Strap Lugs, some questions

[Kid Cruces]

I own 6 Russian rangefinder cameras. The only one with camera mounted Strap Lugs is my Leningrad. My Feds & Zorkys all have cases with straps,but non detachable cod-pieces. I'd prefer having strap lugs, so I can pull the bare camera from my bag & hang it round my neck. ANY SUGGESTIONS? can I buy strap lugs & install them or is it a shop job? where can I buy Lugs or get them put on? I have a Fed 5C I'd like to put a strap on, but wouldn't carry dog-poop in the horrible Cheezey case it came with. Thanks

 

[MartinP]

Making holes in the bodywork and so on is pretty fiddly - I read an article in another place where someone went so far as to change the entire bodyshell of a working camera to one with lugs already built in !

It might be easier and more practical to get a strip of alloy or brass and make an L-shape with a couple of rings attached, that way you can connect it to the tripod socket and have the rings at one end with the camera vertical. Sort of like a Leica M5. I have an idea that a FED-5 might be a bit too heavy for such an approach though, possibly bending the bracket.

Alternatively, take the case to a cobbler or leatherworker and have the case-back fasteners replaced by press-studs. I did this on a Zorki-1 to make the top and bottom of the case useable together or separately (it also has no strap lugs on the body).

 

[SimonK]

Well, I removed the top half of the never-ready case that came with my FED 5 and threw it away; pulled out the old, smelly felt and used it as a template to make a new lining for the bottom half with some new felt I got from a craft shop; then freshened up the leather and strap with a good saddle cream. I gotta say, I'm rather pleased with the result.

 

[konicaman]

Here is a guy, who will do it for you. I haven't tried his service but it might be worth taking a look.
http://ufies.org/~djb/

 

[Joao]

A DIY solution
http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page369.htm
Hope it helps
Joao
...and why not try a Kiev ??

 

[acheyj]

Micro Tools have replacment lugs for Leica cameras.

ron

 

[robbiechad]

Hi, Here is one solution I used on a couple of Ruski Cameras that didnt have strap lugs , but had leather cases that the two halves were riveted together. Buy a heavy duty press stud kit from Ebay ( I did, about a Fiver with postage) split the case from the rivets and replace the rivets with the press studs, you then have the option of carrying the camera fully cased or remove the front section and just use the half case secured by the trpod socket on the bottom. Easier than drilling and cementing strap lugs to the metal body. Regards to all