kshapero
South Florida Man
These cases look great. Although I am a very satisfied Luigi customer, I am glad to see the RF world thriving.
Review on Mr.Zhou's USD50 half case
- Thread starter roundg
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ywenz
Veteran
I wish Zhou would come out some other colors.. like a more orangeish brown..
-kk-
Established
any chance of a CL case in the near future? i'll be very interested 🙂
raid
Dad Photographer
I have just received my black Zhou half-case for evaluation. Thank you, Zhou.
I waited extra time to get a black version for my black M6. I will compare the Zhou half-case to a Luigi half-case and a [modified from full] Leica half-case.
I wish Zhou would add/offer a leather strap to make a complete package [for money]
Raid
I waited extra time to get a black version for my black M6. I will compare the Zhou half-case to a Luigi half-case and a [modified from full] Leica half-case.
I wish Zhou would add/offer a leather strap to make a complete package [for money]
Raid
sergiojaenlara
Rangefinder rookie
Do yo know if this case can fit on a voigtlander bessa r2?
raid
Dad Photographer
It fits a Contax IIIa quite well. I am happy about this fact.
raid
Dad Photographer
I don't want to repeat what others already have posted above. I tried out Zhou's half-case, and I compared it with a Luigi half-case and a modified Leica half-case. I requested from Zhou a black half case.Imade all pics B&W but you can see that Luigi's case is in brown and so is the one by Leica.
The immediate observations:
1. The Leica case is 2.5 times as heavy as either cases by Zhou or Luigi. It is the least elegant looking case but the most sturdy and protective of the three.
2. Between Luigi and Zhou, there is a slight edge to Luigi's case for perfection. I like Luigi's case from the front more since there is no needlepoint being seen as in Zhou's case where stitches are shown in the middle lower part of the case.
3. Zhou's case has a great hand grip feature. I like it.
4. Zhou's case fits more readily a camera than Luigi's case. Both cases are like gloves, with the Luigi case being softer.
5. I am able to use the Zhou Leica M case on my Contax IIIa with ease.
6. An important feature is sturdiness over time,and this feature needs to be revisited a few months from now.
The following photos will show you side by side and individual cases:
The first two images show the Zhou and the Luigi half cases side by side. Both look and feel really good.
Images 3 and 4 show the Leica and the Zhou half cases side by side. The Leica case has a tripod mount metal attachment that screws into the tripod mount.
Here we see the Zhou and Luigi half cases.
This is followed by showing these two half cases with a Contax IIIa and Leica M6.
Lastly, I compared the fit of Zhou's half case for the M3 with the Leica half-case. Zhou's half case fits more snugly.
Overall, I am very pleased with how the Zhou half case looks on the M3, M6, and even the Contax IIIa. It is well made and the gripis a great addition. I chose a model without an opening for the ASA setting. A matching leather strap would be great.
Raid
The immediate observations:
1. The Leica case is 2.5 times as heavy as either cases by Zhou or Luigi. It is the least elegant looking case but the most sturdy and protective of the three.
2. Between Luigi and Zhou, there is a slight edge to Luigi's case for perfection. I like Luigi's case from the front more since there is no needlepoint being seen as in Zhou's case where stitches are shown in the middle lower part of the case.
3. Zhou's case has a great hand grip feature. I like it.
4. Zhou's case fits more readily a camera than Luigi's case. Both cases are like gloves, with the Luigi case being softer.
5. I am able to use the Zhou Leica M case on my Contax IIIa with ease.
6. An important feature is sturdiness over time,and this feature needs to be revisited a few months from now.
The following photos will show you side by side and individual cases:
The first two images show the Zhou and the Luigi half cases side by side. Both look and feel really good.
Images 3 and 4 show the Leica and the Zhou half cases side by side. The Leica case has a tripod mount metal attachment that screws into the tripod mount.
Here we see the Zhou and Luigi half cases.
This is followed by showing these two half cases with a Contax IIIa and Leica M6.
Lastly, I compared the fit of Zhou's half case for the M3 with the Leica half-case. Zhou's half case fits more snugly.
Overall, I am very pleased with how the Zhou half case looks on the M3, M6, and even the Contax IIIa. It is well made and the gripis a great addition. I chose a model without an opening for the ASA setting. A matching leather strap would be great.
Raid
Last edited:
retow
Well-known
Will there be a Zhou half case for the M8 soon?
ferider
Veteran
My case review
My case review
I got my case yesterday from Mr. Zhou - Thank you !
It was very well packed (in a nice hard card box).
I can compare to Luigi cases (although all of my Luigi cases have built-in
grips) and a no-name "made in Italy" leather case, see roundg's original post.
Compared to the no-name case, the leather feels much better -
very similar to the leather used in the Luigi cases. It also has
nice leather smell. The case is just a tiny bit thinner than a
Luigi case and differently cut. In the front, the cut does
permit easy removal of fat lenses, like the Canon 50/1.2, which is
important to me. From the user's point of view, maybe the most
important difference is the thumb grip on the back - very useful
(no torque on the flash shoe 😉 ). The case is also a little higher
on the left and right camera edges.
I can recommend the case. My wish to Mr. Zhou is to make cases
for classic cameras where there is no alternative to the factory
cases, like the Olympus OMs. And straps, please. The strap
in the picture below is a Luigi strap, in the same price range
as the new case ...
Best,
Roland.
PS: to show the general look and detail of the cases cut, here are some photos (larger pictures in http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/3225396). The brown case is a Luigi case.
My case review
I got my case yesterday from Mr. Zhou - Thank you !
It was very well packed (in a nice hard card box).
I can compare to Luigi cases (although all of my Luigi cases have built-in
grips) and a no-name "made in Italy" leather case, see roundg's original post.
