My First Yashica Side Strap Prototype

James Brannan

James Brannan

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I don't know why but my Yashica's are the only cameras I have that I wish I could carry vertical vs. horizontal.
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They just seem so compact in comparison to my SLR's that it only seemed to make sense that they would even be easier to handle if carried vertical on a shoulder strap. I know alot of solutions exist for doing this but I didn't really like any of the ones I've been looking at (although I admit not actually trying them) so I figured I'd take a stab at making my own. This is what I came up with.
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I made it out of a spare piece of aluminum using a spare Electro 35G baseplate as a guide. I even gave it a little bit of extra clearance on the plate (.005" per side) so imagine my suprise when it wouldn't fit! I guess I should have measured them both to start with. I just assumed they would be identical coming off of identical (model) bodies. No big deal, I just switched plates but I'll be much more careful on the next plate I make. Here's the result.
92662366-M.jpg

Mounted on my Electro 35G. It's pretty strong although I'll probably take more time and make the next one out of tool steel since I know the basic idea works now. I also need to countersink it slightly (10 seconds worth of work) since the 1/4-20 ring actually protudes past the baseplate slightly. Here's another view...
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You can see I just used a 1/4-20 stainless steel screw to hold it. After doing this I think I'll also make the next one to accept a stainless flat head cap screw so it'll sit flat on a table when mounted. I thought about making it to accept a tripod screw also but nixed that idea since I really don't use this camera on a tripod anyway.

Finally here it is in action (so to speak)...
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I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on this, comments (you can say you don't like it or it sucks/ I won't take offense), or suggestions for improvement. I think this is something I'll refine and do to all my Yashica bodies.
 
erikhaugsby said:
Wow, what an idea!
What did you use to actually fabricate the "device," should we say?
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Thanks. :)

I measured my spare baseplate with an optical comparator and make a hand drawn print of it. Then I drew it up in a computer and used that for a guide to cnc machine it. I felt pretty lazy today and had an idle (overheated) wire EDM (uses copper coated steel wire that is electrified to cut different materials) so I just used it to make this after I drilled some start holes for the machine. I could have done it by hand on a milling machine but frankly I just didn't have that kind of spare time today.
 
Can you put up some kind of definition file and/or the CAD drawing you used? Maybe this is interesting for others too.
 
James,

I think this is a great idea, I have a question regarding your photo showing the holder in action. Is your negative scanned backwards?

Wayne
 
lwfkc said:
Nice job. What did you use for the strap material and where did you get it?

Larry
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Thanks.:)
For the strap? It's just a standard black Lowepro neoprene strap. I use the same thing on all my cameras (although the Luigi's straps keep tempting me).

For the holder thingie (I really should think of a good name) I used some spare aluminum that I saved out of the trash. I'm pretty lucky in that the company I'm with, I find all kinds of cool materials that get thrown out constantly. I don't mean even in recycling container, the actual trash can! I've got some D2 tool steel that I saved that I'll probably make the next one out of. You can heat treat it a certain way and it turn a real nice (almost old-time case harden look) finish. It's also a real high chrome steel. I've got a threaded insert that I made out of some over ten years ago that is used in a machine where it is constantly submerged in water. After all these years it still hasn't rusted.
 
Wayne R. Scott said:
James,

I think this is a great idea, I have a question regarding your photo showing the holder in action. Is your negative scanned backwards?
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That's actually from where I was standing in front of a mirror taking a picture of myself. Now don't shoot me for the next part, my negative was actually my D200. It was the quickest way for me to get a snapshot when I got home today. I really need to learn how to develop my own film.
Wayne R. Scott said:
Have you thought about marketing your Yashica hauler? I might be interested in a case hardened one :)

Wayne
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Honestly I could but I don't think I'd make any money off of it.
 
An interesting idea. I thought about making something like this except mine would be a padded plate that attaches to the tripod socket and have a threaded hole in case I wanted to mount to a pod.
Since I picked up another GSN today I may get motivated and do it.
 
"I don't know why but my Yashica's are the only cameras I have that I wish I could carry vertical vs. horizontal".

That's because they weigh a ton!!!!!
 
colyn said:
An interesting idea. I thought about making something like this except mine would be a padded plate that attaches to the tripod socket and have a threaded hole in case I wanted to mount to a pod.
Since I picked up another GSN today I may get motivated and do it.
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How would you pad it? Rubber inserts? I thought of that first because that's the way I made a flash bracket for myself years ago.
 
Bill58 said:
"I don't know why but my Yashica's are the only cameras I have that I wish I could carry vertical vs. horizontal".

That's because they weigh a ton!!!!!
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LOL! You know it's funny because it's the truth!:D
 
James Brannan said:
How would you pad it? Rubber inserts? I thought of that first because that's the way I made a flash bracket for myself years ago.
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Probably a thin sheet of dimpled rubber mat.
 
James Brannan said:
Let me know if when you get yours made. I'd be interested in seeing it. :)
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Will do.. I have access to a machine shop at work so cutting the plate won't be any problem.
 
thats really cool i would buy one....
i was just thinking about this because i wanted to hide it under a shirt or something so i could shoot more hidden.
 
Great idea, and great work!

Thought about adding some sort of vertical grip?

And making them to fit other camera models?

Start making these things full time and
I'll bet everyone on RFF would want one.
You could go broke selling dozens... ;)

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-
 
What a neat bit of gear, James. If you ever decide to make a small run of them , I`d certainly be interested. Your idea of having a Flat head screw, instead of a hex screw, would improve camera balance when sitting on base. Maybe making attachment full length would also help with balance. Make the next one out of brass and paint it black, just a thought. Anyway a great effort and thanks for showing us. Alan.
 
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