Luigi Strap Review II

Luigi Strap Review II

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On 8-21-05, Luigi Crescenzi of Rome, Italy, offered three readers an

opportunity to try one of his deluxe leather straps in return for an

honest review. Eric Kraus was the first to receive his. Eric gives a

very nicely detailed review that includes all the pertinent factoids

about the product. That thread is here:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DRYk .

My own comments are more subjective.

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I could not help but notice such comments in the thread above, such

as: ..

"If I received a Luigi Leather product to review, I would roll over

and purr too! ...What a set-up!"

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Actually, Luigi made a very simple and quite generous gesture, in an

earlier accessory-related thread. Doing that in THIS forum gives him,

at best, perhaps even-on odds of getting some curmudgeon who would

take it, trash it and him, and then sell it on E-bay. I wouldn't call

it a "set-up!".

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That said, if you scratch my belly just right, my leg twitches in

happiness. Purr, indeed.

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I view straps as a necessary evil - to be avoided unless necessary.

Neither of my M bodies has had a strap in 5+ years, as I'm quite fond

of Lutz's Sling. But a Sling doesn't work on a IIIa, so I was already

looking. I'd tried a bunch of different straps. The Optec and

related sponge straps didn't feel right. The IIIa is too light and it

bounced around wildly. I tried several others, but none have felt

right.

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The Standard Issue Leica strap is actually quite fine, but I find it

"unforgiving" in feel, sort of the extreme opposite of the neoprene

straps. I do not appreciate the rigid or abrupt "shock" of the nylon,

which makes you feel like you're yanking the camera up rather than

lifting it. Nor do I always appreciate the feel of the rubber pad,

depending on what I am or am not wearing in hot and humid settings.

One feels every road bump of the camera with such an unforgiving strap.

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I received my Leicatime strap from Luigi in the post today. It came

with a 50-page Leicatime booklet, packed with technical information

and part details. Unfortunately, it's all in Italian, but it sure is

fascinating to look through. And he tossed in a very nice Leica logo

sticker, not that I'm one to brand anything with.., well.., brands.

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And all that, just to get to the strap. I asked for a black leather

Luigi strap with the small protector leather tabs at the rings.

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I was surprised by how much smaller and lighter it was than I had

envisioned. After a very thorough examination, I've decided this is

good. It feels very light and very strong.

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I had given thought to the A&A Cordovan strap. My favorite belts are

from a London saddle maker (Giddens), and I love fine cordovan. But

that strap is unadjustable, and it would probably take about 20 years

to break in and feel like a strap rather than belt. I had finally

talked myself out of that when Luigi made his offer.

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The Luigi Strap is truly quite lovely. While the usual glowing

descriptions of Luigi's leather products are well known, this is the

first Luigi product I've ever seen or held. The glowing descriptions

regarding the fine attention to stitching detail and the leather

quality are thoroughly well earned. The leather is soft, extremely

light and combines both strength and that sense of gentle cushion/give

when hefting the camera or hanging it around your neck. It also folds

easily and compactly, using little space in any bag or pouch.

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As for design, consider it as an almost exact version of the standard

issue Leica camera strap, only in very nice leather and with a

just-moveable strap pad. Okay, I think it is what the Leica straps

should be. Leica should contract Luigi. The straps are an RCH (a

small hair) wider than the nylon Leica strap, which tells you they are

quite narrow and unobtrusive.

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The shoulder pad is slightly wider, but only barely wider and very

slightly thicker than the fixed-position rubber pad of the Leica

strap. It is elegant and discrete, yet functional. I hate big, fat

sloppy shoulder pads on a strap (unless for a huge heavy tote). This

pad style is old fashion in design, and of superb quality, workmanship

and fit. This pad will not become slack or sloppy on the strap. The

workmanship and stitching clearly suggest this strap and its pad will

stand up to many years of serious use and, I would guess, still look

and, better yet, feel fabulous.

