Mr. Zhou Half Case and Canon P

[stevebrot]

After an abortive try to find a suitable case for my newly acquired Canon P, I finally bit the bullet and ordered one (half case, black with black stitching) from Mr. Zhou on eBay (LINK). As many of you are aware, Mr. Zhou offers a model to compete with the ridiculously expensive Luigi cases from Italy at about the $65 USD price point.

The obvious questions that come to mind are:

• Are they well made?
• Do they fit well?
• Do they look good?
• Do they enhance handling?

Well, the case came a few days ago along with one of his "crop" type wrist straps. The good news is that the answer to all of the above questions is an emphatic YES. The Zhou product is different than a Luigi (I have seen a Luigi case for a Sigma). Luigi uses a softer leather, but the materials, lining, and stitching on the Zhou is definitely top rate. Zhou uses a stiff leather similar to that on classic hard cases with a smooth sueded lining. The fit on the Canon P is very snug, but I anticipate that it will loosen with time and usage.

The big plus point is in the handling department. The naked Canon P handles a little like a brick when compared directly with my FED-2. Slip on the Zhou case and the scores reverse. Ooo! La! La! Very nice in the hand! The "bumps" front and rear work very well. May I mention that it looks good too?

At this point I will put in a comment regarding the wrist strap. It is nicely made but the "crop" wrapped portion is too thick to work well with the half case. It projects out at a fixed and awkward angle and is in the way. To be fair this is also the case with many other straps that use a round split ring. As a result, the wrist strap is now attached to the FED-2 where it works much better.

I will take a few photos tomorrow and post them here.

Edit: Photos added as new comment below...


Steve

(Has no interest in Mr. Zhou's business other than as a satisfied customer...)

 

[lbenac]

Hello Steve,


This is the case I have and I have the same positive comments.
I use a wrist strap from Gordy's

http://www.gordyscamerastraps.com/index.htm

Note that I use the same strap for my Hasselblad 500 CM and I like it very much.

Cheers,

luc

 

[stevebrot]

A few days later than I promised, but here are the photos:










I would call attention again to the "lug hole". I am using a slender-type triangular split hanger due to clearance issues with the usual round split ring. The round rings protrude at a clumsy angle and cause the camera to hang in a weird position.

The strap is not one I purchased from Mr. Zhou. It was scavenged from a Pentax Spotmatic.



Steve

 

[raid]

There exist lengthy and informative RFF threads on Zhou cases.
Congrats.

 

[stevebrot]

There exist lengthy and informative RFF threads on Zhou cases.
Congrats.

Oops! I guess I missed those. Well, anyway, here is one on a P.


Steve

 

[Al Patterson]

FYI, I use the case from my Canon AE-1 with my P. I would like to get the Zhou case at some point though.

 

[stevebrot]

FYI, I use the case from my Canon AE-1 with my P. I would like to get the Zhou case at some point though.

I actually went looking for a case from an older Canon SLR (say an FTb or AE-1). The body on the P looks to have very similar dimensions. I had no luck however, and after a few hours pawing through the junk boxes at local used camera shops I finally just ordered one from Zhou. Seeing how the case is put together, I can't help but wonder if something similar made from padded ballistic nylon might be more practical, tougher, and cheaper to make. Maybe something for me to pursue when and if I ever get to retire!


Steve

 

[lilmsmaggie]

I'm considering purchasing a Zhou half-case for one of my cameras primarily for handling and protection purposes. I'm one of those "Old Geezer's" that remembers when all cameras came with an included case or as an optional accessory.

I remember most camera cases back in the day were for a lack of a better description "convertible," meaning you had a full case that could be converted into a half-case by simply removing the section that protected the lens.

I'd personally like to hear comments from other Zhou case owners before taking the plunge.

$264 US is a lot for a Luigi. I'm sure the Luigi cases are very nice, but so is paying less than $196 for a case of equal quality.

 

[stevebrot]

I'm considering purchasing a Zhou half-case for one of my cameras primarily for handling and protection purposes...

That was my rational as well. My camera has survived over 50 years with relatively few scratches. Its good condition is likely due to it being kept in a case that absorbed most of the blows. Who am I to not respect the care given by previous owners and start scratching it up! In addition to protection, the handling issue is a big one for me. I have large hands and appreciate a bulge or two and the leather surface to help me grip the camera.


Steve

 

[raid]

I got my case for free from Zhou when he sent a few out to be reviewed. It is a very good half-case. The one for the Leica M fits also the Contax II.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

Who am I to not respect the care given by previous owners and start scratching it up! In addition to protection, the handling issue is a big one for me. I have large hands and appreciate a bulge or two and the leather surface to help me grip the camera. Steve

Ditto Steve

 

[fbf]

The one for the Leica M fits also the Contax II.

You learn something here everyday. I just put it on the contax ii and it fits perfect. The contax iia is a bit small for my hands but it is perfect with the case on.
Thanks Raid.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

You learn something here everyday. I just put it on the contax ii and it fits perfect. The contax iia is a bit small for my hands but it is perfect with the case on.
Thanks Raid.

Now that's what I'm talking about - shooting comfort 🙂

 

[stevebrot]

I got my case for free from Zhou when he sent a few out to be reviewed. It is a very good half-case. The one for the Leica M fits also the Contax II.

So which Zhou case fits a FED-2 and/or Zorki 4? 😀


Steve

 

[Mablo]

Don't know about FED-2 or Zorki-4 but a couple of years back I used Yashica GSN's half case with my Canon P. It was easy to remove for film loading/unloading. I sold the case with my Yashica so these days my P goes around naked.

 

[regularchickens]

I like the strap in your photos, Steve. It's not a Zhou product, is it?

 

[stevebrot]

I like the strap in your photos, Steve. It's not a Zhou product, is it?

Nope, the strap was originally on a Pentax Spotmatic (I think. It is leather and the shoulder grip is labeled Pentax). I found it in the junk box at a local used camera place.


Steve

 

[Steve Bellayr]

What makes these cases particularly comfortable is the grips that are added in the back and front. I also like that the case is sturdy enough to keep the camera from getting nicks and scratches. I am hoping that some day he will make one for the Nikon series rangefinders.

 

[paulfish4570]

nice looking rig. the pentax strap - without the shoulder brick - is my favorite strap.

 

[raid]

You learn something here everyday. I just put it on the contax ii and it fits perfect. The contax iia is a bit small for my hands but it is perfect with the case on.
Thanks Raid.

You're welcome. I have the IIa in the half case by Zhou. It is a good fit. as you have seen yourself.