Holdfast Money Maker (version without the D-Rings)

I know I've already written two separate blog posts about the Holdfast Money Maker, but this fabulous dual strap system is too awesome not to write about again.

I received the new version without the D-Rings courtesy of Holdfast, and I've been loving how I can wear my hair down. (I'm wearing it up here so you can see the straps better)

I'm still wearing the same color and same size.
No more D-Rings on the front and back. Subtly cleaner design!



New clasps. I personally find these a little bit difficult to work with at times. Every now and then I'll quickly unclasp my camera so I can bring the camera high up above my head to shoot, but these clasps have slowed me down from doing that a lot. They are definitely much more secure, though.

I also lost one of the little leather pieces that's attached to it, so I just put in a keyring. Not as comfortable to pull as a leather tag.

Just a tip when receiving your first Holdfast Money Maker -

If you got the bridle tan or bridle chestnut, the leather will be pretty stiff at first. It took about a year of wearing my first Money Maker regularly before it became really soft and pliable.

So, when I first received the alternate version, I would bend the straps back and forth and rub the unfinished leather against itself to remove most of the sawdust-like particles. I'd do this while watching Netflix or something, and after a while it became soft enough that I didn't notice it much on my first shoot with it.  I liken this to breaking in a pair of ballet pointe shoes!

The next thing I'd love to see improved with the Money Maker (or something I can probably DIY) - minimizing the squeaking of the clasps and the locking screw. It does squeak a bit when I'm walking around with it since the metal is just rubbing against each other.

Here's a few more of me working with it. I usually wear the Holdfast with a shootsac at the same time. It's possible, just slide your bag behind you and bring the cameras to the front.

photo by Gavin Farrington

shot by Tyler Watkins

And see my previous blog posts and the original versions here:
Holdfast Money Maker | Initial Thoughts
Holdfast Money Maker | Part 2

Update:
Here's what you can do to quiet the squeaking from the locking screw rubbing against the clasps - wrap a thin layer of gaff tape onto the clasp!