Straps for MF cameras

Bormental

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I just noticed that many medium-format cameras have very different strap lugs: they look like pins as opposed to slits. Examples:
Yet, all camera straps I see on B&H are traditional kind that require triangular/rectangular lugs. Where do you find a strap for MF-cameras above? I believe these pins are not rare. How are they called? Asking because maybe it's something I should be avoiding when buying used gear.

[EDIT] Ok, I found just one model on B&H that seems to be it. So the owner of those cameras all use original straps?
 

MattKing

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In most cases, along with the straps you also need to obtain the strap connectors or clips that match the needs of the camera itself.
Those connectors can be quite specific - for example the Mamiya 645 Pro requires different connectors on the winder side and the other side.
So look first for the connectors, then match them to t
 

DWThomas

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I suspect when they were in current production and widespread use there may have been more support from 3rd party suppliers for items like straps. (Back when they were current and in wide spread use I couldn't afford them, so no 1st hand experience!) There are strap "systems" made by companies like Optech which are three piece affairs -- the primary strap and two attachment devices. There are some pretty off the wall designs on a few cameras. My Bronica SQ-A has a sort of round stud with flats and a hole pierced through which I'm sure could take a split ring -- but I never really use it hand carried. My primary hand carried medium format is a Yashica 124G which works with a simple flat braided strap.
 

BrianShaw

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For every MF camera I have and use I gave up straps almost entirely a long time ago. Straps are not only hard to find but can be inconvenient when using a WLF. I find it much more convenient to mount on a quick-release adaptor on a monopod. When walking I collapse the monopods and carry it like an infant in a cradled arm.
 

logan2z

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+1 When I first bought my Hasselblad I was looking around for a strap to use with it. But I ended up using a quick release adapter and a tripod almost exclusively so no real need for a strap.
 

MattKing

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FWIW, I rely heavily on neckstraps.
 

Donald Qualls

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The RB67 strap lugs are square posts with round caps on them, so they'll lock the strap on under load, but are easy to remove. I searched eBay for "RB67 strap" and took my pick from the dozen or more offerings, photographed well enough I could see they had the correct lugs -- then waited for my new strap to arrive from China. I'm very happy with it.
 

GRHazelton

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My Pentax LX also uses studs for its neck strap. Very elegant, but far more costly than the usual straps. In addition the LX can be rigged to carry in the usual horizontal orientation, or vertically. If the right side grip is mounted orientation is vertical, since the grip uses a stud plus a screw for mounting. Nice!
 

mshchem

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I use straps. If I have a grip with a hand strap, I still have a quick release neck strap handy. My Hasselblads use a lug and a Hasselblad strap, same with my RZ's. All my other cameras I've standardized with (no longer made) Tamrac quick release straps. These are American made, the quick release nylon buckles have never failed, honestly I think they would hold 250 lbs. I take the straps off when I put them in my cabinet, nothing to get tangled up. They come off easily when putting the camera on a tripod.

The first thing I do when I get a camera is put on those Tamrac "pig-tails"

There's a heck of a lot of nice strap systems out there.
PS buy a nice coated UV filter for your lens too. (older Nikon L-37c or a shiny new B&W MRC 010 brass rings, never seize!)
 

BrianShaw

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I use the Tamrac system straps on all of my 35mm cameras. Fantastic strap.hunting for them on eBay requires patience...
 

Sirius Glass

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+10,000+ Absolutely correct.
 

Sirius Glass

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MattKing

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Alan Gales

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I use an Op/tech strap like Pieter12 recommends in post #6 on my Mamiya C220f. It's very comfortable and has quick releases to remove most of it when using a tripod.
 
OP
OP

Bormental

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Phew, thank you everyone! Mystery solved. TBH I am also not a big fan of straps, I do not usually carry the weight of a camera on them, I use them as an insurance against dropping. My GF670 is quite large and I usually just hold it in my hands and then carry it around in a camera bag, but I still use a wrist strap just in case (that beast is more expensive now then when it was new).

I am adding something older and heavier to my collection, and noticed this oddity. I'll probably get the Op/Tech strap, thanks again!
 

AgX

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dasBlute said:
I got straps for my rolleis from these folks, very well made... https://gordyscamerastraps.com/
Click to expand...
BrianShaw said:
I use the Tamrac system straps on all of my 35mm cameras. Fantastic strap.hunting for them on eBay requires patience...
Click to expand...


These straps are no solution of the issue covered in this thread: bolts at cameras instead of lugs.
Concerning Tamrac you may mean something diffeent. Tamrac Europe at least does not offer specific connectors.
 
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Jeremy Mudd

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As others have mentioned, most of the specific lugs for each camera are readily available. I've bought several on eBay. The hardest ones to find are the lugs for the Mamiya 645 Pro/TL with the weird left and right different ones (right one is different to work with the grip installed), and the lugs for the Kowa Six/SixMM/66.

Most of the time I just source the lugs and then use one of my many Peak Design straps that float between my various cameras. I dislike buying the complete manufacturers straps with the lugs because I generally hate the factory straps that come with the camera anyway.

Jeremy
 

Timothy Hyde

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+1 for Peak Design. I use a lot of different straps, including Luigi, but the Peak is both universal and versatile. You can get one set of removable neck and/or wrist straps and put the anchor connectors on each of your cameras. I have yet to see a camera this system won't work with.
 
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