Bought a new strap :) What was I thinking? :(

[Mikep996]

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I mentioned a few days ago that my all time favorite strap was the Leica nylon strap which is no longer supplied with their cameras...or made at all it seems.  But I saw a Oberworth Mosel strap on another camera a few days ago and thought it might be good - hey, leather AND pretty much the same dimensionally as the Leica strap.   So I bought a black one!

I used it for a day;

hated it;

put the nylon Leica strap back on.

My primary complaint re the Oberworth - too stiff.  In using the camera the strap does not "fall to the sides" when trying to take a shot - the portion attached to the camera for about an inch tends to stay pointing upward as it does when the camera is hanging on the shoulder.  It interferes with actually using the camera - I have to push the strap portion at the lugs down, out of the way, to use the camera.  I have found this same issue with other designer straps. Also the attachment is a nightmare compared to the Leica.  The leather protector "circle" is attached to the strap itself so trying to work the split ring onto the camera lug is frustrating.  Admittedly, in theory a strap only has to be attached once but why make it so difficult when the old Leica strap is so easy?  

Maybe the stiffness will disappear over time - the one I saw/handled on another camera did not seem as stiff but it was a different camera and the lug positioning/dimensions is not the same as a Q.  But the protector, being permanently attached to the strap encourages the strap to NOT fall out of the way when you lift the camera to the eye.  So not sure if it would ever become supple enough to NOT be annoying.  But why be annoyed WAITING for it to soften when the Leica strap does EXACTLY what I want it to do?  

 Ah well, live and learn. I didn't need that £119 anyway...;)

 

[jankap]

A new leather strap, either for a camera or for a dog, is always stiff. You could ask at Oberworth what you can use (oil or fat). I would simply use it and after some time it is ok. 

But China! Last day I bought me at Temu a shoulder bag and the strap was and still is soft.😄

Edited April 13 by jankap

[plaidshirts]

If you want soft leather, I've found these to be the most comfortable: https://rocknrollstraps.com/product-category/camera-straps/rock-n-roll-straps/

[Denebola]

The most soft strap I've ever used are (by far) the Italian artisanal strap by Luigi:

https://luigicases.com/

Den 

[Cattoo]

I was looking for something similar too, and settled on the Peak Design nylon strap. They make one that's similar in width to the old Leica one.

[Siriusone59]

A trick I learned years ago to soften stiff leather was a light application of "Ballistol".  I usually spray a bit on a rag and wipe it on the stiff leather.  You might want to check it first to see if it affects the color but I've never had any problems with it.  I've used it on Harry Benz  and Artisan and Artist straps and it made them much more flexible with one application.  It will take it a few days to permeate the leather and soften it.

[Mikep996]

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Interesting!  I use Ballistol extensively but hadn't thought about using it to soften leather - I'll give that a try!

TBF, I followed the advice in post #2 and put the strap back on the camera, went out this morning (UK time) and tried to be more objective.  I found that I prefer the greater length of the Oberworth compared to the Leica strap so maybe with use and Ballistol(!) it will become adequately supple!

 

[Siriusone59]

11 hours ago, Mikep996 said:

Interesting!  I use Ballistol extensively but hadn't thought about using it to soften leather - I'll give that a try!

 

 

I found my spray can and noticed that it is recommended for leather on the label...I felt that I should check after suggesting it.  Don't you just love the smell of that stuff?🤪

[Mikep996]

In accordance with my picture in the dictionary next to the definition of "Wishy'Washy," I removed the Oberwerth strap again, this time permanently and went back to the Leica Strap.  The OBer's shoulder section is not as grippy as the leica and it would slowly work its way off my shoulder.   Turned out to be yet ANOTHER strap I have purchased that isn't as good for my use as the old nylon Leica strap. As they often say, the definition of "crazy" is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result!  🥴