hoot
green behind the ears
Want an alternative to a neck, shoulder or wrist strap? Try a finger strap. I just made one; it's fun.
1. Buy about a meter (or 3 feet) of black nylon strap. This can be found at mountaineering shops. You'll only need about 20cm or 8" for a single strap, but the stuff is cheap and it's better to have some spare material. If they sell different widths of strap, choose one that is almost as wide as the first joint of your right hand's middle finger. (Note: the strap can only be used for your right hand, but I don't think you actually need to be right-handed to use it.)
2. Cut the strap to a length between 25cm (10") and 18cm (7") depending on the width of your right hand's middle and ring fingers. I've got relatively thin fingers for a man, and my strap is 20cm (8") long. It's probably a good idea to wrap the strap around your fingers, leaving about 1cm (0.4"?) space between them, and take a measurement. (Note: to cut the strap, I used a sharp exacto knife.)
3. Cut three small holes into the strap (see attached picture). Unless the width of your middle and ring fingers varies greatly, the second hole should be in the middle of the strap. (Note: I used the same knife to cut the holes, folding the strap in half along the length to cut a semi-circle along the fold.)
4. Seal all of the cuts over a flame. If you've got the same type of strap I have, it will eventually fall apart at the cuts. A small flame (lit match or candle) will seal the edges by melting the loose nylon string. If you get big blobs, cut them off and re-seal. The strap should be as flat as possible.
5. Align all of the holes and sew them together. If you use regular thread, go over the holes several times to be safe. After all, this should be strong enough to carry the weight of your camera.
6. Attach and test the strap by placing it over your camera's right hand strap lug (i.e., the one near your right hand when you hold the camera to shoot). Push down so that the lug protrudes through the hole. Thread a key ring or carabiner hook through the lug, making sure it is too wide to slip through the hole in your strap.
7. Slip the middle and ring fingers of your right hand through the strap and you're ready for some street action! When not using the camera, just let it dangle from your fingers. I find that this puts less strain on me than a wrist, shoulder or neck strap. If the strap is a tight fit, that also means that a purse-snatcher lusting for your Leica will be dragging you along!
1. Buy about a meter (or 3 feet) of black nylon strap. This can be found at mountaineering shops. You'll only need about 20cm or 8" for a single strap, but the stuff is cheap and it's better to have some spare material. If they sell different widths of strap, choose one that is almost as wide as the first joint of your right hand's middle finger. (Note: the strap can only be used for your right hand, but I don't think you actually need to be right-handed to use it.)
2. Cut the strap to a length between 25cm (10") and 18cm (7") depending on the width of your right hand's middle and ring fingers. I've got relatively thin fingers for a man, and my strap is 20cm (8") long. It's probably a good idea to wrap the strap around your fingers, leaving about 1cm (0.4"?) space between them, and take a measurement. (Note: to cut the strap, I used a sharp exacto knife.)
3. Cut three small holes into the strap (see attached picture). Unless the width of your middle and ring fingers varies greatly, the second hole should be in the middle of the strap. (Note: I used the same knife to cut the holes, folding the strap in half along the length to cut a semi-circle along the fold.)
4. Seal all of the cuts over a flame. If you've got the same type of strap I have, it will eventually fall apart at the cuts. A small flame (lit match or candle) will seal the edges by melting the loose nylon string. If you get big blobs, cut them off and re-seal. The strap should be as flat as possible.
5. Align all of the holes and sew them together. If you use regular thread, go over the holes several times to be safe. After all, this should be strong enough to carry the weight of your camera.
6. Attach and test the strap by placing it over your camera's right hand strap lug (i.e., the one near your right hand when you hold the camera to shoot). Push down so that the lug protrudes through the hole. Thread a key ring or carabiner hook through the lug, making sure it is too wide to slip through the hole in your strap.
7. Slip the middle and ring fingers of your right hand through the strap and you're ready for some street action! When not using the camera, just let it dangle from your fingers. I find that this puts less strain on me than a wrist, shoulder or neck strap. If the strap is a tight fit, that also means that a purse-snatcher lusting for your Leica will be dragging you along!
