Is this mold?

[tripod]

I bought a used Leica M case from ebay for cheap and it arrived today. On the inside of the bottom 1/2 case on both ends, were areas of hard crusty dark stuff. I used the back end of a toothbrush that I use to clean up cameras, and the stuff crumbled and powdered off, along with the inside suede leather layer of the case. The case seems too light in weight and dried out. Usually with leather you use saddle soap to condition it, but the exterior of this case has a smooth coating on it that looks like it would repell water. What to do?

 

[Keith]

Sometimes those old leather cases get a little beyond redemption and I don't think the grade of leather was that great to start with.

Personally I woudn't have bothered ... and would have bought one of Luigi's budget cases or a Zhou case ... both well under $100.00. I have a box full of genuine Leica cases that I intended using until I realised that they werent really such a great design and while a good one looks 'classic' to go with the camera ... they're low on ergonomic quality! 🙂

 

[tripod]

HI Keith. You are right of course. My problem is that I was trying to do this on the cheap. Eventually I'll learn that you can save money in the long run by spending a bit more in the short run!

 

[Keith]

The only genuine case I have that I love is the one on my IIIg. My IIIg is the ultimate 'shelf queen' and I spent far too much money on an almost as new original case that I spotted on eBay. 😛

 

[tripod]

A beauty! And a lovely photo of a beauty.

 

[MickH]

Beautiful piece of shelfware Keith. But does it take nice photies?

Any examples?

 

[Keith]

Beautiful piece of shelfware Keith. But does it take nice photies?

Any examples?

Good point ... and I'm highly embarrassed to say that I've never put a roll of film through it. Which is the sort of behaviour I've come to be very critical of ... oh the hipocrasy!

I feel more comfortable using my old black Leica II when I need the screwmount experience! 😱