[Leica] M8 Neck strap Failure

[glehrer at san.rr.com (Jerry Lehrer)]

Marc,

Letit be known that there never ( or hardly ever) was there a 
distinction 'tween R und M straps.  Leitz/Leica changed them as their 
vendors
did.  Nothing was dedicated to either of those models exclusively.

Some had a sliding shoulder pad, some had the pad molded on/in.  The 
early pads were good but there were some unauthorized copies
made, so Leica went to the molded-in pads.

Jerry


Marc James Small wrote:
> This IS a bit of a serious issue.  I have used the Leica R Strap on 
> all of my Leicas for more than a decade -- I am a bit abashed to 
> acknowledge that I only use them on LTM and M Leicas, as I don't own a 
> Leica SLR or, for that matter, as I am not as wealthy as Mark or 
> Jeffery, an M8.  (To buy an M8, I'd have to sell off a bunch of my 
> collection and as I cannot figure anything digital out, why bother?  
> I'd just lose items I can use now for a camera I could not use?  Go 
> figure!)
>
> The Leica R strap was a grand strap and I love the three I have.  They 
> work well on my IIIc and IIIf RDST and my IIIg and on my M3 and M6.  I 
> just checked all three and there is nary a sign of wear on any of the 
> rubber overlays on any of mine.  The M Strap was a cheesy one from the 
> get-go and unworthy of the Leica name.
>
> I am astonished at this single report of failure but I would presume 
> that this is a single report of error.  I am concerned about a 
> possible lowering of quality of materials but we need to know more.
>
> Stick with that R strap, guys.  It is unbeatable or, at least, it was 
> to this point.
>
> Marc
>