Becareful when buying Leica X1 cases

[larbel]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

My dealer just received a shipment of X1 cases today so I went checking it out. I was interested in all 3 cases but since they still haven't receive any handgrip, the Ever Ready is then out of the question.

 

I looked at the system case and the transport case. The system case looked great in pictures, but in real life, I think it's a bit too small. It could only fit the X1 plus maybe a SF-24D and the handgrip, and then the charger in the front pocket. It's definately too small IMO as a camera case, and too big as a walk around bag if all it can store are the X1 and accessories.. But the main deal breaker was the poor workmanship, it look and feel like maybe a $20 bag

 

And then the transport case, the case is a lot bigger than I've expected since it has very thick paddings when compares to the D-Lux 4 case. I had to have a case since my X1 is still running naked all the time so I decided to get the transport case, but I was shocked to found out I had to go through FOUR transport cases to find one that's acceptable...

 

The 1st one I looked at had one of the panel poking out, making the cover wouldn't close all the way, and the belt slot was sewn on crooked. The 2nd one has very bad stitching at one side, plus the lens cover area was extremely filmsy compare to others, and there were raw leather exposed inside the lens cover which felt more like sandpaper than protection. The 3rd one again was the lens cover, it has sooo many winkles on the leather it looked like it's been went over by a truck, plus the lens padding inside fell out when I open the case... Luckily they had a fourth one and it looked ok so I went with the fourth.

 

I honestly don't know what's going on, for a $129 case, I'd definately expected decent workmanship if it's not perfect... Maybe they were rushing these out to meet the demand but still, the QC should have been more strict. I also have the Leica wrist strap which I ordered online, the Leica logo were VERY VERY faint, it didn't look like it was embossed properly, no big deal, but still.. Just want to give everyone a heads up if case you want to order these cases online, IMO, it's better to wait for local dealers and examine before buying.

 

I might still get the Ever Ready case when the handgrip is available, but just want to make sure how the handgrip feels before deciding. But at this point, maybe the Luigi half case is a safer bet...

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[purduealum91]

Hello,

 

Thanks for the heads up. May I ask where you got the wrist strap?

 

Thanks!

 

Tom

[Panchen Lama]

Thanks for the tips, I was interested the eveready case too (being an everyready kind of photographer). Am I right in thinking that the case won't fit without the handgrip or is it just that it looks a bit shonky without one?

[larbel]

Hi guys, I got the wrist strap online from the largest auction site in CHINA... yup.. that's the only place where I could find stock of the strap... But try Meister Camera Berlin too, I think they might have stock. The item # is 18713 for the wrist strap.

 

And the eveready, no, it won't fit without the handgrip... The handgrip screw onto the X1 tripod mount, and there's a new tripod mount at the bottom of the handgrip (more aligned with the lens) for tripod or eveready, so no, it won't align without the handgrip.

[Cronanirl]

I think I'll go for a transport case (following a check of the item)

 

Can I ask a question regarding the case, does the transport case come supplied with a neck strap at all?

[alexc]

I think I'll go for a transport case (following a check of the item)

 

Can I ask a question regarding the case, does the transport case come supplied with a neck strap at all?

 

Yes it does. I used this case with Dlux4 and found it very convenient. I never used the neck strap though, it was always on the belt.

[inunnguaq]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Is the leather case only available in brown? No black one?

[damnsharp]

I also have the Leather case (# 18709) but mine is almost perfect. I like the leather and the color. According to Leica it's only in brown color available. First it was too tight so the flash keeps popping out but not anymore. I have to open the case easily because otherwise the lens cap is falling of.

[larbel]

I also have the Leather case (# 18709) but mine is almost perfect. I like the leather and the color. According to Leica it's only in brown color available. First it was too tight so the flash keeps popping out but not anymore. I have to open the case easily because otherwise the lens cap is falling of.

 

Never have the flash popping out on me, and the lens cap stays on fine on mine.