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As noted, the leather is very soft and, of course, has that charming

aroma of freshly worked fine leather. I've never been one for

wrapping the strap around the wrist, but, in playing around with this,

I can see what others have been talking about. The tactility of this

leather is very nice. Nylon wrapped around the hand does not carry

that feeling. Plus, with the Leica strap, you've two layers on either

side.

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On the other hand, I will need to see how much sweat this nice leather

soaks up on a tropical assignment.

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Downsides? Truthfully, can't find any. The request was for an honest

appraisal, but, to be critical, one almost has to nit-pick. Thus,

nit-picking: While I find the leather and the stitching to be simply

perfect, I am less fond of the stainless steel clasp for adjusting the

length. This is, frankly, very minor and is a matter of aesthetics

rather than function. This one is sturdy and functions quite well.

It can also be removed and replaced, if required, which is an

advantage. The anodized black slip-clasps on the Standard Leica strap

are more attractive (less visible), but they have to be stitched on.

It would be a production headache in leather. Perhaps brass, unless

it would be too soft, would be more attractive. Maybe not. IMHO.

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Second, the strap is adjustable from only one side. There is a +/-

aspect of this. After handling it awhile, my opinion on this has

shifted and I believe the positive well outweighs the downside. The

positive side is that you place the single layer strap on the right

side and you have the least material, a single soft leather strand, on

the shutter side. This makes wrapping the strap around your wrist an

even more pleasant experience. I had to take my strap off and swap it

around to get this right.

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On the other hand, it means the minimum length of the strap is limited

by the slip-clasp, which cannot pass through the shoulder pad. There

are times I like a very short strap, lifting the camera right up high

on my chest. If special ordering, I would probably ask for a strap

about 6" shorter. This makes sense only for those few who like a

very short strap (when handling multiple bodies on straps of varied

lengths). At its shortest, the camera sets right above my diaphragm.

For normal use, however, the current strap length adjustment options

are perfect.

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Eric has provided a much more factual account, including weights and

measures. Frankly, there are few straps I have ever liked. Luigi's

strap, however, is very, very nice. The feel is very comfortable and

it is very unobtrusive, major issues for me. I have now performed the

marriage ceremony for this strap to my IIIa. I do believe they may

live happily ever after.

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Consequently, disavowing any claims of a setup, connections nor any

ulterior motives, I must echo Eric's opinion: If you like fine

workmanship, fine leather, careful attention to subtle details and a

perfect match between lightness, strength and tactility, then Luigi

Crescenzi of Rome, Italy, makes the perfect strap for you.

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This is one very fine product.

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Like Eric, I have no connection of any type to Luigi or any such

products. I, too, have been using small cameras for many years. And,

I deeply appreciate the generosity of Luigi in allowing me to be one

of those doing the test-drive review of his deluxe leather strap.

<p>

Details of Luigi's current line of products, including wrist and neck

straps, are found at: http://www.leicatime.com

<p>

These are simply my own opinions. And, to Luigi Crescenzi, Thank You

for a very fine piece of crafted workmanship. I feel very lucky - and

very happy - today. My leg must be twitching.

<p>

Owen

(:>---<div></div>

Owen,

 

I notice that he won't loan me any any of his leather goods for testing. Of course I've never even seen one of his products in real

life.

 

I have yet to find a better (non-Leica)strap than the Domke strap.

It is non-slip, and cannot mar the camera's finish. I wish that

they were still being made.

 

Jerry

You've got to be kidding - this review for a silly length of leather is longer than most lens reviews here. Heck, it's longer than most *camera* reviews. I get the feeling this is bordering on shilling for Luigi, whatever the assurances to the contrary from both posters of these bizarre reviews. Oh, well, I guess you've earned your strap now. So, are we going to have to endure a "Luigi Camera Strap Review #3" from the third lucky recipient of the free leather thong?

so $58 bucks for a piece of Leather, hand made by some poor North African Soul in Naples?...Wonder what Gigi's mark up is here...uhmmmm....

