Bronica s2 strap problem

I have a lovely Bronica s2 with just one problem, I can't get the strap off. The manual says about lifting or pulling the two lugs to release the strap, but they are immovable on mine, solid! And I don't want to force anything with a tool in case I do damage. Any ideas?

I assume you have the version with the wings, which you must pull away from the body. It pushes up into the beveled spring clips in the strap and pushes them apart so the strap can come off,

 

When you stick your fingers behind the wings and pull and/or pry against the body, you have to apply enough force that makes it painful on your finger tips. At the same time, wiggle the strap cap back and forth as you pull on it, and those spring clips will retract as the collar pushes them apart - and the strap will pop off.

 

Putting them back on requires minimal pressure.

I assume you have the version with the wings, which you must pull away from the body. It pushes up into the beveled spring clips in the strap and pushes them apart so the strap can come off,

 

[ATTACH=full]1349957[/ATTACH]

When you stick your fingers behind the wings and pull and/or pry against the body, you have to apply enough force that makes it painful on your finger tips. At the same time, wiggle the strap cap back and forth as you pull on it, and those spring clips will retract as the collar pushes them apart - and the strap will pop off.

 

Putting them back on requires minimal pressure.

Many thanks Tom, I'll give another try, but as I said it's really stuck hard! I'll keep you posted!

Vernon

Later!

No good Tom I'm afraid, they won't budge. Tried with various tools to leaver them up but with no result and am afraid to damage something if I persist. I'll just have to work around the problem. the reason I wanted them off was to investigate putting a stronger strap onto the camera, it seems to me that the considerable weight of the camera should have a strap wider than the rather narrow one now on the camera, ALso it might be the original strap and is showing wear and a few cracks in the leather, the bend in the strap where it loops around the clip is an obvious weak point...I really don't want to drop it!!! So I'm thinking about finding a stronger strap with suitable clip that will attach to the lugs somehow.

Thanks again

Vernon

That's too bad. Do the wings wiggle or move at all? The spring clips in the strap side may be seized/rusted/clogged. It takes quite a bit of force to get them to move with the wings, so it probably would not take much to seize them.

 

I'd be careful about using tools to wedge the wings, they can withstand fingers, so I stick to those.

Do you not just turn the strap-clips through 90 degrees before lifting the 'wings' and popping the clips off?

 

The S2 manual is here, with an illustration of how to remove the strap.

 

The clip shouldn't rust, but it probably wouldn't hurt to use a little penetrating oil under the clip. Masking tape would prevent oil damage to the leather-cloth.

Edited July 22, 2020 by rodeo_joe|1

No rotation, just lift.

 

 

The spring loaded clips on the strap side are steel, and I have not seen the condition of the OP's strap. Rust, or clogged with food/suger/gunk... all possible.

I also have an S2 where the straps were like that, although I could get one side loose. The other didn't wanna budge.

 

A tiny bit of oil, less than two drops, made all the difference. Now it takes only a small amount of pressure and wiggle of the strap to release it - nowhere near being painful to the fingertips.

 

Here's what I'd suggest to get it loose. First take off the back so you can carefully examine the strap mount with a magnifier. Hopefully you won't be seeing corrosion. The wings should be able to rotate very slightly, maybe one or two degrees? If they CAN wiggle like that under the magnifier this tells me that the sleeve is free to move. What I did on mine was to use the tip of a toothpick to put a bit of oil near the top of the shaft, up against the strap clip. (Look at Tom Chow's first photo to see what's inside.) Then I rotated the clip to spread the oil, and applied a little more with the toothpick, etc.

 

To get the clip off, simultaneously lift and wiggle the wings while rocking and wiggling the clip. Hopefully you'll hear a little click and the strap will pop loose.

 

I was trying to think of a way for you to apply pressure to the wings without painful fingertips. I thought perhaps a thin rubber band wrapped around the base of the wings would do the trick; as soon as I start a second wrap on mine it pops the clip loose. So I would suggest trying this. Do not underestimate the importance of both rocking and wiggling the strap clip while doing this.

 

Once you get the clip loose, hopefully anyway, you can see where to apply a tiny amount of oil (use the tip of the toothpick). I put some on the shaft to get inside the sleeve (attached to the wing). Then, a tiny amount where the tip of the sleeve contacts the inside of the clip. Now, the amount of oil I applied is too small to be seen, but it makes all the difference. Best of luck with yours.