Need Camera Strap...Help Appreciated

[Richard K.]

OK, here's the situation. I have a couple of beautiful Chamonix cameras but they do not have straps attached as part of their design. Straps would help with the lifting of the camera and positioning on the tripod head. I've been trying to find, to no avail, a suitable strap and hardware to attach one with myself. I've looked in a lot of the usual places (Lee Valley, etc.) but no luck. Just a 6-8" long (but 1/2" wide) piece of nice leather with hardware is all I would need but I can't seem to find it. Part of the problem is that there is only 1/2" available widthwise on the back and I worry about splitting the fine wood. I'm hoping to find holes for the hardware spaced along the back, not across the 1/2" width of it (see photo below). I was inquiring earlier where companies like Wista or Ebony etc. source their straps but no luck there either! So, ANYBODY?!?!? :confused:

These pictures may help visualize what I'm talking about...

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn15/RichardK47/SevenEleven1.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn15/RichardK47/SevenEleven2.jpg

[Jim C.]

dumb question - what do the straps at the top of the front and rear standards above the bellows in your pics do ?

If the fastening points are strong enough, why not get a strap tensioner and thread the two straps together ?

http://www.shopwiki.com/KENYON+Sliplock+1.5

[Richard K.]

dumb question - what do the straps at the top of the front and rear standards above the bellows in your pics do ?

They're there to gather up bellows to prevent bellows vignetting with certain extreme movements (there's a vecro counterpart attached to a couple of places on the bellows).


If the fastening points are strong enough, why not get a strap tensioner and thread the two straps together ?

Different configuration when camera is closed. Wouldn't give as good maneuverability as a strap on top of rear standard...

[Keith Pitman]

I've had the same concern but haven't done anything about it. I did find and save the attached picture of the Phillips strap for reference. It appears to be a simple leather strap, probably with grommets in each end and anchored to brass inserts in the camera itself.

If you do implement something, let us know what you do and how it works out.

[GPS]

Why leather? You can get nylon woven straps (belts) in all sizes and colors - they are much stronger and durable and very lightweight.

[Keith Pitman]

Another thought: The aluminum fitting in the middle of the back to which the bellows strap is attached has a tapped hole in it (at least on the larger cameras, can't tell about on the picture you posted -- maybe 1/4-28--not sure). You could use that for a loop of nylon webbing with a grommet fitted into it.

[Richard K.]

I've had the same concern but haven't done anything about it. I did find and save the attached picture of the Phillips strap for reference. It appears to be a simple leather strap, probably with grommets in each end and anchored to brass inserts in the camera itself.

If you do implement something, let us know what you do and how it works out.

The Phillips idea would work well; I do worry about the 1/2" of wood splitting...any comments from experieinced wood non-splitters?:)

I'll post once I've sussed this one out.

[Richard K.]

Why leather? You can get nylon woven straps (belts) in all sizes and colors - they are much stronger and durable and very lightweight.

I'm not adverse to non-leather, just been conditioned to think that it fits nice...but sure, nylon maybe...

[Robert A. Zeichner]

If you were planning on drilling into the wood to attach strap hardware, might I suggest you consider simply attaching a rack mount handle. What's that you ask? Look here:
http://handlesunlimited.thomasnet.com/viewitems/folding-rectangular-external-thread/rectangular-external-thread-180-infinite-positions?&plpver=10&forward=1

[Richard K.]

If you were planning on drilling into the wood to attach strap hardware, might I suggest you consider simply attaching a rack mount handle. What's that you ask? Look here:
http://handlesunlimited.thomasnet.com/viewitems/folding-rectangular-external-thread/rectangular-external-thread-180-infinite-positions?&plpver=10&forward=1

Hmmmm, it's an idea! This one:

http://handlesunlimited.thomasnet.com/item/surelock-handles/folding-surelock-handles/sl705?&seo=110&bc=100|1043|3001031|3001008

might work...and it comes in brown, black, green, yellow... :eek:

[GPS]

Hmmmm, it's an idea! This one:

http://handlesunlimited.thomasnet.com/item/surelock-handles/folding-surelock-handles/sl705?&seo=110&bc=100|1043|3001031|3001008

might work...and it comes in brown, black, green, yellow... :eek:

Not to confuse you... but whatever metal handle you put there it will mark the wood by its weight... and will not be pleasant to hold in freezing temps...;)

[Richard Wasserman]

I don't know the exact design of the camera, but can you use bolts with nuts instead of screws to hold the strap, and or, hardware? Less danger of splitting the wood. The Phillips strap looks good to me.

[Discoman]

maybe something like the straps on the deardorf cameras? there are spares on ebay, sometimes with mounts.

[cowanw]

Lee Valley tools says that tapping the wood for a bolt is better than a screw.
Regards
Bill

[venchka]

I don't know the exact design of the camera, but can you use bolts with nuts instead of screws to hold the strap, and or, hardware? Less danger of splitting the wood. The Phillips strap looks good to me.


Lee Valley tools says that tapping the wood for a bolt is better than a screw.
Regards
Bill

Perhaps if 3 people say it...............

Do not rely on short tiny wood screws to hold the strap. Through fasten. Even then you run the risk if the fasteners enlarging the holes. It all adds up to degrading what appears to be a gorgeous camera.

That said, I don't get it. I have 3 4x5 cameras. I set up the tripod. I pick up the camera with both hands. I place the quick release plate in the open clamp. Clamp the clamp. Visually confirm clamping. Pick up the camera to verify clamping. Then I open the camera. All of which takes less time than typing the above.

[Richard K.]

Do not rely on short tiny wood screws to hold the strap. Through fasten. Even then you run the risk if the fasteners enlarging the holes. It all adds up to degrading what appears to be a gorgeous camera.

That said, I don't get it..........

Wayne, you are undoubtedly right. I'm just so used to (and find it a lot easier!) lifting out of the case and positioning larger cameras (this is a 7x11) by using a strap. It is also a lot easier on my (slightly) arthritic hands. But it may not be a good compromise with this camera's inherent beauty. Maybe I should work on strengthening my hands...:)
Thanks all for your help!

[Keith Pitman]

Found this bookmarked on my computer: http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/Graphics/Catalog_Web/P27%20Catalog/Section%20F/pages/page%20144.htm

[venchka]

Admittedly my 4x5s, even the heaviest: Linhof Technika V, are easier to handle than a 7 x11. Congrats, by the way, that is a lovely camera and the format is nice.

There is a line of nylon/Velcro straps that are adjustable. Sold in boat chandler stores. Perhaps you could use a combination of those to truss up the camera and provide a handhold or two. They wouldn't be permanent.

Can you use the black knobs as an anchor point to cinch the strap ends to? Without torquing the knobs out of alignment of course.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?jspStoreDir=wm51&catalogId=10001&Nao=10&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&keyword=velcro&Ntt=velcro&N=377 710&y=13&x=28&storeId=10001&Ntk=Primary Search

[Lachlan 717]

What about a sling that takes the weight of the camera as you put it in and take it
from the bag?

That way you don't drill the body, and the weight is not taken by a weaker part of the camera.

You would just put it in your back pocket or back in the bag whilst shooting. I'm sure that an eligant design would be possible...

Lachlan.

[Richard K.]

Wayne, Keith, Lachlan, et al, you guys are full of...great ideas! :D
Thanks again. I've definitely got something to work with now!