 

Gotta love Luigi, selling to this market..he's got you guys all wet...

A shorter review: My Luigi strap is very pretty and comfortable. The wide leather shoulder/neck piece is more comfortable on my neck than the rubber one on a Leica strap. But the Luigi strap is just so pretty and perfect, I don't feel I can take take it for any rough-and-ready excursions, like a camping trip, a jeeping expedition to Colorado or Utah, etc. It feels like it's meant for more "polite" photography, perhaps in an air-conditioned museum (which I do little of). Maybe I just need to get over my fear of scarring it up or wearing it out.

Jerry, I was no different than you, but I happened to be reading a thread when Luigi posted his offer to three people. He didn't even post it as a new thread. In that context, it seemed very much a natural part of such a forum.

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The only other product I've gotten in exchange for a review was a pouch from www.newswear.com . As it happens, I really like their pouches and now have three that I use at various times. I wrote to the company and was quite critical about my first one. They were very good in communications, and the company soon introduced a new, wider design pouch that I also really like. My comments were not their only consideration, of course, but they shared many details and friendly conversations in the process. I support good companies that make good products, when and where I can. It's a civic thing.

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Some people seem to find something objectionable here, but I simply don't. Luigi's offer and his marketing efforts are those of an honest small businessman. He makes a niche product and has an excellent reputation, both for his products and as a genuinely nice guy. If I hadn't liked the product, I would have said so. I had never seen one before. This one, however, is a slam dunk. Take it or leave it, but why be nasty about the man?

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Okay, so I'm long-winded. I've written too many UN documents, and I'm a storyteller by nature.

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I found a LowePro strap, similar I think to the Domke, that was about half the price, that is not bad for one of my CLEs, but there is simply no comparison to the Luigi strap. The balance is between its practicality and a certain luxury or pleasure. Quality leather products are not cheap. The price seems rather reasonable to me.

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A replacement lens cap, such as the piece of rubber for a 35/2 ASPH, is $35. My good leather belts, all of them, certainly cost twice or more than this strap. My two favorites are nearly 20 years old, but I also take good care of them. Yes, a good piece of cheap nylon strapping material or baling string will do. Both will hold up either your pants or your camera.

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If you want something nice, you pay a little more. If you appreciate such things, you will like this product, too. That's all.

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I'm looking forward to the Luigi Strap Review III

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Cheers,

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Owen

May we see a picture of the strap? or a link to it? Thanks a lot

Owen, I didn't really mean to slight you - sorry. I just found it amazing that anyone could muster 1,401 words about a leather strap. Perhaps this goes some way towards explaining why it takes several years for the UN to release (untimely) reports on various issues that were of prime importance back when they were first commissioned ;-)

My baseline report on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Burma/Myanmar was sequestered for two years, and then released with a large "Internal Use Only" stamp in red on its cover. And what does the data now show?

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Yeah, tell me about it.

I'm surprised it's only $58. Sounds like a bargain. Decent watch straps *start* at that price level, and they're mass produced. I was expecting a price tag several times higher for Luigi's strap. I shoot my Leica's rarely these days, but otherwise I'd be in the market: I dislike both the Standard Issue strap and the neoprene (which I do have).

 

 

The detractors here are trying to make us believe that they shop at WarMart and *like* it that way. Yeah sure.

Jerry,

 

<<I have yet to find a better (non-Leica)strap than the Domke strap>>

 

I'm curious which strap you're referring to? Is it the 1" swivel model?

I never did properly accessorize my sony and canon cameras. Will the strap <I>work</I>

with those?

Dan

 

Yes, it is 1 inch at the wide portion. It has a set of snap swivels leading to the narrower portion which attaches to the camera by means

of split rings. I replace the round split rings with D rings or triangular rings.

 

Jerry

Brad,

 

Try a rubber band.

