Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/14

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Subject: Re: [Leica] See the new R8 motordrive !
From: Bernard <5521.g23@g23.relcom.ru>
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 1999 00:56:15 +0400

Thank you, Lucien. Very informative post, and I'll be experimenting with
this strap construction !

Bernard.


Lucien wrote:

> Bernard wrote:
>
> > Yes, I remember that. You used the bottom of the Nikon strap
> together
> > with the leather off the R4 handle. But I don't quite understand yet
> how
> > you solved the problem with the shutter release being on top of the
> > camera. If you can explain me, then I can tell my dealer to round up
> a
> > R4 handle for me, and do as you did. Thank you.
>
> Bernard,
>
> First of all don't forget it had to be an handrip fom the R4-mot
> period,
> without electrical contacts.
>
> When walking, I put 4 fingers under the strap and the thumb
> on the back, it give a very good grip.
> As soon I want to shoot, there is 2 solutions:
>
> 1- I push my hand further under the strap and then my forefinger can
> reach
> the release.
> I's really OK only with the additional battery pack (I have big hands)
> and
> is not so comfortable because the top of the strap is pushing on the
> part
> where the forefinger join the hand. All the weight is on the strap.
> You can't stay like that very long.
> I use it sometimes for handheld use of big lenses with tripod collar
> and
> the Leica rubber grip screwed in it.
> In that case a good part of the weight is on the left hand.
>
> 2- Or, I remove my forefinger from under the strap and keep only 3
> fingers
> under it.
> It give you a little bit less security, but the weight then is on the
> 3
> fingers and the thumb,
> like without strap.
>
> The real advantage is when you walk, there is no risk that the camera
> slip
> out of your hand.
>
> That's why the real solution is the second release in front of the new
>
> motor.
> But I'm not sure I'm prepared to add that weight!   It's heavy enought
> like
> that.
>
> I'm 100% sure that the strap was not planned at the start of R8 study.
>
> When you look at the picture on Pascal site:
> <http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/cyberplace/novelties.html>
> it look like it was added last week. It break the design of the
> camera.
> And it was not on the prototype at the Photokina 1996.
>
> It's difficult to understand how it's possible when you know that
> Leitz/Leica
> is offering a strap on all winders and motors since the first
> motorized
> Leicaflex,
> the SL Mot (1969).
>
> It make me think that Leica designers never put a big heavy lens on
> the
> R8 prototype during the development stage.
> And in the next room other Leica people were designing the APO Modul
> system...
> Next time they can try with Giugaro...or better, with real Leica R
> users.
>
> BTW, the regular release on the Nikon F5 is perfect with my strap.
>
> Lucien