LeicaGoodies Sling strap is awesome!

[AncientCityPhoto]

Hey everyone! I've spent a couple months using the LeicaGoodies Sling and I have to say I love it!

I did a review of it on my site with some photos to show how it works. The LeicaGoodies site doesn't really communicate it in action.

Sling Review

It is amazing...it actually stays on pretty darn well. Last week was the first time I have shot an event job without a strap. I normally shoot with two cameras on a double strap and use a belt pack for lenses and misc.

This was a smaller event so I thought it would be a good time to experiment. I shot with the Sling and M8 in hand and a lens in my pocket. I didn't have as much need for a second camera at this event either. It was amazingly liberating. The crowd was tighter than usual so not having cameras swinging by my side was great. I was really surprised how much I like this!

Anyone else use the Sling ?

 

[gekopaca]

I don't know if I will use this accessory: too afraid for my fingers!
I prefer something around the wrist

 

[Jim Evidon]

I have one. I stopped using it because I have very large fingers and the fit was too tight for me. I had problems taking the camera off my fingers.
I now have a a grip that attaches to the bottom plate. It's a more expensive solution, but much better.

 

[AncientCityPhoto]

Did you order the correct size? They seem to offer pretty much any size based on your finger measurement. The sling should slip on and off with no effort at all. Which is what makes it kinda scary to "let go" of the camera and watch in amazement that it actually stays connected to the hand!

 

[Renzsu]

I just use my shoulder strap for that.. works even better with a non-swivel Domke strap.. Just wrap it around my wrist two times and I can just leave the camera dangling, while resting on my fingers at the same time, without having to hold it.
This sling strap just looks like trouble to me, who knows when the fabric will be worn too much and the ring will just slip through the hole? I wouldn't want to risk it..

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I agree with Renzsu. I had a wrist strap on a Leica but I was not comfortable with it. It worked just fine on fixed lens rangefinders. The issue I found disconcerting was when I went to change film. It was much easier to change film with a Leica if the camera was hanging around my neck. First I had to remove the case which is tight, then the bottom of the Leica, then remove the film from the cannnister. All said and done it was much simpler to hang the camera from my neck as I moved through these actions. Again as far as use I do as Renzu. I wrap the strap aroun my wrist 2 times and hold the camera by the grips in the case. But, each to his own.

 

[ChrisN]

My M4 arrived with one fitted. I found it very uncomfortable.

 

[Bill58]

There ain't no better, more secure, faster, etc IF you take an accurate finger measurement and send it to the maker. I got 5 or 6 of them and couldn't be happier after trying all kinds of other contraptions.

 

[Ming Rider]

Ouch !!!

The blood supply to my fingers was restricting just looking at it.

Surely a better idea would be a ring through your nose and hang the camera from that 🙂

 

[Jim Evidon]

Did you order the correct size? They seem to offer pretty much any size based on your finger measurement. The sling should slip on and off with no effort at all. Which is what makes it kinda scary to "let go" of the camera and watch in amazement that it actually stays connected to the hand!

Yes I did.

 

[Jim Evidon]

Leicatime soft leather neck strap with neck pad and a hand grip that screws onto the bottom plate. I works for me and I keep my blood circulation in my fingers.😀

 

[drewbarb]

I bought a couple Slings a years ago- when Lutz was still operating Leica Goodies by himself- and I definitely agree that correct sizing is key with them. They should fit snug- but not be tight. Anyone who is worried about restricted blood flow has clearly never used one of these things. It shouldn't- and doesn't!- cut off circulation any more than any other kind of strap.

Anyway, I used them for a while- and liked them- but with my M cameras these days, I just do what Renzu suggests above and use a thin neck strap. I wrap it around my wrist when I just want the camera in hand, but I like being able to drape a camera around my neck or over a shoulder if need be.

However- I still use the Sling on my Bessa-L and -T cameras. They are so light weight that a neck strap is overkill and just becomes cumbersome; but the Sling is perfect with these and other really small and light cameras.

 

[Fraser]

I've always felt that straps like these put too much strain on the single eyelet.

 

[250swb]

I tried one a few years ago but found it wasn't very comfortable, especially on a hot sweaty day, and it stops you wearing gloves on a cold day, so its a one trick pony from that aspect, or you need to live in a very special part of the world. But the main thing was it made changing lenses difficult, not impossible, but required fiddling around in a larger camera bag to lay lenses out ready to one handed take caps off and fit the new one. Not worth the money 2/10.

Steve

 

[ricnak]

Thanks for posting that review.

I have wondered about the sling thingy. I have a lovely luigi neck strap but rarely walk around with a camera around my neck - I'm a handbag girl. I tried a wrist strap but struggled to get it on and off with sore hands and wondered if the sling would be have similar issues.

 

[AncientCityPhoto]

My problem is that I hate actual straps. I use them when necessary, but prefer not to have one on. I'de much rather carry a small pouch or bag and have the camera free in my hands versus a strap. When im not shooting, I can put it away. If I am shooting, the camera is in my hand.

I can verify the sling does not constrict in any way. It actually doesn't even wrap around the finger . It's hold is based on angle. Once the hand drops straight down, the loops bend forward against the knuckle. The actual fitment is to ensure that when the loops bend, they are small enough not to still go over the knuckle it seems.

They are not like wearing a ring or anything like that.

I can't imagine that the fabric will wear enough over time to let the keyring through. It would be virtually torn in half for it to be big enough.

Also, the strap point is probably one of the strongest parts of the camera, as is the tripod socket. I believe the strap lugs are part of the metal chasis. The fabric is locked in because of the keyring, which in turn is on the strap lug. There can't be much more weight applied in this manner. The M8 is pretty light, as are the lenses. I can't image this puts that much more stress than with a strap. The load might be divided...but imagine an m8 and a nocti, that's a lot of weight. The strap lugs can definitely take it. Especially if the mount can. Cameras are pretty robust overall.

 

[250swb]

I can verify the sling does not constrict in any way.
.

Hmm, with a normal strap you can eat a burger without putting your camera away, or reach in your pockets for change, or shake hands with somebody, or change a film, or even just have a rest without it being a big camera in bag- camera out of bag scenario. Sticking your fingers in a sling thing is like being glued to your best friend or lover, great for a few minutes but as soon as the realisation comes that its for ever a lot of people will think twice😀

Steve

 

[Bill58]

You would think from some of the comments made here that the US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) should issue a warning or even ban the sling because it's so dangerous. Pretty funny!

 

[ferider]

Lots of accessories on your M, ACP 🙂

 

[jimmy8269]

After checking this post, I did mine as in pic above. Very easy!
However, I think using this finger strap should go together with Thumb up for a firmed grip of you camera.