Thanks Rene, but I really must have leather this time.

 

I recently procured a really sweet leather mousing pad for my computer. Researching the

choices on that really drove me nuts. It came down to deciding between the Ralph Lauren

Polo Pad and the Coach Precision Mousing Surface. In the end, the Coach pad really felt

pedestrian, being manufactured with a slightly inferior grade of leather - something I'd

expect to see at (gag me with a spoon) Banana Republic. So I went with Ralph. It's a

handsome pad, no, gorgeous, and just after a month of careful use is developing a really

beautiful patina. And, as a bonus not to be overlooked, it smells marvelous!

Can someone recommend a good strap for Leica IIIC? All the ones i tried get in the way. not comfortable to shoot with. but please, something practical, and not some 58$ decorative leather straps from italy.

Brad, do you know if your mouse pad is genuine Aberdeen Angus, and if so, that the beast was raised in either Scotland or Argentina? I've been told to be wary of Ralph Lauren mouse pads, because the market has been flooded with fakes cut from Indonesian water buffalo. The difference is astounding - I tried one out at one of those dime stores on D__________ Street, and my mouse was bucking and rearing like a Texas rodeo Shorthorn. I couldn't dodge or burn the side of a barn in Photoshop with it. (Mind you, I didn't have my Porsche Design platinum pocket mouse with me that day, so take what I say with a small grain of salt).

Hobbit +

 

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=16182&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Well Luigi's straps are certainly a bargain compared to the $1000 Hermes Leica straps and probably same or better quality. I say good for Luigi, a smart man who does fine work for those who can appreciate it.

Kai, I feel your pain, having been burned before with an ottoman that was purported to be

covered with a UK upper-scale hide - and then found out later it was really water

buffalo.<P>

 

However, my Ralph pad did come with a certificate of authenticity stating that the hide

used is 100% genuine <a href= "http://www.ukhide.co.uk/autolux.html">Connolly</a>.

Just to be sure, I checked my serial number number embossed on the back of the pad with

Connolly's on-line hide registry and have since taken comfort knowing that mine is indeed

genuine. I have since learned that my pad, beautifully finished in Suede Green, is the same

Connolly leather (and colour!) used in covering many chairs and other furniture in the

House of Commons and Windsor Castle.

Brad,

You certainly have the genuine article. I'm drooling with envy - drooling so profusely, in fact, that it's just as well I'm only using a give-away foam mouse pad (already covered with both drool and coffee cup ring-stains). It was handed out at the product launch of a long since dead IT firm a decade or so ago. Nobody's heard of the company or their products anymore, but their name and grandiose logo live on in mouse pads and chipped coffee mugs found in office kitchenette cupboards forever more.

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That the Connolly hide comes from their "Autolux" range makes it sound like the perfect choice for the discerning camera user, too.

I can only hope that Luigi is donating a few of his straps to the Katrina relief effort. They would be ideal - with their supple strength, rich, almost sinewy bouquet (with a just a hint of wild fruit) and attention to detail in the stitching - for pulling the destitute out of the water. And the neck and wrist varieties would offer such a range of options for pulling the helpless old darlings!

<I>That the Connolly hide comes from their "Autolux" range makes it sound like the

perfect choice for the discerning camera user, too.</I><P>

 

For sure...<P>

 

Just an FYI, Connolly over the last few years introduced a new more affordable set of hides

called <a href= "http://www.ukhide.co.uk/autocalf.html"><I>Autocalf</I> </a>. Same

coulors and finishes, but nowhere near the quality of Autolux. Most distressing was

learning that the skin-donors were not allowed to roam freely open-range as their Autolux

brethren, but were instead confined to small barb wire cages. Knowing that, I wasn't too

surprised to find out that today's Jaguars are trimmed in Autocalf, no doubt a cost-saving

move that occurred when Jags transitioned to the Ford Taurus chassis and parts bin.