18/04/2026 5:30 pm
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So I finally scored a clean single stroke M3 after years of shootin on an M6 but man the strap it came with is basically falling apart from dry rot. Ive been doing film for over a decade but Ive never had to worry about the lugs scratching the body this much before because my M6 had those little plastic protectors built in. My logic was to just grab a cheap leather strap but then I started overthinking the leather thickness and how it hangs.
Im heading to Tokyo in about three weeks for a street photography workshop so I need something thats actually gonna be comfortable for 8-10 hours of walking around Ginza. My budget is around $100 and I was looking at those Artisan and Artist silk cords or maybe a Rock n Roll strap but Im worried the silk might be too thin for the weight of the M3 with a Summicron attached. Does anyone use the peak design anchors on these old bodies or does that look too modern and clunky? I really dont want metal-on-metal rubbing against the chrome finish if I can help it. What are you guys using that actually balances well on the shoulder without slipping every five seconds? Looking for something that breaks in fast since I dont have much time before my trip...
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18/04/2026 5:30 pm
Holy cow, congrats on snagging a single stroke M3! That shutter sound is literally the best thing ever. I totally get the stress about the chrome finish tho, scratching those lugs is a total nightmare when you are used to the M6 plastic. You seriously dont need to spend a fortune to get something that works for a 10 hour street session in Ginza. I love finding gear that punches way above its price point!
- Gordys Camera Straps Horizontal Lug Neck Strap Latigo Leather
- This is my top pick because it is super affordable and the leather gets buttery soft after like two days of heavy use.
- Peak Design Leash Camera Strap Ash V2
- I know you asked about the anchors looking clunky, but honestly the functionality is fantastic when you are swapping film on the go.
- Vi Vante Matador Camera Strap 47-inch Leather
- If you want that high-end look for less than those silk cords, this one feels amazing on the shoulder. Definitely grab some leather lug protectors if the strap doesnt come with them... they cost like five bucks and save the resale value of that Leica! Have a blast in Tokyo, super jealous!
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18/04/2026 6:05 pm
Jumping in here... I used the Artisan & Artist ACAM-301N Silk Cord Strap Black for a week in Shinjuku and ngl, it felt like a cheese wire by noon. The M3 is just too dense for thin cords. I moved to the Rock n Roll M Classic Leather Strap Black and those leather links actually act like a shock absorber. It stays on the shoulder better and wont mar the finish if you use the lug flaps.
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18/04/2026 6:35 pm
I've been so satisfied with my M3 lately. Quick question tho, are you planning to carry it cross-body? I ask because I once spent a day in Osaka with a thin strap and my neck was killing me. I think I heard that some guys use cheap DIY rubber washers to stop scratching, but IIRC they look messy.
- wide pads save your neck
- nylon is way cheaper and wont stain Not sure about the dork-factor tho!
