[Leica] Rant: caps & straps

[Alexey Merz <alexey@webcom.com>]

Lately there has been a certain amount of pissing and moaning
on the LUG about the prices charged for lenscaps and straps. 
I am a bit whiny about $40 the cost of the cap for my 35 
Summilux ASPH as well. But let's put things into perspective,
shall we? So far as I know only 1 or 2 lenses take that square
shade and rectangular rubber cap. 

How many such lenses exist in the world? And what did it cost 
to have the molds made and the production set up to make that
few lenscaps? I would guess that the answers are: not many, 
and a good deal more than most LUGgers would guess. I suspect
that Leica is *not* making a killing on replacement lenscaps 
for the 35/1.4 ASPH. Just a guess, folks! 

I knew it would be damned expensive to replace that cap if I 
lost it. Went ahead and lost it anyway - whose fault is THAT?

Now, about the neckstrap. At $30 it is a bargain. It is the best
strap for a small 35 mm camera that I have ever used and I 
even bought an extra for my Nikon FE2. It is *very* compact
and bulkless, it is very secure even for the off-shoulder carry
which I prefer, and it is quick-release yet has very compact
hardware. I HATE straps that leave behind little dangly things
when removed - when I remove ther strap I want it OFF.

And it's black, not idiotic bright colors like the straps that
used to come with Nikons and still come with Canons. :-)

It is NOT as though one cannot use other mfr's straps on an M!
So if you think the Leica strap is a bad deal don't use it.
Personally, I love it. 

- -Alexey