stevebrot
Established
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:
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...)
The obvious questions that come to mind are:
- Are they well made?
- Do they fit well?
- Do they look good?
- Do they enhance handling?
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...)
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lbenac
Established
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
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
Established
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
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
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raid
Dad Photographer
There exist lengthy and informative RFF threads on Zhou cases.
Congrats.
Congrats.
stevebrot
Established
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
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
Established
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
Established
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.
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
Established
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
Dad Photographer
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
Established
fbf
Well-known
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
Established
stevebrot
Established
Mablo
Well-known
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
Well-known
I like the strap in your photos, Steve. It's not a Zhou product, is it?
stevebrot
Established
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
Veteran
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
Veteran
nice looking rig. the pentax strap - without the shoulder brick - is my favorite strap.