I had one of Luigi's high-line cases for my M8. First, the cut-out left more room than needed at the bottom of the LCD and overlapped the LCD about 2mm at the top, so it didn't fit flush to the body. "Quality" worth a huge price premium to me means a perfect fit, which it wasn't.
Mine was the one with removable back flap. First, the snaps were very weak and the flap popped off too easily. Second, the male snaps were the ones on the case itself, so when the flap was off they rubbed on my clothing and poked my cheekbone when the camera was at my eye. Inside, the little round felt patches used to cover the snaps all came un-glued and I had to use fabric glue to reattach them. If the snaps had been placed with the females on the case they would lie flush. And if the snaps had been attached prior to the lining, there would be no need for those patches. "Quality" worth a huge price premium to me means attention and thinking to the little details like that.
When I got my M9, Popflash had a used half case of undeterminate origin for $50 and I bought it. I was amazed that the cut-out fit better than the Luigi (though I did need to enlarge it slightly at the top). I'm not a leather expert but the cheap case smelled and felt and looked the same as the expensive one. The lining was similar, and no patches. Sold the Luigi when I sold the M8. After 3 years of use, that (probably Asian-made) generic case looks as good as the day I got it. No signs of falling apart.
