Which bag for the SL

[AlanJW]

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Peak Design has certainly done a brilliant job of design with that bag. I was reviewing it again the other day: so many excellent details. 

Sheesh, another bag... !

My wife says nothing when I buy another piece of gear or camera.  But if I buy any more bags, there will be hell to pay.  I have a drawer of two with cameras and a closet full of bags.   In search of the holy grail of bags, I have failed.

[digitalfx]

My wife says nothing when I buy another piece of gear or camera.  But if I buy any more bags, there will be hell to pay.  I have a drawer of two with cameras and a closet full of bags.   In search of the holy grail of bags, I have failed.

 

 

exactly the same with my wife. I could buy 4 Noctiluxes, a Q, SL, M240 and T on the same day and silence...but add a bag and she freaks out.

I only have about 20...come on whats the big deal

[RPR!]

Strap: I've decided to give the ARTISAN & ARTIST ACAM-305 a try. It's a silk cord type strap with nylon/acrylic tape-style ends. Not cheap ... I ordered direct from a vendor in Japan who is selling it for $150. But it's very light, very strong, and for someone who uses a strap the way I do, it might be perfect.

 

(I normally don't hang a camera by the strap around my neck or over my shoulder. I use the strap as a safety, wrapped around my forearm and wrist, most of the time. The problem with flat straps used this way is that they tangle where cord straps do not.)

 

Should be here in a couple of days and I'll let all'y'all know how it works.

 

Thinking about trying the A&A ACAM-305 with Leica SL + 24-90.  How did yours work out?

[ramarren]

Thinking about trying the A&A ACAM-305 with Leica SL + 24-90.  How did yours work out?

 

 

I now have three straps for the SL: the original, the ACAM-305, and the Leicatime GENIUS. All three have their plusses and minuses. 

• The standard strap tangles easily and the material has a not-altogether-pleasant feel. 
• The Leicatime strap is thick, solid leather. It doesn't tangle so easily, but it does get in the way somewhat. The problem is that it doesn't slide very easily on your shirt or jacket, so it's hard to move the (heavy) camera around any time that movement would involve sliding the strap a little. It also gets in the way when working with a tripod as it is somewhat bulky. Otherwise, it is a beautifully made piece: the leather is top notch and beautifully finished. 
• The ACAM-305 doesn't catch on clothing, is very light, and doesn't tangle. Although I know the strap is very strong, I do worry a little bit about the nylon tape-ends, which are somewhat narrower than the standard strap. The cord is also a bit narrow, which can be wearing if worn over the shoulder or around the neck for very long (again, the SL+zoom is a bit heavy...).

Overall, it's a bit of a toss up so far.

 

What I'm experimenting with now is to use the ACAM-305 as an adjunct to the OP/TECH USA E-Z Grip Strap

(combined with my usual RRS camera plate with strap side loops) for when I'm changing lenses: at those times I have it around my neck and otherwise leave it looped around my wrist. It's thin and light enough not to get in the way. When I'm walking a distance and want to put the camera aside for a little bit, I carry it in the shoulder bag, which takes the load and distributes it better. 

[Peter Walker]

As this thread seems to meander from bags, to straps, to hand-straps and back again, I thought I'd mention the hand-strap that I have on my SL now.  It's a beauty!

 

I did try three others and used the Joby for a short while.

 

But, somehow, it just did not look right to have this big lump of neoprene tired to one side of a beautiful design like the SL.  So I kept searching...

 

And found the Herringbone Heritage Leather Camera Hand Grip Type 1 Hand Strap for DSLR with Multi Plate, Black 

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FR75THA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

 

It looks lovely, not at all out-of-place on the Leica camera.  It is clearly well made (in Korea) and fits the Leica SL perfectly.  It connects to any QR plate that has a side lug, like my RRS.  Or it comes with its own QR plate.   It's comfortable to wear and, although I have only used it for about 8 hours, I find it is already adjusting itself to my hand.

 

Regards

Peter

 

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[wlaidlaw]

Peter, 

 

That is a nice looking hand strap and I see it is also available with red stitching and other colour leathers. However it is an either/or hand strap and cannot really be used with a neck strap. I was using the Case Logic hand strap together with one of Luigi's silky straps but half way through a long day with the SL, decided it was more an irritation than a benefit and took it off. The rather floppy Case Logic slows down picking the camera up too much, as you have to pull it back over your hand. It also puts my right index finger, which is missing its last half inch, in the wrong place for pressing the shutter release, even though I have extended this with a 3M hemispherical Bumpon. 

 

Wilson

[JHAG]

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I use both Leica and Thinktank offerings.

Which are excellent, light, spacious, protective, very well thought out and reasonably priced.

