Bessa strap lugs solution besides side grip?

[Epimetheus]

My Bessa R3A hangs all wrong because of the strap lugs location. With Nokton 40mm it hangs with lens pointing at the sky most of the time and it’s very uncomfortable to carry around like that.

Is there any other solution besides side grip? I don’t want it because it adds bulk and weight.

 

[Hates_]

Yeah it's a pain. There is the side grip and winder but they add size and weight. You could always use a wrist strap like a Gordy.

 

[Photog9001]

probably not the suggestion you're after, but i ended up selling mine

 

[back alley]

get the side grip, it's small and barely weighs in but makes a difference in handling.

 

[sockeyed]

Like Joe said - get the grip. It weighs very little, improves the ergonomics and helps the body hang properly. My understanding is that you can't move the strap lugs elsewhere on the body, so that's a non-option.

 

[newspaperguy]

IMHO - The only downsides to the side grip:

It won't fit in the case with the grip attached.

You can't use a tripod " " " ".

(But, you can easily drill and tap the grip to accept a tripod screw - 1/4-24.)

 

[denkrahm]

I'm enjoying my R4M very much, it is only the strap lugs that are wrong indeed. I use the strap as a wrist grip, I'm considering a wrist grip.

I would like a leather (half) case with the strap lugs on the side

 

[januaryman]

Here's another option that you probably won't find very useful... get a Jupiter 9. It balances the whole kit perfectly.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I've wondered how it would work by connecting both ends of the strap to one lug ring. I haven't tried it, but when I get tired of using the side grip, I may give it a shot.

 

[bennyng]

Perhaps you can try screwing on one of these.

Picture used with kind permission from chiifcameras.com

It's actually quite nice in terms of handling, especially for the 12/15mm lenses.

Cheers,

 

[januaryman]

(Re: the shot of the "camera-handle" above) Jeez, this is just WRONG. 😀

 

[DGA]

I use the side-grip as well.
I first put the strap on the original lugs and the position of the camera was so awkward that I thought something is wrong with the new R3A I just got.
After some reading (here and elsewhere) I understood that I either get a hand strap or a side-grip.
I went for the side-grip and I have no regrets.
And for the side-grip downsides:
Eventually, it fits great into the deluxe half-case, but it takes some time for the case to adjust to the new dimensions.
I use the Bessa mainly for street shooting, therefore I do not need it to be mounted on a tripod, so no problem for me here as well.

 

[holgaguy]

The vertical neck strap on the Gordy site looks like it be work.
holgaguy

 

[Spyderman]

I would like a leather (half) case with the strap lugs on the side

In fact this isn't a bad idea at all... All the FSU cameras have cases with strap-lugs. So if you could find / make a half-case, to which the camera would be secured by tripod screw, you could add strap lugs on the case and make the Bessa hang comfortably...

 

[stesm]

januaryman is right- the heavier lenses make the camera balance. It's good with the 50 Nokton and pretty good with a 28 Ultron, but I like using Bessas so much that the backward lean with the light lenses has become a non-issue.
Anyone happen to know how the lugs are attached?

 

[martyn108]

Strap for R3A

Strap for R3A

I just got a Y-strap. It works pretty well, sensible way of carrying a camera.

There's a pretty good wrist strap there too.

I do wish the lugs were on the side of the Bessa though.

http://figitalrevolution.com/y-strap/

 

[Spyderman]

I just got a Y-strap. It works pretty well, sensible way of carrying a camera.

I would be careful with this. The strap lugs on the cameras were always made to be used 2 at a time (i.e. strap secured to both lugs) and the force pulling them parallel to the body wall (i.e. at right angle to the lug axis). With a "Y-strap" you are pulling the lug straight out of the body, which puts much more stress on the lug as well as the mounting point inside the body.

Moreover the strap lugs on a Bessa are made of brass (AFAIK) and will wear with time. I don't know many other brands, but Olympus OM cameras (from 1n/2n and newer) have brass strap lugs with stainless steel reinforcing rings pressed inside of the hole to protect them from wear caused by the metal "key-ring".

BTW: I've seen the internals of OM's and I wouldn't use any Olympus OM with a strap attached to only one strap lug...

 

[pvdhaar]

Same problem here with the Bessa-T; especially if I've got a heavy zoom finder mounted and a small lens like the CV35/2.5.

I'e been thinking about getting a $2 rectangular piece of aluminium attach it to the bottom, bend it in a U-shape, drill holes at thop top sides of the U-shape, and slip the strap rings through those..