M5 accessories... case and strap... Please help

capitalK

capitalK

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Hello all... I will be getting my first M soon, an M5 and I'm going to need to dress it up a little.

It's a 2-lug and I don't have a strap for it... is there anything you can recommend? Also I'd love a half-case, as much as I love the Luigi case on my Bessa I don't think I have the cash to get it up front. Anybody recommend a Zhou case or something similar?

My Lowepro bag isn't big enough for 2 M-bodies (Bessa and M5) with lenses attached. Can someone recommend a good size Domke or something similar? BBB?

Lastly I think I'll need a soft release, but those are easy enough to find.

Thanks for any advice, I appreciate it.
 
Use the M5 for awhile before you go "dressing it up."

Leica made an ever ready case. Bigfoot has one. The lower half attaches like all such cases. A conventional strap works in place of the 2 lug strap arrangement. Not perfect, but it works. Bubba came with 3 lugs and has a 1" Domke strap. Works just fine. I imagine it would work in 2 lugs.

Aside: My Pentax 6x7 and my Canon EOS 1 body both offer 2 lug strap arrangements similar to the M5. I am currently test driving the 2 lug vertical hang on these oversized, overweight beasts. Not bad at all.

Enjoy.
 
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I've had a Mr. Zhou Tan M5 case for about a year, and I really like it. In fact, i'd highly recommend it. Looks great on my chrome M-5, and fits it well.

Very few items are available -new- for the Leica M-5. This is one worth getting.

I think he make straps, too. Maybe you could get something to match. With the M-5, all you need, is a strip of cowhide.
 
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Directly from Mr Zhou on Ebay (that's how I got mine, directly from China), or from that well-known oriental Leica repair guy in New England, who acts as his agent here in the states. Just don't want to grossly mis-spell his name.

Somebody help me out here :)
 
I'm hard on my cameras so I want to get it covered with something ASAP. Father's Day is coming up... maybe I can scam a Luigi case out of my wife and kid :p
 
No M5 cases at the moment. Do I contact him through eBay or is there an email address where I can request one?
 
The original M5 case has a detachable top, unlike earlier ever ready cases for the M2 and M3. So you get a full case that converts to a half case. I like mine a lot.
 
capitalK said:
No M5 cases at the moment. Do I contact him through eBay or is there an email address where I can request one?
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Try contacting Mr. Zhou through Ebay.
He has made M5 cases in tan and black.
Who is his U.S. agent -- Xioun Xe
He might have one left.
Somebody help me with that spelling (?)
 
As far as camera bags I use Crumpler 4 million dollar bag for 1 camera and 2 lens and a Crumpler 5 millon dollar bag for 2 bodies and 2-3 lens.They are excellent quality very compact readily avalible and are reasonably priced.
 
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I have a huge Crumpler December Quarter that used to carry both my DSLR's and all my lenses... and killed my back in the process :D They're nice bags but I think I want something a little more classic like a Domke. Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
I use a Artisan & Artist strap on my M5. It is not listed on their web-site nor could I find it at Popflash, so I called Scott at Mainline Photographics and asked him for the details.

The strap I use is M# 104 and is worth $49AUD. It is black woven cotton with a suede-leather pad at the neck/shoulder, light-weight, tough as nails, and does everything a strap should. It was designed specifically for the M5.

I carry my M5 over my left shoulder and have come to prefer this method to having a camera around my neck. It is hidden and protected by your arm, can even be slid into a jacket pocket, but instantly accessible... grasp the lens,swing it to your eye, your right hand does not need to fumble with a strap to operate the M5. Perfect. Leica really did know what they were doing when they designed the M5, shame the traditionalists could not see the light.

I do not use a case, have never used any case on any camera I have owned. But a case on my M5 would drive me to distraction, since when I am shooting, in the studio, on-location or on the street, I can be changing film every 15 minutes or less. The M5 is a tough beast and you will be hard pressed to do more than chip off some Vulcanite.
 
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just show my two M5, both in Mr. Zhou M5 case.

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I also have the soft case from Leica as shown in link below. Though I seldom use it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-LEICA-LEITZ-M5-LEATHER-CASE-brown-black-strap_W0QQitemZ320379884609QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item4a98211441&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A2096|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
 

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Ken,

I'm waiting for Tom to release the limited edition Mr. B softie. When he does so, I'll gladly order a softie of your choice for you. We can split the shipping.

The Mr. Zhou cases look nice. I always vouch for Luigi as I love his stuff. Have you considered the Hirano cases thru JapanExposures.com? I really like the one Hirano made for my Spotmatic. I'll bring it the next time we meet for coffee.
 
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gordy coale made me a sling and custom double connector for the 2-lug. works great, camera rides at left hip, ready to grab and shoot. if you're interested i can put up a picture when i'm back home. don't like cases myself, too much bother changing film, as lynn points out.
 
Luigi makes a case for a two lug M5 that let's you carry the camera as if it had 3 lugs. I have one, but you can't have it because I'm using it on the M5 I didn't sell you!

/T
 
Tuolumne said:
Luigi makes a case for a two lug M5 that let's you carry the camera as if it had 3 lugs. I have one, but you can't have it because I'm using it on the M5 I didn't sell you!

/T
Click to expand...

Haha that's OK, you've done enough Sir! I've already emailed Luigi and he has them in stock in black, brown and aged brown but I'm not sure if I can bite the bullet or not.

You think €170+shipping is too much to ask for a Father's Day gift? :D
 
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