Do you protect your Leica with. .. ...

[Red Robin]

After the time and expense invested in your Leica (mine is a iiif), do you as a leica user protect your camera with a 1/2 case to save on dust, bumps, dings,and such? Seems to be a wide range of choices and prices. Some look pretty sharp too!

 

[Godfrey]

After the time and expense invested in your Leica (mine is a iiif), do you as a leica user protect your camera with a 1/2 case to save on dust, bumps, dings,and such? Seems to be a wide range of choices and prices. Some look pretty sharp too!

I use half cases on my Leica cameras and others when available. I use them for better grip; some minor amount of bump resistance come along for the price and is welcome.

G

 

[Rob-F]

Yes I use half-cases, and I wish that Luigi cases had been available 40 years ago--my M2 would better off for it.

 

[Brian Atherton]

No. My Leicas are naked as the day they were born. 🙂

I've used every camera I've ever owned without a case. I find them clumsy and clunky; a little like using a camera wearing gardening gloves.

 

[bucs]

I see more M's with dents than LTM barnack cameras. Not sure why

 

[x-ray]

No. My Leicas are naked as the day they were born. 🙂

I've used every camera I've ever owned without a case. I find them clumsy and clunky; a little like using a camera wearing gardening gloves.

I agree. I never understood why Leica owners that complain about a lens being "huge" ( 1/4 inch longer than their 35 Summicron ) and then turn around and bloat their camera with a half case. To each their own I guess.

 

[bence8810]

Naked M3 here. Having said that I do look after it and it stays in a Billingham when not around my neck.
Like with my iPhone, I like the metallic touch so I would never dress her up.

Ben

 

[RichardPhoto]

I agree about not wanting to make the camera larger. My favourite lens is the Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 because with that lens on an M camera it's like a small pocketable point-and-shoot. It makes sense not to make the camera bulkier.

That said, I do worry about the screen on my M8 these days. I would love to find a case that was very thin leather and protected the rear of the camera. A lot that I've seen are too bulky or ridiculously expensive.

Pros / Cons either way I guess...

 

[Erik van Straten]

It depends. Some screwmount Leicas do not have strap lugs, such as the I and the early II. I use half-cases for those.

I also use half cases for my BP M3 and M2 to prevent the abraision of the paint.

Erik.

 

[dave lackey]

This comes up now and then.

I was taught by my parents and every mentor my whole life to appreciate and respect all things and my father was a master machinist. Taking care of tools is a way of life for me. So, yes, if there are protective cases, bags, bottom plate protectors, etc of course I use them. 🙂 in no way have I ever used anything that hindered my usage of gear. In fact, not protecting my gear would eventually be a huge hindrance.

Aesthetically, I also appreciate well cares for instruments whether it be a Leica, Nikon or whatever. I have restored many cameras and they look like new.

I do the same with cars, furniture, home, and everything. There is a whole mindset that goes with that. Either one understands that mindset or not. Everyone is different.

I happen to live life that way... That's just me.😉

 

[peterm1]

I do find a half case to be a pretty good way of protecting a camera from minor accidents when being used. Just make sure it is dry when stored if taken out in inclement weather as leather can absorb moisture.

For storage purposes I have purchased plastic airtight kitchen / food containers of the correct size to take a camera and lens (I use larger ones for SLRs and their larger lenses). My cameras each go into one of these boxes after being securely wrapped in micro fibre cloths of the sort available in hardware stores etc for cleaning purposes. These are perfect for the purpose to which I put them as they seem not to hold moisture, as say cotton would and are very soft. They also provide a good deal of protection from minor bumps. I must have about 20 of these small plastic boxes and use them for unattached lenses as well. (I use marker pen to write the contents on the lids). I find this arrangement to be a worthwhile investment. Particularly as several years ago an upstairs apartment flooded, flooding all apartments below including mine. Had my lenses and cameras not been so stored I would have lost the lot.

Its useful to add that for my Leica M I like the half case as it makes it easier to grip the camera. I have the Leica handgrip for it but its not as secure in my hand I find, so prefer the thickness and grippiness of the leather case. I bought mine on eBay from China where I think it cost maybe $70 or so. Quite inexpensive really and surprisingly good quality.

 

[Luddite Frank]

When mine go out shooting, they are in a 1/2-case made from a Leica III-g case, with the front / top cover un-stitched and put aside. Also, a modern nylon / padded wide-strap is attached to the case-lugs. I will never again trust an old, skinny leather strap. :bang:

My own experience is that "naked cameras" get banged-up pretty quickly. They also get dropped.

I do not find the "additional bulk" ( really ??? ) of a case objectionable ?

If "Bulk" is an issue, might as well chuck the whole notion of film camera and shoot with a smarty-phone...

But, that's just my take on it.

Leicas are too well-made and pricey for me to let mine bang-around unclothed.

 

[raid]

Half case + insurance.

 

[oltimer]

The last 2 comments by Peter and Frank X2. Many times I get asked; do you use them? Of course I do, and protect them when working and in storage. I also only shoot on a tripod with the original case covering the unit.

 

[02Pilot]

Yes and no. My relatively pristine sharkskin IIIc spends its time in lower portion of the original case (the previous owner had already detached the upper portion) so it can stay relatively pristine, while my user IIIc with FED 50/3.5 has no case so I can easily fit it in a pocket. I use small modern wrist straps on both.

 

[oltimer]

Half case + insurance.

I love the looks and feel of the half case Raid; but the only half case I could get with the tripod mount built in was for my XE-2. I have not seen one for my Leica screw mounts yet. If they are available; I'll jump for one!

 

[richard_l]

I don't use half cases. I don't know whether they do much for protection, but they do provide a better grip. However, I use a hand grip for that.

 

[alistair.o]

I was an half a case man until I discovered the merits of goose fat! Apply it liberally and discover for yourselves the benefits.

PS: The added bonus is my hands are utterly waterproof.

 

[maddoc]

Considering that many if not most Leica lenses are more valuable than the camera body (except original BP and the Leica MP) and in many cases (scratch and haze-free old lenses, Noctilux 50/1.2, 35mm Summilux ASPHERICAL) are very difficult to repair or replace, what is the point to protect the Leica body with a half-case? I am much more afraid of damaging the front-elements of my lenses so have protecting filters on all of them.

 

[x-ray]

I was an half a case man until I discovered the merits of goose fat! Apply it liberally and discover for yourselves the benefits.

PS: The added bonus is my hands are utterly waterproof.

I bet your hands are softer too ;~)