Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/03/30

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Subject: Re: "Atraumatic" leica straps
From: D Khong <dkhong@pacific.net.sg>
Date: Sun, 30 Mar 1997 16:07:26 +0800 (SGT)

At 09:17 PM 3/22/97 -0800, you wrote:
>D Khong wrote:
>
>> Except for the M6 which comes with protection against the strap rubbing on
>> the leica M body, I   wonder  how LUG members prevent their camera straps
>> from creating rub marks on their M cameras?
>> 
>> I will appreciate your experiences and feedback.
>> 
>> Dan K.
>
>Dan,
>Now why would you ever want to eliminate those beautiful marks of use?? 
>My cameras are all scratched up.  Like me, they have been overworked,
>underappreciated, battered, sometimes ignored, often let go beyond
>checkup time.  Really, trust me, the scratches help the camera make
>better pictures!   Well, okay, the reality is that when you get so
>excited with what you are shooting that you don't care what happens to
>the camera, the camera starts shooting better pictures.    I'm sure it
>must be something metaphysical.  
>
>Beautiful, mint Leicas are dead Leicas.
>
>Scratch yours.  Go on.  It'll be good for your pictures.
>
>Donal Philby

After all the feedback, I  bought a Domke gripper strap with leather and
bronze coloured hooks and rings and when fitted to the M3 + collapsible 50
elmar  makes the whole setup look really retro.  It attracts attention but
nobody takes you seriously thinking that you are some looney who just popped
out of a time capsule buried about half a century back.  When you focus,
they think you are having "trouble" with the camera (especially when you
look at the controls every now and then and give that half frown expression
typical of despair) and they ignore you taking pictures of them.  Really top
stuff for street photography.

All my cameras are users.  I do not believe in leaving them unscathed and
untouched and they bang around a lot.  With the prices of new leicas
softening, I doubt if it is really worthwhile  keeping even mint leicas in
the showcase.   Insure them and then use them!

Dan K.