mr zhou half case

I have a brown Zhou case for my M2, a black Zhou case for my M3, and a tan Zhou case for my IIIf. All are beautifully made with supple leather. As someone else said, it fits like a glove.

I recently purchased a RD-1 that came with a gripped Luigi case. It feels a bit more substantial to the Zhou case, and it is stiffer too (whereas the Zhou case is made from soft leather). Very nice detailing, a bit finer than the Zhou case. Also, Luigi claims his leathers are better than the leather from China, and does not contain harmful toxins. I have no way of verifying that claim. Zhou's leather appears to be of very high quality as well.

Luigi's cases are undoubtly of the highest quality. But now having examined the Luigi case and the Zhou case side-by-side, I would not hesitate to recommend the Zhou case as an economical alternative to the Luigi case.
 
Great case, too bad it won't fit with a Thumbs-Up on M8s/M9s

Great case, too bad it won't fit with a Thumbs-Up on M8s/M9s

I used a Zhou case with a Leica CL and really liked it.

Now that I'm using an M9 more, though, I have to choose between using the Zhou case or the Thumbs-Up (the topmost portion of the case keeps the Thumb-Up from fitting on the hotshoe and being flush with the body), and I have to choose the Thumbs-Up. If I had my way, though, Zhou would have a M8/M9 case designed to use with the Thumbs-Up.
 
scottwallick said:
I used a Zhou case with a Leica CL and really liked it.

Now that I'm using an M9 more, though, I have to choose between using the Zhou case or the Thumbs-Up (the topmost portion of the case keeps the Thumb-Up from fitting on the hotshoe and being flush with the body), and I have to choose the Thumbs-Up. If I had my way, though, Zhou would have a M8/M9 case designed to use with the Thumbs-Up.
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Scott, an Artisan and Artist halfcase would allow you to use the Thumbs-ups with no issues, heard from a friend. hope it helps.
 
The only negative is that I have an M3 and with the Mr. Zhou case I have to take it off to put on a 35f2 Leica with goggles. It is too close to the lens on the self timer side to put it on quickly. The fit is tight on the camera and I have to almost peel it off to put new film and take out the exposed film. That maybe good or bad??
Joe
 
I thought they were just knock-offs of Luigi's designs? I wouldn't touch them for that reason.

Regards,

Bill
 
BillP said:
I thought they were just knock-offs of Luigi's designs? I wouldn't touch them for that reason.

Regards,

Bill
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No... they're very different from Luigi's... they have a bump on the back and front for easier grip. Many people claim "knock off" but really they're both made for the same camera :) There's only really one way to make a case for an M2 and still have it fit... of COURSE they're going to have the same dimensions... did people really expect Zhou's cases to be deeper/wider/taller than Luigi's? It's just like there's only way to make an M->LTM adapter and have it work... there's certain measurements that HAVE to be the same among all of them... but I doubt we're all buying the Leica ones on principle ;)

Now if Zhou was using the exact same leather, same pattern, stamping them "Luiggi's case for Leeca" and pumping them out in a sweatshop... yeah... I'd have a problem... but that's not the case (no pun intended). They're just two products at two different price points. Having tried both... Zhou's seems slightly more ergonomically functional while Luigi's are better made, better materials, fit slightly better and more aesthetically pleasing. In the end I chose the Luigi, but only because I picked one up cheap second hand. If I hadn't have found one that cheap I would have been perfectly happy with the Zhou.
 
I've got a Zhou half-case and it does what I need quite well: Enhanced grip and protect the camera body.

I find M cameras clumsy to hold and manipulate when they aren't wearing any clothes, unlike the Bessas, which have a very comfortable grip.
 
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