to see which would suit me best.
The other thing I have discovered is that the adage "you get what you pay for" is usually true. There are plenty of cheap tripods and straps to be found on Amazon, but they rarely meet expectations.
Of course, there are also expensive things that don’t live up to their price tag. Expensive cameras can fall apart. One well-known brand of strap has an issue with the camera attachment becoming unattached. "Reassuringly expensive" is not always true. However, I've been very impressed with Peak Design's gear so far, and that experience and their reputation for great quality, well-thought-through products got me wondering whether their straps were what I was looking for.
A few weeks ago, I reviewed the Peak Design Leash. Fabulous though it is, I found that when it came to using a big lens it was a little too thin. Having been impressed with the Leash, would the Slide and the Slide Lite live up to my high expectations? Also, which would be best for my long lens?
Like the Leash, the two straps come in neat cardboard packaging. Peak Design is a certified climate-neutral company, as well as a member of 1% for the Planet. It is also a certified B Corporation; I had to look that one up!
- Demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above and passing our risk review. Multinational corporations must also meet baseline requirement standards.•
- Make a legal commitment by changing their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and achieve benefit corporation status if available in their jurisdiction.
- Exhibit transparency by allowing information about their performance measured against B Lab’s standards to be publicly available on their B Corp profile on B Lab’s website.
There’s a lot of greenwashing by camera companies, but Peak Design is one of the few that are making a real commitment to protecting the environment. This is an increasingly important issue for many photographers.
What Are the Differences Between the Slide and the Slide Lite?
Both straps are supplied with four Anchor Links. These are low-profile buttons that attach to the camera via a loop. The bottom then slots securely into the ends of the strap via a secure quick-release mechanism. The anchors are designed to carry up to 200 lbs (90 kg) of weight. The new three-layer design of the anchors makes them easy to inspect because below the outer black sheath is a second yellow layer. Inside that is a red-colored core. Consequently, it is easy to see if they are damaged or becoming worn.
The webbing on the straps is similar to that which you would find on a seat belt. Set at their longest, both straps can be used by a tall person to carry comfortably a camera or binoculars over the shoulder and across the body in a sling style. The maximum length of the Slide is 58” (149 cm) and the Slide Lite is slightly shorter than that at 57” (146 cm).
The length of the straps is fully adjustable, so they can be used hooked over one shoulder or as a neck strap. At their shortest, the slide is 40” (101 cm) and the Slide Lite is 37” (95 cm). That’s short enough for a child to use. Usefully, the strap length of both can be adjusted single-handedly.
At 1¾”, the Slide is wider than the Slide Lite, which is 1¼”. Both straps are reversible, having a silicone grip on one side, while the other is smooth and runs for freely.
Adjusting the length of both models is achieved by opening either of the quick-release buckles and then sliding that buckle up and down the webbing, which it does with ease.
Unlike the Slide Lite, the Slide has a stiffened section that helps spread the load of heavier camera and lens combinations, so it’s not pulling tightly around the neck.
Both models also come with an anchor mount that can be attached to the tripod screw hole at the base of the camera. That gives the option of attaching one end of the strap to the base of the camera. There's also an Allen hex key for securing that. Handily, it also fits my tripods' QR plates.
Also, both packages included a storage pouch.
The Slide Lite in Use
Besides my medium format film cameras and 35mm SLRs, I have two camera bodies in constant use. One is the OM System OM-1 and my backup camera is an OM-D E-M1 Mark II. The older camera I often carry in my pannier when I am cycling, with the diminutive 40-150mm 1:4 PRO lens attached.
The Leash has been a perfect companion for that short-term use. It’s perfect too for smaller cameras. However, I did feel the need for something a little wider when carrying either of the cameras for any length of time. Especially so in the summer when I was wearing a single layer.
The Slide Lite is the perfect solution for that. It’s wide enough and comfortable when in a t-shirt and not too bulky for those.
The quick-release anchors are ideal when I want to use my tripod and don’t want to have a strap blowing around in the wind. Single-handedly adjusting the strap length from over the shoulder to around the neck was quick and easy.
I also tried the Slide Lite with my binoculars, and it worked well, I found the adjustable length useful so I could wear them at my side when walking.
The Slide in Use
I am a big fan of small, light, and high-quality equipment. Consequently, the Slide would probably be overkill for my needs. Indeed, my OM-1 with the M.Zuiko 12-40mm F2.8 PRO lens is too light to curve the stiffened back of the strap around my neck or shoulder.
