Tripods are handy (even essential) for taking certain types of photos, but they can be a hassle to tote around. That's why the Conda strap was invented, as it's a flexible camera-carrying strap that stiffens to act as a "tripod" of sorts.
Created by Stockholm-based startup Frii Designs, the Conda features a flat padded section at the top – which sits against the user's neck or shoulder – and an articulated section lower down. The flat part of the strap is stretchable, and its length is adjustable. The articulated section has a camera-mounting plate in the middle, with a lever on the back.
When it's being used as a plain ol' carrying strap, the Conda stays loose and flexible. A half-way flip of the lever, though, causes the ball-and-socket joints in the lower section to stiffen up. This makes the strap not unlike a GorillaPod, in that it becomes malleable, and can be twisted into different shapes. Once it's in the desired shape, flipping the lever the rest of the way stiffens the joints further, temporarily locking the strap into that configuration.
Additionally, for camera-propping scenarios where the strap would work better as a long "cable" than as a loop (such as if it's being wrapped around a tree trunk), its two joined ends can be pulled apart via a quick-release mechanism in the mounting plate.
Plans call for the Conda strap to be available in two models, the Standard and the Plus. The former reportedly tips the scales at 340 grams (0.75 lb) and can handle smaller cameras weighing up to 1.1 kg (2.4 lb), while the former comes in at 530 g (1.17 lb) and is good for larger cameras up to 2.2 kg (4.8 lb).
Both are currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. If everything works out, a pledge of €82 (about US$97) will get you the Standard, with €103 (US$122) required for the Plus. The planned retail prices are $150 and $180, respectively.
The Conda strap is demonstrated in the video below.
Source: Kickstarter
