are you using a case for your Leica M?

are you using a case for your Leica M?

DNN said:
Hi, I am interested in how many people actually use a (half) case for your M when you are on the street to shoot :confused:

And if possible, could you post a picture of your case (with your M!)...

Thank you.
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DNN, I have several M cases and when I couldn't find a Leicavit case or get a local leather craftsman to cut a hole in the bottom for my Leicavit, I tried it myself-- and did a very poor job... It's a Leica IIIF , with a 3.5cm Elmar, an HCE S1 502 filter (whatever that is) with a M case...(I lost the screw and substituted one for now)...
 

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I'd love a brown croc Liuigi w/ the special little screw that allows the camera to sit flat(its only another 40 euro!)......but between bodies and lenses and now wanting a fancy shmancy analyzer for my darkroom, it would just be too silly.....I do submit to GAS and Gearheadedness but those things are a little to froofyt for me.....Besides that.....The scratches, dings and dents on my camera are little badges of honor....I know I'd be sorry if I ever sold my M bodies.
 
bob cole said:
DNN, I have several M cases and when I couldn't find a Leicavit case or get a local leather craftsman to cut a hole in the bottom for my Leicavit, I tried it myself-- and did a very poor job... It's a Leica IIIF , with a 3.5cm Elmar, an HCE S1 502 filter (whatever that is) with a M case...(I lost the screw and substituted one for now)...
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Dear Bob:

Thank you for the images of your IIIF with a case!

The case is fully functional, so you did pretty good job!!
 
Lots of anti-case people here, I see.

I don't use a case on a regular bases, but I sometimes will dress my M in a Kameraleder case for a dinner function. And other times, when I choose to carry my M4 with a shoulder strap, I'll put it in an old Leica ever-ready half-case to save the wear on my strap lug, which is becoming dangerously thin.
 
The Zhou case I have for my M2 makes it easier to handle (I have very very small hands) thanks to the grips in the front and the back of the case. And it takes just a few seconds to get the case off, no big deal.
 
waileong said:
I sometimes will dress my M in a Kameraleder case for a dinner function.
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So are you saying that you dress your M out in formal attire for those special occasions? I wonder if mine would treat me better and take better pictures if I did that. ;)

Seriously, I picked up a Luigi halfcase a few months ago. He has an incredible product and is a pleasure to work with. The halfcase is nice to use, but I've been finding myself using it less, as I just don't care for the extra time it takes to load and unload. And even though I can understand why some people might like it when the weather gets colder, but by the time it gets that cold, I'm already wearing thin leather gloves.

I know some people think it's stupid to protect the camera from scratches (oh yeah, wearing your battle scars proudly), I say why NOT keep it clean if you can? That's not a stupid concept. It's just plain common sense. But in the end, the hassle factor won over the pretty factor. Trust me, I still baby my M and treat her like a princess. I don't ever want her telling me she's too busy for a night out on the town when I have something really special planned (to shoot). If I didn't have to remove the case to load, I would probably still be using it.
 
I use a Luigi half case with 'grip bump' on my M7. It is a pain for changing films but frankly, I rarely change films when I'm out and the case feels great and provides comfort in providing some protection should I ever drop it. As it ages, I imagine the case will slide on/ off easier.

Peter
 
Also, how much wear and tear will a hobbyist like me really put on that camera? The only cameras that really get torn up are those used by photojournalists due to the grab 'n run nature of the profession. Even studio photogs don't really put wear on them. Outdoor/nature photographers may get them a little dirty. But that is easily resolved. It's nice to keep them in good shape....but when that becomes the overriding concern, the pleasure of photography becomes perverted.
 
Let's face it....an argument can be made for the protection offered by case....but spending $3-400.00 for a case is really "Accessorizing". Not that its bad mind you....just trying to keep things in persepective.
 
Never have and never will use a case on my M's.

Can't see how cases will keep camera value up if the bottom half is protected but the top half ( the important one for collectors I'd imagine), is exposed to knocks.

ymmv
 
Call me a radical, tasteless upstart if you wish but I have a couple of issue with cases for Leicas:

1) They are way too damned expensive for what they are. The fact that they have 'Leica' embossed onto them doesn't mean that it should 'carry' (excuse the pun...) a price in proportion to the camera itself. I saw an 'as new' Leica M6 case for sale for £140. I could buy a lens for that much.........

2) Why leather? Does anyone know if there's a manufacturer who produces a neoprene equivalent. Ultimately, my M6 resides in a Lowepro Orion back-pack which is very softly llined but I would still prefer to offer some more protection - not for the cosmetics - just for shock absorption. Also, are there any similar lens bags available to keep them safe, too?

I know, I know - Leica in Neoprene - it's heresy but it might just work....!!!
 
With the price of a Luigi case, I'd be scared to get IT scratched!
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That's why I bought mine second hand - the original owner was scared to get it scratched & I acquired mine for a fraction of new cost. Still expensive for what it is, but essential to have in my opinion.

Peter
 
I use some kind of "soft shoe bag" when I transport my camera in a bag. I do it mainly not to scratch the viewfinder, I don't care about the rest. However, to e honest, I do feel bad when my baby gets some new scrathches :-( I'm honestly thinking of buying a full case to keep it out of dust and abuse ...
 
I tread my cameras like a partners, friend, wife, brother, etc.
And I guess no one want unfunctional partners, unable to communicate with friends, ugly wife, sick brother.

So case is good in my point of view.
 
I use half cases on most of my rangefinders, with the exception of situations when I use them for the "shoot from the hip" or tripod work - in these circumstances I use a grip and just a wrist latch.
I find that a case protects the camera from unwanted bumps, which is good for the rf alignement :), and also tends to soften further the shutter noise.

In case of my M7 which is quite heavy, I've ordered a case with a small grip incorporated, for easier use in vertical position, and also, a small battery holder for the spares, as this camera drains them quite quickly. The pleasant feel and smell of nice leather isn't bad either - you can get all that from Luigi.
 

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Banky said:
I tread my cameras like a partners, friend, wife, brother, etc.
And I guess no one want unfunctional partners, unable to communicate with friends, ugly wife, sick brother.

So case is good in my point of view.
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While I agree that wife clad in leather with large cut-outs might look cool, am not so sure about cameras.
 
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