a nice half case for a Leica II

[johannielscom]

My only rangefinder is a 1932 black Leica II, see the avatar. I have three lenses for it and one 35/90mm viewfinder.

The camera has no strap lugs and I have looked for a nice sturdy case for it but the original cases all are old and not that sturdy anymore. And, I'd prefer a half case so I can keep any lens or viewfinder I use attached to the camera.

Luigi from Leicatime makes beautiful cases, but they are pricy and selection of colors is limited.


Does anyone else here know of other manufacturers of cases for a Leica II?

 

[Luddite Frank]

It's not for a II, but my workhorse case is the bottom half of a -g Leica case...

Metal strap loops that take any kind of clip-on strap, and you can still tie the body down using the big screw under neath.

I got the half cheap on e-bay.

I use it for any of my Barnacks that I take out shooting, from 1932 II to 1952 III-f.

LF

 

[xayraa33]

Get a Zorki 1 or Fed 1 camera case, both have the 3/8 inch screw to the the camera baseplate and the size of the case is bang on.

 

[johannielscom]

Get a Zorki 1 or Fed 1 camera case, both have the 3/8 inch screw to the the camera baseplate and the size of the case is bang on.

True, but the straps on those are also old and not easily replaced...


Anyone know if a Tanack IIC is same dimensions as a Leica II? Or is it identical to a Leica III type camera?

It's not for a II, but my workhorse case is the bottom half of a -g Leica case...

Metal strap loops that take any kind of clip-on strap, and you can still tie the body down using the big screw under neath.

I got the half cheap on e-bay.

I use it for any of my Barnacks that I take out shooting, from 1932 II to 1952 III-f.

LF

Frank, the half case for a IIIg sounds interesting but what about the 3mm extra space? No nuisance?

 

[xayraa33]

True, but the straps on those are also old and not easily replaced...


Anyone know if a Tanack IIC is same dimensions as a Leica II? Or is it identical to a Leica III type camera?



Frank, the half case for a IIIg sounds interesting but what about the 3mm extra space? No nuisance?

The straps are easy to replace:

Cut two horizontal slits on both ends of the case, about 1/2 " apart, each slit an inch long, I use a hacksaw, and pass through the slits a 5/8 nylon ribbon strap cut from a reel of 5/8" nylon webbing you can buy online.

The strap is around 3 feet 10 inches long, cauterized at both cut ends and sew the ends together where they meet at the bottom of the case. I use tough as nails dental floss for the sewing thread. The new strap on the case is stronger than anything new that you can buy, I guarantee that.

I would not trust a genuine Leica leather strap that is on a Leica made camera case that is as young as 30 years old let alone a case and leather strap that is 80 years old for a vintage Leica II.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I'm also looking for a nice half case for my pre-IIIc bodies.
Either for cameras with or without straplugs.

The ones I found so far weren't pretty enough.

I'm tempted to cut up an old Zorki/Fed case, but would have a leather-shop attach a new strap.

 

[johannielscom]

...

I'm tempted to cut up an old Zorki/Fed case, but would have a leather-shop attach a new strap.

That would be my preference too but I have two leather shops in town and both have the aesthetic sense of a rhinoceros... :bang: so I would basically have to oversee the whole thing myself and the last time I tried that... never mind 😀

 

[Luddite Frank]

True, but the straps on those are also old and not easily replaced...


Anyone know if a Tanack IIC is same dimensions as a Leica II? Or is it identical to a Leica III type camera?



Frank, the half case for a IIIg sounds interesting but what about the 3mm extra space? No nuisance?

Johan,

If you have the camera screwed-down to the bottom of the case, that 3mm is hardly noticeable.

I carried my daily-shooter III in it for something like six years... if your cameras have the 3/8" thread in the base-plate, an adapter bushing takes care of that.

LF

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

I went through the effort of making a half case myself, then reworked a Zorki-1 case, but then found I would rather carry the camera in my pants or jacket pocket, and went with wrist straps.

 

[xayraa33]

I use a Zorki 1 half case with my Leica III body and the case has a replaced strap made of nylon webbing and it is as strong as an ox.


But then again I am not into making a fashion statement with my cool vintage Leica and a spiffy super classy shiny leather case to show off my" Charlie the Tuna" good taste.🙂

 

[nikonosguy]

Check with kenji

 

[johannielscom]

Check with kenji

Oh my, that is the good stuff indeed. Thanks Blake and merry Xmas to you buddy!

 

[gb hill]

Oh my, that is the good stuff indeed. Thanks Blake and merry Xmas to you buddy!

Haven't heard of them but checked them out...nice cases for your Leica & on sale too. Id like to find a good simple neck strap for my Nicca.

 

[Welleyes]

Japanese Leica copies such as the Leotax sometimes used cases with detachable fronts. If you detach the front, you have a half case.

Stuart

 

[xayraa33]

Japanese Leica copies such as the Leotax sometimes used cases with detachable fronts. If you detach the front, you have a half case.

Stuart

I use a 3F Nicca half case for my Leica IIIf, it fits perfectly.

On the original Barnacks this Nicca case is a tad too big lengthwise, but a case for a Nicca or Tower 3 or 3s would fit the original Barnack Leicas perfectly, it just needs a 1/4" to 3/8" adaptor for the baseplate screw.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I've looked at the Kenji ones, but I find they leave the camera too naked at the front.

 

[gb hill]

I've looked at the Kenji ones, but I find they leave the camera too naked at the front.

That must be why they suggest you pay the extra 15USD for the bottom screw mount to help hold the camera in. I like the Voigtlander cases that has a flap that goes around the neck strap to hold the camera in its case.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

The Kenji ones on Ebay are quite different from the ones they show on their website. Those on their site actually look half descent.