Re: [Leica] STRAP SURVEY/Solutions

[ternahan <ternahan@sonic.net>]

Thanks for the interesting post, John!
This and a couple of other posts bring up some questions I have regarding
that dreaded process we all must face sooner or later : AGING
So, I would like to ask the group to continue this thread as "solutions".
Here are a few of my issues and I hope others will add theirs. Physical
limitations shouldn't stop anyone from shootintg!

1)  I can no longer wear anything hanging from my neck without paying a HIGH
price in pain. Backpacks - same problem.
     So I use a strap and a waist pack and let the camera rest on the pack.
Not perfect, but it helps.

2) Hand tremors: still looking for a good solution.
     Now I just shoot lots of frames and usually can get what I want. But it
wastes a lot of film. Carrying a tripod is physically difficult.

3) Decreasing visual acuity...takes forever to focus. With the rangefinders,
I usually preset, but with SLR, I miss a lot of shots.

I hope you will share your difficulties and solutions, and that you won't
find this too personal.

TIA,
trish

> From: "John R. Fulton Jr." <JRFjr@compuserve.com>
> Reply-To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2001 07:43:09 -0600
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: Re: [Leica] STRAP SURVEY (prev Saturday "Pro Photo" Shopping)
> 
> A survey on straps.
> Hmmmm.
> I've been using Leicas for a while. When I bought my first M2, Bensor
> cases were popular, Leicavits were cheap ($25.00) and there was
> something called a Remo-clip. The Remo-clip was a big (duh) clip that
> screwed into the tripod mount. You could then carry the Leica on your
> belt. I never completely trusted it so I usually stuck the neckstrap
> thru the belt, too, or something (kinda like the guy who wears a belt
> with his suspenders, I suppose).
> Over the years I've tried a bunch of neckstraps--Strap-a-teers, plain
> leather, Leica straps, non-Leica such as the "gripper" (which doesn't
> "grip" all that well) and am now using the Upstrap (which does grip
> extremely well).
> I like straps for many of the reasons mentioned plus other reasons.
> Hanging the M from your neck while loading is great. I suppose in a
> fast-moving situation  (without a strap) you could fumble your way
> thru the film change but it doesn't seem very safe. 'Seems like you
> have to stop and put the camera down. OTH, I have very small hands so
> it's hard to hold on to all that plus change film, too.
> I'm from the "wrap the strap around your wrist" school of street
> photography. Walking down the street with the neckstrap wrapped
> around your wrist is great. The camera is easily accessible--in an
> instant you pick it up and shoot. No fumbling. One of the other
> things I like--in questionable neighborhoods--is the appearance. With
> your arm swinging as you walk you appear as somebody with "something"
> in their hand and wrapped around your wrist. Believe me, I am not a
> tough lookin guy. But there's something about "what's that black
> thing in his hand" the black M6 that just doesn't look right. And
> it's true. It's a potent defensive tool if you need. Since it's
> wrapped around your wrist and gripped in your hand--it isn't going
> anywhere.
> On the more subtle side there's nothing like the M6 with a smallish
> lens on your shoulder under a coat. You can whip it and photograph
> and tuck it back in your jacket in an instant. Again--on the
> street--it almost looks like you're packing "heat" under the jacket
> from the bulge.
> I understand the non-strap carriers. How many cameras have gotten
> pulled off tables when the strap was hanging off the table. It can
> and does get in the way at times.
> Never thought I'd write this much about "straps".
> best,
> John Fulton
> Fort Worth
> PS--re: the strapless Leica in the pocket, Danny Lyon (I believe it
> was he) one time said that having a Leica in the pocket had a similar
> feeling to having a gun in his pocket. [Enough of the Leica as a
> weapon--sorry.]
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