Best alternative GL690 strap lugs

[Dante_Stella]

Ok... now I have a memory gap. I have a mint Fuji GL690 (yes, the original finish is semi-matte...), but at some point between when I sent it to Marshman to have the viewfinder cleaned and now, I misplaced the strap lugs (connectors that snap onto the mushroom pins).

I have used a lot of different strap lugs on these cameras, the Pentax 6x7 ones, the Mamiya RB-67, the Op-Tech Type B. But I simply cannot recall the answer to this question:

Which of these lugs does the best job keeping itself and the strap off the paint on the top deck of the camera?

My previous favorite was the Pentax, but keeping the strap off the camera was never an issue (my last GL was well-worn), and the hexagonal Pentax connector is the worst at isolating the strap (because the wire loop that holds the strap can pivot 180 degrees and grind the paint off the camera).

Thanks!
Dante

 

[Moto-Uno]

Are the straps that came with it originally of any use in preventing this ? Peter

 

[Dante_Stella]

Are the straps that came with it originally of any use in preventing this ? Peter

Original strap for this one is nylon... Not very good.

D

 

[aizan]

I dunno if they fit, but maybe the lugs for the bronica ec-tl.

 

[Abbazz]

Hi Dante,

The Op-Tech lugs have a nylon retaining slide that locks in place between the metal part of the lug and the camera body:

Picture credit: TheCameraHunter.com

The Mamiya RB67 strap has the angled lugs but no nylon retaining slide:

Picture credit: tecsales

The Pentax 67 strap has minimalist lugs that may actually be better to protect the body paint:

Picture Credit: luckyfrog123

For my part, I have been very happy with the Op-Tech Type B straps, but my GL bodies are well-worn and a few additional marks will not be visible!

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[Moto-Uno]

Thanks "Abbazz" , had never paid much attention to these details , but a camera swap meet is coming soon to us here in Vancouver , and I'll be a bit more prepared with my shopping list. Peter

 

[Dante_Stella]

Thanks Abbazz. My experience with the Pentax ones is that they sometimes bind on the Fuji lugs, and unless you use a really thick strap, the strap can bunch up and let the metal loop grind against the top plate.

I'll try the Op-Tech first and then report back.

The RB67 clips look the most like the Fuji, but they have a pull tab on the back that could cause problems.

At the end of the day, the GL strap connections are really poorly designed, possibly worse than on the G690s.

Dante

 

[Dante_Stella]

Ok. Here's the dirt on the Op-Tech. You have to cut the connectors off the straps, which is no big deal. Save the plastic sliders. With the original Fuji strap, it is a very tight fit with the connector/black sliding thing assembly. When installed, the plastic back of the connector can touch the camera from some angles, but metal parts cannot.

The solution I chose was to put down a layer of vinyl electrical tape where the plastic could touch the paint and then stuck on a layer of gel-backed VHB tape on top of that (you leave the liner in place on the other side). This created an abrasion- and impact-proof surface without sticking VHB right to the camera. And since my VHB tape has a red liner, I now have a Giugaro-inspired Fuji!

Dante

 

[Moto-Uno]

^ Okay now I wanna see this . Peter