Neck Strap WARNING!

Since the M8 costs what a car used to cost just a few years ago, that must've been a sickening feeling. Honestly, though I can't see why anyone would ever use anything other than the leciagoodies.com system of hook, slide, and strap after you've tried it. Safe, secure, fast, and out of the way when you shoot. Classic it's not, but it works.
 
I feel for you. It is surprising that it happened. I have had the sleeve ride up on this type of strap a few times in the past. (my fault, did not push it home) but even then the metal thing still has to turn about 360 degrees to work loose. I dropped an M6 on the concrete once from about 1 m high but that DID throw the RF out of whack. I have to add that after dropping it a city bus ran over it with three wheels as well. Still, the dent and the RF was the only damage and the camera could be used, fortunately, as I was on a trip.
 
jaapv said:
I feel for you. It is surprising that it happened. I have had the sleeve ride up on this type of strap a few times in the past. (my fault, did not push it home) but even then the metal thing still has to turn about 360 degrees to work loose. I dropped an M6 on the concrete once from about 1 m high but that DID throw the RF out of whack. I have to add that after dropping it a city bus ran over it with three wheels as well. Still, the dent and the RF was the only damage and the camera could be used, fortunately, as I was on a trip.
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Wow!!! I won't try that with my digital!

Ted - very sorry to hear of the fall. It sounds like a faulty strap - I hope Leica comes to the party and makes good the damage.

I really like the Leica strap as it is soft and flexible, comfortable, and no bigger than it needs to be to do its job properly. It's also easy to adjust the length, which I do frequently. I have these straps on two cameras.

The older versions of this strap did not have the stitching at the adjusting buckle. The stitching makes that part of the system more secure, but if the strap at the buckle is threaded properly, and with at least 20mm or 3/4 inch tag end protruding, it will remain secure even though not stitched. The older straps also did not have this new-design clip; just a large split-ring, which (along with the plastic sleeve) is the part which failed here and separated from the camera.

It's not too hard to replace the clip with a simple split-ring. If your camera shop doesn't have some try your local fishing-tackle shop.

If you have trouble fitting the split-ring to the strap, you can carefully cut the stitching, and undo the strap from the buckle. Take careful note of how the strap is threaded (do one at a time), because the strap won't easily adjust unless threaded properly. And remember the point about leaving a long tag-end protruding.
 

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Ted, I know I get on your case sometimes when you go over the top, but please accept my condolences. I hope you get your M8 back in perfect condition. I'm not going to hope you get a new one because I know the one you already have is the absolute reverse of a lemon -- evidently the only heavily used M8 out there that hasn't had problems. You need that one back. Good luck.
 
Ted, rather than getting a new body, why not have them replace the top plate or bottom plate, whichever has the dent? Since you have so little problem with your unit, it would seem a plate replacement will be a better idea.
 
Ted, I am really sorry about the problem you had with the M8. And I'm sure that the Leica people will find a way to help you out. As long as you remember to stay calm while you talk to them, that'll help you a lot.

Oddly enough... this morning I just placed an order for two Domke straps for my M6TTL bodies. I hadn't read your thread, but I did see the Domke straps in Ken Ford's M6 and I liked it, so after thinking about it for a while, I just ordered them today. No swivel with them, so I'll see how they get attached on the cameras.

Again, I'm really sorry about your trouble, but I'm sure you'll find a way to fix it.

BTW, one of my Visa credit cards also has buyer's insurance... I used it once, and it was such a relief... 🙂
 
Ted,

Like everyone else above, I am mortified reading this. I was out shooting with my Bessa a couple of weeks ago and felt a weight on my stomach. One end of my strap had come undone, the metal ring had actually threaded itself out of the lug. This is unbelievable as it usually is impossible for me to do this without a dime or penny to pry the ring open. What's more unbelievable is that the Artist and Artisan cotton strap clung to my fleece vest and kept the camera from falling to the group. It just stayed there. I wouldn't have had as much luck if I'd been wearing a slicker.

It's a good idea to get in the habit of checking your strap for wear and tear. It may not prevent all accidents, but some.

Good luck to Ted
 
Ted,

Back in High School, I built wider leather straps from good leather I got from Tandy Leather (then in most Radio Shack stores, or was it the other way around?). I still have them today on my Nikkormat. I used stainless steel split rings from a fishing store, they come in lots of sizes and strenghts. I put a little cover between the split ring and the camera which saves the finish. I just pulled an old pair of shoes apart and used the leather from there.

Of late I am using the Bessa type of strap, yes there is a metal clip (read thank God) and I just cover it with good black electrical tape. It wears well and protects the camera. I was thinking of coating them with some dip-able hand grip stuff, but I only have red at this time.

I have never had split rings come apart, but then I get the stonger ones at fishing shops (I think they are built better).

I do hope Leica does a quick recall (ships out better plastic covers) for the current owners with an easy way to tell (no red dots please) if your strap is upgraded.

A $0.02 plastic part takes down a $5,000 camera, I am so sorry. I dropped a Nikon Coolpix while doing a closeup once of a spider. Two and a half feet to a pine floor. She would zoom past the long end of the lens and have to be brought back. Became an expensive door stop. Good to hear your M8 was in releatively good shape. Did the lens make out OK too?

Good luck.

B2 (;->
 
Straps

Straps

I suggest using a needle and thread to secure the straps together incase the plastic breaks. Black thread would be un noticeable an a couple of loops should be enough and easy to remove.
 
Ted,
Really sorry about your misfortune. I can feel your pain.I was in Beijing last spring and while changing lenses, I dropped my 10.5 mm Nikor. I know the sinking, sick feeling that comes with the sound of camera gear hitting concrete. To my surprise, there was no damage to the lens, just a busted lens cap fixed with tape.
Thanks for the tip I'm going to "pressure test" the M8 strap right now.
Good luck with Leica.
Joe Bode
 
What happened to the days when people ran metal wire or guitar string through their straps? A while back that was all the rage, although it was used more as a theft deterrent than for the camera's sake.

Albeit a perfectly good solution, this might present a health hazard if the camera or strap gets caught on something...
 
Ted, you may have researched this already (and I don't know how long ago you purchased your camera) but AMEX's purchase protection is good for 90 days for $1,000 per purchase per occurence ($10,000 for Platinum and Centurion Card members).
 
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