Thumbs Up, Luigi case... no cutout? Any suggestions?

[robklurfield]

Is anyone using a Thumbs Up AND a Luigi case WITHOUT the cutout? Does it work? Any other alternatives worth considering?

I just bought a used half case with the front grip at a price too good to pass up (thx Tony Rose and evilBay). I'm wondering what options I have for using the TU with the case short of sending the case to Luigi for the cutout. All suggestions are welcome (me wielding a sharp object to make my own cut is probably NOT a good idea).

 

[D&A]

Hi,

Lucky you...I've been looking for a great buy in a Luigi case for the M8 (with built in grip). Many shoe repair places that work with leather and repair luggage etc,. are good at cutting away leather and restiching it where needed. Some can do this quite easily but you'll have to go to a few places and talk with them. The other option is realize it's impossible to do and immediately sell it to me at a great price 🙂 Hope you have good luck in the modification.

Dave (D&A)

 

[isalan]

I have the half case and use the Thumbs Up with no changes to the case. Just slide the TU back a little to remove the case. While in use it just pinches in against the case. It doesn't make sense to modify the beautiful case.

 

[robklurfield]

Thanks folks. More opinions welcome, too. D&A, I was thinking the same thing as on option, but has isalan said, it would be a shame to modify Luigi's gorgeous work. Isalan, any chance you've got a pic of the TU mounted with your case? The case I won was $100. I got very lucky for once, wandering up to my computer just minutes after Tony posted it and long before any of you beat me to it (I'm almost never this lucky). Good thing, as it leaves a little money for some glass later on. Need to save a few bucks as I have serioius GAS over the CV 15 M-mount.

 

[Bill58]

Send it back to Luigi for modification?

Bill

 

[isalan]

I'm on holiday away from but will take a photo and post it when I return home in a week or so.

 

[Ben Z]

I have the half case and use the Thumbs Up with no changes to the case. Just slide the TU back a little to remove the case. While in use it just pinches in against the case. It doesn't make sense to modify the beautiful case.

A week or so ago I got a used Thumbs-Up (like new condition in the box with the allen wrench) from KEH (model CSEP1, the short, ergonomically-angled model with the cold shoe). It was $50 cheaper than a new one so I figured, what the heck, give it a try. I have a Luigi case (also bought used on eBay), mine's the model with the snap-off rear flap. There's no way the Thumbs-Up would go more than about halfway into the flash shoe with the case on. I don't know how you managed it.

As an aside, I didn't care for the Thumbs-Up (it kept banging against my chest while I walked, I still have a bruise) and sent it back.

 

[robklurfield]

... I have a Luigi case (also bought used on eBay), mine's the model with the snap-off rear flap. There's no way the Thumbs-Up would go more than about halfway into the flash shoe with the case on. I don't know how you managed it. .....

I'm wondering the same thing; isalan, how did you get the TU to fit without stick out from the shoe???

 

[isalan]

It does stick out from the shoe slightly less than an 1/8 of an inch but it sits firmly on the case and is in the right position for my hand. It is firmly in the shoe and takes a bit of effort to remove. I have posted 2 pictures on Flickr. See Alan42
I will leave these posted for a couple of weeks.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/islastchance/

 

[robklurfield]

Alan, thanks for the pix. My case arrived a few days ago and my TU 3 should be arriving shortly, so I will give this a try.

 

[isalan]

I'm sure you will be happy with the way it feels and that is what is most important. Try the TU with the case off as well and you will see it feels the same.

 

[bradhusick]

I used a pair of electrical cutters (heavy duty) and made a small vertical notch in the case just where the TU arcs out from the body of the camera for your thumb. The cut is about 1.5cm tall and 0.25cm wide. It seems to work perfectly.