Strap recommendation for my M3

[CopperB]

I'm looking for a strap for my M3 that will protect the lugs and camera as much as possible. Currently I'm using an old strap with a leather lug protector on one side and a vinyl one on the other. A sales person at Downtown Camera in Toronto warned me about the metal rings wearing the lugs down over time.
Suggestions of what to look for and where?

Many thanks.

 

[hans voralberg]

There's only two way to attach a strap the body, metal ring or fabric thread. IMO it takes one hell of a long time before the lug is worn out and you can see that, and replace the lug 😉

 

[Merkin]

yes, metal rings will wear down the lugs over time, but the question is the amount of time. I am sure it has happened, but I have never seen a camera where the metal strap lugs had worn through. If nothing else, you could wrap the rings in gaffer tape if you were that concerned. As to straps, the best small strap I have ever used is the basic thin Nikon strap, available new at pretty much any flcs, or over the internet. It isn't plastered with advertising, and the section with the grip is both incredibly grippy as well as completely flexible. I know there are a few other folks here that also swear by this strap.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

It would take years of heavy pro use before you have to worry about wearing through the lugs. Don't worry about it.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Here's a photo of my very heavily used Nikon F (several years heavy pro use hanging on a strap with metal rings). And a detail of the lug. You've probably got nothing to worry about. 🙂

 

[Merkin]

Pickett- Gorgeous camera!

JSU- That's the one, absolutely amazing strap.

 

[rlouzan]

The "Essential" strap
http://www.leicatime.com/a000-STRAPS-page.htm

 

[Avotius]

Leica has a line of leather straps with their simulated animal print patterns on them for a high price. Avoid. My brand conscious friend bought the black Ostrich one and it sucks.

 

[ruby.monkey]

The basic Leica strap (14312) has plastic clasps to protect the body, a shoulder pad that will not slip, and a simple and elegant quick-release system.

(By the time any strap wears its way through the lugs, the only creatures left to care will be the cockroaches)

 

[peter_n]

As others have said, don't worry about the lugs. Domke gripper straps have a leather protection piece between the strap hardware and the camera body. The strap is threaded through both the ring and the protector. It's not really necessary, but it's there.

Sorry about the big ugly pic. It was posted previously here in haste.

 

[Roger Hicks]

yes, metal rings will wear down the lugs over time, but the question is the amount of time. I am sure it has happened, but I have never seen a camera where the metal strap lugs had worn through. If nothing else, you could wrap the rings in gaffer tape if you were that concerned. As to straps, the best small strap I have ever used is the basic thin Nikon strap, available new at pretty much any flcs, or over the internet. It isn't plastered with advertising, and the section with the grip is both incredibly grippy as well as completely flexible. I know there are a few other folks here that also swear by this strap.

I have, and not just once, either.

Cheers,

R.

 

[CopperB]

The "Essential" strap
http://www.leicatime.com/a000-STRAPS-page.htm

Cha Ching!!! *drool*

 

[monochromejrnl]

I have, and not just once, either.

Cheers,

R.

So what would you suggest?

 

[CopperB]

The basic Leica strap (14312) has plastic clasps to protect the body, a shoulder pad that will not slip, and a simple and elegant quick-release system.

(By the time any strap wears its way through the lugs, the only creatures left to care will be the cockroaches)

I looked at that at B&H site. The shipping to Canada is as much as the cost of the strap. Maybe when I hit the store next summer I'll check it out in person.

 

[Merkin]

I have, and not just once, either.

Cheers,

R.

Please expound. If nothing else, there has to be a really good story behind at least one of 'em. 🙂

 

[Warren T.]

i use a Domke gripper with the leather protectors. The protectors mainly protect the body. I'm not as concerned about the lugs because in the unlikely event that they are too worn out from use, they can be replaced.

--Warren

 

[CopperB]

Anyone use a wrist strap instead of shoulder?

 

[hans voralberg]

I do, if you have a bag a wrist trap is nicer, and so can attach it to the tripod hub instead of the lug. Now try wearing out that one 😉

 

[Roger Hicks]

No good stories, alas. Or, perhaps, fortunately. As far as I recall, when it happened to me it was an M2, and again as far as I recall, it cost surprisingly little to have both lugs replaced with (yet again as far as I recall) Nikon stainless steel ones. It was a long time ago, and I had it done professionally: it's not an uncommon problem with hard-used M2s and M3s. I'd been watching the lugs getting thinner and thinner until one of them JUST parted (sharp edges standing proud: not enough to let the strap through, but so that I didn't want to pull and find out. I've seen it on a few other Leicas too. Twisting the lug is not much use because it tends to twist back again to the former position, for obvious reasons.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ruby.monkey]

Anyone use a wrist strap instead of shoulder?

I used to. It was fine - until I needed to shake hands, or delve into a pocket, or open a door, or indeed use that hand for anything other than holding a camera (although why one would ever do that is beyond me).