Compared to the no-name case, the leather feels much better -
very similar to the leather used in the Luigi cases. It also has
nice leather smell. The case is just a tiny bit thinner than a
Luigi case and differently cut. In the front, the cut does
permit easy removal of fat lenses, like the Canon 50/1.2, which is
important to me. From the user's point of view, maybe the most
important difference is the thumb grip on the back - very useful
(no torque on the flash shoe 😉 ). The case is also a little higher
on the left and right camera edges.
I can recommend the case. My wish to Mr. Zhou is to make cases
for classic cameras where there is no alternative to the factory
cases, like the Olympus OMs. And straps, please. The strap
in the picture below is a Luigi strap, in the same price range
as the new case ...
Best,
Roland.
PS: to show the general look and detail of the cases cut, here are some photos (larger pictures in http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/3225396). The brown case is a Luigi case.
Last edited:
ferider
Veteran
sergiojaenlara said:
I'm confident it doesn't because of the strap lug locations.
Roland.
R
rich815
Guest
roundg said:
Luigi's half case can be found in this site's classified for about 100 euros or $140 USD.
ywenz
Veteran
freider: great pics.. thanks for posting. I didn't know he made them in black...
raid
Dad Photographer
I agree with all of the points that Roland stated above. The Canon 50/1.2 is a big lens, and having the half case permit its full use is a big plus.
I should add that my Leica case has the strap attached to it and not the camera whereas both of Luigi and Zhou have the strap not attached to the case.
I will leave my black Zhou half case on the Contax IIIa since it already has a black Luigi hand strap. They match beautifully, and the Contax suddenly looks more luxurious!
I also received the case in a black box. This was a nice touch.
I should add that my Leica case has the strap attached to it and not the camera whereas both of Luigi and Zhou have the strap not attached to the case.
I will leave my black Zhou half case on the Contax IIIa since it already has a black Luigi hand strap. They match beautifully, and the Contax suddenly looks more luxurious!
I also received the case in a black box. This was a nice touch.
murrayb53
Established
I too ordered a black case a few days ago. Interestingly, the initial offering of black cases have sold out and another lot went on sale. The initial offering of brown cases still has 3 remaining.
Seems more folks like the black so far.
Steve
Seems more folks like the black so far.
Steve
raid
Dad Photographer
Steve,
I have three brown cases by other manufacturers,and then I added a black Zhou case. It is very nice looking on a black body with a black strap. Keep colors away from it. No colorful straps.
I have three brown cases by other manufacturers,and then I added a black Zhou case. It is very nice looking on a black body with a black strap. Keep colors away from it. No colorful straps.
ampguy
Veteran
I got a black one
I got a black one
on ebay yesterday, and confirmation that it shipped this morning.
Nothing special, so I don't think it will have the asa dial cutout, but I don't think I need it for the m6, as I just set it once (when I remember to...) while changing film.
I got a black one
on ebay yesterday, and confirmation that it shipped this morning.
Nothing special, so I don't think it will have the asa dial cutout, but I don't think I need it for the m6, as I just set it once (when I remember to...) while changing film.
murrayb53 said:
roundg
Well-known
As I know, Mr. Zhou has made small batch of cases with the asa dial cutout. The cutout doesnot fit M7's I think, only for M3 to M6.
IMO, no need for the cutout for M3 to M6.
IMO, no need for the cutout for M3 to M6.
murrayb53
Established
My Postman just delivered the black half case. This is just after paying for it on the 27th. Pretty Fast !!!
As far as the case is concerned, this purchase is really a no brainer. IMO it is well worth the dollars spent.
I do own a Luigi DeLuxe Neckstrap. I was concerned if the larger split ring that Luigi uses would fit easily through the snap case closures. They did with great ease. I find the fit of my M3 to be perfect, like a glove.
The leather is soft enough to the touch while being firm enough to keep hold of the shape of the body.
I feel this item is a bargin for the price. It will be interesting to see if it remains at this price point.
In regards to Luigi's case compared to this, it's a personal choice that really comes down to a better choice to leather and workmanship, a larger assortment of camera manufacturers, and the bottom line.....at least three times the cost.
I say this while not trying to imply this case is of a lesser quality. Its quality appears fine enough to hold and protect our cameras in a fasionable and affordable manner.
BTW, the built in front and rear grip make this case stand out. They really help.
As previously stated, the case is delivered in a white draw-string bag and packed in a black cardboard box.
The presentation is nice.
Steve
As far as the case is concerned, this purchase is really a no brainer. IMO it is well worth the dollars spent.
I do own a Luigi DeLuxe Neckstrap. I was concerned if the larger split ring that Luigi uses would fit easily through the snap case closures. They did with great ease. I find the fit of my M3 to be perfect, like a glove.
The leather is soft enough to the touch while being firm enough to keep hold of the shape of the body.
I feel this item is a bargin for the price. It will be interesting to see if it remains at this price point.
In regards to Luigi's case compared to this, it's a personal choice that really comes down to a better choice to leather and workmanship, a larger assortment of camera manufacturers, and the bottom line.....at least three times the cost.
I say this while not trying to imply this case is of a lesser quality. Its quality appears fine enough to hold and protect our cameras in a fasionable and affordable manner.
BTW, the built in front and rear grip make this case stand out. They really help.
As previously stated, the case is delivered in a white draw-string bag and packed in a black cardboard box.
The presentation is nice.
Steve
Silva Lining
CanoHasseLeica
I've just ordered a black Zhou case for my M3 - to go with my Luigi Neck Strap - sounds like a good match according te the reviews on here.... I'll post some pics when it arrives.
raid
Dad Photographer
I wish Mr. Zhou would make a case for the Rolleiflex SL2000F. There may be very few customers!