Wotancraft Holster for Rangefinders!

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cookedart

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Hey guys!

Just heard about this new camera holster from Wotancraft, the World War 2 Reporter (Retails for $159):

http://www.wotancraft.com/products/bags/eastwood/bch002-reporter.htm

I just received it today! It arrived within a week of me ordering.. it seemed to have been shipped from Taiwan. Here are my thoughts:

DSCF2923.jpg


Firstly, it's well made with mostly leather and waxed canvas. It features a small strap that locks the camera into the holster to prevent the camera from falling out or getting taken. I've noticed this is nicely place to still allow you to change lenses on an M body.

DSCF2916.jpg


I wasn't able to use this with a Thumbs Up CSEP.. the body becomes to tall and wide to fit in nicely.

I've tried it on a leica m8, where it fits rather snug:

DSCF2925.jpg


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Bessa R4m

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Hexar RF

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and Fuji X100

L1031624.jpg


It works well with all of these. I'm able to remove the clasp and the camera with just one hand if I grip the body of the M and yank it out. Putting it back in requires two hands - both to insert it back into the holster as well as closing the clasp. I don't see how it can be done with one hand. I'm thinking it would fit a thinner film M body better since you really want to be able to whip it out and throw it into a holster like this. I'm sure it will loosen over time though to fit.

My only negatives right now are the fact that the interior material isn't lined with microfiber or something softer.

DSCF2943.jpg


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Also, the strap itself seems to just be nylon or something of the like.. not very premium feeling compared to the rest of the holster.

The clasp I imagine will lose its usefulness over time.. it will wear out for sure, I think. Right now it is also very hard to fasten, at least around my M8.

I haven't quite figure out how to best wear it.. if it's tucked behind my arm it makes it very stealthy but not accessible. If it's in front of my arm its quite accessible but makes the camera very noticeable unless you wear a jacket over it (and if you've got a large lens on the body this doesn't look so nice).

It also amusingly comes with a die-cast Leica M keychain:

DSCF2933.jpg


More Pics:

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The leica's strap lugs are aligned perfectly with this hole:

DSCF2930.jpg


Please feel free to ask any questions! (No I don't work for Wotancraft, I just figured people would want to know more info/see more pics).

Here's their full website:
http://www.wotancraft.com/home.htm

And a link to a few different models they offer:
http://www.wotancraft.com/products/bags/eastwood.htm
 
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They should really call it the 'shooter'. I can't see many reporters wearing this.
Can you only wear it on the left side? I'm not sure I get the point of having the wide leather band across your chest. It doesn't exactly make it very stealth.
It is an interesting concept, but perhaps a bit too militant looking to wear around the police.
Thanks for sharing the detailed review.
 
Bill58 said:
Nice, but not as secure, fast or a cheap as the leicagoodies.com rig-sling,slide and hook.
Click to expand...

The leicagoodies solution is definitely a good one... I might even use the sling as part of this holster. Their strap isn't adjustable though, and I don't think the hook is really that much more secure than this.
 
CNNY said:
They should really call it the 'shooter'. I can't see many reporters wearing this.
Can you only wear it on the left side? I'm not sure I get the point of having the wide leather band across your chest. It doesn't exactly make it very stealth.
It is an interesting concept, but perhaps a bit too militant looking to wear around the police.
Thanks for sharing the detailed review.
Click to expand...

It only works on your left side, yes.

If you use a strap or a bag at all it's no less stealthy than that. One can wear this underneath a jacket and it's pretty stealthy indeed, if you use a smaller lens on your M.

It's funny that people keep thinking it resembles a gun holster too much. To be honest, in person it just looks like a camera strap.
 
Do we *need* a concealed carry camera holster though?
Isn't it good enough to have a secure strap on the camera and that around one's shoulder?
It's a decent implementation of an idea but it seems like a solution to a problem that didn't exist.

Also, if I were on the street here in Philly and a person reached in to get their Leica M (or whatever other camera it held) I'd think they were reaching for a firearm as many of the folks who live here carry concealed. In that case, the would be camera holder may get a real firearm aimed at them or worse, shot. I'm not saying it's a guarantee, I just wouldn't ever carry something like this around almost any city in the United States.

By the way, it needs an adjustable keeper strap attached to the belt to ensure one-handed "draw" of the camera.

Phil Forrest
 
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Phil_F_NM said:
Do we *need* a concealed carry camera holster though?
Isn't it good enough to have a secure strap on the camera and that around one's shoulder?
It's a decent implementation of an idea but it seems like a solution to a problem that didn't exist.

Also, if I were on the street here in Philly and a person reached in to get their Leica M (or whatever other camera it held) I'd think they were reaching for a firearm as many of the folks who live here carry concealed. In that case, the would be camera holder may get a real firearm aimed at them or worse, shot. I'm not saying it's a guarantee, I just wouldn't ever carry something like this around almost any city in the United States.

By the way, it needs an adjustable keeper strap attached to the belt to ensure one-handed "draw" of the camera.

Phil Forrest
Click to expand...

The main advantage that I can glean is that the strap is moulded to hug your body. If for instance you were bending over to grab something on the floor, the camera stays fairly attached to your torso instead of dangling wildly. I'd say it's a great solution for hiking or any activity where you want it close to your body but still have quick access.

I really do feel it looks pretty much like a camera strap. The whole gun thing I think is overthinking it a tad.
 
Its an affectation for people who think they are invisible carrying a Leica. One glimpse and people may not be pointing at the guy with the shoulder holster, but they will be backing off and calling the cops, especially when you reach inside your coat and go for your piece.

Just buy a small camera bag and learn how to take photographs.


Steve
 
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So instead of carrying one's camera like a bandoleer with a standard strap, this one allows the user to remove their camera from the "holster" and keep the strap under their shoulder instead of just swinging the camera up to the eye like people have been doing for decades.

Looking at it there is no retention to keep the strap from dangling when bending over so I see no advantage to it still. It's a camera strap that holds the camera vertically (3 lug Leica M5 or a CL) but this one allows the camera to be quickly removed from the strap and probably fall out once that leather has broken in and taken the shape of the body. It still will need a cross-waist and or adjustable keeper strap which will attach to the belt in order to keep the camera from flopping around just like it's on a regular strap.

It looks reasonably well finished at least.

As for the firearm thing, I don't think that's over-thinking it at all, especially in a city were a large number of the population carry concealed firearms legally, an unknown but possibly larger number carry firearms illegally and about 80% of the residents here own them whether legally or not. While I don't know where you live, I can say that this wouldn't go over well in any of the major east coast cities in the US. Unknowing residents may call law enforcement about a person brandishing a firearm (in cities where open carry is not permitted) and at the worst side of the spectrum, the photographer themselves would get shot.

I say that because if I were armed and it appeared as if someone were about to draw down on me, I'd immediately reciprocate and the owner of the camera holster might think about how prudent it is carrying a camera that way.

But good luck!

Phil Forrest
 
Looks nicely made but I wouldn't wear one. Looks a bit over the top and doesn't really seem to do anything that a camera strap doesn't.

Why is it called the world war two reporter when it appears to be a copy of the m9 Titan holster?
 
I use a black rapid, which holds the camera similary, and one of the main benefits of keeping the camera under the jacket is that it's protected from rain, even when I use larger lenses that doesn't fit the pocket.
IMHO the camera fits better under the jacket at the side, than at chest level, as when using a neck strap.
 
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