make your own wrist strap

[menos]

On my research for the best way to use one camera on the street, I have come a long way with different experiments as many others before me.

I think, I arrived at a satisfying solution for myself, even at an affordable price point.

I found, using a good fitting wrist strap on lighter cameras as Nikon MF film bodies, Leica M cameras, even small bodied DSLRs with compact lenses or PS cameras is very convenient and comfortable to use.

I made a short writeup, how I made my own perfectly fitting strap in my new article section on my web site.

The link to the section is here:
www.teknopunk.com/articles



I hope, this helps others too.

Enjoy,

menos

[payasam]

I have had half a dozen wrist straps of leather made by the neighbourhood cobbler, all given away as I prefer neck straps. Not a complicated matter.

[35mmdelux]

Groovy. Thanks -

[benmacphoto]

Thanks for posting this.

[menos]

Originally Posted by payasam

I have had half a dozen wrist straps of leather made by the neighbourhood cobbler, all given away as I prefer neck straps. Not a complicated matter.

I have tried an extensive portfolio of straps also and thought, I am a neck strap guy ;-)

With my Nikon DSLRs, I prefer the stock Nikon neck straps with logos and advertisement removed and worn out - they are flexible, comfortable and strong.

I have experienced the wrist strap with my Ricoh GRDIII on the street though and have tried this afterwards with the Leica M.
I was enlightened - I find this so much more free with the small Leica M.
As I unfortunately have come over a chrome M6 as my first camera, it is quite flashy and I prefer, to wear the camera while not shooting not around my neck. The wrist strap is the perfect solution for me.

[menos]

Originally Posted by 35mmdelux

Groovy. Thanks -

You're welcome.

Originally Posted by benmacphoto

Thanks for posting this.

My pleasure, I could help.
I figured, having an unused Leica strap laying around is a pity (the plastic shoulder pads are the deal breaker for me).
Why no invest NO further money and make a superior wrist strap with one snip of a scissor.

I use my two new straps now on the M6 and one a Nikon FM3a.
They are so quickly taken off, I might even occasionally use it with a Nikon D300.

[benmacphoto]

Originally Posted by menos

(the plastic shoulder pads are the deal breaker for me).

I really dislike the Leica plastic shoulder pad, so I just use the Domke gripper strap.

But I really dig on this idea for those unused Leica straps.

[Focalplane]

Very nice job on the tutorial by the way.......
I've used many home made wrist straps and yours is a nice one but, I've found when using a wrist strap changing the film becomes problematic as one hand is holding the camera via strap (or not) and one is holding the bottom plate. So removing and inserting a new roll of film is dangerous to the camera if dropped because you can't unload and reload film with the wrist strap on-! If however you are using a neck strap (wrapped around your wrist) you can easily put the camera over your neck and free-up your hands. Hey whatever works for you......just a thought.

[finguanzo]

I put the bottom plate in my back pocket, hand with the strap holds the camera, other hand loads the film.. Works for me..

[rxmd]

I have a wrist strap that came with a Lomo 135VS bought for $1 on a flea market. It screws into the tripod socket. In those rare situations where I feel like using a wrist strap it does the job. (Usually it's more a means of protecting the camera from a drop than a means of transport.)

[back alley]

i use a wrist strap but i NEVER dangle the camera from it.
combined with a grip the strap is comfortable and cheap insurance against dropping the camera.

[peterm1]

I bought a $10 version of a wrist strap from my local camera store. It has a neoprene main strap (bouncy!!!) and a thin thread like connector for the actual camera - presumably designed for tiny pocket digitals. But it also has a plastic doohicky that allows a wider strap to be attached as a replacement for the thin thread like thing. I used double sided velcro to make that strap - the one that now goes thru the camera eyelet- for use with larger cameras . It works fine and with a couple of wraps of velco is totally secure.

[menos]

Originally Posted by Focalplane

Very nice job on the tutorial by the way..…

I've used many home made wrist straps and yours is a nice one but, I've found when using a wrist strap changing the film becomes problematic as one hand is holding the camera via strap (or not) and one is holding the bottom plate. … you can't unload and reload film with the wrist strap on-!

Thanks Focalplane - I start to do these little tutorials, to practice my flash photography and quick website building. It's a fun process for me.

The "different" loading of the Leica M with wrist strap vs neck strap has been mentioned in my documentary.
At first, I always needed a 3rd or 4th hand to do it without dropping the whole setup.

Now it goes like this:
-engage rewind lever
-rewind film (I still use my right hand to rewind - decide carefully on strap length)
-I pull the leader in - that makes for a quicker rewind
-move out the film advance lever (for easy access to make the first advances with open camera)
-turn the camera upside down, base plate facing up, lens facing away from me, camera resting between thumb and index finger of my right hand, film advance lever falls naturally into my thumb
-prepare one fresh roll of film and hold with teeth (open film container remains in left hand)
-open base plate
-put base plate in a jeans pocket
-pull exposed film out of camera, slip in open container and rest in pocket
-push new roll into chamber with left index finger, holding leader between left thumb and middle finger
-pull leader until edge of camera housing and insert into take up spool (I love the Leica spools - so much easier to load than Nikons)
-align film and secure film on the sprocket wheel of the take up spool
-wind and release two frames
-close back and put bottom plate back on

…finish…

I took the precise description - you can walk yourself through, if you want. I think this is some material for a short upcoming tutorial on my web site - I could practice some photography involving peoples hands.

This way demands a certain skill of handling several things with one hand at once. This is hard to do for clumsy people and almost impossible, if one is drunk.

I have tried the neck strap around wrist way and always found it uncomfortable. A proper wrist strap is unobstrusive - you should not feel a difference between shooting a naked camera or one with a strap.

I am a pansie and don't want to drop it … so strap for me