Half leather case for Contax 11a

[Reid]

I have recently acquired a near mint 11a and use it with the associated original leather case. This is a rather bulky affair and in my view detracts from the pleasure of handling the camera.

I have had a Leica LTM for years using it with a China sourced half leather case tailored for the camera and it is superb. The camera is well protected and the additional 'bulk' of the case is absolutely minimal, hardly noticeable.

Sadly I cannot find any supplier who makes an accurately tailored case for 11a - outside of Italy - oh the cost!! - and I ask if anyone has bought a tailored half case for another model of camera that has proven to be a success.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Welcome to RFF! Here's a thought -- have you considered buying an old ever-ready case for a IIa and simply remove the top half? I just did a quick check on eBay and there are a few cases there (some in nice shape, a couple in not-so-nice shape). They are definitely a lot cheaper than buying a new custom case and they'll get the job done.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I purchased a custom IIIA case from a seller on the big site. His name was Zorbet. Fantastic case but he has since disappeared from the site. I tried locating him without success. Check the prices on zeisscamera.com He advertises custom cases but I have no knowledge of them or their cost.

 

[nickdando]

You'll be charged a customs fee and a handling charge, and it could take a while to arrive, but there is this half case for the IIA from Japan. I have one of these for my Contax I and it does make it easier to hold as it smoothes off the edges of the body.

Use the drop-down menu to select a case for the IIA as the page lists all of the Contax cameras for which they make cases from the I to the G2 and TVS. And don't forget to select the price in Sterling at the top of the page - £113.44 plus £7.59 for a flat screw to secure the camera.

https://www.japanexposures.com/shop...e-leather-camera-case-for-contax-cameras.html

 

[raid]

I left my IIa and IIIa naked ..... I have too many cameras. It would be too costly to cover each with a case.

I would get a full case and remove the top half, as has been suggested here by Vince.

 

[Reid]

A generous thank you to the four gentlemen who replied offering assistance. I note the advice of removing the top cover from an existing case and indeed, I have already done just that with previous rangefinders and i may go that route but I have already bought just such a case on the large internet site, advertised as a genuine Contax 2a case but upon delivery, it was clearly intended for a Contax 2 which as we know,is a larger camera and as the case that came with the camera that I bought is also slightly too large, i believe that was originally sold for a Contax 2. The seller of this last case accepted a degree of culpability and accepted a return - I might not be so lucky next time.

The link to the tailored camera case specialist in Japan - thank you Nick Dando is of much interest and I may avail myself of that option but I am mindful of a mistake I made a few years ago buying a used lens directly from Japan, taking delivery here in the UK and although the lens was exactly as advertised, the final cost was so very much higher than I had estimated that the bitter aftertaste remained for quite some time. Likewise 'Luigi Cases' remains an option but again cost is a real obstacle.

My original case made circa 1953 by hugely efficient Teutons fantastically experienced in tough and sturdy leatherwork have made a case that will protect the camera against any conceivable mishap and therein lies my problem. The very thick leather, now a little less pliant due its age coupled with it being slightly over-size produces a large and bulky 'overcoat' and if it is the body of the case that bothers me, not the flip up lid.

I had hoped that one of our members had discovered that 'The Dragon Leather Company' in China makes cases for Nikon S2/S3/ F etc and if one trims with a razor bade, one millimetre from the left side and three mms. from the right side, seals the cut edge with superglue, one then has a perfectly fitting case for a Zeiss Contax 2A. No luck so far....

 

[nickdando]

I had a Luigi case for my Epson R-D1 and it was very well made. There's not much to choose between the Luigi and the Japan Exposures cases, other than the Luigi is going to be quicker and easier to get hold of as there won't be any "extras" to pay.