No-metal, no-plastic, low-rub neck strap?

[akptc]

Hi, I am looking for advice on a Very Good neck strap. Basically it must be fairly wide to not cut into my neck and it must not have any metal or plastic parts that would rub against the camera or lens. The only one that I've seen is the Deluxe Voigtlander Camera Strap from CameraQuest.com - http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtacc.htm

Any and all advice on where I could find my dream strap would be greatly appreciated. I've already visited a bunch of online and physical stores (B&H, Adorama, PhotVillage, etc) with no luck (sometimes the picture of the strap is too tiny to tell if it has any metal/plastic parts).

Thanks!

 

[ChrisN]

One of our RFF sponsors has these:

Leicatime "tiny ends" strap

Picture: http://www.leicatime.com/Case half+strap on M clup.JPG

Description (2/3 down the page): http://www.leicatime.com/000-STRAPS-page.htm

 

[back alley]

click on gordy's camera straps up top on the left.
they might work for you...

 

[schmoozit]

I just got a Gordy wrist strap. I like it. If I decide for a neck strap, I'll check him out. I'm a little uncertain though, as they seem to be perhaps a little on the narrow side. They will attach, if like the wrist strap, via a metal ring, but it certainly is possible to get a protector for the lugs. The wrist strap comes with a ring that slides along the strap so you can tighten it if you want to. I first thought it was plastic, and it bothered me, but it is actually rubber, and much more camera friendly.

You know, he makes these by hand, and may be willing to make a wider one for you... for a fee, of course. He's certainly a nice enough guy, anyway.

 

[Frank Granovski]

Andy, that's a Voigtlander strap because it's got "Voightlander" stamped on it. It also has a metal ring on each end. 🙄

 

[jano]

I have a domke gripper. All nylon + some kind of rubber woven in, 1" thick. The ends have metal rings, but like the voigtlander, it comes with these thingies covering the rings around the lug so it won't scratch the camera. Domke has a variety of widths, too, and a quick release version if needed. Check your various camera store or supply places.

Jano

 

[akptc]

Thanks a bunch for your advice. I emailed both gordy's camera and Leicatime about making a wider leather strap, will post back if any results. I am probably being a bit paranoid about this but when I look at my pristine G2 all I want to do it keep it that way for as long as possible 🙂

I just found these as well:

http://www.artisanandartist.com/straps/acam250.htm (similar to Leicatime strap)
http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/sc/product-features.asp?id=964587294&rf=static&dfdate=09_29_2005

 

[akptc]

Andy, that's a Voigtlander strap because it's got "Voightlander" stamped on it. It also has a metal ring on each end. 🙄

Yep, it does.. I am not really picky about labels, as long as it works 🙂. The metal ring is not a problem (I think) since the strap has those strips of leather that separate the camera body from the ring. My main concern are the various metal or plastic parts between the ring and the rest of the strap, these tend to rub against the camera or the lens inside the bag.

 

[akptc]

I have a domke gripper. All nylon + some kind of rubber woven in, 1" thick. The ends have metal rings, but like the voigtlander, it comes with these thingies covering the rings around the lug so it won't scratch the camera. Domke has a variety of widths, too, and a quick release version if needed. Check your various camera store or supply places.

I think I found one at Adorama: http://www.adorama.com/DMST1000BK.html
- but the picture is too small to tell if it has any hard plastic parts..

 

[akptc]

No metal, No plastic, anti-rub neck strap? You have now set the criteria for a new patent. I'll give it some thought, but not to the point of holding my breath. 🙂

- Just imagine your Leica 30 years from now, not a rub on it... (a bit of motivation 😉 )

 

[akptc]

Can't see it. They were meant to be used. If I wanted a concubine, I'd rent one. Cameras are meant to be used, not dreamed over. 😉

- well, yeah.. but I am not sure there is any contradiction here... did you ever buy cosmetics for your "prettier half"? I'd say it's pretty much the same idea.. 😉

 

[jano]

I have the domke gripper 1", will take pics of it tomorrow, it's upstairs in the closet now.. I don't remember any plastic on it to scratch your camera.

Levitation isn't so hard. Just miss the ground when you fall. 😀

 

[Frank Granovski]

Yep, it does.. I am not really picky about labels, as long as it works.

Oh, Heaven's no! A Voigtlander labeled strap should only be used on a Nikon, a Yashica strap for only a Canon and a shoe lace for only a Leica (or a Olympus 35RC). 😉

 

[Paulbe]

akptc--the "Voigtlander" strap as sold by Steve is not only NOT very wide it is not adjustable for length. So while the leather things do prevent rub marks around the lug area---it causes themat the corners of the top of the camera. This is not very nice looking on, say, an M6 that has the the infamous "black chrome" finish.

The Domke gripper is exactly what you want--be sure and get the model with the swivels on it.

OTOH--if you are using a Leica anything their latest strap--P/N 14312 or 14253 works great. Almost like they designed it for the camera! 🙂 🙂
Paul

 

[Burkey]

I've used Domke straps on my cameras for quite a long time and find them excellent. Nice looking and they have a small leather guard on the ends that seem to work well protecting the camera body. B&H has them.

 

[kevino]

My wife got me the Artisan & Artist strap you linked in your post. I like it a lot...for my neck and my camera!

 

[akptc]

Well, it's become clear to me that I really don't know what I am talking about 🙁 I've never really tried to protect a camera from rubs until I got the G2, which, btw, takes such good pics that I am starting to think of a small shrine for it ... 😛 (yeah, I know, use it, abuse it, etc). But my point is, I thought, perhaps prematurely, that the softer the strap material, the lesser the chance of rubbing off the camera's metallic surface or paint.. hence my quest for a leather strap. But reading everyone's comments, it seems that the little rubber-like strap "tighteners" (for lack of a better word in my dictionary) that are present on the Domke or other "normal" straps, do not do damage? I assume these comments come from years of using certain straps and observing any ill-effects, so this sounds very convincing to me.

Btw, I did get a reply from Luigi Crescenzi of leicatime.com, who graciously agreed to make just about any kind of leather strap I want, so I am gearing up to get one from him. What a nice man to deal with!

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am sure I will end up with 3 times as many straps as I have cameras but somehow the idea sounds like fun 🙂

 

[back alley]

wait till you start looking for the 'perfect' camera bag!!

buwahahahahahahhaha

joe

 

[akptc]

wait till you start looking for the 'perfect' camera bag!!
joe

- Too late! My most recent one is a Domke F802, love it, use it all the time, but now need custom inserts... Also just got me a KATA HB 207 - a real tank of a backpack 😀

 

[Bill Ely]

Luigi's products (www.leicatime.com) are, in my opinion, a real pleasure to have and use. The one-half case that he makes for the Contax G2, as well as the various neck straps, are, to me, works of art. They will last a very long time, and will look even better as time goes by. Moreover, he is a first class fellow to work with. Good luck!