IIIC strap lugs

[john neal]

I just got GAS again and ended up with a new (to me) IIIC in nice condition with a coated collapsible Elmar from 1947, at what I think is quite a reasonable price ($300). My wife is not amused......

There are only two problems with the body - I need to replace the vulcanite, which is not so much trouble, except I have to decide whether to go black or find a subtle colour in leather. Hmmm, Aki or CameraLeather, I wonder..........

However, one of the strap lugs is loose (related to the vulcanite problem). I'm hoping that I will be able to simply peen the end over and secure it when I have the body shell off for stripping / recovering. If that does not work out, does anyone know where I can get a replacement lug? I looked on the DAG site, but cannot find any listed, although I did not email to ask - perhaps I should?

Any help most welcome

 

[thomasw_]

wow, 300 USD for both the body and the lens? A fine deal even with a lame lug. I wouldn't hesistate to ask Don at DAG; but that stated, I wouldn't worry as long as I had one good lug.

You see, I am a proponent of the wrist strap and although I do prefer the strap on my left hand, I do think it would be easy to adapt to keeping the strap on the right if I had no other option.

I think you might benefit from becoming a wrist strap man, too! It keeps the barnack ready-to-hand

I recommend either one of Luigi's tiny straps or Gordy's straps. I use Luigi's and they are soft and very functional without any metal to make 'chink,chink' noises; but if I were ordering another, I'd go with one of Gordy's because he won't take as much green from my wallet.

Btw, I am in the process of recovering my M5 and IIIc with the black calf leather from cameraleather.com... I find they are excellent to deal with, being quite prompt communicators.

respectfully,

Thomas

 

[colyn]

I do believe Don does in fact have these. You'll need to email him.

In all probability the loose lug won't hurt but if it gets too loose you can get a light leak so I would get it fixed..

 

[john neal]

Guys, many thanks for the thoughts.

Thomas - I usually don't bother with straps and just use a pocket, but I'm thinking about a Gordy strap for the summer when I don't have a jacket (hopefully!).

Colyn- I have emailed Don and await his reply. I'm conficent that I can fit a new lug if I need - the body on a IIIc comes off much more easily than the pre-war cameras as there are no loose bits to fall around when you remove the screws.

While I'm at it, I will probably replace the felt light seal and the vulcanite. I have used Aki in the past and was very satisfied with his standard black leatherette, just wondering whether to go for a splash of colour this time. Would that detract from the value though? Probably academic, as I have no thoughts of selling.

 

[payasam]

John, I don't see how the loose lug (metal in metal) could have anything to do with the vulcanite. As a matter of interest, I re-covered my IIIc (in Aki-Asahi black) without any dismantling. Since, however, you propose to open up the body, you can easily get both jobs done. Value is of little consequence if the vulcanite is replaced with anything: but I'd venture to say that leather, being a little thicker and in all likelihood softer, and less slippery because porous, might be easier to grip.

As for wrist straps, I tried one for the first time in over forty years, thinking there must be something to them since they are so widely used now. Very comfortable, but the rather risky juggling involved in changing lenses had me back to a neck strap in two weeks. A thin, flexible neck strap can be used as a wrist strap too. I use plain nylon, except on the SLR body which has the finest (stitched) leather one I have come across, a Nikon product which has probably not been made for a quarter century.

 

[john neal]

Payasam,

Thanks for your thoughts - I think the damage to the vulcanite was probably caused by the camera being dropped and landing directly on the lug (or something similar). I can't think of any other way that they would both be damaged in the same place - bicbw.

On the strap front, I think I'll wait for now - I still prefer to have the camera either in hand, or pocketed, but I do have a couple of slim nylon straps from Oly or Minolta bodies, so that's an option.

I hear back from Don At DAG - he does have the lugs in stock, and he recommends replacing both to ensure they match. The downside is that they are $24 each! His suggested first course of action is to try to clench the existing one after I have the body off.

More when I get around to stripping it down - I'm running a test film at the moment. Interesting weather for doing that - 80 to 90 mph wind! I just picked up a young lady in the street (steady!) after she had been blown 50yards on her face - ouch!

 

[payasam]

John, if the vulcanite is damaged in the loose lug area, I'd say you're not wrong in your identification of the reason.

DG's suggestion that you try to set right the existing lug makes at least $48 worth of sense. Perhaps a tap of a hammer on a thin drift -- if you can get the correct (or, pardon me, the right) angle.

If lenses are changed often, and if sometimes more than one camera must be carried ready for use, thin nylon neck straps are the most practical option. Also the most affordable. As I said, conversion to wrist strap is quick.