Bassism
Well-known
Today I decided to stop being so lazy and head down to MEC, the local outdoor outfitter-type place, and see what I could rig up for a strap.
I didn't have much of a plan going in, I figured I'd just see what struck me as workable. I ended up making it out of some 16mm tubular (looks about 5/8" to me) webbing. I went for this choice for a couple of reasons: first, they didn't have the buckles I liked in 1 inch, and I figured that the skinnier webbing would slide more easily in a keychain-sized 'biner. It also came in a nifty iridescent purple
Black would have been nicer, but it wasn't a choice in this size.
I also used a combination of two carabiners to get what I wanted. The first one I found was a larger wire-type carabiner, that came with the black strap I use to connect the strap to the camera. Then I also found a smaller, skinnier, prettier locking carabiner, so I grabbed it too.
Came home, stitched it all together, and it works a charm.
Only time will tell whether the webbing is really thick enough to be comfortable. My reasoning is that since it's still thicker than any of the classic camera straps, and that it distributes the load over a larger area than just the neck, it should be okay. From my limited testing so far, it certainly seems fine. Worst case, I have to go spend a few more bucks on some more webbing and a buckle, and then I'll have a thicker strap for longer or heavier trips, and a smaller one for shorter or lighter.
Materials:
2 metres of webbing: 3 dollars (way more than needed, but it's sold by the metre)
Buckle: 1 dollar
2 'Biners: 4 dollars (if cost were an issue, I could have forgone the locking one
Embroidery thread: Lying around the house. But it's dirt cheap, so not really a concern
The gas to and from the store probably brings the cost up to around an even 10 bucks. And for that, I got something comfortable, secure, easy to remove from the camera for tripod work, purple, and not quite like anything on the market. Thus, I'm happy.
Street shooters probably wouldn't be too fond of the purple, but I actually find it quite striking now that I've been looking at it for a bit. Besides, who else has a purple camera strap!?
This 'biner and keychain strap were the most expensive part of the whole outfit... But the strap gives just enough clearance from the camera and I really like this 'biner. It's tiny and unobtrusive, and the locking feels really secure.
Stitching this stuff is tough. It's incredibly thick and almost impossible to have the thread line up where it comes out. Sadly, the inner side is much prettier.
That K100 is still useful for some things, I suppose...
Never underestimate how hard it is to take a photo of yourself taking a photo in a mirror. You can see the difficulty in my face.
I didn't have much of a plan going in, I figured I'd just see what struck me as workable. I ended up making it out of some 16mm tubular (looks about 5/8" to me) webbing. I went for this choice for a couple of reasons: first, they didn't have the buckles I liked in 1 inch, and I figured that the skinnier webbing would slide more easily in a keychain-sized 'biner. It also came in a nifty iridescent purple
Black would have been nicer, but it wasn't a choice in this size.I also used a combination of two carabiners to get what I wanted. The first one I found was a larger wire-type carabiner, that came with the black strap I use to connect the strap to the camera. Then I also found a smaller, skinnier, prettier locking carabiner, so I grabbed it too.
Came home, stitched it all together, and it works a charm.
Only time will tell whether the webbing is really thick enough to be comfortable. My reasoning is that since it's still thicker than any of the classic camera straps, and that it distributes the load over a larger area than just the neck, it should be okay. From my limited testing so far, it certainly seems fine. Worst case, I have to go spend a few more bucks on some more webbing and a buckle, and then I'll have a thicker strap for longer or heavier trips, and a smaller one for shorter or lighter.
Materials:
2 metres of webbing: 3 dollars (way more than needed, but it's sold by the metre)
Buckle: 1 dollar
2 'Biners: 4 dollars (if cost were an issue, I could have forgone the locking one
Embroidery thread: Lying around the house. But it's dirt cheap, so not really a concern
The gas to and from the store probably brings the cost up to around an even 10 bucks. And for that, I got something comfortable, secure, easy to remove from the camera for tripod work, purple, and not quite like anything on the market. Thus, I'm happy.
Street shooters probably wouldn't be too fond of the purple, but I actually find it quite striking now that I've been looking at it for a bit. Besides, who else has a purple camera strap!?
This 'biner and keychain strap were the most expensive part of the whole outfit... But the strap gives just enough clearance from the camera and I really like this 'biner. It's tiny and unobtrusive, and the locking feels really secure.
Stitching this stuff is tough. It's incredibly thick and almost impossible to have the thread line up where it comes out. Sadly, the inner side is much prettier.
That K100 is still useful for some things, I suppose...
Never underestimate how hard it is to take a photo of yourself taking a photo in a mirror. You can see the difficulty in my face.
iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
Who'll notice the purple strap with that hair?
Al Kaplan
Veteran
Good news! In November I renewed my Florida drivers license for EIGHT years. I got a haircut , shaved, and put on a suit and tie for the photo. Now the beard grew back and I'm not planning on getting another haircut ever again! I still have a thick bushy head of hair, no receding hairline, but a bit more grey than you have, not bad for 66! I tell my balding friends that the secret is I still smoke, and of course dating young chicks (I wish). That looks like a great strap to use with long hair...LOL. Now where can I get that purple webbing? I'm SERIOUS!