 

http://www.lecuit.lu/epages/Lecuit.sf/fr_FR/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Lecuit/Products/200-18844&ViewAction=ViewProduct&SearchParams=%7B%22Type%22%3A%22Sac+d%27épaule%22%7D

 

http://www.lecuit.lu/epages/Lecuit.sf/fr_FR/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Lecuit/Products/2202-TNK400766_L&ViewAction=ViewProduct&SearchParams=%7B%22Type%22%3A%22Sac+d%27épaule%22%7D

 

and have an eye on Oberwerth as a smaller M bag, also offering bags for the SL camera size

 

http://www.oberwerth.com/camera-bags/

Edited February 26, 2016 by JHAG

[farnz]

Peter, 

... The rather floppy Case Logic slows down picking the camera up too much, as you have to pull it back over your hand. ...

 

Wilson

Wilson,

 

I had the same experience as you and furthermore the Case Logic strap never felt safe from slipping off the back of my hand while carrying the camera by my side owing to rotation permitted by the 'arm' connected to the tripod thread. I've changed to the similar Spider strap that includes an additional clip-on strap to go around the bottom of the wrist, which is much more secure.  It also doesn't need to be pulled over the back of the hand in the same way that the CL does because it tends to retain its position better.

 

Pete.

[LocalHero1953]

As this thread seems to meander from bags, to straps, to hand-straps and back again, I thought I'd mention the hand-strap that I have on my SL now.  It's a beauty!

 

I did try three others and used the Joby for a short while.

 

But, somehow, it just did not look right to have this big lump of neoprene tired to one side of a beautiful design like the SL.  So I kept searching...

 

And found the Herringbone Heritage Leather Camera Hand Grip Type 1 Hand Strap for DSLR with Multi Plate, Black 

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FR75THA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

 

It looks lovely, not at all out-of-place on the Leica camera.  It is clearly well made (in Korea) and fits the Leica SL perfectly.  It connects to any QR plate that has a side lug, like my RRS.  Or it comes with its own QR plate.   It's comfortable to wear and, although I have only used it for about 8 hours, I find it is already adjusting itself to my hand.

 

Regards

Peter

 

Thanks, Peter, that looks nice. I have the Spider Pro (was that one you tried?). It is comfortable, but with three issues:

- the top nylon connecting strap and the threading/knot required to hold it in place are poorly thought out. It is too narrow for the SL lug, and the supporting stiff black plastic piece keeps coming out from under the lug.

- the lower fastener will not fasten to a QR plate, but under it - the thin plastic strip twists a bit to the wrong angle in the process.

- this may be a problem with all hand straps and the SL, but I find it holds my thumb too close, and I find myself pressing the back dial and changing exposure modes instead of just changing the aperture.

 

I'm not a neck strap person; I prefer to have the camera under closer control, and find I can carry the SL securely for long periods with the hand strap. I was thinking of making my own out of a piece of offcut leather and piece of harness strap & buckle, but yours looks close to the ideal. 

[ramarren]

As this thread seems to meander from bags, to straps, to hand-straps and back again, I thought I'd mention the hand-strap that I have on my SL now.  It's a beauty!

 

I did try three others and used the Joby for a short while.

 

But, somehow, it just did not look right to have this big lump of neoprene tired to one side of a beautiful design like the SL.  So I kept searching...

 

And found the Herringbone Heritage Leather Camera Hand Grip Type 1 Hand Strap for DSLR with Multi Plate, Black 

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FR75THA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

 

It looks lovely, not at all out-of-place on the Leica camera.  It is clearly well made (in Korea) and fits the Leica SL perfectly.  It connects to any QR plate that has a side lug, like my RRS.  Or it comes with its own QR plate.   It's comfortable to wear and, although I have only used it for about 8 hours, I find it is already adjusting itself to my hand.

 

That does look quite nice! I like the model with the red stitching. 

 

Yes, this thread does wander back and forth between different accessories for carrying/holding the SL, but it's all good. Fussing around with which solution works best is natural at this point ... After all, the camera is barely past three months old in the field! 

[Peter Walker]

Thanks, Peter, that looks nice. I have the Spider Pro (was that one you tried?). It is comfortable, but with three issues:

- the top nylon connecting strap and the threading/knot required to hold it in place are poorly thought out. It is too narrow for the SL lug, and the supporting stiff black plastic piece keeps coming out from under the lug.

- the lower fastener will not fasten to a QR plate, but under it - the thin plastic strip twists a bit to the wrong angle in the process.

- this may be a problem with all hand straps and the SL, but I find it holds my thumb too close, and I find myself pressing the back dial and changing exposure modes instead of just changing the aperture.

 

 

Yes, I liked the comfort, shape and style of the SpiderPro and tried hard to make it work. I played around with different modifications to solve the problems you mentioned. But, the two connection points don't work well on the Leica SL.

