Leica LTM Snake Chains & LTM Cameras

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
doubs43

doubs43

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How do the rest of you feel about the "snake chain" camera straps? I have a couple of them on my screw-mount Leicas; a IIIa and IIIc at the moment. Other than pulling a few neck hairs out - OUCH - I kind of like them myself. MUCH better than those blasted Hippy Straps!

Opinions?

Walker
 
I like the hippy straps. Generally 1.5 to 2 inches wide, they distribute weight quite well, which is nice when using an old all-metal camera with a longer lens. Everyone is different- I can't stand the snake chains. To each his own.

dexdog
 
If you enjoy using a snake chain then you might also consider a hair shirt to wear along with it. The snake chain seems intended to pinch skin and pulls hairs.

I much prefer a 2" black Domke strap.
 
Rich Silfver said:
Got a photo of the snake chain on your LTM camera? :)
Click to expand...

Rich, if you look closely at my IIIc you'll see the clips for the snake chain attached to the lugs. I purposely hid the chain when I took this because it wasn't germain to the subject at the time.

Walker
 
The only straps I can't abide (and I used to sell the hell out of them) are the Op-Tech
and similar neoprene type. The claim made for them is they make your camera feel
lighter by magically distributing the weight. The problem is that as you walk, it sets
up a bouncing rhythm in the strap, and suddenly you feel like Anna Nicole Smith.
I think the hippy straps look fine on older full size SLRs, but for sheer function it's
tough to beat the Domkes. And if you want to go all-out, there's always Luigi's.

Fred
 
> MUCH better than those blasted Hippy Straps!

So now I know. I thought you sent me your cherished hippy straps cause you wanted everyone to use them. I'm still waiting for the college kids to come back over the Summer break to my favorite camera shop. They love those things.
 
I have them on every RF with Lugs! Its a good way to keep your neck clean. It is also a good way to keep clean shavin'but they are awsome straps..
 
Brian Sweeney said:
> MUCH better than those blasted Hippy Straps!

So now I know. I thought you sent me your cherished hippy straps cause you wanted everyone to use them. I'm still waiting for the college kids to come back over the Summer break to my favorite camera shop. They love those things.
Click to expand...

Gosh........ And here I was thinkin' I sent them to you because I'm a nice guy! :D

In my experience, the Hippy Straps get in the way of just about everything but especially the advance lever. True, they are comfortable when a heavy camera is involved but Leicas in the screw mount types are fairly light so the snake chains work very well.... for me, anyway.

Below is my latest IIIa with a (choke) Canon Serenar on it. Note the snake chain. Also two pictures taken with what looks like a badly abused camera. I bought it (very) cheap for the parts but the darned thing works so well that I'm going to put new skin on it and make it my user camera.

The nose art was taken at 1/20, f/2 and hand-held. The two men were taken with light coming from slightly behind and from the right.

Walker
 
Here is my IIf after a soft abrasion treatment. It took the bright shine off of the red leather. The chrome bits are as clean as they can get. They were really dirty.
New M6 straplugs glued in, new spool ordered and ready to go!
 

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  • IIf red2 front snake 800.jpg
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laptoprob said:
Here is my IIf after a soft abrasion treatment. It took the bright shine off of the red leather. The chrome bits are as clean as they can get. They were really dirty. New M6 straplugs glued in, new spool ordered and ready to go!
Click to expand...

Rob, your IIf looks GOOD!

Walker
 
I had these chains on two of my cameras about 10+ years ago, the only thing is that you often don't see any wear or damage to them, I had both of them give way suddenly without any warning. At least with a conventional strap you see any wear that is occuring.
 
John Robertson said:
I had these chains on two of my cameras about 10+ years ago, the only thing is that you often don't see any wear or damage to them, I had both of them give way suddenly without any warning. At least with a conventional strap you see any wear that is occuring.
Click to expand...

That's very nice to know. I hope no damage resulted from your experiences. I obtained one of these some time ago, with a Contax IIIa, as I recall. I removed it and replaced with modern leather. The hair pulling was a deterent to using it, but now I have a better reason to leave it in the drawer.

Harry
 
Some snake chains are sold with a clear plastic tube which covers the metal and protects the neck. However, it does not look as cool. I quite using them when I dropped an Exa off my neck without warning. The chain had been damaged, but I couldn't see it. I caught the camera on it's way down.

-Paul
 
harry01562 said:
That's very nice to know. I hope no damage resulted from your experiences. I obtained one of these some time ago, with a Contax IIIa, as I recall. I removed it and replaced with modern leather. The hair pulling was a deterent to using it, but now I have a better reason to leave it in the drawer.

Harry
Click to expand...
no Harry
the neck hairs acted as a brake, AAAAAArgh.
I think they are best left for hanging a medalion over your chest wig, if thats your thing. :rolleyes:
 
These chains worked best in an era when men wore Oxford shirts with collars. John has it right -- they simply rip the hairs from the back of your neck.

They look nice, but that's about it.
 
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