Luigi (Leicatime.com) strap warning!

[Jockos]

I was at a friends house yesterday and we had a few beers. Got a kiss for my lovely girl and suddenly people started doing some weird dance, so I wanted to get a snap; reached for the M3 in my lap and realize that the strap is only holding on to one lug.

Luckily the camera was in my lap while this happened. I dare not think what could have happened if it broke while on the street.

 

[Vobluda]

So you got drank and dont remember how did you crack your strap?

 

[Highway 61]

So get rid of those QR U-rings and replace them with regular steel keychains rings you will get at your local shoemaker's for $1.

Nothing to be surprised about - those parts are probably made of molded metal alloy nothing heavy should be attached to, ever (kind of alpax or zamac).

You will have to either modify the protectors or remove them (if you use rings a bit smaller in diameter than the strap width, the rings can't touch the camera body around the strap lugs and those leather protectors aren't necessary).

 

[Richard G]

So get rid of those QR U-rings and replace them with regular steel keychains rings you will get at your local shoemaker's for $1.

Nothing to be surprised about - those parts are probably made of molded metal alloy nothing heavy should be attached to, ever (kind of alpax or zamac).

You will have to either modify the protectors or remove them (if you use rings a bit smaller in diameter than the strap width, the rings can't touch the camera body around the strap lugs and those leather protectors aren't necessary).

So there was not really much concern about this after all??? Not everyone is a metallurgic engineer. The OP's point relates to having some consideration now for such strap owners before the M3 hits the pavement, not after.

 

[gb hill]

I'd send it back. Those u clasp look cheap made. Never trust any clasp that is spring loaded for anything heavy.

 

[Jockos]

So you got drank and dont remember how did you crack your strap?

Not in that particular order 😀

 

[Boherk]

I have 3 straps made by Luigi, paired with three half cases by Luigi, on a Xpan, G2 and M6, and have never had this issue. In fact, all of my straps from him have the typical keychain hoop as the connection point from strap to lug.

Did you specifically ask for this type of fastener? OR is he now using them as a standard? If it is the latter, I would inform him of the issue ASAP as from my dealings with Luigi he would be very interested in making sure this issue doesn't have much impact on others.

 

[Kent]

That should not happen. Those things are not cheap, are they?

 

[daveleo]

You must inform Luigi about this. From what I have read about him over the years, he takes enormous pride in his work, and if he got a batch of faulty clips, he should know about it.

 

[rlouzan]

Luigi makes nice box calf straps, but the only ones that I can recommend are:

Peter Mayer (mystery braid straps)
http://www.rggtrappings.com/

ACAM 260, if you can find one.
http://www.artisanandartist.com/straps/acam260.htm

ACAM 301
http://www.artisanandartist.com/straps/acam106.htm

or a strap from Yasuda Photo Maintenance.

Regards,
Robert

 

[rickp]

i've been using that type of clip from Luigi on a wrist strap and shoulder strap for over two years. No issues so far, no visible wear. They are so quick to change, therefore very convenient. i didn't order them without reading the results of Luigi's tests, which were somewhere on his encyclopedic web site. Based on this thread, i'll take another close look at them for signs of wear. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Highway 61]

So there was not really much concern about this after all??? Not everyone is a metallurgic engineer. The OP's point relates to having some consideration now for such strap owners before the M3 hits the pavement, not after.

AFAIK the camera wasn't damaged so in this case there wasn't really much concern after all and you don't need to be a metallurgic engeneer (I'm not) to know that QR clips looking like those ones can't be be made of forged steel or heavy brass.

And yes I do understand the OP's point so my advice is still to get rid of those QR clips and replace them with regular steel keychains rings so that such a warning event doesn't happen any longer.

I used to own several Luigi's straps but wouldn't have had any confidence in such clips. I suppose that he began to deliver his straps with those clips upon some customers requests (probably people not wanting to harm their Leicas' strap lugs with steel rings).

AND I would advise you to go to this page and scroll it down a bit to read this (I copy/paste) :

"ATTENTION: I tested the fastener with a 12 kg weight, and it was OK,
But, snatching it strongly and repeatedly still with the 12 KG weight
hanging, after several violent snatches (6/7), it broke, then it's up to you...
The good news is that the special metal of it is LESS harmful to the camera lug !"

😱

😀

 

[outfitter]

I never did get the Luigi phenomena. Half cases are a nuisance (imo) and leather neck straps a menace - small, flimsy but fancy hardware add nothing to the impression of photographic jewelry rather than pro equipment.

 

[richardhkirkando]

I never did get the Luigi phenomena. Half cases are a nuisance (imo) and leather neck straps a menace - small, flimsy but fancy hardware add nothing to the impression of photographic jewelry rather than pro equipment.

It's the crazy geocitiesesque website.

 

[PJCMosella]

hi,
one month ago my M9 fell to the ground for one similar strap... Good luck.

 

[Clint Troy]

So you got drank and dont remember how did you crack your strap?

Those things break, regardless of the number of drinks. It happened to me too.

 

[Jockos]

As suggested I sent Luigi an email and got a reply almost instantly.

He offers a replacement fastener or rings, free of charge, and also this:

Thank you for your friendly way to notice this disappointing matter to me !
Despite my warnings, that happens. Seldom, but it happens.

 

[Godfrey]

I never did get the Luigi phenomena. Half cases are a nuisance (imo) and leather neck straps a menace - small, flimsy but fancy hardware add nothing to the impression of photographic jewelry rather than pro equipment.

Half-cases, for me, are a great way to improve my grip on a camera body for shooting. Luigi's are glorious bits of leather art, a bit much sometimes, but I find the ones by Artisan & Artist for my X2, M4-2, and M9 provide just the right balance of better grip and minor camera protection from minor knocks and dings in use. And they aren't difficult to remove and replace when I need to get to the film, battery, or memory card.

Leather neck straps I mostly avoid, I like the braided type like The Street Strap the most at present. No tangles, strong enough for anything, and they coil neatly around my wrist for a bit of security when carrying and shooting. I hardly ever put them around my neck, unless I'm in the field changing a lens.

G

 

[daveleo]

As suggested I sent Luigi an email and got a reply almost instantly.

He offers a replacement fastener or rings, free of charge, and also this:

IMO you should opt for another design of clip. Putting on my engineer hat for 2 seconds . . . the clip in your photo "does not pass the eyeball test" for strength. (All the load goes into that one side bar - none of the load goes up the side with the spring clip.)

It is also good that you posted here, as it is the first failure report of that clip that I can think of being posted.

 

[raid]

My M9 camera case is by Luigi. I better check out the lugs.


...... one minute later .......
the lugs are round and look securely attached to the M9.