Cheap Camera Grip

[kcnarf]

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Better than any solid grip of whatever material is the Sling from Leicagoodlies.com: a

1/2-inch-wide nylon ribbon with 3 small holes and a tiny key ring. The distance between those 3 small holes is customized according to the measured diameter of the 2 middle fingers of your right hand. You loop the ribbon to a align the small holes and thereby create 2 loops tailored to the size of your 2 middle fingers, insert the right-side strap lug through the aligned holes, and then insert a tiny key ring in the lug hole to keep the ribbon attached against the side of your camera. Thus, there is no encumbrance or extra weight and you have a comfortable, absolutely drop-safe way of holding your camera. Finally, if you so wish, you can insert a shoulder strap, or whatever other kind of strap, into the the tiny key ring. The Leicagoodies Sling costs $20 plus $5 worldwide shipping from the Netherlands. Of course, once you see a picture of this item, you understand that you could maybe easily make it yourself at almost no cost at all.

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[okram]

I just might add that I made it myself, 8 months ago, and it works perfectly.

[d2mini]

Of course, once you see a picture of this item

 

or your item?

[likalar]

A picture would be real useful, so I found some on the Leicagoodies website. Interesting idea; thanks for mentioning it.

 

One of the pictures shows an index finger pressing the shutter release, but because of the product, that finger is now sideways, and not able to push the release in the normal way, with the tip of the finger. In fact, I notice that the camera is fitted with an extended shutter release button. Can you comment on this? Can the Sling be used comfortably and intuitively without the release extension? Thanks!

 

Larry

[kcnarf]

Good question, Larry.

 

I use the Sling without the addition of any shutter-release-button extension. When my index finger presses the button, it comfortably rests about half-way between completely vertical and completely sidewise. The Sling, or a homemade version thereof, does not interfere in any way with my control over the button.

[250swb]

Go to a local climbing shop and get an offcut of webbing, a cobblers for a key ring, and use a paper punch to put three holes into the webbing. You will need to seal the nylon edges or it will fray. And you've got yourself a 'Sling' for a couple of pence. I wish I'd done that a few years ago. I used my Leicagoodies Sling about twice before deciding it was just to uncomfortable, and if I lean back I can still see it at the back of the drawer.

 

Steve

[kcnarf]

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Steve, I can well understand how some might consider the the Sling, or one's own homemade facsimile, to be uncomfortable at first. They might have more sensitive middle fingers than I do. In which case, because of the high utility and unobtrusive nature of the device, they should try it not just a couple of times or so, but steadily for perhaps a week or two, to see if they get over that initial sensitivity. It's like wearing shoes for the first time: uncomfortable at first, but later comfortable or, at least, mostly unnoticed.

 

The only discomfort I, myself, might now notice from time to time is the necessity to concentrate a bit on inserting and extracting my fingers. But even that is a tiny detriment and an act I now perform more or less unconsciously. Habituation often makes perfect!

[elgenper]

I used a Sling for years on my Digilux 2; worked great! Should be combined with some kind of bag, however, so you can put the camera away and free both hands when needed...

 

What finally stopped me from using it was when I took it off before sending the D2 in for sensor replacement, and noticed how deeply the ring had cut into the strap eyelet..... Scary!

 

Obviously, I´m not going to use it with my new M9. With a better solution to the mounting problem, I would certainly reconsider it.

[kcnarf]

Per, I Have no experience with the Digilux 2; but it seems to me that if the Sling, or whatever facsimile worked great on that camera, it must work equally great on the M9. I don't really know what you mean by "combined with a bag". That's up to each individual. I personally recommend a very compact Kata Dc 437 bag, where I easily insert lens-down or pull up as needed my M9 with a normal to moderately large M lens and carry 2 additional similarly sized lenses plus a few other small items.

 

The M9 shoulder strap, as you know, connects to the camera or to the tiny Sling metal ring via its own larger metal ring. So there is no damage to be done to anything.

 

Mounting Problem? Yes, you have a finagle and curse a bit to mount and securely attach it to the tiny hole of the M9 lug but it's even doable for such impatience and awkward fingers as mine.

