Camera strap lugs: a lament and inquiry

Finn · 03-22-2013, 09:01 AM

I cannot be the only one who hates the current crop of DSLR strap lugs that sit recessed in the corners of the camera body. Try as I might, I haven't figured out a good way to attach metal rings to them so I can use older camera straps that attach with metal clips instead of the thin nylon webbing of newer straps. Incidentally, I am using a K-30 but this is a problem for a lot of newer DSLRs.

So, does anyone out there have a good fix?

atupdate · 03-22-2013, 09:09 AM

This product was brought up on another camera strap thread.

BosTail - Frees up the Tripod Socket. Eliminates Tripod Socket Attachment Fitting Other Straps Use. Attaches to Camera Strap Lug.

Tim

**TER-OR** · 03-22-2013, 09:38 AM

Interesting. I use a sling with tripod lug, this might be worth considering.

**grhazelton** · 03-22-2013, 11:37 AM

Thanks for the thread! I've wondered about the strength of camera body strap lugs. I remember reading elsewhere that the strap lugs on the Contax rangefinders weren't very strong, for example, and I've always had my doubts about any such lugs.

I would hope that the lugs on the 645 are pretty strong, given the weight of that camera and one of its bigger lenses.

I recently bought a Blackrapid sling for use with my K5 with battery grip. My intent is to use the Blackrapid only with a big zoom, and to then attach the sling to the lens tripod mount. Since the battery grip is plastic I have little faith in the strength of the grip's tripod socket, and having followed the link given above, not much more in the tripod socket on the camera body.

bobpur · 03-22-2013, 12:55 PM

The old triangular shaped split rings fit.

Finn · 03-22-2013, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by bobpur

The old triangular shaped split rings fit.

Really? I gave it a try, but no luck. Sounds like I'll have to try again. I have some groovy old neck straps in need of some DSLR love!

**Kerrowdown** · 03-22-2013, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by Finn

I have some groovy old neck straps

I guess we'll be able to pick you out in the crowd.

Bob from Aus · 03-22-2013, 01:48 PM

remove the straps and get something like the rapid strap system. The only issue is when you have two cameras both with these long straps kicking around the front of the car

PBandJ · 03-22-2013, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by bobpur

The old triangular shaped split rings fit.

You can probably also use O rings from a hardware store

snostorm · 03-23-2013, 09:58 AM

If the problem is finding a source for the split rings, I use 3/8' Stainless Steel heavy duty split rings that I bought at a fishing tackle shop. I've used these on all Pentax bodies previous to the K-7/K-5 series bodies that already come supplied with triangular split rings. A trick to installing them is to use a hemostat, slide one of the jaws between one of the split ends and clamp it, then once started, use the clamp to rotate the split ring until it seats.

Scott

Ratmagiclady · 03-23-2013, 09:05 PM

Originally posted by Finn

I cannot be the only one who hates the current crop of DSLR strap lugs that sit recessed in the corners of the camera body. Try as I might, I haven't figured out a good way to attach metal rings to them so I can use older camera straps that attach with metal clips instead of the thin nylon webbing of newer straps. Incidentally, I am using a K-30 but this is a problem for a lot of newer DSLRs.

So, does anyone out there have a good fix?

Simple, just 3/8" webbing links with a ring in the other end for the dog clips. I've been meaning to make some for a friend, now that you remind me.

Finn · 03-24-2013, 01:03 PM

Man, how I love the wisdom of the Internet! Thanks for the ideas!

PBandJ · 03-24-2013, 05:03 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

Simple, just 3/8" webbing links with a ring in the other end for the dog clips. I've been meaning to make some for a friend, now that you remind me.

I'd like to make set. Which parts, from where and what does it look like when done? Thanks!!

Ratmagiclady · 03-24-2013, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by PBandJ

I'd like to make set. Which parts, from where and what does it look like when done? Thanks!!

Basically, it's just a pair of links that have a ring on one end: it looks like the webbing at the end of a stock strap: you take a fairly short length and and you double it over itself into a little figure 8, including the ring of your choice in one end.

Basically, fold it roughly in thirds, putting the ring at one fold. You could sew that ring right there (It'll come out slimmer and tidier that way,) and then use a strap buckle to attach to camera, or you can use a buckle that's big enough to pass through three times, the last time being the one that goes through the camera's slots. Then you can trim any excess.

Can you visualize that? Links you could use seem to have come with a Domke Gripper strap to much the same ends.

