Lugs (wear)

[superultramega]

I had my Zeiss ZM repaired recently and asked they replace the lugs as one was noticeably worn. The camera was returned with new lugs and stainless steel split rings installed. The lugs are some kind of non-metallic alloy which is softer than the split rings. Why don’t all camera manufacturers use Nikon style stainless steel inserts in the eyelets?

I don’t use my Zeiss heavily and I noticed the right lug on my new to me Konica RF are also worn. Maybe from me or more likely a previous user. I’m thinking of retiring all my split rings and going with braided fishing line or some other kind of cord. Any recommendations?

I do wear the camera over one shoulder and under the opposite arm so the right lug does receive most of the camera weight.

 

[maddoc]

I solved that problem with a very short plastic tube cut from a piece of a ball pen refill and pressed into the opening of the strap lug. It took some try and error to find the correct diameter, which is not to small in diameter.



The inner diameter of the plastic tube is still large enough for a split-ring to be mounted.



However, with respect to that problem I stay clear of any black-paint M2, early black-paint M4 or one of the black-paint M6 series. Those all have black-painted brass strap-lugs which are prone to wear and no spare parts available, AFAIK.