Convert old Leica eveready case to half-case?

[Creagerj]

My recent M2 purchase included a fairly old, but in decent shape Leica eveready case, and I've been thinking of turning it into a hybrid half-case. The case itself is ok, and I like that it doesn't scratch up my top plate, but I hate how the front cover just hangs there. Also, it is missing the leather flap with the snaps to snap it shut, so it tends to flop open.

What I'm wondering is, are these particularly valuable, or would it be ok to cannibalize it and turn it into a half-case?

I was thinking I could remove the rivet that connects the front cover and replace it with a powerful magnet, that way instead of having the front hang there, I could pull it all the way off and put it in my bag. Does this sound like a good idea, or should I just hunt down a decent strap?

 

[kzphoto]

I'd say do what works best for you. Someone else might value the ingenuity.

 

[Creagerj]

I'd say do what works best for you. Someone else might value the ingenuity.

That's a good point. Heck I value the ingenuity, I'm not big on dropping a bunch of money on a fancy leather case or strap.

 

[kzphoto]

So then do it! You never know, you could set off a trend that drives up the prices on the old cases.

 

[ferider]

Avoid old leather cases. They promote fungus.

 

[newspaperguy]

For a few bucks you could pick up a HD snap kit. (even WalMart carries them)

Drill out the old rivets, replace them with snaps, and fix that flap while you're at it.

Half case is fine, but, like Roland said... don't store your camera in it.

 

[Creagerj]

For a few bucks you could pick up a HD snap kit. (even WalMart carries them)

Drill out the old rivets, replace them with snaps, and fix that flap while you're at it.

Half case is fine, but, like Roland said... don't store your camera in it.

Oh, I didn't realize that it could attract mold. In that case maybe I should just opt to buy a decent strap.

 

[MartinP]

On a few leather cases for older FSU cameras without strap-lugs I have got the local shoe-repairer to replace the rivets holding the top and bottom halves of the case with heavy pop-studs. He was even able to match the colour. Now the cases are a practical two-part design while still looking nicely 'antique'. Unless their design is very unusual, there's probably no reason why that wouldn't work for a Leica case too.

 

[rickp]

here's martin's suggestion on an M3 case.

i had the same idea for a worn but stable M3 case. our local shoemaker/repair shop charged €1 to put in the two parts of a snap. the bottom case stays on firmly because of the mounting screw into the camera tripod socket.

anyone interested? it's in the other forum's classifieds at the moment, but i would be glad to list it here.

greetings from hamburg

rick

 

[SteveM_NJ]

I attach leather Luigi half case to the RD1s only when going out shooting, all my cameras remain naked when not used, avoids moisture. (but they do get stored in a pair of Pelican 1600 divided cases, so much for breathing, am i now trapping moisture?) cant win

 

[umcelinho]

I have a M3 ever ready case myself with the higher top (good for using it with an external VF also!) and have been considering taking it to a shoe or leather purse maker to add a snap on button on the base of the case and remove the large screw on the bottom, to make it flat and be able to use my M6. Still not confident whether it is worth it..

...so I've traced the blueprint for a halfcase using my M6 as a model, I'm willing to try and make a halfcase myself. I still need to scan it and trace it on vector and do some tests, but what I plan to do use use some soft leather and hand stitch it (I've done a halfcase for my Lumix LX3, it was the 'pilot'). Will it be as good looking/robust as a Luigi's or Zhou's? of course not 🙂 but as long as it protects my M6 from eventual scratches it might work fine for me.

I'll post the results when it's ready.

 

[literiter]

I have 3 "ZHOU" 1/2 cases I purchased from Ebay for about $64.00 each. The cases are leather, made and in China and I have one to fit my M2, M4-P and my iiif. The case has no strap, which is good, because the strap should attach to the camera.

Search "Zhou case" in Ebay and you will find the guy.

 

[Paul T.]

It is pretty easy to convert the old M3 case to a snap-off half case; I practised on my Kievs. Pym fasteners, made in germany, work well and are available in most haberdashers, in Europe at least- I'm sure there's a good US equivalent.