However, I have recently bought the OM SYSTEM M. Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 TC 1.25 IS PRO Lens. Although still comparatively light, the slide strap was perfect for carrying that combination that weighs a little under 5½ lbs (just under 2.5 kg) and could easily support much larger cameras.
Which Strap Should You Choose?
I found that using a system under 2 lbs (approximately 1 kg), the Slide Light is perfect. Above that weight, it is still perfectly comfortable to use, but when you start to reach a lens and body combination of around 3 lbs (approximately 1.5 kg) the Slide is definitely a more comfortable option.
I think there is an overlap between 2-3 lbs where both are suitable. If your maximum camera/lens combination is 2½ lbs (approximately 1.1 kg), then the Slide Lite will suit you.
Because of the wide range of weights of my lenses, everything from a tiny 0.3 lbs (136 g) to a large 4.4 lbs (1.88 kg), I’ll use both straps, except, that is, when I am cycling. Then, I’ll still use the Peak Design Leash.
What I Like About the Slide and Slide Lite and What Can Be Improved
What I Liked
Everything I found exceptionally good was common to both straps:
- Fully adjustable
- Exceptionally strong
- Light
- Easy to attach and remove from the camera
- Comfortable to wear
- Easy to put on and take off
- Reversible with a grip on one side
- Environmentally sound
- The improved design makes it easy to see if the anchors are worn and need to be replaced
- They are not plastered with bold brand advertising
- They are available in a range of color
What Could Be Improved
I am really pushed to find anything to dislike. However,
- Some photographers might prefer a thicker, padded strap, but that would be at a cost of flexibility
- There isn’t a two-camera version
- Slightly longer Anchor Mount loops would be good for easier attachment to the larger anchoring points on big lenses
- Guidance about the weight of the system they are designed for would help customers choose the correct model for them
In Conclusion: They Are a Great Accessory
There is a lot to be liked about these products. They are functional and easy to use. You do need to pick the right strap for the camera and lens combination and might need more than one strap if you have a wide-ranging system like mine. Peak Design is living up to its name. You can buy the Peak Design Slide here, and the Slide Light here.
I'm a big fan of the Slide Lite and also have the midnight blue variant. For my Fujifilm X-T3 or X-T5, when paired with a compact prime, it seems just right. When paired with my 50-140mm (~1kg), I could see the benefit of the full sized Slide, but the Slide Lite does fine here as well.
Yes, there is a definite overlap in the weights. I only use the Slide with my big lens. Thanks for commenting.
No. As I said in the article, it was the Leash.
I use the slide. They are great. I agree about longer anchors.
Thanks for reading the article and commenting. It's always great to hear that someone agrees!
I buy it and stop using it, the Ankor system is nice but to big and constantly coming in the way, when I use my camera in portrait mode, or at at low level.
Works much better if you attach the right side underneath the camera.
Ugh... I'm not considering the larger models until they solve that sloppy loop when you shorten the length.
I'm not sure what you mean. Please would you explain?
The area shown here. Something like a tie bar could probaly keep it tidy.
Oh, I see. Thanks for coming back to explain. That's interesting
I can't say that bothers me; I hadn't even noticed it there in use. I'll sit on the naughty step!
With my OM-1 and a 40-150mm lens on the Slide Lite, that loop gap is there although not as much as in both the pictures. The photographer in both is supporting some of the weight of the camera and, having just tried it with my OM-1, it flattens more than that. Strangely, using the same combination with the larger Slide, there is less space between as well, and hardly any when it's attached to my biggest lens.
The reason it happens is probably because Peak Design's webbing is heavier duty than most straps.
Thanks for pointing that out. For me it's not an issue, for you it is. I am sure the guys at PD will read this. Have you forwarded your thoughts to them?
There are absolutely different preferences when it comes to straps and I guess some 'issues' only affect some people. I switch between original Canon strap with Peak Design receivers and the Peak Design Leash - which is minimalist enough to not bother me with excess webbing.
I noticed the 'problem' the second I borrowed a friends camera with the broad Slide strap. I do, however, believe that the 'problem' for me might be reduced by carrying the camera over/under shoulder, like in the picture by the sea, where length adjustment can be done on the back and out of sight.
I have not made them aware of the annoyance. Maybe I should. Someone could probably 3D print a sliding piece to wrap around.
