"Quick Draw" holster/case

[Trius]

Years ago my photo mentor carried his M3 in a leather holster that he wore on his belt. The leather was heavy and stiff. The front side (facing away from the wearer) was cut out in a U shape so that the camera slipped in vertically, with the lens barrel rested on the top of the U, protruding from the case.

I've never seen such a case/holster since, but I've always had it in my mind to have one if I ever began shooting with RFs again. I've done a online search but haven't found one exactly like what I remember. Has anyone seen one lately or know a source? I may have to have one made up. Kameraleldler might be the best source for something like this, but they have no pictures online and no description of something like this.

Earl

 

[back alley]

i see another side line for the g'man!

i might have to wear suspenders with a belt though to keep a canon p from pulling my drawers down...

joe

 

[back alley]

I could design a shoulder holster for you. 🙂

now THAT would be cool!

joe

 

[egpj]

Wait a second! A Jedi is supposed to complete his own light saber. That thing was way cool though! I bet Bill Palmer would be all over this thing for his "Photo belt" (patent pending) 😛

 

[Pico]

I have a big clip on the camera strap, halfway between the camera and my shoulder. I keep the Leica under my coat. When I need it, I unclip and it is in my hand.

Years ago it got me out of trouble on a Chicago El. Late one night a gang of four was going through the trains, looking dangerous. I was alone in the cabin. The leading dude tapped me at the jacket, under my left arm where the camera was (and incidently, where I'd pack a 45 auto later) and jumped back saying "Da man!" and they vanished.

 

[egpj]

I have a big clip on the camera strap, halfway between the camera and my shoulder. I keep the Leica under my coat. When I need it, I unclip and it is in my hand.

Years ago it got me out of trouble on a Chicago El. Late one night a gang of four was going through the trains, looking dangerous. I was alone in the cabin. The leading dude tapped me at the jacket, under my left arm where the camera was (and incidently, where I'd pack a 45 auto later) and jumped back saying "Da man!" and they vanished.

I can not get the visual on that one. I have used a shoulder holster for many years. One side has extra clips and the other side carries the weapon. There is not enough room to carry a camera under the arm. Uncomfortable enough with your gun there but you arm movement would be very restricted and you could not wear it up close to your armpit. So how did you have it attached and where on your body? Maybe if you had a retractable Elmar on the camera.

 

[Trius]

Damn, G'man, ask for something obscure around here and there's sure to be shots of it posted immediately! PM on its way!

Earl

 

[Traut]

G'man, I want one for a IIf. Name your price!!

 

[Pico]

I can not get the visual on that one. I have used a shoulder holster for many years. One side has extra clips and the other side carries the weapon. [...] .

That sounds like the one I still have for the old Detonics Combat Master (also fits the Colt Officer.)

But to answer - the lens is the original Summilux 35mm F1.4 with lenscap. Plenty of room. The camera is between the armpit and elbow. (I don't carry a pistol and a camera! Gads. At my age that would be a disaster.)

 

[dostacos]

I could design a shoulder holster for you. 🙂

I would rather have a crossdraw 😀

 

[Bobbo]

I saw something like this in an old modern photography from the mid-80's...I'll dig around and see if I can find it. It was in a special issue about things you can do or make or something like that.

Bob

 

[Trius]

Looks like I started something! OK, I'm going to seek a local source for making up one for me. If it goes well, maybe I can get into the business. I'd do it myself, but I'm hopless with needle and thread.

Earl

 

[hoot]

G'man, I had something similar to your leather belt case made for me by a friend, for the XA I used to shoot with. It had some extra compartments for three pens and a cellphone. Unfortunately it did NOT outlast the XA, but fell apart long before I sold the camera. Perhaps I should've made friends with a mechanic rather than a tailor. 😀

I currently use a shoulder strap with the camera clipped/hooked on, like what Pico mentioned. It's not quite as comfortable as the belt case but at least I can sit down without having it snap off. In any case, camera bags are becoming less and less attractive to me as I find that having something dangle off you like an Xmas tree decoration isn't very conductive to some kinds of photography.

Hope your eye gets well soon!

 

[tedwhite]

I have an old Uncle Mike's cloth crossdraw holster for a short Glock (Model 26) that I never use and one day shoved the following cameras into it (not all at once, of course): Fed 2 w/collapsible Fed 3.5, Yash T4 Super, Oly XA, Bessa R w/35/2.5. They all fit rather easily, some better than others. The holster swallowed the Oly and I had trouble retrieving it. Then I tried a Bessaflex with Super Takumar 28/3.5. No dice. Too thick.

My point being that if you go to a local gun shop and try shoving your camera into a variety of holsters, both cloth and leather (forget the hard plastic Fobus Israeli holsters - they work great for guns, not for anything else) you might be in for a pleasant surprise. Also, some of the leather ones that almost fit, might fit just right with a bit of carving.

Ted

(Glock in Fobus for those peaceful mountain bike rides along the Mexican border; Oly XA in the fanny pak, along with energy bars, sandwich, cell phone, etc.).