skinny_mcgee Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Hello again, I was wondering if the leica chain straps for sale on E*** are good for us on a 111a? Do they fit the lugs and are they damaging to the camera? Was this a piece that would have been availble in 1935? I have a case for the camera but I really don't trust the strap that is on there. I would like a period style srap that I can feel comfortable with to support my new (old) Leica. Thanks Skinny Thanks Skinny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuart_richardson Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Metal chains do not equal comfort...even with a light camera. Just find a leather strap if you want the vintage look. Luigi's are nice, but they are more expensive -- I am sure you can find a cheap period one on ebay that will work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melvin_bressler1 Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Skinny: This has been asked before and gets the same response: some don't like the chains. I have a IIIa, with the metal chain on it. The chain I have has a lock down screw so the chain can't come off accidently, and it has a little rubber gromet that protects the camera body. Never had a problem with comfort or use. However, if you want a cloth type strap, most camera stores carry little rings or triangles that clip onto the camera lugs, and the strap then fits to the rings or triangles. Happy snaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorge Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Skinny, I have a few straps from the fifties and they are all about 6~8mm wide. The original strap of my IIIf has riveted ends with twist clips. Another from a Retina IIIc has clips that resemble small padlocks. I think any straight leather strap with adjustable cufflink type lugs (very popular during the 60's/70's), plus a pair of triangular D rings will look right on your IIIa. The chain straps, tho of correct vintage are a real PITA (well, maybe PITN). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan flanders Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Structurally the 'snake' chains are sound. One came with my Metrastar meter and I tolerate it. They are not adjustable for length so are not so useful for use on a camera. I prefer a leather or webbing strap that is adjustable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_lofquist Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 They are designed to pull the hair from the back of your neck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben z Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 I like to wrap the straps around my cameras when I put them in the bag, so a chain would do a real number on them. In fact think Al Kaplan uses one when he does his $500 2-week instant-distressing service for people with mint bodies : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_shriver Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Unless you get your hair cut (and neck hairs shaved) weekly, a chain strap will indeed be an exercise in personal torture. Evil things! (Of course, when chain straps were current, weekly haircuts were also current! Very short haircuts!) Also, those little locking rings that hold the latch shut are not reliable. I've had a camera fall that was on a strap with that type of latch/lock, if not a chain strap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_werbeloff1 Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Hi Skinny: If this thread is still alive... I have no experience of the chain strap. Seems like it could be quite uncomfortable though. For what it's worth I use a Lowepro olive green cotton webbing strap with my IIIa. It has nice robust plastic sprung hooks for attaching to the lugs and comes with little black leather protector pads so as not to scratch up the chrome. These hooks make it possible to remove the strap very easily from the camera if you want to be really discreet. Very recently somebody here on the forum mentioned a site, www.mclassics.com which offers really nice classic-looking leather straps in different colors for not much money. Best, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsr Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 I must repeat what Alex and John have said. Those "snake" chains will keep on pulling hairs off the back of your neck with every move you make! A few short pieces of vinyl or rubber tubing can be slid over the snaps to protect the camera from scratches. Come to think of it, a 10 inch length of tubing would protect your neck hairs as well! Now the thing begins to get rather ugly, though! Best regards, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Sorry Ben, but I use cloth or leather straps myself. I much prefer the way they rub through the chrome gently and slowly. So far nobody has taken me up on my offer to beat up their Leica for $500. It started as a joke! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grant_. Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 <i>I much prefer the way they rub through the chrome gently and slowly</I> <br><br>sounds strangely perverted... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Grant, everybody needs some perversion, at least a little bit once in awhile... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
._._z Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 Mine is trying to understand why Al thinks he knows so much about digital cameras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 .[.Z, they don't have anyplace where you can stick a roll of Tri-X inside of them. My Omega B-22XL doesn't have a carrier for "film cards". "The Massive Development Chart" doesn't list times for any of the many brands of film cards. You mean there's something else that I need to know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
._._z Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 You sure don't know a lot about digital, Al. That much we all know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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