Why did so many pros put up with their cameras in leather cases?

[Ko.Fe.]

I think you are misunderstanding the sense of the word investment in this case. There is a big difference between making an investment in tools (making a capital outlay with the intention of becoming more productive) to making a speculative investment in something (stock/share, artwork or camera) with the hope that it will appreciate in value.

Interestingly, in the case of "HCB" and "GW", their investment in cameras will have ended up serving both ends.

I like original case without top on my M3 ELC and Patagonian half-case on my M8. 😀

 

[maggieo]

Not only do I eschew cases, as Peter Turnley taught me, I eschew lens caps, except when transporting my camera.

 

[Godfrey]

Not only do I eschew cases, as Peter Turnley taught me, I eschew lens caps, except when transporting my camera.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DBgCE9qUMAANtyw.jpg

Hi Maggie!

I eschew the lens caps too, but I keep the lens hoods on (and no filters). 🙂
I only use cases when they benefit the camera in use.

G

 

[maggieo]

Hi Godfrey!!

I haven't found a hood for my $30.00 Jupiter-8, so it got a UV filter to protect the front of it.

Peter's advice about keeping your lens cap off has made my shooting so much better. I get shots now that I would have definitely missed before. Even if a bunch of them are just cute cat pix.

 

[Bill Clark]

Yes, I agree keep the lens cap off the lens.

Otherwise the photos turn out pretty light. Or is it dark?

The print dark!

 

[maggieo]

Bill's here all week, folks! Don't forget to tip your server!

 

[Dogman]

I'm all for camera nudity. Nothing more frustrating than a camera closed up in a case with a lens cap in place. Let 'em breathe!

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I like my camera to be dressed in leather when it humiliates me.

Chris

 

[ptpdprinter]

I've never had "never-ready" cases for any of my cameras. I also don't have a filter on any of my lenses, but I do keep a lens cap on when not in use.

 

[xayraa33]

Or have David Hemmings and Antonioni got a lot to answer for to the second hand camera market?

I don't think he even used a strap on his F if I recall the park scene in my mind's eye.


Note: he did, I just looked, he used it as a wrist strap.

 

[Mute-on]

I like my Leicas completely naked, save for lens hood and filter.
The closest I've come to dropping my M2 was when I put a string wrist strap on the right lug. Just not used to having my hand mechanically attached to the camera ...
Mind you, I shoot from a bag rather than hanging the camera over a shoulder.
J 🙂


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kiemchacsu]

I like my Leicas completely naked, save for lens hood and filter.
The closest I've come to dropping my M2 was when I put a string wrist strap on the right lug. Just not used to having my hand mechanically attached to the camera ...
Mind you, I shoot from a bag rather than hanging the camera over a shoulder.
J 🙂


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My experience was the same. I do not like leather case, but last time, I dropped my M2 from 1m distance, well a small dent imprinted on that. In addition, its strap lugs have become a little bit loose (known issue with M lines).
Since then, I attach the Leica [N]ever ready case and it solves all above problems.

 

[Bolo Kukus]

Everybody kept their camera(s) in leather cases in the 1960s and 1970s. It's how things were back then.

Nobody keeps their camera(s) in leather cases nowadays. Again, it's how things are.

Another factor was, in 1966 when I bought a new Rolleiflex 3.5E2 TLR, it came with a leather case included. Also a leather strap and a lens hood.

Nowadays you want a case for your camera, you buy it. Market forces.

We know better now than to keep our cameras long-term in leather cases.

I bought two used but "as new" Rolleiflex Ts in the 1990s, from a dealer in Melbourne. Their cases were offered to me at extra cost. I passed.

But it did annoy me that this dealer (who had taken the two Rollei Ts on consignment) probably got them with cases, but split the lot to sell the bits separately.

It rather amused me that he wasn't fussed about my not buying the cases (he asked for A$75 each, no way!), but was visibly annoyed when I also passed on the lens hood (I had several at home, bought for peanuts from charity shops over the years).

Will we now go for a "why don't we get a lens hood included when we buy a camera" thread? Which all helps pass the time...

 

[Bill Clark]

My wife was at the library and took out a book titled, "A history of photography in 50 cameras." I was reading the section on how Canon came to be in Japan, and a photograph of Eddie Adams is pictured with several cameras on straps around his neck.

When I went 100% digital with my business, I didn't really think about camera straps or cases for that matter. I guess when cf cards came about, with increase in storage capacity and ease of changing, and a zoom lens that covered about 95% of my needs I didn't even think of using any straps.

Takes longer to change a roll of film than a cf card. Besides I can get quite a few raw files on each card.

At any rate, for me equipment got better for my purposes.

 

[Richard G]

Everybody kept their camera(s) in leather cases in the 1960s and 1970s. It's how things were back then.

Nobody keeps their camera(s) in leather cases nowadays. Again, it's how things are.

I think this is it: the answer to the OP's question.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Nobody keeps their camera(s) in leather cases nowadays.

I love leather fitted camera cases, and try to find a nice one for every camera I own.

I doubt I'm the only one...

Chris

 

[css9450]

Nowadays you want a case for your camera, you buy it. Market forces.

Makes me wonder... Is there a case available for, say, a Nikon F6? A D7100? How about a Sony A7?

 

[oftheherd]

When I bought my Yashica TL Super, Fujica ST 901, and my Yashica MAT 124 G, they all came with leather cases. I figured one was supposed to use them, so I did. I even stored them in my bags with their cases on. As I acquired more lenses and other accessories, I had to remove the cases on the cameras, but never on the lenses(?), to make room. I never went back.

 

[dallard]

Makes me wonder... Is there a case available for, say, a Nikon F6? A D7100? How about a Sony A7?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/352123-REG/Nikon_4783_CF_64_Semi_Soft_Case.html