Original Leica Case - Replacement Strap?

dave lackey

dave lackey

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For a "retro-look", I am thinking of using the original Leica case I received from digitalintrigue. It cleaned up nicely and only needs some new felt or velvet...and a new strap as I do not trust the original strap because of age and a slice through part of it.

What strap (besides original which is too narrow anyway) would look nice and be more functional/comfortable with the original case and it's beautiful brown patina?

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Try going to a store that sells leather working craft supplies. I've bought six foot lengths of strap that are a perfect match at a local leather shop. While at the shop pick up suitable rivets, a tool for setting them, and a hole punch. You're now set up to make custom straps of any size you want for very little money.
To reuse hardware from an existing strap I carefully grind off the rivet heads with a hand tool to make removal easier.

Have been making straps like this for close to forty years and use them on Leica, Rollei, and Technika with zero problems.

Glenn
 
Glenn2 said:
Try going to a store that sells leather working craft supplies. I've bought six foot lengths of strap that are a perfect match at a local leather shop. While at the shop pick up suitable rivets, a tool for setting them, and a hole punch. You're now set up to make custom straps of any size you want for very little money.
To reuse hardware from an existing strap I carefully grind off the rivet heads with a hand tool to make removal easier.

Have been making straps like this for close to forty years and use them on Leica, Rollei, and Technika with zero problems.

Glenn
Click to expand...

Hmmmm....now that is a good idea. I just finished re-felting the inside of the case with brown felt. If I can find a leather shop around.....:D
 
A good friend who's also a RFF member recently borrowed my tools to make a strap for his Leica case. He'd bought it on e-bay and the strap was cracked like yours. His now looks like new.
The rivets are set using a hammer, the punch and a hard surface like the back of a vise/anvil. Practice on a leather scrap before you do your good strap if you haven't done this before, it's not difficult. Things I've learned... Fold the strap over and punch the hole through both sides in one motion while you hold the edges even. Also helps to mark the center if your eyes are getting old.

Here's some of my results, if the photo post works.
I like to carry my Leica over a shoulder under a light jacket so it's out of sight but ready for use. This works well with a compact lens like 21mm, 35mm, or my present favorite the 40mm Nokton. The short jumper strap and snap allows me to remove the camera without having to take off the jacket. At times have also added a waist strap with a snap on each end to prevent the camera from swinging. Very handy when climbing, skiing or running for buses.

Glenn
 

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Hi Glenn,

A Schwalberg/Strapateer strap;)!
I make my own too, from 12mm saddle and whip leather - but have problems here in Europe finding such small Chap snaps. Where did you find them? What is the size? Think we could arrange a trade:)?

Regards,
RLouzan


Glenn2 said:
A good friend who's also a RFF member recently borrowed my tools to make a strap for his Leica case. He'd bought it on e-bay and the strap was cracked like yours. His now looks like new.
The rivets are set using a hammer, the punch and a hard surface like the back of a vise/anvil. Practice on a leather scrap before you do your good strap if you haven't done this before, it's not difficult. Things I've learned... Fold the strap over and punch the hole through both sides in one motion while you hold the edges even. Also helps to mark the center if your eyes are getting old.

Here's some of my results, if the photo post works.
I like to carry my Leica over a shoulder under a light jacket so it's out of sight but ready for use. This works well with a compact lens like 21mm, 35mm, or my present favorite the 40mm Nokton. The short jumper strap and snap allows me to remove the camera without having to take off the jacket. At times have also added a waist strap with a snap on each end to prevent the camera from swinging. Very handy when climbing, skiing or running for buses.

Glenn
Click to expand...
 
Wow....great ideas here..... I have many cases I never use because I don't trust the straps. Hmmmmm where is that leather supply store again? ;)

Ray
 
If you're actually going touse the case to carry the camera around with you a modern Nylon strap would be a lot more secure. That beautiful patina won't last long either if you start dragging a forty or fifty year old case around with you everyplace you go. The leather dries out and becomes brittle, making it easier to scratch the finish.

Most camera shops used to have a big carton full of various brands of cases that came in with traded-in cameras, and nobody wanted them. "Never Ready" cases they were called. By the time you got the front off, removed the lens cap, put on the hood, and figure out what you were going to do with the front, the moment was long past.

Someplace around I might still have an M Leica case or two that somehow escaped the trash bin. I ran across one for a Rollieflex T when I was looking for stuff for "The Great Give-Away".
 
"The leather dries out and becomes brittle, making it easier to scratch the finish."

Apply horse grease or beeswax with a rag on a sunny day, buff, let dry, buff again - all set for six months. Scratches add character!

"Someplace around I might still have an M Leica case or two that somehow escaped the trash bin."

Al, please don´t throw away the sliders - some of us reuse them on other straps.

regards,
RLouzan
 
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While I can't add to what has already been stated above by others in regards to a leather strap, I can however advise you not to put anything...anything... on your old classic Leica case other than a predominantly LANOLIN based product. Please read this: http://www.german-helmets.com/LEATHER%20BALMS.htm My old cases, once hard and dry, are now quite flexible and useable thanks to following the recommendations of this link. I used the Pecard dressings. It takes a week or so, but it genuinely worked like nothing I have ever used.
 
Update!

Took the Leica case to a local tack shop. He offered to cut a wide leather strap, install a buckle and dye it...but then...we noticed the reins on the wall.

There was one that was a perfect color match, simple tooling on the edges and it was only $20! So, I paid for it and he will use some nickel screws to attach to the the case.

Hope to pick it up Saturday and will post a photo or two.

Thanks for the ideas!:D
 
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