 

The Herringbone's connection points work fine with the SL.

 

Regards

Peter

[Guest]

Thanks digitalfx, I am almost sure I will go with this bag after reading your comments and one review linked from this thread.

[Cyclefan]

SL attached outside on the clip…

 

which Lenshood is it? 

Edited February 28, 2016 by Cyclefan

[Cyclefan]

I use two bag´s for the SL with Elamrit 24-90, the Billingham Hadley small without the separator, and the ThinkTank retrospective 7, black.

[ramarren]

... back to straps ... 

 

Summing up:

• The standard strap works, tends to twist and tangle a bit. 
• The A&A silk cord strap is light, works well, but is a little too short for my druthers. It's a little narrow to be comfortable. ($150)
• The Leicatime strap is superbly made of beautiful leather. It is very comfortable when I wear it. Unfortunately, it tend to catch and stick with my clothes and gets in the way more than I like. ($150)
• The Case Logic handstrap doesn't really sit on the camera right for me and has a somewhat scratchy feel. ($12)
• The OP/Tech handstrap tends to slide off my hand, feels crummy, and gets in the way in the bag. ($24)

I have to admit that I am getting a little tired of this. I knew I had solved this issue at some time in the past and it was bugging me. Well, I finally remembered my old solution, the one that worked beautifully with my Panasonic L1.

 

I recreated it last night: 

• Take a Nikon AN-4b neckstrap. 
• Cut off 11 inches on the right and 4 inches on the left
• Thread the right side on the camera such that the neck pad on the strap is hanging down and pointing to the left.
• Twist the left side 180 degrees anti-clockwise and thread that on the left side of the camera. 

The strap now hangs down under the camera and the ends lay flat against the sides of the camera.

 

 

To use it: 

• Pick up the camera with your left hand.
• Reach around on the right, with your right hand, and put your hand through the strap from the front.
• Rotate your forearm so that the neck pad makes a loop around your wrist.
• Grip the camera on the right. 

 

The strap forms a perfect wrist-leash, lays flat against the body under the palm of your hand when you're gripping the camera , and loops flat against the body from the left eyelet to the looped part. It's light, thin, very comfortable, and feels very secure. It takes up very little space in a bag, doesn't get caught up on stuff or tangle, and does not get in the way of battery, card door, or any controls. You can use a tripod adapter with it fitted without any problem. 

 

And it costs $15 for the Nikon neckstrap. 

 

I walked with the SL using the R-'Lux 50mm lens for an hour. Very comfortable, very secure, a pleasure. Satori. 

I'm done with the strap hunt. This works for me. 

 

... now back to bags ...

Edited March 5, 2016 by ramarren

[steppenw0lf]

The refurbished Nikon strap is really cool. You can probably also take any other brand - like the original strap ?

Or any other older neckstrap from analog times.

Thanks for the hint! The description and especially the fotos.

 

Stephan

Edited March 5, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[ramarren]

The refurbished Nikon strap is really cool. You can probably also take any other brand - like the original strap ?

Or any other older neckstrap from analog times.

Thanks for the hint! The description and especially the fotos.

 

The original strap wouldn't work so well because it is rather broad in the center where the padded parts are, it wouldn't circle the wrist very comfortably. 

One of these days I'll commission a leather shop to make me a leather version of this strap ... Hmm. Maybe I should talk to Luigi about it. 

[steppenw0lf]

Hi Ramarren.

 

You could order 200 at ali baba or a similar chinese shop   And sell them on the net. I'm not sure leather is really an advantage. Maybe better anything cheaper and lighter like silk (like the nikon strap).

Don't forget to file for copyright protection (or whatever it is called) ("geschütztes Warenmuster", protected trade sample)

 

Stephan

Edited March 5, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[ramarren]

You could order 200 at ali baba or a similar chinese shop   And sell them on the net. I'm not sure leather is really an advantage. Maybe better anything cheaper and lighter like silk (like the nikon strap).

 

 

Silk would be more expensive than leather. A good leather, like Luigi used in the GENIUS strap I bought, would be strong, durable, and very nice to the touch. The nylon used in the Nikon AN-4b isn't bad either. 

 

It would be interesting to see if it's a product opportunity. I don't know about copyrighting it ... It's just a short strap used a particular way. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Arai]

I use two bag´s for the SL with Elamrit 24-90, the Billingham Hadley small without the separator, and the ThinkTank retrospective 7, black.

 

That hadley will surely look fat, because the width is too narrow, most likely at the size of M..Billi makes a better version from hadley, the S line. I use the S4 the biggest in S line, it can hold SL+VE, and M+summilux plus additional M lens.