roundg
Well-known
Sorry for the huge delay of this review. It should have come out 2 weeks ago.
Definitely it is not like that a case physically fit on a leica can be called a Leica case. The case must meet the taste of Leica users.
Leica itself makes everything gorgeous except for its never-ready case, which is a good protection but bulky for daily usage. In the market, you can find half case from Luigi (200EU range), A&A (150USD) and the one from Popflash (made in Japan, 110USD range).
So it's quite interesting to have a review on Mr. Zhou's USD50 half case to see what can be achieved within 50USD.
First of all, don't get it wrong. It's not a cheap clone copy with a "made in China" tag. It's an original design by Mr. Zhou. He didn't have any cases from Luigi, A&A on hand. He used his M3 and measured all the data he need.
Part (I) First Impression
The case is in a very attractive shape. Very smooth to fit my camera into the case. It's wrap the camera exactly well, no loose.
Leather feels great, very soft. It's in genuine leather, not feel cheap. I measure the thickness, 2.3-2.4mm in average. My luigi is 2.6-2.7mm. If you put them side by side, you will say, Luigi's is a case, and Mr. Zhou's is a glove for its softness. According to Mr. Zhou, he try to use the best material he can get in China. Of course, he can try those imported leather, better but definitely will run the price higher.
The internal layer is very well selected. I am not an expert in material. I can only say it's in genuine leather and as soft as that on my Luigi. I am very confident that it won't scratch your precious camera.
Handcraft. It's not purely hand-made. It's sewed by machine. Due to the reason, they can't use the thick lines as that on Luigi's, but still robust enough. The leather is well tailored and the sewing is good.
I can say the shape of the case if closer to A&A. Both have a wider shoulder than Luigi's. It makes it easier to fit and remove the case, but IMO, Luigi's design is more elegant.
On the right top part of the rear, Mr. Zhou's case has more protection on the camera. Good. I like it.
The most novel design of Mr. Zhou's case is the grips. The mini grip on Luigis has been considered as one of the best design. Mr. Zhou uses a bigger new moon shape grip on the front and another grip on the rear to support your thumb. you can be familiar with this kind of grip on many cameras, such as minolta X700. But it's the first design of this kind of thing on a leather case.
The grips are made by so call "heat molding" technique (correct me if you know the right name for it). In practical, they are great that you can hold your camera with one hand only very comfortably. I don't use heavy lenses. IMO, the case can fully replace the Leica M grip I normally put on my M4P.
More pics will be added.
Part (II) with a Luigi's case side by side
To be added later....
Definitely it is not like that a case physically fit on a leica can be called a Leica case. The case must meet the taste of Leica users.
Leica itself makes everything gorgeous except for its never-ready case, which is a good protection but bulky for daily usage. In the market, you can find half case from Luigi (200EU range), A&A (150USD) and the one from Popflash (made in Japan, 110USD range).
So it's quite interesting to have a review on Mr. Zhou's USD50 half case to see what can be achieved within 50USD.
First of all, don't get it wrong. It's not a cheap clone copy with a "made in China" tag. It's an original design by Mr. Zhou. He didn't have any cases from Luigi, A&A on hand. He used his M3 and measured all the data he need.
Part (I) First Impression
The case is in a very attractive shape. Very smooth to fit my camera into the case. It's wrap the camera exactly well, no loose.
Leather feels great, very soft. It's in genuine leather, not feel cheap. I measure the thickness, 2.3-2.4mm in average. My luigi is 2.6-2.7mm. If you put them side by side, you will say, Luigi's is a case, and Mr. Zhou's is a glove for its softness. According to Mr. Zhou, he try to use the best material he can get in China. Of course, he can try those imported leather, better but definitely will run the price higher.
The internal layer is very well selected. I am not an expert in material. I can only say it's in genuine leather and as soft as that on my Luigi. I am very confident that it won't scratch your precious camera.
Handcraft. It's not purely hand-made. It's sewed by machine. Due to the reason, they can't use the thick lines as that on Luigi's, but still robust enough. The leather is well tailored and the sewing is good.
I can say the shape of the case if closer to A&A. Both have a wider shoulder than Luigi's. It makes it easier to fit and remove the case, but IMO, Luigi's design is more elegant.
On the right top part of the rear, Mr. Zhou's case has more protection on the camera. Good. I like it.
