From the people who brought you the best camera in the world…
Da dun da da dun!
I present…
The best camera strap in the world!
This is the Leica 14312.
I believe that it first surfaced in the 1990’s but I invite a more knowledgeable Leicaphile to comment on its precise origins. All that I know is that this is the best camera strap that I’ve ever used and I’m happy to inflate its reputation in true Leica tradition!
Psst! Please don’t close this page just because you don’t own or potentially even despise Leica! You may just find that this strap is perfect for your Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Fuji, whatever too! Guess what? Nobody else has copied this design yet! So read on, weary-necked photographer!
Many shooters seem to use their camera straps as a form of self-expression. Leica shooters tend to sport multi-hundred dollar, handcrafted Italian leather straps which often match their hot shoe covers, soft shutter releases and other pointless jewelry that seem to oppose any concept of utilitarian stealth that they may have idealized when choosing Leica.
Other classic camera shooters choose bright, nostalgic wide woven “hippie straps” which loudly announce their presence and retro style.
The DSLR crowd who aren’t using fake vintage hippie straps to match their fake vintage film filters, are usually more utilitarian and will typically advertise their camera model in bold lettering on their straps.
Grandpas use bloated, ugly neoprene things with massive plastic Tinker Toy-like plastic fittings that resemble medical apparatuses.
If the 14312 had a nose, it would thumb it at these embarrassing fashion and function faux pas.
Oh Leica 14312, how do I love thee?! Let me count the ways…
1–The 14312 is made of common, soft, strong black nylon that should last 30-40 years, has about the same carbon footprint as wool and matches every ensemble. It isn’t made of dead animals and will not split and break with age like leather. It will not irritate allergies or cause dermatitis like neoprene. As such, it’s perhaps the only thing that Leica’s ever sold that wasn’t pretentious!
2–The 14312 is easily adjusted quickly without loose strap ends flicking about like the unsightly, untied shoe laces of an unkempt child.
3–The 14312, in all the frills of simplicity, features a basic rubber neck pad. Unlike every other manufacturers’ neck pad , the 14312’s pad is fixed in position so as not to be chased about clumsily, making one appear idiotic. The neck pad isn’t bloated. It features, in understated black-on-black, the word “LEICA” which is, as it were, enough said.
4–The 14312 is as compact as it is tidy. The clips and length adjusters are small but effective. Metal where metal is good, plastic where plastic is good. Nothing more, nothing less. Stows easily in a camera bag, does not block ones lens or rangefinder windows when lifting the camera to the eye, coils round the wrist if one chooses to hold it like that, wraps neatly around the camera body when not in use.
5–This is where I get excited. My absolute favorite, completely indispensable feature of the 14312 are these fucking ingenious anchor clips.
Hippie straps are fast/easy to remove but their big medieval metal spring clips scratch the shit out of the corners of your top plate. Metal keychain-style split rings will break your fingernails and patience trying to install or remove them. Nylon strap loops can come undone (I’ve seen it) and also take a hot minute to install or remove. But these guys, THESE GUYS are goddamn foolproof!
You’ve got the reliability of a metal split-ring but with open ends that are easy to install/uninstall. The locking plastic cover also serves to protect the top plate from scratching/brassing. INGENIOUS!
What would you expect to pay for this modern marvel of stylish grace and effective simplicity?!
$300?
$150?
Believe it or not, the 14312 is one of the few Leica products that isn’t grossly overpriced! You can buy one brand new in a collectible official Leica box for just $50 at B&H! That’s right! Just FIFTY U.S. DOLLARS!!!
WOW! They must be crazy! But not so crazy that if you call now, you’ll get an extra one for free. 😉
I currently own three 14312 but am slowly replacing all my 35mm camera straps with them. How about you? Are you sold on the Leica 14312? Is it the best camera strap in the world?!
Follow, Favorite, Like, Add, Insult, Contact Johnny Martyr
The Thoughts & Photography of Johnny Martyr 
Hi Johnny, Interesting, I use Nikon straps on everything, including my Leica’s. I like them because they don’t scream “expensive camera!” The Leica strap clips are pretty compelling, and at that price I might try one.
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I don’t really buy the whole “steal me” thing that Leica shooters are always worried about. We know they’re costly but I don’t think that the average person, or probably the average thief even knows the name much less that it’s a luxury brand. And the fact that you’re wearing the strap should be a deterrent enough, I’d think! However, those bright yellow Nikon letters, to me, that’s screaming! There are some Nikons that are more costly than Leicas and everyone knows Nikon. But yeah, those clips are at the heart of why I love these straps. If you give it a try, let me know what you think! Thanks for the comment!
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Yeah, I gotta agree with you that this is probably the best all around camera strap out there. I was skeptical when I first saw one of these but became a believer after putting it on my camera—so easy and then after a day of carrying my camera around on this strap–so comfortable.
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I didn’t want to believe it either. But there it is! Glad you like the strap too!