[bill]

Had one on my M7 for years:

 

 

I tend to use it with one or two fingers, depending on circumstances. The "two finger salute" provides a very firm grip when combined with the Abrahamsson Rapidgrip (pictured). The one (middle) finger grip gives more mobility at the expense of a less secure hold. I removed it recently when my M7 went on holiday to Solms for the optical reader upgrade (and complete no-cost overhaul ) and found no strap lug damage at all.

 

To those that say it is uncomfortable, I would remind them that you provide the dimensions, whether it's DIY or bought from Leicagoodies. If you specify/make it too tight it WILL be uncomfortable in use.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[elgenper]

Per, I Have no experience with the Digilux 2; but it seems to me that if the Sling, or whatever facsimile worked great on that camera, it must work equally great on the M9.

Certainly. Lutz Konermann (the Sling inventor and manufacturer) markets it expressly for M Leicas. The Digilux has a similar shape but weights far less, so I guessed it would work on that, too. And it did.

 

I don't really know what you mean by "combined with a bag". That's up to each individual....

Well, it´s just that if you want to eat something, get out your wallet to pay for something in a shop, blow your nose, or just get tired in your fingers, you have to put the camera down somewhere. And, in a city, a bag is the safest place.

 

The M9 shoulder strap, as you know, connects to the camera or to the tiny Sling metal ring via its own larger metal ring. So there is no damage to be done to anything.

The damage seems to be a result of the fact that once mounted, the two ends of the wire making up the keyring will be situated just inside the eyelet, or you´ll have to keep turning it away every now and then; it always seems to return to the "stable" position inside the eyelet. And that´s why it gouges the inside of the eyelet. Attaching a shoulder strap is easy (e.g. using the Leicagoodies "Hook"), but has nothing to do with the cause of the wear.

 

Mounting Problem? Yes, you have a finagle and curse a bit to mount and securely attach it to the tiny hole of the M9 lug but it's even doable for such impatience and awkward fingers as mine.

Misleading term on my part, I´m afraid. Mounting is a little fiddly, as you say, but no real problem. The problem is the wear once it´s mounted.

 

Possibly some locking mechanism that doesn´t involve a keyring (similar to the method used for the present Leica neckstraps, with a smooth wire loop inside the eyelet) would change the situation to the better.

[kcnarf]

The damage seems to be a result of the fact that once mounted, the two ends of the wire making up the keyring will be situated just inside the eyelet, or you´ll have to keep turning it away every now and then; it always seems to return to the "stable" position inside the eyelet. And that´s why it gouges the inside of the eyelet.]

 

Per, if I understand this correctly, you mean that one end of the tiny spiral ring for the Sling gouges either the inside of the metal camera lug when inserted into it or the inside part of the nylon ribbon that surrounds the eyelet punched into the sling itself.

 

Since I don't see how here the one metal would the other, I assume you mean the latter of the 2 possibilities that I have just stated. Yes, I can foresee that possibility. But I have yet to notice any consequent deterioration of my Sling.

[elgenper]

... one end of the tiny spiral ring for the Sling gouges ... the inside of the metal camera lug....

Exactly. That´s what happened, and since the ring moves a little whenever one moves his fingers in the Sling, it´s a constant wear all the time.

 

Since I don't see how here the one metal would the other......

The key ring is made of hardened spring steel in order to retain its shape after being deformed when putting keys (or, in this case, camera eyelets) between its prongs; also, the ends are quite sharp. The eyelet is made of far softer metal (chromed brass or something similar). It´s just like one can drill holes in one metal using sharp drills made of a harder one.

 

I have to add, since I´m aware I may sound a little grumpy here, that I really liked the Sling. It was very secure and comfortable to use, and on camera outings, I used to brag about having "the shortest camera strap in the world... It´s just that I won´t risk further damage to my cameras. Maybe one should give Lutz Konermann some feedback; I´m sure he would be able to come up with an alternative solution to fastening the Sling to the camera....

 

But then, I´ve just won an auction for a like-new Luigi strap for my M9. I do have to use it, don´t I....

[holmes]

Cheap camera = cheap camera grip. An M9 or any Leica is certainly deserving of a top quality. For my Ms I use the more expensive Leica strap composed of heavy nylon and leather and non-skid patch. My Rs all have the top of the line Leica strap. Hey a great camera deserves a great strap.