Do not buy this Leica M body cap by Nisha

[Timmyjoe]

Just a warning to anyone who is thinking about buying this body cap for their Leica M, or who already has one. I bought a Leica M4 from Ken Hansen a number of years ago and it came with one of these Nisha body caps. It looks like one Leica used to make, and even has the same Leica part number molded inside. But it's made of a different type of plastic, one that is much more brittle than the one Leica makes. Today, one of the little plastic ears broke off and dropped into the shutter channel of my M4. They're black and not something you would notice. When I tried to use the camera the shutter jammed with the first shutter curtain open and the second not moving. I could see the end of the little black piece of plastic jammed against the shutter curtain, then it dropped down inside. Now it has to go to DAG for service, which means I won't have it for weeks and who knows how much it will cost. All because of a little crap Leica knock-off body cap. Very unhappy, but want to warn others so they don't experience the same thing.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._body_cap.html



You can easily identify the Nisha fake Leica Body Caps by the dimple on the center of the inside surface. The real Leica caps have that spot slightly recessed, where the Nisha has that part raised as a dimple. It is clearly visible in the second image on the B&H page linked to above, and in the picture above of the cap I had.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Why on Earth you would buy something like this from BH, instead of ordering five on ten for same price or one metal one for same price on ebay.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Why on Earth you would buy something like this from BH, instead of ordering five on ten for same price or one metal one for same price on ebay.

He didn't, the cap came with a used Leica he bought. The link to B&H is just to show us the cap he is warning us about.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

He didn't, the cap came with a used Leica he bought. The link to B&H is just to show us the cap he is warning us about.

OP posted some warning for crappy thing sold on BH. My question was why someone would buy such thing from BH instead of better option on eBay.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Wow, Ko.Fe. way to over-react. The cap I listed is $11 from B&H, but you are saying you can buy 5 to 10 of them off eBay for $11, somehow I find that hard to believe. But hey, you do you.

This is posted to warn folks that the Leica body caps Nisha makes can break off and fall into the shutter mechanism of a Leica M camera. That is all.

Best,
-Tim

 

[kiemchacsu]

I never use body cap, simply because my lens does the job, even though I have original one.

 

[raydm6]

Appreciate the warning Tim. Thank you!

 

[luuca]

the question is: why use a body cap?
my cameras only saw it the first time I unboxed them

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

the question is: why use a body cap?
my cameras only saw it the first time I unboxed them

If you own a lot of cameras, body caps are nice for storing the ones you aren't using at the moment. Of course, you can put a lens on it, but if you need the lens to shoot with on another body, then a body cap does the job.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Chris is exactly right. I have 3 old Leica M bodies that I use at different times, and only three Leica M lenses, which go with the one or two bodies I am using at that particular time. The other one or two bodies stay home on the shelf with body caps on. I realize with film cameras body caps aren't as necessary as they are with digital bodies (to protect the sensor from dust) but I like to keep them covered anyway.

Best,
-Tim

 

[rfaspen]

I feel lucky. Checked 2 of my body caps that were accessible....both seem to be Leica. One is that 2 piece design with metal bayonet and plastic outer disk...nice. other has the dimple mentioned above. I don't remember ever buying an M body cap. Not sure how I ended up with as many as I do. However I remember spending real money for an E Leitz NY cap for LTM. Perhaps $20 or so.