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I use a Swarovski Optic comfort strap on my Nikon F2 which is like this in a lot of ways but has some features unique to this strap which I have seen on no other. The top section is stretchy Neoprene cloth-backed but the ends are where it gets interesting, there is a plastic piece with a rectangular slot which has a rotating pegged barrel with a lever on it to adjust the strap length. The camera attachment parts are old school slotted peg strap ends but have a sliding plastic cover which locks them in place and stops the camera getting scratched. Materials are very high quality and the stitching is perfect so should last a long time, makes the F2 feel like an Olympus Trip Lol.
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Is this the strap? Sounds and looks interesting
https://aa.swarovskioptik.com/birding/comfort-carrying-strap-c21040103/comfort-carrying-strap-p5006107
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Funny – I agree with you completely about the idiocy of using a fancy ass strap that screams LOOK AT ME!! But I am a Leica and Fuji shooter and always dispose of the Leica straps – love the clips, hate that stiff rubber pad on the latter, and hate everything about those neoprene monsters Fuji gives out. Instead, I put Domke gripper straps on all my cameras; less than half the cost of the Leica straps; available in tan, dark blue, and black; available in a couple widths; easily adjustable; o rings with leather protectors for attaching to the camera; avavilble with swivels so they never get tangled; rubber gripper backing so they don’t slide around. Totally utilitarian, at reasonable cost, without any branding. Try ‘em; you’ll like ‘em. (Great bags too.)
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I’ve tried a lot of straps because they usually come with the cameras I pick up. The problem is, I wear my camera across my shoulders, not just around my neck, and there aren’t a lot long enough for that. Why can’t thet make straps just a *little* bit longer???
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I do the same but haven’t had a problem with most straps, definitely not the Leica. Maybe I’m a smaller guy.
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Haha, probably 😀
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http://www.duenorthleather.com
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I am using now a Simplr F1 ultralight (for a Fujifilm X100t – I know, it’s digital!) but it is inconspicuous and sturdy enough
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Sounds cool, I’ll check it out!
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Brilliant.
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This is the strap I currently have as well. (Very regretfully) sold the M6 TTL, but kept this because as written here, it is basically what a camera strap should be.
Two things:
– That locking mechanism is not fool-proof in my experience. It could have been my mistake, but it did slip away twice, luckily I did catch it in time, but it was worrying nevertheless and I don’t want to check it constantly.
– With the Sony cameras (and also the M6 TTL) it did scratch the sides of the camera, I tried to add some gaffer tape near the mounting point, but is is not ideal.
So right now, I just don’t use a strap at all on the street. I probably would, if I used the viewfinder at all times, or if I didn’t want to keep the camera in a bag when not shooting, although some people here already give a disapproving look even just seeing a camera hanging around.
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Thanks for your input on the 14312. Admittedly, I can’t fathom how the lock would fail or, particularly, how the metal clip could scratch a camera, but hey, how we use things can differ.
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Hi! What’s the name of that grip on your film Leica?
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It’s a Leica Handgrip M 14405. Cheap if purchased used. Fits most, if not all 35mm M’s. I like to use it with heavier lenses or when not using a neckstrap.
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If only it didn’t have a Leica logo, it would be the perfect strap.
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If you let a brand name stop you from using a good tool, you’re perhaps demonstrating your own point! 😉
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More like I don’t want to spend $$$$$$$ just to take casual photos.
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Sorry. Hit enter before I finished typing. I have no Leicas and I just won’t out a Leica strap on my Fuji when there alternatives that work better in my opinion.
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I resent your characterization of grandpas. I’m a grandpa and I use Peak Design straps for my DSLR and mirrorless gear. ;-P I do share your frustration with split ring straps though. I have a nice ONA Lima strap that I use for dressier occasions and I want to break shit every time I try to put that strap on a camera.
I recently picked up a used R5 and I do very much like the 14312 that came with it.
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No offense to grandpas intended! I’m sure they many are far better shooters than I! Glad you like the 14312 on the R5!
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It may be hard to believe but I have worn one of these out, the plastic collars started moving around after about a decade and the ring worked its way out of the camera lug. Almost dumped on the ground, but I caught it and bought another of the exact same strap.
I don’t get the charm of the PD straps. They rattle.
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I would love to buy one of these straps but there seems to be disagreement over the length. B&H and Leica both say max length is 42″ yet many report length to be much longer (more like 48-50″).
Is there a difference in length between the one with script logo as opposed to block logo? Can someone please confirm the actual max length? I tend to prefer longer straps, so 42 would not work for me at all.
Thank so much in advance!
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Hey Jeff, glad you’re interested in the 14312. I own three. One came with my NIB M6 TTL and it has the script so for the other two, I made sure to purchase the version with the script logo too. I think that this is the newer/current of the two styles and I honestly couldn’t tell you if the block logo version differs in any way from the script version. My straps are adjusted to about 48inches with a bit to spare. I don’t want to claim a precise length longer than 48′ because you’d get into the problem of the hardware interfering if adjusted too closely together. Let me know how you like it!
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Hi Johnny, Thanks so much for your quick reply!
