Thoughts, opinions and advice on the Luigi half case

[robklurfield]

I've got a half case with no back, a built in grip and a cut-out done by my local cobbler to accommodate a Thumbs Up. I bought the case second hand (I think from Tony Rose) initially as much to protect my M8 from scratches and the like as to get a better grip on it. Now, after two years of shooting with the camera as often as I can, I no longer worry about scratches (it's got a few and the paint is wearing nicely through use), so I most use the case when I need to get some extra grip with my extra small hands or if I know I'll be in a challenging setting where there's likely to be excessive knocking about (crowds and such) or if I am going without the Thumbs Up. The case if very well made, but I'm glad I didn't pay full price for it given that I no longer use it as much as I intended. Very much a matter of personal taste. It does help me to not drop my camera, so that's a good thing.

 

[semilog]

I understand the point of a custom holster for a sidearm.

But no one sane shoots a pistol while it's still in the holster, at least not intentionally.

I feel the same way about half cases and "neverready" cases. Pointless silliness. If I am worried about scuffing a body I put some gaffer tape on it. Cheaper, lighter, less bulky, and doesn't slow down reloading of film or memory cards.

 

[kully]

I don't think it muffles the sound enough for that to be a reason for buying.

I bought mine second hand and even after a my travels around around Europe, India and the home counties, it feels tight. Just a little discoloured from the grease from my nose and sweat from my hands.

I got it more for comfort than protection, the only thing that needs protecting on the M8 is the LCD screen, and a protector will do that job for a few quid, the black chrome is nice and hardy.

I use mine with the thumbs-up, I've just had a little play with it here and I have to say, I'd be happy with just the thumbs-up.

 

[photokalia]

Just to throw in something different, I use a Luxecase and I love it (www.luxecase.com). I don't baby my cameras, but a year and a half later, my Luxecase still looks pretty good.

Price and quality wise I'd say they are comparable to A&A. The website is in Korean, but the owner is very friendly and takes international orders via email. Just tell him the model number and country you want it shipped to and he'll give you a quote. If I get another Leica, I wouldn't hesitate to get another Luxecase.

 

[Dominum]

I have a Luigi half case for my M8 and it is driving me crazy. The stitching is coming out at random parts and i'm having to superglue it back every week or so..

 

[EthanFrank]

I have a Luigi half case for my M8 and it is driving me crazy. The stitching is coming out at random parts and i'm having to superglue it back every week or so..

If it isn't too old, perhaps consider dropping him an email - for a case of that price, that shouldn't happen.

 

[segedi]

I bought a Zhou case first, great build and really like the thumb grip on the back. But ended up getting a basic Luigi half case because I use a 1.25x magnifier and the Zhou case doesn't accommodate it but the Luigi case does. Happy with both but does take some time to change film; but that's not usually a problem as I rarely shoot more than 1 roll per outing.

 

[dshfoto]

I bought a Luigi half case for my M8 (with the hinged flap). I use it, and an op/tech neoprene cover for the lens, with an elastic retaining strap on the op/tech cover.
With this arrangement, I don't need any other protection for the camera and lens, and can put the camera in a backpack, carry-on, or just carry it on my shoulder.
No problems with the Lugi case falling apart, seems to be the same quality as an Art/Artisan 1/2 case.

 

[Dominum]

If it isn't too old, perhaps consider dropping him an email - for a case of that price, that shouldn't happen.

Its barely a month old. I think it has something to do with the ivory stitches. I already returned the first case because the thread came out within a day. Luigi was very kind to mail me another case free of charge so I dont want to trouble him again. I guess I can handle random threads coming out.

 

[EthanFrank]

Its barely a month old. I think it has something to do with the ivory stitches. I already returned the first case because the thread came out within a day. Luigi was very kind to mail me another case free of charge so I dont want to trouble him again. I guess I can handle random threads coming out.

I don't doubt that he's a good guy - nice of him to do that. Yours sounded like an isolated case, but now that you say it's happened twice in a row...

 

[dave lackey]

Although I always prefer "nekkid", growing up in a blue-collar family where my father was a skilled master mechanic, I was always taught to take care of tools and other possessions.

Since then, I have spent 40 years using Nikons with half-cases and transporting with full cases and now using them on both of my Leicas. The Nikons still look and operate as new after hundreds of thousands of photos.

I am just finishing a long-term project for the first in a series of books using the Leicas with half cases. The R4 factory case and the M3 factory case modified to allow a custom leather strap made from reins. Not only have they protected both cameras from dings, scratches and sweat, but they have become a non-issue for changing film. It's not as if changing film in the M3 is a fast-draw kind of thing anyway and just a quick turn of the screw releases the case anyhow.😛

So, with a super-expensive M9? Hell, yes, I would use a Luigi case to protect it and with a good sized card, how often are you going to access the card/battery anyway?🙂

 

[jpmac55]

I've had pretty good luck with Luigi products. I just received a half case for my X100 and couldn't be more pleased. Besides protection, it enhances the X100 handling and ergonomics.