Why the Owlkrown leather strap was the perfect match for my Leica MP in Tokyo
Walking through the bustling backstreets of Shinjuku or the quiet shrines of Yanaka, I wanted a camera strap that would match the feel of the city, elegant, functional, and quietly stylish. On my recent trip to Tokyo with my Leica MP, I brought along the OWLKROWN leather camera strap, and I’m glad I did.
A busy Tokyo street at night illuminated by bright neon signs, with people walking in different directions beneath glowing shopfronts.
I’ve tried a handful of straps over the years, some too bulky, others too thin, and many just didn’t complement the design of the MP. But this one hit the mark. It’s lightweight enough to disappear when you don’t want to think about it, yet strong enough to keep the camera secure and close at hand while weaving through crowded train stations or bending low for a street-level shot in Harajuku.
Woman smiling while holding shopping bags and a camera, standing confidently on a city street with people in the background.
The material feels soft but substantial. Iit molds to your shoulder and neck naturally. No stiffness, no slipping, and absolutely no fuss. It stayed comfortable even during long days out exploring Tsukiji Market before sunrise or catching golden hour near Tokyo Tower.
Woman in a pink kimono standing at a crosswalk with an umbrella hanging on a railing, looking out at traffic in a Japanese city.Visually, it pairs beautifully with the Leica, classic meets classic. One small detail I appreciated was how easily it packed. The strap lies flat in my travel bag and doesn’t get in the way when I want to stow my gear quickly. And when I had the camera slung across my body in the streets, I felt like everything just worked, just honest materials doing what they were designed to do.
Photographers capturing a woman in a colorful kimono dancing outside a red temple at dusk with Tokyo Skytree in the background.If you’re traveling with a Leica, or any rangefinder that deserves a strap with character, the OWLKROWN strap isn’t just an accessory. It’s part of the experience.
Final Thoughts
Tokyo is a city where every corner offers something worth photographing. And having gear that blends in seamlessly while you focus on the moment? That’s everything. The OWLKROWN strap helped me move freely, shoot intuitively, and look good doing it.
About the Photographer
Laurence Balter, Hawaii-based photographer
https://waileaportrait.com/
Instagram: @artistwithcameras
https://www.instagram.com/artistwithcameras/