I believe the script version is the older version. So now, all I need is confirmation from someone who owns the block version. I’d prefer the script myself, but that’s a small want. 48 inches is more than enough, so I’ll have to confirm exactly what B&H and Adorama (and others) are actually selling.
Actually, I have a rack of straps, some many years old, and suffer a penchant for swapping them out whenever the mood strikes. This one will hold my recently acquired Q2, just nice and simple.
Again, many thanks,
Jeff
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Forgive my imprecision. When you said that the block version is newer, I realised that I was mistaken in my previous comment because I bought one of mine new. I have two block logos and one script. I guess that I use the script the most so it’s what was on my mind. There is also a block logo version with slightly different looking hardware. That is what I was thinking of. At any rate, I measured the block version and it is about the same as the script version; 48’+. Hope this helps!
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So then, it appears that they are both roughly the same length. I’ll keep an eye out for the hardware difference, but otherwise I should be good to go.
Thanks again Johnny, you’ve been especially helpful!
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Poker has turn out to be a multibillion dollar industry. Video Poker – Is the most payable video games in an online casino and live casino. According to Jeff and Krista, the images on-line truly doesn’t give it justice.
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The 14312 strap came together with my R9 back in 2010, i have since used it with the R9 for the last 11 years. The strap is just damn good. Because i just got myself a second R9 i need to find another identical Leica 14312 strap (because it is just that good). I googled it (to buy it), and chance upon your page. It is no exaggeration the strap is very very good. I wish u had kept it a secret forever… because i i saw the price at B&H is now more expensive!
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Oh, did the price go up? Seems to be happening with everything lately! Glad you’re enjoying your 14312 though!
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These seem to be discontinued now, alas. Been searching for one for my Fuji X100V. Perhaps since Leica is now a “luxury brand”, selling a somewhat-reasonably-priced nylon strap — even if it’s widely regarded on the internets as the best camera strap in the world — doesn’t help the “image”. (These days I should say “optics” 🤣 ) Anyway, after a long search, I finally saw one in “excellent” condition at the site of the used camera gear seller KEH and took the plunge ($64 shipped). I will report back when I actually have the thing. 🤓
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After a precursory search, I’m not seeing the 14312 for sale in the usual places either. Your theories about “optics” (haha, yeah) are probably spot-on. The good news is that the used market has been awash with these for as long as I can remember. I hope you enjoy it!
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Yeah my guess is the price is rather high on eBay at the moment — many sellers in Japan are asking about $90 including shipping to the US — because they have just been discontinued. Most likely the price will come down in a few months. An interesting question would be, if they really have been discontinued, does that mean another maker could make a similar strap but with the much-loved attachment bits that are supposedly so easy to attach? Even if Leica has a patent on those, the company would be smart to sell the right to use that design to other strap makers. In other words, Leica the company would be making a little extra money without hurting the “brand”. Since Leica is now part owned by a big famous Wall Street investment company, and since we know those companies love one thing and one thing only, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this happen. 😉
I am very curious whether the one I bought is the “new” design, or the “old” design. Well… we shall see and I will report back!
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I will have to write Leica to see what the status in on the straps. But I think it’s common for prices to be inflated by some Leica sellers on eBay. Legitimate shops often charge less. Might be smart to check with Tamarkin.com.
Good question about the anchor hardware. It’s such a simple and effective solution.
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Well… just following up… I received mine in the mail on Friday. That is indeed a great strap. Searching around the ‘net you can see that this strap (at least under this model number – Leica 14312) has been made in various different versions. The one I got is what I guess is the “mid-period”(?) version, with LEICA in block letters on a tapered rubber shoulder pad, and the connectors are the “looks like folded legs” kind, not the “looks like an hourglass” kind that you can see in some photos online. (I’m guessing the “hourglass” version is the later version as those connectors seem to me to be simplified.) Anyway, it’s a free market, and Leica has just discontinued this, so supply suddenly dried up while demand is still out there. Thus you can see it has been selling on eBay recently for $50 to over $100. Most likely as demand fades the price will drop in coming months.
Bottom line: it’s a great strap for lighter cameras. I particularly like that once you set the length to your liking, you don’t have a lot of extra strap flapping around. The downside is that it’s not as easy as some other straps to quickly change from across-the-body length to around-the-neck length. However, if you don’t want to change the length, this is definitely the strap to beat.
Now I’m wondering if Leica discontinued this because they intend to make much the same strap (with the great connectors) in leather. That would seem to fit the new image as a “luxury brand”. If so, I’m glad I got one of these, even at an inflated price, as I prefer nylon to leather anyway.
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I have this strap and can’t say enough good things about how much I enjoy using it. Its just perfect for my use.
Thanks for the great review Johnny.
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Hi Johnny,
There is also another Leica strap, very similar (if not same) design with same fixing and with Leica name in block script.
Leica item code number is 14253
Accompanying sticker says
34536 – Leica Original Carrying Strap
14253 for Leica M / Leica R
Regards
Duncan
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