Question about Leica ever-ready case

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gudlagoba

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My M2 needs a case. I am presently using the brown voigtlander case that came with my R2 but the R2 wants it back.

So the question:

1. Cases for M2/M3 that I see on ebay, will they work?
2. My M2 has the different tripod socket (wider one so probably 1/4"). Is this the standard tripod socket size on all M2's or should I be asking the ebay sellers what type of screw there is on the case?

Thanks for your help!
 
The M2 has either a 1/4" (smaller) thread or 3/8" (larger) thread in the baseplate. Ideally, you should buy the case with the corresponding thread. However, if your M2 has the 3/8" (larger) thread you can buy an adapter to reduce it to the 1/4" size if you wish to purchase a case with a 1/4" thread.

Hope this makes sense!
 
Old cases can be a problem - at least spray some Lysol on the felt and let it air dry. Check the strap for cracks and apply some horse grease (from Local Shoe Repair Shop.)
The tripod bush adapter is OK, but make sure it is made of brass and not Aluminum.
 
Leica Ever-Ready cases are a matter of personal choice - some people swear by them and others at them! Personally, I don't use any case at all with my M cameras but with my early Barnack cameras I use Ever-Ready cases with the top cut off to make a half case.
 
As John says. I stopped using cases in the mid 1970s. Had to use a half case with the Zorki 1C I had, though, because it had no strap lugs. I realise that a case would be valuable protection in my bag, which is neither padded nor hard.
 
Thanks for the the informative replies! I do have a lot of choices, and yes, I need to be careful with those old cases. I would hate to have something smeared on my M2. Perhaps those resin cases might be good. Luxe case was very nice too. The prices were in Won so I guess I'll need to email them. I am so used to having my cameras in cases that they feel a bit naked without one.

If anyone else is reading this thread, any suggestion on where I can get the tripod bush adapter for 3/8" down to 1/4"?

Thanks everyone!
 
Zhou cases are very good indeed and maybe that's what I will have to get. But how I wish Mr. Zhou would just add a nice top cover to the bottom half and make a complete case of it... :)
There is the brown case for $59 from the bartender, just checked his website.

Thanks for all the replies!
 
"... any suggestion on where I can get the tripod bush adapter for 3/8" down to 1/4"?"

Vancouver's better photo shops should have the adapter bushing. If you can't find one, www.fedka.com sells them at a price so reasonable that you can buy more than one.
 
I'm no collector, but I've never used anything but the Leica ever-ready case on my M3. I suspect it was original to the camera. Given the price differences between used Leica cases in good condition and the nice third-party leather cases, there would have to be some pretty big advantages to convince me to buy a modern case.

FWIW, I have old leather cases many of my cameras and have never had a problem with fungus or corrosion. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but if your storage conditions are conducive to growing mold on your case then your camera is probably not happy there, either.
 
Should you opt or come across an original classic Leica leather case, you can bring a lot of life back in to it by conditioning with Lanolin based products. While I have a Luigi case, I wanted to do some restorative treatment to my grandfathers original camera case which had become dry and stiff. I had to avoid any use of it because it invarably would cause cracking of the leather. I did a web search and came accross this article: http://www.german-helmets.com/LEATHER%20BALMS.htm I used the Pecard's dressing. It took at least three applications but it softened and conditioned the leather of the case and it's strap to being fully and appreciatively usable. A warning about Pecard's however... it's doesn't take nearly as much as you might think ( a little goes a long way) and it's easy to overstock yourself. The shipping is rather high in my opinion also. I know Bag-Balm is mostly Lanolin based (available at Wal-Mart) but I have not tried it on anything so to recommend it's use on old dry leather. It would be a cheaper alternative but I would suggest testing it on a junk piece beforehand. Avoid buying cases with extensive or large cracking, as nothing can reverse this type of damage except a magic wand. As for mold...just smell....it will tell...no matter how old! I've never had a mold issues with mine. *fingers crossed*
 
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I only use original cases, for my zorki's, kievs and leica's (M and LTM). I like the old M2/M3 bag so much - you can easily use it as half case - that I bought one for my M7. As long as you regularly use the cases and camera's and store them dry, you will have no problem with mold and fungus. Lovely thing about these original cases is also that you can find very good ones for low prices;).
 
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