Why snake chains can be bad

[Kragmeister]

Greetings,

Just got in the mail a 1937 Contax III with 50mm f1.5 Sonnar (first version). Camera is in what we gun collectors call "attic condition". Apparently it was stored a loooonnng time and the shutter mechanism is gummy, but the light meter is spot on.

Now to the subject at hand. It came with a vintage snake chain attached and I've uploaded a shot of the rubbing that occurred to the body during it's previous useful life. The black collars on the hook ends are metal, possibly blackened steel. Note the arcs on the body.

I'm also used to using leather straps that are about 1 1/4" wide so when I put this 800 lb. gorilla of a camera on my neck I was uncomfortable to say the least.

Later,
Greg

 

[darkkavenger]

Ah there's nothing like a good old Gordy strap 😉

 

[laptoprob]

800 lb camera on a snake chain? Strong chain and sorry neck! Even if it is 800 grams it is heavy for a snake chain. My IIf will get a snake chain on the smallest rings I can get, I will put some leather circles in between to protect the camera.

Nice BTW, an old Contax and 1,5 Sonnar.

 

[doubs43]

Now to the subject at hand. It came with a vintage snake chain attached and I've uploaded a shot of the rubbing that occurred to the body during it's previous useful life. The black collars on the hook ends are metal, possibly blackened steel. Note the arcs on the body. Later, Greg

Greg, your picture doesn't show much wear that I can see. I do see corrosion on the chrome and in places that the snake chain couldn't possibly have reached. Improper long term storage has a way of causing just such "pitting" and deterioration of the chrome finish.

Walker

 

[eric mac]

Rubbing too much

Rubbing too much

I recently acquired another black Minolta 7sii, (my favorite compact camera), and the previous owner had a metal chain which had rubbed some of the finish off. The only positive is that I know he used the camera.

Eric

 

[PeterL]

Note the arcs on the body.

That's nothing compared to my Olympus SLR ! And you know what ? I'm proud of it ! Once I decide I like the camera, it'll be used, and now it shows. Usage marks are cool, if they're there because you used it yourself 🙂


Peter.

 

[PeterL]

Interesting, I can't see my own reply, though my signature is under eric-mac's message. There's something weird going on with the forum. Anyway, here's what I said:

Note the arcs on the body.

That's nothing compared to my Olympus SLR ! And you know what ? I'm proud of it ! Once I decide I like the camera, it'll be used, and now it shows. Usage marks are cool, if they're there because you used it yourself 🙂


Peter.

 

[Andy K]

A camera with no signs of use is the equivalent of what we car enthusiasts would call a 'garage princess', a car which is perfect in every detail, which is trailered to shows in case it gets dust on the tyres etc. In other words something which was bought for show and not for use.
Rubs, nicks and brassing add charater IMO.

 

[bsdunek]

My Dad used to love snake chains on his cameras. I never did because they would catch the hairs on my neck and HURT!
I favor the triangular rings and leather straps as that doesn't mark the camera (much). I don't mind signs of use, but don't like abuse. 😎

 

[KoNickon]

What Bruce said. Nothing like having your neck hairs pulled out one by one. But they are neat looking items.

 

[ch1]

Some of the problem is the "eye of the beholder" thing. We probably all have similar tales.

Back in 1937 or so, the original owner bought your camera to use - not store for some future collector. So he used it and it looks used. No big deal.

Problem is now, some seventy years later you come along seeing the item, not as a camera of its time, but one now "out of its time". In other words, a "collectible"!

I know this dilemma because I have it myself. I look at my faithful old Nikkormat FT-2 and see thrity years of fun times taking pictures. So all the scratchs, nicks and rubs are all elements of nostalgia for me.

But then I got the RF bug and acquired a Nikon S2. Can you believe it! The idiot who first owned it USED the darned thing! Didn't he know he was supposed to put it away for 50 years so I could get it in perfect condition? 😉

Oh and why didn't I have enough sense forty-five years ago to leave all my Lionel trains in their original cartons, unopened? :bang: 😀

 

[Kragmeister]

Hey George,

Actually, I got the Contax III as a user and I could tell from photos before I bought it that it was _used_. I basically was pouring gas on the fire of the debate for or against snake chains.

I actually like the way it looks, especially on a Contax type camera. To use the camera though I'll put on a somewhat wide leather strap like I use on my Kiev 4A.

So far I've not gotten around to working on the shutter and cleaning the rangefinder glass, but I have cleaned the lens and started using it on a Kiev 4A.

Later,
Greg

 

[ch1]

Greg,

I suspected as much when you talked about an "attic special".

BTW - those narrow leather straps on those old style "never ready" cases are no joy either!

I guess we've all become "softies" compared to our predecessors during the "good old days"! 😉