03-22-2013, 09:01 AM	#1
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056	Camera strap lugs: a lament and inquiry I cannot be the only one who hates the current crop of DSLR strap lugs that sit recessed in the corners of the camera body. Try as I might, I haven't figured out a good way to attach metal rings to them so I can use older camera straps that attach with metal clips instead of the thin nylon webbing of newer straps. Incidentally, I am using a K-30 but this is a problem for a lot of newer DSLRs. So, does anyone out there have a good fix?

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03-22-2013, 09:09 AM	#2
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,723	This product was brought up on another camera strap thread. BosTail - Frees up the Tripod Socket. Eliminates Tripod Socket Attachment Fitting Other Straps Use. Attaches to Camera Strap Lug. Tim

03-22-2013, 09:38 AM	#3
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Interesting. I use a sling with tripod lug, this might be worth considering.

03-22-2013, 11:37 AM	#4
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Thanks for the thread! I've wondered about the strength of camera body strap lugs. I remember reading elsewhere that the strap lugs on the Contax rangefinders weren't very strong, for example, and I've always had my doubts about any such lugs. I would hope that the lugs on the 645 are pretty strong, given the weight of that camera and one of its bigger lenses. I recently bought a Blackrapid sling for use with my K5 with battery grip. My intent is to use the Blackrapid only with a big zoom, and to then attach the sling to the lens tripod mount. Since the battery grip is plastic I have little faith in the strength of the grip's tripod socket, and having followed the link given above, not much more in the tripod socket on the camera body.

03-22-2013, 12:55 PM	#5
bobpur Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 328	The old triangular shaped split rings fit.

03-22-2013, 01:03 PM	#6
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056 Original Poster	Originally posted by bobpur The old triangular shaped split rings fit. Really? I gave it a try, but no luck. Sounds like I'll have to try again. I have some groovy old neck straps in need of some DSLR love!

03-22-2013, 01:20 PM	#7
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,805	Originally posted by Finn I have some groovy old neck straps I guess we'll be able to pick you out in the crowd.

03-22-2013, 01:48 PM	#8
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	remove the straps and get something like the rapid strap system. The only issue is when you have two cameras both with these long straps kicking around the front of the car

03-22-2013, 02:02 PM	#9
PBandJ Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington DC metro area Photos: Gallery Posts: 480	Originally posted by bobpur The old triangular shaped split rings fit. You can probably also use O rings from a hardware store

03-23-2013, 09:58 AM	#10
snostorm Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago suburb, IL, USA Posts: 1,535	If the problem is finding a source for the split rings, I use 3/8' Stainless Steel heavy duty split rings that I bought at a fishing tackle shop. I've used these on all Pentax bodies previous to the K-7/K-5 series bodies that already come supplied with triangular split rings. A trick to installing them is to use a hemostat, slide one of the jaws between one of the split ends and clamp it, then once started, use the clamp to rotate the split ring until it seats. Scott

03-23-2013, 09:05 PM	#11
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by Finn I cannot be the only one who hates the current crop of DSLR strap lugs that sit recessed in the corners of the camera body. Try as I might, I haven't figured out a good way to attach metal rings to them so I can use older camera straps that attach with metal clips instead of the thin nylon webbing of newer straps. Incidentally, I am using a K-30 but this is a problem for a lot of newer DSLRs. So, does anyone out there have a good fix? Simple, just 3/8" webbing links with a ring in the other end for the dog clips. I've been meaning to make some for a friend, now that you remind me.

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03-24-2013, 01:03 PM	#12
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056 Original Poster	Man, how I love the wisdom of the Internet! Thanks for the ideas!

03-24-2013, 05:03 PM	#13
PBandJ Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington DC metro area Photos: Gallery Posts: 480	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady Simple, just 3/8" webbing links with a ring in the other end for the dog clips. I've been meaning to make some for a friend, now that you remind me. I'd like to make set. Which parts, from where and what does it look like when done? Thanks!!

03-24-2013, 06:33 PM	#14
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by PBandJ I'd like to make set. Which parts, from where and what does it look like when done? Thanks!! Basically, it's just a pair of links that have a ring on one end: it looks like the webbing at the end of a stock strap: you take a fairly short length and and you double it over itself into a little figure 8, including the ring of your choice in one end. Basically, fold it roughly in thirds, putting the ring at one fold. You could sew that ring right there (It'll come out slimmer and tidier that way,) and then use a strap buckle to attach to camera, or you can use a buckle that's big enough to pass through three times, the last time being the one that goes through the camera's slots. Then you can trim any excess. Can you visualize that? Links you could use seem to have come with a Domke Gripper strap to much the same ends.