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Bassism
Well-known
Heh, I think people tend to underestimate what a good head of hair can do for you. I'm happy to hear yours is still around! I can only hope that I can keep mine for another fourty-some odd years
As for the webbing, I got mine at mec.ca, which is a Canadian company. But REI in the US seems to have some 1-inch stuff on their site. I'm sure there's also some kind of climbing equipment store in Miami where you could get some. Climbers like to colour code their slings with bright colours, so you can get all kinds of funky stuff.
Tubular webbing is the way to go though. Flat webbing is nowhere near as comfortable or as safe if you're entrusting your life or that of your camera to it.
I do have to admit I think my purple strap is cooler than those hippy straps
As for the webbing, I got mine at mec.ca, which is a Canadian company. But REI in the US seems to have some 1-inch stuff on their site. I'm sure there's also some kind of climbing equipment store in Miami where you could get some. Climbers like to colour code their slings with bright colours, so you can get all kinds of funky stuff.
Tubular webbing is the way to go though. Flat webbing is nowhere near as comfortable or as safe if you're entrusting your life or that of your camera to it.
I do have to admit I think my purple strap is cooler than those hippy straps
Al Kaplan
Veteran
Type this into your computer:
Al Kaplan, A Wedding Adventure
That should bring you to a blog post "Was It Herb? A Wedding Adventure" shot about 40 years ago...LOL You can see a pair of Leicas in the bottom photo. I'm still using them along with the 50mm Summicron and 90mm Elmarit.
Al Kaplan, A Wedding Adventure
That should bring you to a blog post "Was It Herb? A Wedding Adventure" shot about 40 years ago...LOL You can see a pair of Leicas in the bottom photo. I'm still using them along with the 50mm Summicron and 90mm Elmarit.
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marke
Well-known
Now before I make a fool of myself, consider that I've never even been to Florida. But how would a climbing store survive in Florida? It seems the only rise in elevation above ground level would be a speed bump!
ChrisN
Striving
al1966
Feed Your Head
I have to say there is some mighty fine hair going on in this thread. I am happy to say mine is now getting beyond shoulder length and am even more happy to say that Im still the same waist as I was when I was 16 (43 on the 13th ). That strap colour does complement the hair very well.
I am happy to say mine is now getting beyond shoulder length and am even more happy to say that Im still the same waist as I was when I was 16 (43 on the 13th ). That strap colour does complement the hair very well.Al Kaplan
Veteran
Marke, Miami has an airport and it's possible to be mountain climbing in a few hours. The difficult part is getting used to the thin air. When I was in Denver I was miserable the entire time, and about 5 years ago a friend's 17 year son was mountain climbing in the Rockies and died from a heart attack. They couldn't get him to a hospital in time to save him and they blamed it on his not being used to the thin air.
I'm sure that I can locate a mail order place that sells that cord.
I see a few guys around about my age, bald on top, with their remaining hair pulled back into a skinny waist length white ponytail. There are plenty of Jamaicans around with waist length braids or dreadlocks, and they're not all young kids or dressed like "gangstas" either.
I'm sure that I can locate a mail order place that sells that cord.
I see a few guys around about my age, bald on top, with their remaining hair pulled back into a skinny waist length white ponytail. There are plenty of Jamaicans around with waist length braids or dreadlocks, and they're not all young kids or dressed like "gangstas" either.
dave lackey
Veteran
I have to say there is some mighty fine hair going on in this thread.
There is only one thing missing:
An Al Kaplan T-shirt!
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Hey, I would buy an Al Kaplan T-shirt! Where do I order it?
Bassism
Well-known
Nice, Al. I can dig it!
marke
Well-known
Wow, that's pretty sad about your friend's son. I never realised that the transition/aclimation could affect someone so young that much. In 1988, at age 30, I rode my bicycle across the country, a solo self-supporting ride, complete with cooking and camping gear. I road over 4 mountains ranges on that crossing, but the first one over the Sierra Nevada was the most difficult. Just a few days after leaving San Fransico, I got sick and checked into a motel room, sleeping for 12 hours straight. I thought I had caught a cold, but later discovered it was a reaction from the pine pollen and the thin air. But after a few more days on the road, I recovered and was often averaging 100 miles/day, and that's with an 85 lb. loaded bicycle. Those were the days, after my party years, and when I had been participating in ultra-marathon cycling for a few years. But now hearing how easily one can meet their maker when testing their limits in an environment that they aren't acclimated too, it makes me realize how easily it could have happened to me too.
And speaking of hair, I used to have about the same mane as you did, Al, back in the mid '70s. And again, like you, I've been able to retain a full head of fur, although I now wear mine quite a bit shorter.
Oh yes, one more thing. As we've been treated to new links to your past on your blog, I found another one I really liked. Your blog is just overflowing with rich stories like this one. I love the shots here!
http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com/2006/05/happy-65th-birthday-bob-dylan.html
marke
Well-known
I missed out on the ones that were on ebay recently. What I would REALLY like to see is one of Al with his big fro and a LTM hanging off his shoulder.
Oh yeah, and can't forget the cig.
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