Leica M 240 Half Cases - Opinions?

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srestaino

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Has anyone owned or used any of the half cases below? Would appreciate any input on likes/dislikes as I'm in the market for one.

Artisan & Artist
Luigi / Leicatime
Sqinno
Leica
Gariz
Arte Di Mano

I will just throw out there that I think a few of these are ridiculously priced, but I recognize there may be reasons - better quality leather, perhaps, or better design?

So would appreciate any thoughts on standout reasons to buy or not to, and standout features. Thanks so much.

Best,
Seth
 
I had a Luigi half grip case on my M8 when I had one. It was perfect but these days I think I'd go with a grip alone for my 240.
 
I have an Arte Di Mano case for my M8. The one with a small bump on the front for extra grip, and one in the back corner to act like a "Thumb's Up".

It's lovely. A definite improvement in ergonomics and grip.


M8 and Arte di Mano Half Case by Chris Bail, on Flickr


M8 and Arte di Mano Half Case - Rear View by Chris Bail, on Flickr

I'm getting a Leicatime case along with an M9 I just purchased that should arrive on Tuesday, so I can't yet say how I feel about that case.
 
This is one of the few places where Leica has the economical and ideal product. The M camera protector is very well finished and has held up quite well. It was also cheaper than a Luigi and only marginally more expensive than the off-brands.

Dante
 
I have A&A cases on the M9, M4-2, and X2: they are all excellent fit and add nicely to the gripping surface. I decided to try the Arte di Mano for the X typ 113, it's even better.

G
 
I think eventually I'll get the M grip for the 240. The leather option is good but the M body feels very nice in the hands as do all the Ms.
 
I got a like-new-in-box Leica-brand M-240 full case for $20 more than a new half-case. I like it better because it has a magnetic hanging back flap which the half case doesn't. The top part of the full case snaps off. I use the top sometimes when transporting the camera without a bag, otherwise it functions like a half case. With the advent of the M-P Leica issued new cases which allow for the frame selector lever and those cases are a little cheaper than the M240-style ones, and the M240 fits in them of also, so dealers have dropped the prices on the originals which I imagine are probably discontinued.

When I had an M9 I sold the clunky Luigi case I had on my M8 and bought a $50 knock-off which actually fit the rear controls nicer than the Luigi. Another prob I had with the Luigi was the rear cover kept unsnapping (weak snaps), and also for some unfathomable reason Luigi puts the male half of the snaps on the case itself, and the left one pressed into my cheekbone.
 
Im in the same boat here. But from the current look of it, most of the grip options on the M240 are just as expensive as the half cases are at this point in time. Ugh

Keith said:
I think eventually I'll get the M grip for the 240. The leather option is good but the M body feels very nice in the hands as do all the Ms.
Click to expand...
 
Had a Leica Everready for M6, didn't like it. Had a Zhou, it was nice, but a bit stiff. Had a Luigi and didn't really care for it. I have an Arte Di Mano half case for my M240 and it's the best half case I've owned so far.

The leather and stitching are great - matches my Leica wriststrap. The snaps are nicer than the others I had. Big enough to be secure, not too loose, not too tight. Hasn't marked up the body. Nice tripod mount.

But I'm thinking of going bare. If interested in purchasing mine, it's the same model as: http://leicastoremiami.com/collecti...-m-typ-240-open-style-half-case-minerva-black
 
One of the criteria I have for a case is that is does not have a grip, or at least the smallest one possible, which is why I chose the Leica case. The M240 is already thick as a brick and much heavier compared to a film M. Adding a grip to it and it feels like a DSLR in my hands. And the baseplate grips don't protect the camera. I also don't care much for the cases without back covers, as I rarely use the LCD except to change a setting, and I don't like it banging against my belt buckle or buttons.
 
i have an arte di mano case, but am slowly using it less and less. i also find it too much of a brick in the hands, and prefer using it caseless with the thumbsup assc.
 
Extremely helpful! Thanks all. I have the thumbs up, does anyone know if that will play nicely with the leica half or full case?

Best,
Seth
 
srestaino said:
Extremely helpful! Thanks all. I have the thumbs up, does anyone know if that will play nicely with the leica half or full case?
Click to expand...

I had a Thumbie on my M9 when I first obtained it. It was ok, but didn't satisfy me in terms of improving my grip on the camera. To fit it with either of the half cases I tried would have meant trimming some of the case, so I just removed it. The A&A half case on the M9 provides all the grip and feel I want. I suspect it would be the same for the Thumbs-Up.

(I never used the wind lever as a thumb rest on my film M either or other film cameras as well, find it clumsy for my hand. I tend to fold it in between shots. )

G
 
srestaino said:
Extremely helpful! Thanks all. I have the thumbs up, does anyone know if that will play nicely with the leica half or full case?

Best,
Seth
Click to expand...

The Thumbs up is perfect with the Leica half case. I have had both for about a week now.
I had the Arte di Mano half case with the Thumb grip for the M9 and loved it.
sadly they dont make one for the M240. That said the Leica half case is a very nice fit despite the open back and has the added advantage of easy on/off for SD card and Battery removal.
 
I love the luigi cases and have one on my M9 with the matching strap. It is a bit of a pain to remove when accessing the SD card and battery. I would suggest an easy access case that I think he makes.
 
mountainrivera said:
I love the luigi cases and have one on my M9 with the matching strap. It is a bit of a pain to remove when accessing the SD card and battery. I would suggest an easy access case that I think he makes.
Click to expand...

+1 for the Luigi easy access case and M-Mate bottom plate. I have this on my new M9 (It came with both), and it is extremely convenient. You really never need to take the case or bottom plate off.
 
1. Artisan & Artist
- fantastic my current recommended case. fits closely. Leather has a softness which I like for grip. looks very classic. good protection, wraps around brass top plate for protection - counter argument is that it makes the top slightly more bulky overall.
2. Luigi / Leicatime
- I have only tried the lowest cost ones. Also very nice but I have gone off the grip bump which some people like. nice that it comes with a detachable back cover (which you can ask for instead of the attached back cover). Often not cut perfectly, so slightly covers
3. Sqinno (haven't tried)
4. Leica
- surprisingly good for the M240. Nice fit. Need to like the white thread. The M9 and M8 was horrible IMHO
5. Gariz
- Gariz are top quality their fit is second to none. The M240 case is the least protective of all though, i.e doesn't cover the top plate at all. Also the bottom has to be screwed on but is metal and fells chunky. Its good value too if you don't mind the reduced protection
6. Arte Di Mano (haven't tried)

rgds
 
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