[Clandrel]

I have the systemcase, and I have no idea what the op is talking about.

It is a very high quality bag. Very nice made, and the fabrics are top notch.

 

I feels expensive...

[jsrockit]

I think cases are so subjective that you have to feel them and see them for yourself. I hate many of the cases people love.

[Cirrus]

I have the transport case, bought it via Internet, and it's perfect. There are two striking things about it. The first is that you can put the camera in it without a lens cap, which makes it much more convenient to use the camera. The second is that the case is too big--it looks like you could get an M8 in there. I know there's a lot of padding, but a thinner one of the same design would be very useful. That said, I find it manageable on the belt loop.

Dan

[Cronanirl]

Yes it does. I used this case with Dlux4 and found it very convenient. I never used the neck strap though, it was always on the belt.

 

Would I be correct in saying that it (transport case) will not accommodate a handgrip, that would require the ever ready?

[larbel]

Just to clarify, I'm not saying all the transport cases are bad. But just so happened I had to gone through 4 of them before finding one that doesn't have major flaws. And as for the system case, again, it might be just the one I saw. The embroidery which was light tan on Leica site's image and the shoulder strap appeared to be a ugly brownie color on the one I saw, and there were a few places where the stitching skipped on the trimming. I guess the color along with the bad workmanship made it looked cheap to me.

 

Like I said, just reporting what I saw, not trying to bash anything.. Perhaps what I considered flaws could be perfectly acceptable to some

[hg2303]

I found an ever ready case in Spain but did not bought it because it seems to small to me to.

X1 cases are hard to find in Holland, does any one know where to buy one?

I think I have to try Luigi's.

[eduardoho]

I got my brand new ever ready case, Leica Product No. 18709 and I am puzzled with amazement. The X1 with neck strap does not fit! The snap on lens cap keeps snapping off. The on button turns on inside the case? And the pop up flash POPS UP!!! ...Am I doing something retarded? It is going right back to Optics Planet where I ordered from unless anybody wants to buy it. I paid USD129.99

[damnsharp]

Terrible Eduard. I'm glad I didn't bought the case. I asked Luigi if he has pictures of his full case. And I asked if the viewfinder fits in the full case. I definitely want a case where I can leave the viewfinder on the camera.

[wda]

I got my brand new ever ready case, Leica Product No. 18709 and I am puzzled with amazement. The X1 with neck strap does not fit! The snap on lens cap keeps snapping off. The on button turns on inside the case? And the pop up flash POPS UP!!! ...Am I doing something retarded? It is going right back to Optics Planet where I ordered from unless anybody wants to buy it. I paid USD129.99

Do show us a picture to illustrate your woes. See my separate thread with illustration. Mine is extremely well made, perfect stitching and a perfect fit. My point in posting was to highlight a major plus point for me, viz. when using the half-case to enclose and protect the body there is less risk of nudging the aperture dial out of position.

[eduardoho]

Sorry, Mr. David... I got so irritated that I sent it back to Optics Planet for a full refund. The leather case was made of patented brown leather, it came in stunning silvery black Leica package, it even came with an pouch with Leica inscription just like an expensive Coach handbag. But it was made too tight, way too tight for the X1 body. Everything was tight even the cover piece. Instead, I got the system case, which I am a lot happier but it is small. May be with I with my luck I got a "gray market" stock? That is reason that I only order from reputable web retailers, even though often they are not the cheapest, but always backed up by a No Question Asked Refund Policy.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[grober]

I have this same brown, bottom-of-the-line Leica case and love it. No quality issues here.

 

I have attached a non-Leica wrist strap (which I bought on eBay from a chap in the UK) and can't see a reason to use the Leica-supplied neck strap.

 

With the wrist strap in place, I don't see a need for the existing Leica grip (too clunky IMHO). I would live to see a Richard Franiec grip for the X1 similar to the one he's already done for the D-LUX 4 but so far the X1's low volume has made any investment in tooling for a potential X1 grip extremely cost prohibitive.

 

-g