Yes, many things in photography (and life) are subjective, and everything has advantages and disadvantages. As you suggested the tie bar, I fabricated and tried a loop similar to the one you would get on a waist belt. It did hold the strap together, but it made the length adjustment a two-handed operation.
Apart from aesthetics, is there a practical problem it poses for you? I now find I am putting my hands through the loops and using the strap as an armrest!
Ah yes. A solution should not degrade the ease of adjustment. OEM straps usually come with a small black plastic ring to keep the strap tidy. Maybe that could work as an option for people like me. There is not really any practical problems with it for me - except having to deal with it flapping around my face. Though, I've been using straps less and less with mirrorless bodies. I got the Peak Design hand strap for situations where I want some extra security.
Not a dumb idea using the loops as armrests, though!
Great review, that I can fully agree on. I am using the Slide with my old school 5DIV and it is highly recommendable: Easy to detach from the camera when you don't need it, no fancy branding in red! and the anchor suits their short wrist band, that I like to use when walking around in crowded places.
Thank you Jens. Yes, I like that low-profile look too.
Ive been waiting on them to release a double camera rig since they started... Sadly still waiting.
Yes, it would be great for my wedding work. Have you contacted them to ask?
I have both and much prefer the Slide for 2 differences I did not see mentioned in this review. First, the webbing on the Slide is much more flexible than on the Lite. This not only makes it more comfortable but, surprisingly, also easier to pack in my bag despite its larger size. It also eliminates the bowing out loop mentioned by another commenter. Second, it has distinct leather tabs that connect the strap to the anchor clips. These don’t just look good; they significantly improve the ergonomics of clipping and unclipping with one hand (a key benefit of the system in the first place.) The Lite is still an excellent lower cost option, but for me the premium features of the Slide make it my go to.
I love my slide. Recently bought a Peak Design Capture Clip aswell, highly recommend that too! The plate itself is even worth it, it works perfectly with the Slide ankors!
That's good to know. It's great quality gear. I've been very impressed by it.
I have two slides.
One's permanantly attached to my Z7 and the other sees service on whichever (digital) camera I'm using that day.
One poster here mentions the flexibility of the Slide compared to the Slide Light.
I've never used the 'Light' but one of my Slides; an 'Ash' coloured one is significantly more flexible than the other, 'Black', one.
Is the flexibility thing perhaps related to the method of colouring them. Seems unlikely but my two, bought at the same time, had similar amount of use, both been washed a couple of times, are certainly different.
On a more serious note, I attached a Slide to the tripod hole in the base of the battery pack on my Z7 using one of Peak Designs' button things, it must have come with the strap.
Unfortunatey, said button sheared off leaving the threaded bit in the hole and a sharp bit sticking out.
Fortunately, I'm quite good at repairing that kind of thng and I was able to drill it out but it ruined the thread.
Since I never use a tripod and I'd certainy never attach one to a battery pack; in real life, it's made no difference. I plugged the whole with epoxy and you'd never notice it.
I now attach the strap to a fastener like the one pictured above, attached to the bottom of my FTZ.
That's interesting to read. I'll feed back to Peak Design about the colours.
Was there a sharp edge on the battery pack that caused it to shear? Or, was it after a considerable period of use that it happened, Also, was it one of the old design anchor links? The newer anchor links are stronger and multi-layered so there are very bright inner cores that show when they are starting to wear.
As they are a loop, I'm not sure what you mean by the threaded bit as they don't have a thread. (see the attached picture of what the Peak Design anchor links.)
Other brands have a metal button that screws into the tripod hole. Was that what you had? If that happens, there's a tool called an Easy Out that you can use to extract the broken thread.
https://www.peakdesign.com/products/anchor-links
Thanks for the comment.
Sorry, I think I should have been more specific re.the broken part.
It was the item in the image above which you've described as an 'anchor mount.'
I installed it, nipped it up using the Allen key (I've built and rebuilt engines ranging from two-stroke racing motorcycles to Top Fuel dragsters, so I'm not likely to have overtightened it) and it simply broke in two. The threaded bit was left in the hole and a sharp piece of the 'bolt' left protruding.
I've used stud extractors in the past with mixed results, mostly not very positive.It was easier to simply drill out the remains, plug the hole to keep it waterproof and abandon it.
"We Review them Slide by Slide" was RIGHT THERE