I equipped my M6 with the original Leica strap. The plastic locks make unpleasant marks on the black chrome body.

I wonder how people deal with the strap problem. BTW, where can I buy leather strap for Leica?

In the long run, my M6 is going to wear all around, so the strap marks won't happen as much then..., I am interested in knowing how a black chrome body wears down? Please describe.

Thanks in advance Jackson Loi

-- Jackson Loi (jsloi@hotmail.com), June 19, 2001

Answers

All the sharp corners and edgesgo first. On my M4-2 the very first thing to show color (white, on the newer cameras, which is, I think, an undercoat) was the bezel around the exposure counter.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), June 19, 2001.

Most people agree that chrome cameras wear more gracefully, but there is not much you can do about it - it is all part of owning any camera. Still the black finsih is much better than the old black paint which wore very easily. Some people like the worn black paint finish - I don't. I agree with you that leather is still the nicest type of strap (I have a particular loathing for the non-slip, rubberized strap so commonly used today). In the end most straps will mark your camera - does it really matter? You can get some third party straps that have protective leather pieces that come in between the strap and the body - they do work after a fashion. Of course, you can also put protective tape on your camera - this used to be done a good deal. It looks pretty horrible. I did it on my SL and regret it as now I can't get the adhesive off the camera. I suggest you just stop worrying.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), June 19, 2001.

Jackson,

If it really bothers you, you might consider a half-case from:

http://www.kameraleder.com/Products.htm

I use one for my Black Paint M6. Since the strap is attached to the case, no rub marks...

Yes, I feel slightly removed from the "feel" of the camera, and yes, you have to take the thing off to reload, but the Kameraleder stuff has a nice "retro" feel to it that I like (at the moment).

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), June 19, 2001.

This is what I do to prevent the problem: http://db.photo.net/ bboard/seb/000Ms7.html.

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), June 19, 2001.

I wrap 3M rubber electrical tape tightly a couple of times around those plastic ring covers on the Leica strap and they seem to do a pretty good job of protecting the camera.

-- sam smith (ssmith@hotmail.com), June 19, 2001.

When I first got the camera, I felt the strap was surely going to scratch the body. The ends of the strap have a fat rough plastic contraption. To be fair the body seems to be to have 2 rubber bumpers ready for the scratchy strap !

Anyway, I didn't like the design and went around looking for 2 nice stainless O rings. The fishing shop sells some but they were too big and crude. I found the best ones were spares for the Victorinox Swiss Army knives, about US$1 each ! But they are stainless and polished, fine and will never corrode.

Then remove the contraption from the Leica straps and reattach via available buckles Nikon style--sorry ! Still use the Leica strap of course.

This way the straps never hit the body and even looks more elegant.

I do love leather straps but can't find any good ones ready made, a light brown saddle leather kind look best to me.

I think I will make them myself. Have to visit a leather or belt supplied and cut to size. On the downside, it may get moldy easily and will not be as strong as nylon once it ages. But perhaps adds to the character.........

-- Yip (koklok@krdl.org.sg), June 19, 2001.

These places all offer leather straps suitable for an M camera:

http://www.KameraLeder.com/

http://homepage1.nifty.com/RLFC/Information/informationmenu. html

Here is a copy of a post from Leica-Users on yet another source:

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LUGgers:

The long discussed Leica replica straps are now available. These straps are similar to the old leather straps sold with the early Leica M models. They are narrow black straps with length adjuster and split rings. They are a little thicker than the originals and do not have the leather slider of the originals.

They are available for $19, postage included from:

Seth Levine (pepe3@bellatlantic.net)

Please contact him directly.

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Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), June 20, 2001.

Thank you for all who responded (so far).

Actually, http://homepage1.nifty.com/RLFC/Information/informationmenu.html contains information about the strap I was specifically looking for - Artisan & Artist leather strap for Leica (made in Japan). Thanks John. The webpage, however, is in Japanese. I am going to check out whether it is available to order to N.A.

-- Jackson Loi (jsloi@hotmail.com), June 20, 2001.

I bought triangle shaped split rings (Hama) from B&H and used a strap with loops. The triangle split rings are very much like the ones you'd find on Nikons.

-- Raymond Namin (nm8r@earthlink.net), August 29, 2001.

A few postings up, someone gives Seth Levine's e-mail address. I bought one of his straps recently, and posted a message about it. To reiterate: it's a simple, functional, sturdy leather strap that nicely complements the Leica M and is as inexpensive as any accessory you can buy for a Leica. Highly recommended.

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), August 29, 2001.