Proprietary strap woes

fretlessdavis · Apr 16, 2015

Hey all,

I tried to do some digging, and unfortunately I could not get my question answered. I have been trying to track down strap lugs for my Pentax 645. The cheapest ones I can find are about $50 right now on eBay, and complete straps are around the same price everywhere.

Anyways, I hear the Op/Tech strap recommended all the time, and having used similar straps (had a strap for my saxophone for years that was basically the same design and hated it... too bouncy) I have no interest in it. However, their connection is listed to fit a few cameras, including the Mamiya 645 cameras. It looks like a totally different connector than either of the respective OEM ones.

So, my question: Will Mamiya lugs fit on Pentax 645 posts? I have a source for cheap-ish Mamiya lugs, but don't want to pull the trigger until I know if they'll work or not.

Thanks!

Mainecoonmaniac · Apr 16, 2015

How about a sling strap?
http://joby.com/camera-straps/ultra...T-ArgygyAv996JutkQSx-KP1Y9vjNzh96SRoCS87w_wcB

fretlessdavis · Apr 16, 2015

Mainecoonmaniac said:
How about a sling strap?
http://joby.com/camera-straps/ultra...T-ArgygyAv996JutkQSx-KP1Y9vjNzh96SRoCS87w_wcB

Thanks for the tip on that. I totally blanked on the existence of those. Also I totally forgot that a couple companies make normal lugs that you screw into a tripod socket, which I could use with any of the half dozen straps I already have.

LarryP · Apr 16, 2015

try keh should one there for 27 plus shipping

Trask · Apr 17, 2015

fretlessdavis said:
Thanks for the tip on that. I totally blanked on the existence of those. Also I totally forgot that a couple companies make normal lugs that you screw into a tripod socket, which I could use with any of the half dozen straps I already have.

Caution may be necessary with the tripod socket idea. There have been discussions about the concern that a camera's tripod socket, which a design engineer would place at the bottom of the camera to support the weight above the socket, may not be sturdily enough mounted to put up with the forces generated in the "outward" direction by the camera being suspended or swung upside down for extended periods. And of course, as f=m*a, the greater the mass of the camera the greater the forces generated on the socket.

Strap attachment points on cameras are designed for the use of a strap; a tripod socket may not be.

Gunfleet · Apr 17, 2015

That's very good advice. The one in the bottom of a Leica m9 for example is just set in pressed steel

Gunfleet · Apr 17, 2015

Ps but I know no-one will be using one of those!

film_man · Apr 17, 2015

I know some people who are more than happy to have the tripod straps on their Contax/Mamiya 645 cameras and it works fine for them. You just need to make sure the attachment screw is tight every now and then! I bought one some time ago for my RB67 (!!) and while it was actually comfy I didn't feel too good hearing various things clanging and rattling in the camera because it was shaking upside down while walking.

Anyway, regarding the Op/Tech strap you can buy the connectors only without the neoprene strap so you can then connect whatever else you want on it. I bought the connector plus loop attachment and use an old strap with mine. It adds a bit of extension obviously but works just fine.

removed account4 · Apr 17, 2015

have you tried a gordy strap ?
made buy hand, not so cheap
and an apug advertiser / sponsor

Dead Link Removed

benjiboy · Apr 17, 2015

Mainecoonmaniac said:
How about a sling strap?
http://joby.com/camera-straps/ultra...T-ArgygyAv996JutkQSx-KP1Y9vjNzh96SRoCS87w_wcB

It would seem to me to hang a heavy Pentax 6X7 camera upside down held only by the tripod bush socket a recipe for disaster.

Mainecoonmaniac · Apr 17, 2015

benjiboy said:
It would seem to me to hang a heavy Pentax 6X7 camera upside down held only by the tripod bush socket a recipe for disaster.

You're probably right. Another alternative maybe having one custom made at a shoe repair shop. They have leather and sewing machines.

fretlessdavis · Apr 17, 2015

Thanks for the help everyone. I hadn't even really considered the negatives of hanging from the tripod socket; thanks for pointing that out.

I forgot to be creative... I have a APUG'er that might be sending some strap lugs, otherwise I'll just order the Op/Tech connectors and get creative with my sewing machine and one of my favorite straps.

GarageBoy · Apr 21, 2015

You just need the lug ends- any normal strap will loop into them

flatulent1 · Apr 24, 2015

Those Op/Tech lugs advertised as fitting Mamiya don't fit Mamiya. I tried. Maybe I was trying to put them on the wrong way, maybe they sent the wrong ones, but the only way I could see them working is if I got out a needle file and enlarged the hole. I sent them back and bought some Mamiya straps from KEH. They work.

heespharm · Apr 24, 2015

flatulent1 said:
Those Op/Tech lugs advertised as fitting Mamiya don't fit Mamiya. I tried. Maybe I was trying to put them on the wrong way, maybe they sent the wrong ones, but the only way I could see them working is if I got out a needle file and enlarged the hole. I sent them back and bought some Mamiya straps from KEH. They work.

Yeah I think you must have got the wrong ones be mine fit fine when I owned a mamiya

Proprietary strap woes

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