Bessa R3M - Best Case?

Bessa R3M - Best Case?

  • Half-case

    Votes: 36 41.9%

  • Full case

    Votes: 7 8.1%

  • No case

    Votes: 38 44.2%

  • Other (ziplock bag, glovebox, etc.)

    Votes: 5 5.8%
  • Total voters
    86
CuS

CuS

Established
Local time
11:59 PM
Joined
Oct 4, 2007
Messages
73
Here's the dilemma:

One of the main things about the R3M I love is its form factor, handling and looks.

That said, I am going to be a total basket case until I get my first scratch on it - then I can relax and bask in its new-found character. ;)

Thus, I think I'm gonna need a case for it.

Which do you prefer:

1. Half-case
2. Full case
3. No case
4. Other (ziplock bag, glovebox, etc.)
 
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A full case is a never-ready case, same as ziplock bags.
Therefore, the half case is it for me.

Best regards,
Uwe
 
The full case from CQ works very well for me... If you want style and fashion, Luigi's line is !!@!#@#! beautiful.

On the other hand, my beater R2's covered with a customed gaffer case, made by slabbing tape all over... :)
 
I had a half case on my R4M until I left it somewhere changing film. Definitely improved my grip on the camera.
 
The problem I have with cases is that you have to take the darn thing off in order to change film. That's annoying. Especially if you go through a lot of rolls in a relatively short ammount of time.
 
i use a half case on all my cameras but only in the winter and only if i plan an extended outing.
by winter i mean lots of snow and at least -20c temp.

today, it was -12 or so...no case or gloves used.
 
Let it get scratched.

It's a current-production camera, not an irreplaceable antique.

Why are you worried about scratching it?

And what use is a case? Adds bulk; slows down operation. Forget it. While you're transporting it, use a camera bag (any) or a Zing or OpTech.

Cheers,

R.
 
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I had a couple half cases and they looked pretty but I don't have any more. For me it was a superflous item, my cameras are tools and don't need to be dressed in exquisite leather.
If it's going in a case with a lot of dangerous items for a bouncy trip I might wrap it in something, but nothing more then that.
 
CuS said:
That said, I am going to be a total basket case until I get my first scratch on it - then I can relax and bask in its new-found character. ;)
Click to expand...

I can make it easier for you -
let me scratch the camera and then use in naked.
I never used cases on cameras and I don't see any need in doing so.

I also threw away the lens caps for my RF lenses last time I shot with the cap on. I only use a UV filter.
 
Camera cases are useful, especially if you're like me, throwing the camera into a unpadded bag with other stuff inside. The half case is pretty useful as a grip too. I use the VC full case whose top can be taken off to transform into a halfcase.
 
I use a half case for a couple of reasons.

I dropped my R one time and the back door sprung open, while it might with a half case on it, at least it wont be fully open, and will offer a little protection as well.

I would like to find a black one though, without having to break the bank.
 
alternatve said:
Camera cases are useful, especially if you're like me, throwing the camera into a unpadded bag with other stuff inside. The half case is pretty useful as a grip too. I use the VC full case whose top can be taken off to transform into a halfcase.
Click to expand...

I second this.

For grins, I tried using the bottom half of the provided case with my R3A and found that it was as comfortable as using my add-on grip. I don't find it to be much of a problem to slip the case off to change film.
If I had the money laying about, I'd put it in a luigi case as a step up.
 
IMHO, the best grip to add for a Bessa is the Winder. I liked it much better than the case, which added bulk to both sides of the camera. It protected the bottom too!

I never liked anything that needed an extra hand to get things loaded. But that is me.

B2 (;->
 
Usually (when dont shoot) I carry Bessa in Lowenpro Nova Micro , I d use half case, but none is available for Bessa with sidegrip (sidegrip is simply great!). So will wait for this new type of halfcase.... (Luigi or Zhou? who first?)...
 
I find a grip and a UV filter are all you need for protection and handling. Having said that, those Luigi cases are so so nice.
 
I use case from cameraquest.com (half with detacheable top).
when I'm on street shooting, top is detached and somewhere in a bag / pocket.
when I carry camera to longer walking distance , I put the top on (just for case if I'll fall and hit my camera against the pavement - at least, it adds some level of protection).

Additional plus of half-case is that rear door is better secured, and can't open in the case of accident .
Also, in the winter, leather case is better to hold in hands, than ice-cold metal (I usually don't wear gloves when shooting)
 
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With my R3A that I bought from Stephen I got the "ever ready" case since it was only a tiny bit more. Pretty nice case. I left the top off and used it as a half case. I liked this because:

  1. There seemed to be some occurrences where the film indicator window got busted in, and with the half case that winow is protected, so all is good.
  2. Some felt, and I'm inclined to agree, that the half case helped to muffle the sound of the shutter just a tiny bit, but enough to be worth while.
  3. Especially during the Summer, I sweat so much that it was nice to absorb the sweat on my hands instead of smearing it all over the body. (Man, that sounds gross, but this is Texas and it can get pretty darn hot sometimes.)

However, I really hated how the Bessa hangs due to the position of the strap lugs. So after hearing that the side grip, since it has a lug on it too, helps the Bessa hang more naturally, I bought the side grip. Obviously that meant no longer able to use the half case. At least the Bessa does hang much more naturally now and that's good. The side grip is also nicely made and must admit it does help in handling of the camera. Still, if the lugs were positioned more on the sides than more towards the front, I'd probably go back to the half case business.....
 
Roger Hicks said:
Let it get scratched.

It's a current-production camera, not an irreplaceable antique.

Why are you worried about scratching it?

And what use is a case? Adds bulk; slows down operation. Forget it. While you're transporting it, use a camera bag (any) or a Zing or OpTech.

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...
agree. get a nice bag with zipper going across the top for easy access.
 
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