Luigi half case or VC II meter?

[like2fiddle]

Let's say one has put aside $200 to spend on something photo-related, and he has decided on either purchasing a Luigi half case or a VC II lightmeter to supplement/replace the old pilot 2. One helps you make better photos, the other is essentially a "treat", but $200 only buys one of them. Which would you go for?

 

[rogue_designer]

tough call - but I'd say buy the treat, and ask for the VCII for christmas. 😉

 

[pesphoto]

hmm..maybe the meter.

 

[pesphoto]

Thats 2 to 1 so far. I just never use cases so it doesnt appeal to me. Though, Im not you of course.

 

[dexdog]

go for the meter, a lot more useful. Luigi cases are nice, but are more of a treat or a luxury, as noted.

 

[kully]

I'm looking at my VCII now, and thinking the Luigi case would be nice.

But then, if I had the case I would probably be saying the say about the meter.

This rather pointless post is saying "VCII"

 

[dostacos]

buy the case and get an inexpensive hand held meter

 

[like2fiddle]

Ok, so far it's 2:1 for the meter, which is the practical choice. The entire reason for putting this out here is that I have spent my entire life doing the practical thing and was curious about breaking away for the sake of trying it (not that a Luigi case is impractical, believe me, I can talk myself into buying one to perhaps protect the body, or make the grip more comfortable, etc)

 

[Paul T.]

I have the VC meter - whihc is a cute thing, although the ASA speed does get annoyingly knocked about on mine. I had a Luigi case for my Hexar RF, and sold it when the camera went into intensive care, never to return. For my M4 I bought a s-h Leica full case, which is just as fondlable - it looks good in a 60s kinda way, altho it doesnt' have that classy leather smell. Bear in mind, that Luigi's cases do come up second hand quite often... so i'd definitely suggest a new meter from Stephen Gandy, and a case at your leisure

 

[Ash]

Go for the case - it should last as long as the camera!

I'm happy using one of the cheapest and widely available Leningrad (8) meters. Not great for low light, but generally a good choice. You could pick one of them up super-cheap and get the Luigi case as well.

 

[like2fiddle]

I've already got an inexpensive meter that works fine except in low light (gossen pilot 2). I actually don't even use a meter outdoors most of the time - sunny 16. I take many photos indoors however, which is why I like the rangefinders so much, and it's there that I have so much trouble metering, in the low light. I'm not into flash.

 

[Ash]

Get the Luigi case, it'll make holding the camera steady at 1/15 all the more comfortable 😀

 

[like2fiddle]

Ash, now that's one I hadn't considered. That helps tip the scale...

 

[PlantedTao]

... Bear in mind, that Luigi's cases do come up second hand quite often... so i'd definitely suggest a new meter from Stephen Gandy, and a case at your leisure

I second that.
I have a second hand case, they are wonderful but a luxury that can be bought at lower price if you look.
The meter will help you take better pictures...the case is just frickn cool and makes you really love holding your camera.

 

[like2fiddle]

Okay, the practical side of me, which almost always wins out, is saying "it's making the photos that you love, you want them to be as good as you can make them, so the meter is where to spend your money right now", and the other, more in-it-for-the-fun side says, "it's the process of taking the picture, the way the camera feels in the hands, the way you feel as you walk around with it hanging around your neck"

Other than the classifieds here, or the bay place, where would one find a used Luigi half case? I did see one here on RFF not too long ago that was for sale but the price was higher than for a new one.

 

[Kyle]

I'm not much of a case person. Had a Luigi, it was a beautiful piece of work, but added too much bulk to my hands for my liking. I wound up selling it. Go for the meter.

Or go with a cheaper hand held meter for under $100, then pick up a used Luigi case (he also sells his NOS cases for ~$125).

 

[vrgard]

I say the heck with the practical side here even though that is more my typical orientation. A meter just for indoor shots? Naw, that's pretty easy to guess unless perhaps you're shooting slide film. A Luigi case? I have them on all my Leicas and, in my opinion and experience, really ups the camera using experience. Looks better, feels better, easier to handhold (I have large hands), protects the camera from bumps and scrapes, etc. I say go for the case!

-Randy

P.S. I have 3 Luigi cases. Bought one new, one from another rff member through the classifieds, and one from ebay. Love 'em all.

 

[FrankS]

I have a Luigi case and a VC meterII. If I had to give up one of them, I'd keep the meter. The case is nice, but the meter rocks.

 

[planetjoe]

...when I don't want to stick a hand-held at somebodies face.

Ha - this is exactly the problem I face pretty often. I find that a meter is more useful indoors than out - I know the average exposure changes less in a room with constant lighting, but being at the low end of the exposure scale means (in my experience) that a little bit makes a big difference. And yeah, I shoot e6.

So, what was I saying? Oh, yeah - go for the VCII. But I'm sure you'll enjoy either.


Cheers,
--joe.

 

[like2fiddle]

I'm going to sleep on it one more night. That darn practical side of me has probably kept me out of more trouble over the years, but by the same token, has contributed to many regrets for lost opportunities and not having done something different that I might have really enjoyed... and in the long run, we're not talking about 10k on a full fledged Leica system, we're talking about $200.