Suggestion for a protective case.

[peripatetic]

Hi folks,

I've had my ZI since April and have twice had to stump up £100 for rangefinder adjustment.

The first time the camera swung forward on its strap and "fell" a couple of inches onto a porcelain washbasin. And it went way out. Didn't have time to send it to Germany so had it done in Soho, and it seemed okay, but then drifted out again over a few months.

Now I've just got it back from Zeiss and it's perfect again, but I was thinking I should get a protective case or cover for it so that it is a bit more resistant to knocks putting the RF out of alignment.

I only use one lens; the 50mm Planar. I have just a standard urban backpack/daypack that I put jackets, sandwiches, a novel, etc. into when I'm out and about in London.

In order to avoid a twice-yearly round trip to Germany for service I have been thinking I should get a protective cover for it. I'd rather not spend a fortune, and I don't really care about looks. It needs to be not too heavy and not too bulky but still give some protection. I'm not bothered about scratches on the camera, just coddling the darned thing. It should ideally not slow things down too much when I want to get at the camera lest the decisive moment pass me by. 🙂

Any suggestions?

I have just found the "ever-ready case" at the Zeiss shop, but at EUR150 it seems quite dear. I certainly wouldn't want to spend any more than that and ideally a bit less.

 

[MartinP]

A leather half-case and a hefty rubber lens-hood (folded when not in use) ?

 

[shimo-kitasnap]

Is there some way to adjust the rf alignment by yourself? I know there's a website about the RD1 that a guy in the UK made and he's figured out how to adjust the rf patch.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Consider an OpTech neoprene case:

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/review optech camera case.html

or even just an OpTech 'shower cap':

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/review optech shower cap.html

which wipes the floor with ZI lens caps as well (I love ZIs but not their lens caps)

Cheers,

R

 

[peripatetic]

Thanks Roger,

The "soft-pouch rangefinder" looks just the ticket, and at $25 it's a lot easier on the wallet than the premium Zeiss leather case.

 

[payasam]

Better than a case designed for the specific camera would be a small padded bag which you can sling over your shoulder. The camera would be protected but also ready for immediate use.

 

[kshapero]

This works for me:

 

[percepts]

There are so many to choose from:

http://www.camera-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Camera_Cases_Camcorder_Cases.html

a simple slr top loader which can hang round your neck or shoulder will give good protection and is quick to get your camera from. If its deep enough you can keep some film in it too.

http://www.camera-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Tamrac_Aero_Series_SLR_DIgi_Zoomster_Camera_Bags.html

or

http://www.camera-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Topload_Zoom_Series.html

 

[peripatetic]

Thanks all, I stopped in at a local photo store today and actually ended up using a Lowepro lens bag. The SLR cases were all way too big. Just long enough for the ZI, nicely padded, goes easily in my daypack. £14.99.

Job done.

 

[ljsegil]

Tamrac Velocity Six sling pack (old model with snap closure is I think nicer than new model with zipper) carries my ZI with a 2.8/21, 2.0/35, 1.5/50, and 2.0/85 (or 75 if you prefer Leica or CV) plus room for film (or polarizer and step-up rings with less film), external viewfinder for the 21, and an extra battery in a very compact package that behaves as a small backpack but swings around to enable one to work out of the pack without having to remove it like a conventional backpack. I'm very partial to this type of arrangement, I use their Velocity 9 for my medium format kit when it actually ventures out into the world.
Cheap too.
LJS