How do You Attach Strap

[sanyasi]

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Just received my M9. The instructions (just a picture) are unclear on how to attach the strap. Something on the strap appears to move up, but I don't want to damage the rubber. What exactly moves and how do you move it?

 

Yes, I am an idiot when it comes to anything mechanical.

 

Thanks

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[elgenper]

Just received my M9. The instructions (just a picture) are unclear on how to attach the strap. Something on the strap appears to move up, but I don't want to damage the rubber. What exactly moves and how do you move it?

 

Yes, I am an idiot when it comes to anything mechanical.

 

Thanks

 

Got mine today, too. And, while I couldn´t be happier with the camera itself, I´m convinced the strap was designed by someone not remotely up to the task....

 

You have to pull REAL hard on those plastic sleeves, pressing them only on their short sides (the edges of the strap webbing) while holding the metal rings in a firm grip. Then the fun begins: to get the rings onto the strap lugs in such a way that you don´t get the strap inside out - or twisted... Then those plastic sleeves must go all the way down again, as per the illustration, or you´ll soon drop your camera.

 

For myself, after 10 minutes of hard work and foul language, I did manage - only to find I didn´t like the feel of that strap one bit; not worthy of a fine Leica. So I removed it again, and took the old, and very nice, leather strap off my venerable M2, and let the M9 have it instead (the M2 will reside in a display case henceforth, so it doesn´t need a strap).

[sanyasi]

Perfect. Thanks much for the quick response. Now I just have to wait 3 hours until the battery is charged.

 

Jack Siegel

[Ed_K]

Hmm .... sounds like Leica have changed the strap design somewhat, especially where you hook up with the camera body; i wonder if this design goes with their other a la carte straps.

[AlanJW]

I abandoned the Leica strap and the strange split rings in favor of a Luigi strap made to the length I like and small split O rings you can get at a hardware store for 25 cents. No sharp edges or ends anywhere. The rings are stainless and never wear out. I have been using these O rings for more than 25 years on all my cameras. I like them better than the triangles on some cameras and MUCH better than the Leica clips with ears.

[likalar]

I'm a fan of the Leica-supplied strap, partly because I paid for it already. I think it's the same as the one that came with a camera a few years ago. The only time I dislike it is when I try to do a wrist-wrap with it, as the shoulder pad is fixed. The simple old leather straps were better for that.

 

Larry

[Bo_Lorentzen]

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Hmm. actually I do like the stock strap, not really sexy, but it does the job perfectly, well at least for my shoulder.

[250swb]

I like the ring arrangement on the standard strap, but not the shoulder piece. So when I got my UpStrap in RF version I swapped the rings and sleaves over to that, a simple job.

 

Steve

[marban]

i actually cut off the plastic shoulder pad from the original strap and i'm more than happy with this barebones version. it's only slightly glued to the strap so you can almost peel it off without any residues.

[250swb]

i actually cut off the plastic shoulder pad from the original strap and i'm more than happy with this barebones version. it's only slightly glued to the strap so you can almost peel it off without any residues.

 

Thats interesting, I may give that a go with one of my spare straps, it would make a great quick change arrangement when I don't want the shoulder pad, like when I need the strap wrapped around my hand.

 

Steve

[cameralumina]

The easiest way to "open it" is to put the tip of your small finger into the metal loop and force it in while using your other hand to squeeze the narrow sides of the plastic piece and pull away from your finger. Works like a cinch, and you won't feel like you will break it.

[erl]

Strange how we all have different preferences. I actually prefer the supplied Leica strap clips with the plastic covers, over any other I have seen.

 

I don't favour shoulder or neck straps at all, but I find I can make two wrist straps by cutting up the original shoulder/neck strap. That also eliminates the shoulder pad part. Both resulting wrist straps are adjustable by virtue of retaining the original adjustment links. Such a wrist trap coupled with a StreetShooter works best for me.

[photolandscape]

Anyone who has done this probably feels your pain.

 

Having gone through the exercise of attaching the standard strap to an M body perhaps half a dozen times, I can tell you that it takes a degree of luck, mixed with modest skill, and endless patience. I don't think intelligence matters at all, though mechanical aptitude helps. As you begin you have to think about how each step will influence the outcome, otherwise there is a 50-50 chance it will come out twisted. But if it does, at least you'll be able to figure out pretty easily how to correct it from that point forward.

