Straps

[denishr]

After getting my new M3, I almost immediately went about adding a strap to it.
I have several spare straps of different kinds, but on my RF cameras I usually use the Nikon kind - thin black wowen nylon straps. The one I use on my M2 has been "broken in", i.e. has become soft, and wraps around the wrist comfortably. I don't usually hang the camera around my neck or over the shoulder. The RF camera, be it Kiev, Leica or Fed, is in the bag, and when I'm shooting or expecting to take a shot, I take it out and wrap the strap around my wrist.
I've been thinking about wrist straps or Lutz's "Sling" for the Leicas, but with Leicas I *do* need to hang the camera around my neck sometimes - i.e. when I'm changing film... Beats having to grow a third arm

Anyway, I was thinking about trying out some other possibilities, particularly after I've seen a Canonet with a wrist strap attached via a tripod screw to the bottom of the camera...
It looked rather practical. With my (neck) strap wrapped around the wrist, it sometimes prevents having a good grip - the strap gets in the way.
However, I don't want to use a camera without any kind of strap - it's too easy to drop it.
Maybe I'm being too anal about my gear, but it's just something I've noticed...
I checked the Leica forum archives, and there are all kinds of devices - from Lutz's sling, to various straps attached via his "Le Hook", to a great solution I've seen - attaching a black nylon climbing rope instead of a camera strap...

Any of you have any advice on a practical strap which doesn't get in the way?

I've seen that Gordon Coale uses DIY thin leather straps, and they look like practical things...

Denis

 

[Film dino]

Try a Sling?- Not really a strap- but very practical for shooting

http://www.konermann.net/sling.more.html

 

[taffer]

from Lutz's sling, to various straps attached via his "Le Hook", to a great solution I've seen - attaching a black nylon climbing rope instead of a camera strap...

Ahhh, "Le Chuck", and the bottle of grog, good times

On-topic again, you may find some ideas here http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1045&highlight=wrist+straps but I guess you've already been there, right ?

A Prinzflex 500 SLR (Zenit B) which a friend gave me came with one of those straps that screw in the tripod thread. It's handy for the Canon RFs and Leicas too, as they all have the tripod socket on one side.

I'm sure you can get cheap tripod screws with some kind of overgrown head to attach a short home made strap to them.

It's all already in your mind

 

[dwpayne]

My preference is an OP/TECH QD wrist strap.

http://www.optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=6&PRODUCT_SUB_ID=

 

[back alley]

i'm using home made wrist straps, made from old regular camera straps. i just cut them to size.
i much prefer wrist straps.
i use a camera bag if i need to put the camera down/away.
i'm still looking for the perfect wrist strap

joe

 

[denishr]

Luigi's strap

Luigi's strap

Luigi's strap looks nice - don't know how functional it is... Although people have nothing but praise for it...

You can see how it looks on ebay, here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30030&item=3856086692

Although, I'd like to try the wrist strap that attaches to tripod socket... Anyone has one they'd be willing to part with? Actually, I only need the "screw-in" part that screws into tripod socket. I can attach any strap to it that I find comfortable/practical...
I don't know if those can be obtained separately, though....

Any suggestion as to source of those tripod-socket screw-in straps is more than welcome!

Denis

 

[Pherdinand]

I always prefer them to hang on my shoulder. When i bike without the small backpack, (i use bike as a main vehicle, trying to integrate into the dutch culture) i oput it over my left shoulder AND neck; when walking, just the shopulder. Then it's always at hand, does not bounce on my belly and is somewhat protected too, by my arm. And still have my hands free.

Exception is the TLR which i carry around my neck or in the backpack.

 

[back alley]

those luigi straps are very nice looking.
i'm very tempted.

joe

 

[back alley]

these are pretty also, but more money.
artists & artisans

 

[StuartR]

The Luigi straps are excellent. They are soft from the beginning and only get softer. I like using them as a wrist strap. What I do is put my wrist up by the neck strap, wrap my wrist around the right end of the strap clockwise two times, and then once counterclockwise around the left side. This is much easier to watch than explain, but the effect is to completely support the camera. It is wrapped securely enough that you can hold the camera in place with only one finger, but close enough to your fingers that you can immediately close your hands to grab it and you will already be in shooting position. It is better than a wrist strap or sling because when you let go the camera essentially stays in place, and when you need a neck strap (such as during loading), all you have to do is unwrap it...I will see if I can post some pictures of what it looks like.

 

[StuartR]

Ok, here is my method. It looks a lot less comfortable than it is. It actually is a very good way to hold the camera.

 

[StuartR]

Next part:

 

[StuartR]

Next slip your hand under the lower part:

 

[StuartR]

Then it holds everything securely:

 

[back alley]

stuart,

a wrist strap does that but much easier.
maybe if you had a camera with a swing away back...

joe

 

[StuartR]

Hey Joe,

I know you are just ribbing me, but I do have several cameras with swing backs -- still, loading is easier with a neck strap. You can use both hands to load. And, strangely, I find a late model Leica easier to load than most swing back cameras...you just pull the leader out to the length and drop it in. It is easier for me to make a camera stay upside down (with the lens against my stomach) than it is for me to make a camera stay still with the lens down and the back swung open...The only thing more fussy about the leica is the bottom plate. I just stick that in my shirt pocket or my mouth and it's easy.

Oh, and the above photos take all of 3 seconds total to accomlish.

 

[aizan]

I can't think of how a wrist strap could work, because of loading. The baseplate and tripod mount go off...maybe you could put a lanyard-type thing on one side? Seems to be more trouble than it's worth, and I don't see anything wrong with most neckstraps.

 

[Pherdinand]

it's just a matter of taste, i guess.

 

[back alley]

nothing 'wrong' with them at all. in fact i'm assuming that camera straps are way more popular.

i just prefer wrist straps for my style of shooting.
i also have several very nice (pricey) camara straps, that on occasion i use, but less frequently these days.

joe