Leica LTM What case do you guys use?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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beyond

Jason Beyond
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May 4, 2009
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Hi all. I just received my Leica IIIF. Am looking for a case. I have gone to have a look at ebay. They have primarily two types. Luigi and Zhou. Luigi is priced out of my range. But I would like to hear from Luigi and Zhou users. Thanks. :)
 
Luigi uses the best leather and you get a good swif of expensive leather everytime you raise the camera to take a snap. Not all leather is the same. Hard leather comes form the cow's behind. Luigi uses only the finest.
 
I have 3 cases from Mr Zhou (2x LTM + M series), including one of his LTM prototypes, and have found them to be really good quality for the price - and he ships quickly.

I have no experience of the Luigi products, they are out of my price range at the moment.
 
Luigi half-case for me + Luigi strap. Superb craftsmanship, and like 35mmdelux said, it smells awesome! The tactile sensation is also very sensual :D

4040084586_db2144a5f5_o.jpg
 
My "user case" that goes on whatever Barnack is in my kit on a given day, is the bottom half from a Leica IIIg case. ( They have metal strap loops riveted to the ends of the case, and will take a modern wide-strap)

KEH has decent prices on OEM leica cases.

You can also find Leica "half-cases" on e-bay for cheap.

The Luigi cases look stunning, but are beyond my means.

If using an old case, make sure the straps are new; the old ones get brittle and break unexpectedly.

I do not like using cameras "naked"; mine tend to get banged-up that way.

Regards,

Luddite Frank
 
To 2nd Luddite Frank, there are plenty of inexpensive old cases (usually the original ones that came w/the cameras) out there, but the small leather bits tend to get dried-out & brittle.

Another pricey option are the Hirano cases from Japan, sold via Japan Exposures:

http://www.japanexposures.com/shop/index.php?currency=USD&manufacturers_id=36

They are nice in that they have their own strap lugs if you need them for a camera that has unreliable or broken lugs.
 
It takes too long to change film in a camera wearing a case, whether whole or half. Then you're just exchanging "I want to keep my camera looking like new for as long as possible!" for "OMG! What if I scratch the leather on my new case?"

If you actually USE your Leica on a regular basis it won't look all that different after forty or fifty years than it'll look after five.
 
Screw Leicas are small, so cases might help those people who find them hard to hold. A case should also reduced shutter noise somewhat. Other than these possibilities, cases are no more than decoration. But people spend millions on jewellery and thousands on clothes, so why should they not spend hundreds on stitched leather?
 
Not to be too sarcastic, but if you can afford a Leica, then surely you can afford a Luigi.

Adding to this, I've heard nice things about the Zhou case.
 
Get with the times, Mukul. We no longer say "screw Leicas". The current terminology is "thread mount Leicas". But maybe we should say "screw Leicas", purchase some cheapy digital point & shoots, and just get on with life!
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. I saved a long time to buy the Leica. I m just a young working adult. Will go for Luigi once I saved enough. :) By the way, raydm6, what finder is that? It looks good. I have a multi finder. But I find it to be a little too big. Yours is nice.
 
I use a Luigi case on my M sometimes just for the built in grip. I have very large hands and it makes it easier to handle, especially with a CV 35 Nokton 1.2 attached.
 
beyond said:
...By the way, raydm6, what finder is that? It looks good. I have a multi finder. But I find it to be a little too big. Yours is nice.
Click to expand...

beyond, that is a Leitz 'SBOOI' Bright-line finder for the 50mm focal length (some are marked 5cm). They came in various configurations (in terms of the outer-casing design). Just do a search on the internet for "SBOOI" and you'll see some examples. They can be pricey. Mine is a mint later version (with serrated finger grips on the side).

Here's one currently at $26 w/no reserve :D. I paid about $127 or so for mine here through the classifieds from a nice gentleman. Just have to be patient to find a nice one.

Here's a small write-up on the Leica FAQ about the BL finders.

BTW - in my photo above (lower right corner), you'll also see a BL finder for the 90mm focal length (SGVOO). I also have one for 135mm (SHOOC). Both have a distance ring dial that pivots the finder (ever so slightly) to compensate for parallax error.

- Ray
 
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While not "Leica's", I use Niccas (a slight improvement, IMHO ;-). Personally, I find that the case detracts from the compactness which draws me to the camera. That said, There are cases for Niccas and Leotaxes which may well fit a Leica. Hard leather. Less expensive.
 
The Zhou is certainly well made and is a good fit. It can be un-poppered quickly for film changes. Can't make any comment on how well they last, as I've only had mine since September.
 
I have Zhou case for my IIIc and an 'Artist & Artisan' case for my MP. They're both very well made and I find the Zhou case improves the grip of the IIIc in my big, clumsy hands.
 
Yes – there's no strap built into the Zhou case. For my IIIC I use one of those wide Voigtlander straps – but you have to trim off the strap's leather 'protectors', otherwise they jam against the case and put rather a load on the lugs.
 
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