 

Once you've got it on, you may find that it is really a pretty good strap. Very solid, strong, and dependable. And better than others I tried, including a couple of Artist and Artisan models that were more attractive perhaps, but lacking in other areas.

[Bill W]

Personally I have always liked and preferred the supplied strap. I bought a Luigi but still I prefer the supplied strap. It is comfortable for my use and will stay on my shoulder all day long if needed.

[erl]

A point of curiosity for me. Those of you who favour a shoulder strap, do you prefer it on the shoulder the same side as the camera, or the opposite shoulder, such that the strap crosses your chest when hanging? I'm interested in the functional ergonomics of how it works, or otherwise, for you.

[j_lir]

so here's the trick.

 

take the metal parts off the strap, put them on the camera.

 

put the strap over your neck alligned how you want it.

 

then feed it through one side at a time.

 

it's super easy.

 

i've gone through other straps, the leica neoprene (i have 2 i never use anymore), artisan and artist, and have come back to the leica strap. it grips your shoulder so you don't have to worry about the camera, and its light, and not hot for summer.

 

the upstrap uses a similar design, i use that on my d3.

 

today shooting @ bonnaroo in 100˚ heat i wished i had a neoprene strap, it might have helped abzorb some sweat.

 

haha.

[Fotofanatiker]

A point of curiosity for me. Those of you who favour a shoulder strap, do you prefer it on the shoulder the same side as the camera, or the opposite shoulder, such that the strap crosses your chest when hanging? I'm interested in the functional ergonomics of how it works, or otherwise, for you.

 

On the shoulder same side as the camera for fast access, although I'm not fully happy with this solution, I tend to forget to switch of the camera (never done this on my D300) and my butt keeps on changing the white balance in the set menu...

[lars_bergquist]

On the shoulder same side as the camera for fast access, although I'm not fully happy with this solution, I tend to forget to switch of the camera (never done this on my D300) and my butt keeps on changing the white balance in the set menu...

The solution to that is a Luigi Crescenzi half-case.

 

I like Domke straps. They have one version without those snap swivel hooks, that might scratch the monitor cover when you stow the camera.

 

The old man from the Leather Age

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[Bill W]

A point of curiosity for me. Those of you who favour a shoulder strap, do you prefer it on the shoulder the same side as the camera, or the opposite shoulder, such that the strap crosses your chest when hanging? I'm interested in the functional ergonomics of how it works, or otherwise, for you.

 

It is always on the shoulder and never across the chest. The Leica strap hugs the shoulder. I have not had a problem with setting changes as a result of the camera riding on my hip.

[Benoit Petot]

Just received my M9. The instructions (just a picture) are unclear on how to attach the strap. Something on the strap appears to move up, but I don't want to damage the rubber. What exactly moves and how do you move it?

 

Yes, I am an idiot when it comes to anything mechanical.

 

Don’t worry. You aren’t particularly mechanical illiterate.

It was already the same mess 20 years ago with the M6. It was not clear if you had to turn the pin upside down, put the Leica on the floor and turn around or do the job in front of a mirror to confuse your brain and act with two left hands. I’ve always thought that all the process had been designed to check your capacity as a contortionist before trying to load a film in the camera by the bottom.

Now, I understand that it was, in fact, a reservation for the future M9 (could you imagine how the Leica product plan is foreseeing !!!): usually, when you are set with the strap, your battery is loaded. Unfortunately, you took it the wrong way.

Don’t worry with the strap, it’s perfect. It’s light, it’s strong. You can wore it around the neck or around your wrist (2 loops!).

For the question of crossing or not your chest, it depends of your shape. When I’m over 110 (Kg), I ware it over my neck, otherwise I cross. Joke apart, I like to cross my head and arm, with the camera on my side under and open jacket: It’s easy to jump at your eye level and at the same time it’s discreet and safe.

Enjoy your M9:

· But don’t forget isn’t a Digital Camera

· It’s a Leica M (56 year old) in witch someone has simply replaced the films by a more efficient recording mechanism.

After 49 years of Rollei, Hasselbald, Linhof a Leica M6, I finally found the “perfect camera”.