La Cravate – String Theory
La Cravate – String Theory
Dear Friends,
For some of you, life has been unfair.
You've worked hard and accomplished many things. You’ve been kind and gentle to others, love your family and, above all, are passionate about your, well ... passion: Photography.
Yet, because of some cruel twist of fate, you’re being left out in the rain. Punished for choices you’ve made that felt right to you. Unjustly abandoned only to look on helplessly as fellow photographers are enjoying the benefits of superior equipment accessories available to them. But not to you.
Simply because you love to shoot with a camera like the amazing Ricoh GR shouldn’t limit your options. Simply because your camera doesn’t have the usual strap lugs to attach split rings to, is no reason whatsoever to have to miss out on the best thing ever to happen to wrist straps: La Cravate.
That is just not fair!
I believe it’s time to put an end to this nonsense.
So, without further ado here’s my small, non-scientific solution to the problem Stephen Hawking and I like to call "String Theory".
The problem: To attach a strap to a lug-less camera (like the Ricoh GR) some form of string is needed. Usually this string consists of waxed nylon or such. Although sturdy, a waxed nylon string lacks dramatically when it comes to resilience. It frays easily, turns ugly and doesn't last.
The solution: My kind of string is no string at all. In fact, it is made of 49 strands of flexible stainless steel wire, coated with black nylon for good looks. It is ultra thin (0.024"), doesn’t kink (unless forced) and has a load rating of 40lb.
If that doesn’t impress you, I suggest doing some Good Will Hunting: You’ll quickly realize you could attach not one but 74 Ricoh GR cameras and it still wouldn’t budge. How do you like them apples?!
To keep things tight, the wire loop is crimped twice (not visible) and wraps securely around the post of the rivet that anchors it.
The other end of that loop doesn’t need much explanation. There, you’ll find the ever so splendid Skinny La Cravate. Which of course comes in black, russet or dark brown. Now that's a choice that won’t leave you standing in the rain!
A Word of Caution
After reading the above, the following is likely a no-brainer for most. But let’s err on the side of caution, shall we.
To be clear, the La Cravate - String Theory is a specialty strap. It is only intended for use with small cameras – like the above mentioned Ricoh GR – that do not come with the usual strap lugs (for split rings) but instead have some form of opening to feed a string through. Which then doubles as wrist strap.
Please do not attach this strap to a camera with metal strap lugs. It doesn’t matter how strong the flexible steel wire is, it is not made to withstand the constant rubbing against those lugs.
Look at it from this perspective: Imagine a thick, round steel bar. It is so strong, you can’t bend it. But if you use a metal saw, you’ll cut through it like it’s a piece of butter.