Duane Pandorf
Well-known
I've purchased a custom Wapiti Camera Strap. I haven't received it yet but I'm looking forward to see how this one will perform.
I've been looking around at other strap options and most of the "standard" rangefinder straps are too short. I have my factory Leica strap extended full length so I can easily wear it across my chest. Lug - lug its 46". I'm on a waiting list for the latest ARTISAN & ARTIST* ACAM-E25R but I think it will be too wide at the lugs for me. I recently tried one of those silk type straps but it was too big around at the lugs and I had trouble holding the camera when taking a shot.
I really like the way the factory Leica strap attaches to the camera but I dislike the shoulder pad due to the nubs that are there to prevent sliding. Well, I need the strap to slide as I do carry the camera across my chest and when I go to take a photo the strap should not be a hinderance.
So that's where the Wapiti Strap comes in. The C1 has the same width nylon strap (1/2") that connects at the camera. And then it has a nice shoulder pad.
I sent an email last evening asking a few questions and was surprised to get an almost immediate response from David Grubbs who makes the straps. I explained what I was looking for and sent him some photos of the lugs of the camera along with a photo of the factory camera's fittings. Plus I remeasured my strap length to ensure I had the right size.
So what I've decided to do is remove the factory straps metal attachment rings and the plastic locking clasps and use them on the Wapiti C1 strap. David will size the strap so that once its configured it will be 46" lug - lug.
As soon as I sent the Paypal funds to him I got an email back saying he'd have it out in Monday's mail. I call that pretty good service.
This is all I could find on Youtube pertaining to his straps: Connecting a Wapiti C1 Strap - YouTube
I've been looking around at other strap options and most of the "standard" rangefinder straps are too short. I have my factory Leica strap extended full length so I can easily wear it across my chest. Lug - lug its 46". I'm on a waiting list for the latest ARTISAN & ARTIST* ACAM-E25R but I think it will be too wide at the lugs for me. I recently tried one of those silk type straps but it was too big around at the lugs and I had trouble holding the camera when taking a shot.
I really like the way the factory Leica strap attaches to the camera but I dislike the shoulder pad due to the nubs that are there to prevent sliding. Well, I need the strap to slide as I do carry the camera across my chest and when I go to take a photo the strap should not be a hinderance.
So that's where the Wapiti Strap comes in. The C1 has the same width nylon strap (1/2") that connects at the camera. And then it has a nice shoulder pad.
I sent an email last evening asking a few questions and was surprised to get an almost immediate response from David Grubbs who makes the straps. I explained what I was looking for and sent him some photos of the lugs of the camera along with a photo of the factory camera's fittings. Plus I remeasured my strap length to ensure I had the right size.
So what I've decided to do is remove the factory straps metal attachment rings and the plastic locking clasps and use them on the Wapiti C1 strap. David will size the strap so that once its configured it will be 46" lug - lug.
As soon as I sent the Paypal funds to him I got an email back saying he'd have it out in Monday's mail. I call that pretty good service.
This is all I could find on Youtube pertaining to his straps: Connecting a Wapiti C1 Strap - YouTube
Alexander
Member
I have got three or four of the Wapiti straps from DSLRs to Point & Shoots - I love these straps! I am surprised they are not more popular with this crowd - very comfortable strap.
You can see Pete Sousa uses his strap in a decent PBS documentry
http://www.pbs.org/programs/presidents-photographer
...@
You can see Pete Sousa uses his strap in a decent PBS documentry
http://www.pbs.org/programs/presidents-photographer
...@
Duane Pandorf
Well-known
Once I get the strap and add my modification with the Leica factory connectors I will post a review and some pictures.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Looks like an excellent strap, and fitting it with the Leica loops and locks will make it great for the M9. I might even try one myself ... although....
As a test, I took the Street Strap off my X2 and fitted it to the M9 for my trip. It worked brilliantly, was extremely comfortable and easy to work with. Never twists or binds on anything.
The Wapiti might be just the thing for the Hasselblads, though. The original Hassy straps are too thin for comfort, but the Hassy clips are great ... It looks like they'll fit the Wapiti C1 strap perfectly.
G
As a test, I took the Street Strap off my X2 and fitted it to the M9 for my trip. It worked brilliantly, was extremely comfortable and easy to work with. Never twists or binds on anything.
The Wapiti might be just the thing for the Hasselblads, though. The original Hassy straps are too thin for comfort, but the Hassy clips are great ... It looks like they'll fit the Wapiti C1 strap perfectly.
G
CVickery
Established
The Wapiti are great straps. Your modification sounds interesting. I happened to have a C1 and a Leica strap sitting here unused so I thought I'd give it a look. The C1 strap is slightly wider and thicker than the Leica strap. It looks like the metal connector has sufficient 'play' and should work, but the plastic locking tab may be a problem.
Keep us posted on how this works.
Keep us posted on how this works.
Duane Pandorf
Well-known
His website says 1/2" for the C1 and that's what I measured the Leica factory strap at. His Bugle strap at 3/8" maybe what I needed in stead. It will still be less money than any of the other "custom" straps I've seen.
CVickery
Established
I measure my Leica strap at 7/16" and the C1 at 1/2". I had thought that the C1 was thicker, but looking again it doesn't seem to be...just a coarser weave. Looking at the plastic clip again it looks like there is just a bit of extra room. It'll probably be tight, but should fit. I'd give it a try myself but I'm not sure how to get the clips off the Leica strap without damaging the strap.
Duane Pandorf
Well-known
Getting the clips off the Leica strap will require cutting. I was going to separate the strap at the plastic fitting where the loop is sewed. Then if I want to use the Leica strap again you would just have to secure it manually like any other strap.
Pablito
coco frío
Similar to Domke's cheapest strap (my default general use strap) but more than twice the price. Ok, the Wapiti looks a bit nicer but I guess I'm not that fussy - would rather save the money ($16 for the Domke vs. $40 for Wapiti's C1)
CVickery
Established
I have Domke straps as well....no contest the Wapiti is far nicer in use. It's softer and more pliable so it's more comfortable and doesn't get in the way. I was also always wary of the metal clips of the Domke damaging the camera or lens.
Pablito
coco frío
The Wapiti look a lot like the original strap for the Mamiya 6, one of my favorite straps ever. I have no doubt it's better than the Domke but just to clarify, I use the cheapest Domke, which has no clips, just some metal connectors.
Duane Pandorf
Well-known
I think the big deal is the 1/2" strap is one piece the whole length so there are no pieces to come apart that hold the camera.
The Wapiti website doesn't show it but I found more details about the strap at this blog that included his reason for switching away from a Domke strap to the Wapiti:
Wapiti Strap Review