The most novel design of Mr. Zhou's case is the grips. The mini grip on Luigis has been considered as one of the best design. Mr. Zhou uses a bigger new moon shape grip on the front and another grip on the rear to support your thumb. you can be familiar with this kind of grip on many cameras, such as minolta X700. But it's the first design of this kind of thing on a leather case.
The grips are made by so call "heat molding" technique (correct me if you know the right name for it). In practical, they are great that you can hold your camera with one hand only very comfortably. I don't use heavy lenses. IMO, the case can fully replace the Leica M grip I normally put on my M4P.
More pics will be added.
Part (II) with a Luigi's case side by side
To be added later....
Attachments
Last edited:
roundg
Well-known
Great review, thank you.
john neal
fallor ergo sum
I just ordered one in black for my MP - told it should be with me in a week to 10 days, can hardly wait. If it's as good as it looks, I will be getting a second for the M3.
I'll let you all know.
I'll let you all know.
-vin-
Established
looks really nice! and the price seems right.
boobo
Member
Thank you very much for the review! It's very interesting to read the review about my work. I saw your half face in the picture, Roundg
. You must come to my house when you visit Shanghai.
. You must come to my house when you visit Shanghai.monochromejrnl
Well-known
can someone post Mr. Zhou's contact? I'd like to order one as well. THanks for the review.
boobo
Member
I can't post an AD in RFF's classifieds because it's for private sellers, not dealers. If you like to order one, it's available on eBay now.
monochromejrnl said:
waileong
Well-known
You left out the Kameraleder case, possibly the best case ever made, although some would argue for Luigi.
ChadHahn
Established
boobo said:
I see on ebay that it's $55.00 for the case and $16.00 for the shipping. Any special Rangefinderfourm prices?
Chad
boobo
Member
ChadHahn said:
I could cut off $2 from the case price. Thanks
Bosk
Make photos, not war.
I bought one for my M2 on eBay today.
They look great, and for that price it seems like a no-brainer. I wouldn't even be surprised if Mr. Zhou decides to raise the price eventually, given the costs of the competition.
I'll post my impressions when the case arrives.
They look great, and for that price it seems like a no-brainer. I wouldn't even be surprised if Mr. Zhou decides to raise the price eventually, given the costs of the competition.
I'll post my impressions when the case arrives.
sergiojaenlara
Rangefinder rookie
Do you have the link to Mr.Zhou's shop?
alexz
Well-known
The case indeed looks temtping, however what bugs me (also with Luigi cases) - the lack of ISO dial observing facility on the back. I'd probably really consider that fine case by Mr. Zhou would it offer some kind of sealed ISO window like the one available on standard not_commonly_appreciated Leica never_ready case. Just cutting the hole on the back doesn't appeal to me being prone to gathering dust and dirt inside quite easily.
Mr. Zhou, is it possible to make a sealed window on the back for ISO dial observation ? Sealed by some kind of hardened transparent plastic sewed/stiched into the leather (kind of Leica's own approach) ? If it is, how much price increase it can generate ?
Mr. Zhou, is it possible to make a sealed window on the back for ISO dial observation ? Sealed by some kind of hardened transparent plastic sewed/stiched into the leather (kind of Leica's own approach) ? If it is, how much price increase it can generate ?
ampguy
Veteran
I'd like one
I'd like one
i'll dig around on ebay.
I'd like one
i'll dig around on ebay.
boobo said:
oscroft
Veteran
If anyone can find it, I'd greatly appreciate a link to Mr Zhou's eBay shop too - for that kind of price, I think my M6 might be getting an early Xmas present.
lewis44
Well-known
Here's the link for eBay
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZjiozhou
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZjiozhou
R
RML
Guest
Boy, would I like one for my Epson R-D1. Hint hint!
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Anyone try this on an M7? I wonder if the opening in back is large enough for adjusting your exposure compensation?
lewis44
Well-known
Somewhere I think I read that the opening is added if you ask for it and it takes a few extra days to get it. If that is the case, you may be able to specify and get what you want.
I was thinking the same thing for my M7. I've got a Luigi case for it with the Motor M, but this would work with the motor off. I'm not sure though.
I have to take the case off to change film, so I change the asa at the same time
Randy
I was thinking the same thing for my M7. I've got a Luigi case for it with the Motor M, but this would work with the motor off. I'm not sure though.
I have to take the case off to change film, so I change the asa at the same time
Randy