Anyone Using a Luigi Half Case for Their M8?

[Double Negative]

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...he told me when I placed the order that he had never made cases for screw mount bodies before...

 

I think that was pretty clear, no?

 

But I agree, he could have been more accommodating in either taking them back or at least making them serviceable. It wouldn't benefit him in the sense of selling screwmount cases in the future if he hasn't made/sold any so far I guess.

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[ramosa]

i have had a luigi case, black, for a couple years. great product. i have the one that has the back that snaps on the top and holds at the bottom. it works very well for me. two big benefits of the luigi: 1) it protects the camera (as i expected); and 2) it muffles the shutter sound of the camera (which is a big plus).

[razerx]

I think that was pretty clear, no?

 

But I agree, he could have been more accommodating in either taking them back or at least making them serviceable. It wouldn't benefit him in the sense of selling screwmount cases in the future if he hasn't made/sold any so far I guess.

 

Yes it was clear after the fact I was buying at my own risk. I am not the type of person to react badly to these things. $800 is not enough money to aggravate me. My price is much higher, like when dealing with building contractors! Yes I was annoyed but did buy from him again and again but only for the off the shelf stuff since I do admire the man and his craft. I do agree with "bill" we should support the niche industries however I don't do it out of xenophobic stereotyping.

[JazzyMac]

So I have finally received the case. Great as I've seen here--didn't expect any less quality. But argh. If I had received it when advertised I would have not gotten a scrape on the bottom of my M8! Anyway...live and learn.

[digger1914]

Here is my baby in his Luigi case

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[Guest BigSplash]

It seems to me that everyone that has ever written anything about Luigi's cases are impressed by the quality, and judging fro the photos they are correct. The reason I have not bought one is it seems to me that the design is wrong. I see the following:

1. There is no protection of the complete camera unless you buy a front cover also and turn it into an ever ready case.
   
2. If you use just the half case what do you do to protect the front of the camera and the lens when throwing it into the boot of a car?
   
3. As mentioned above It seems fiddly if you use the rear screen and the buttons to change ISO, set colour temp. etc and changing a battery seems really fiddly.
   

I personally prefer my small napa leather case that protects the M8 (with Tri Elmar MATE lens fitted) and houses / protects three other lenses and the lens hoods (90mm cron, 35mm cron, 21mm f3.4) .

 

I would love to see a slip case in Nappa leather that protects just the M8 body so that I can put it into a briefcase, but so far apart from napa bags made by Tummi that are far larger than the M8 I see nothing on the market.

[falkk]

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... in any case (Luigi-Case... haha) it is worth waiting. His pieces are great. And it will take time to produce these things by hand. I got mine even faster than advertised. Let' see how the next one will be - I will (!!) get a second one for the new camera...

He is reliable - but his work needs time.

 

 

Falk

[falkk]

His cases are worth waiting...

 

Falk

[AncientCityPhoto]

I just ordered my case last night. I had a very fast response about some questions on ordering a case. A couple emails later and my order was placed. I already got a fedex number for tracking. So far I am quite please with the service.

 

I personally don't expect this case to protect the entire camera. Its an additional buffer from small hits and bouncing around my side. The front is protected by the lens hood. I assume that will take the hit first. I have never had a problem in the past. As far as cards and batteries, I use a card large enough that I don't need to worry, and I always make sure i leave the house with a battery that will last the day. I alas keep the brightness down on the screen and rarely use it anyways. I turn auto review off.

 

If you are looking to protect the camera from bouncing around in a car as mentioned, I would just get a small camera case and place it in there. Lowepro cases or similar to fit a leica size camera come pretty cheap.

[Double Negative]

Luigi's (and other) half cases aren't meant for full camera protection... More like an "out and about" and ergonomic sort of thing. If you need more protection, a camera bag or some such is definitely a better idea.

[Guest BigSplash]

Luigi's (and other) half cases aren't meant for full camera protection... More like an "out and about" and ergonomic sort of thing. If you need more protection, a camera bag or some such is definitely a better idea.

 

OK I think I understand but I am trying to relate the half case to my sort of photography and understand what I am missing.

 

I can see If it is sunny and you are walking for a day you use a Luigi half case...Then this implies:

• You live in hope that it does not rain as the camera and lens is NOT protected
  
• You presumably also need to have a large soft bag in the car to take the M8 plus half case?
  
• The half case approch limits you to ONE lens. Why not just take a small bag with M8 and up to four lenses?
  
• The half case adds bulk to the M8 all of the time compared to the nude M8 plus lens and I thought the joy of a Leica was its compact size.
  
• The half case complete with rear flap on or hanging down as Luigi recommends seems to add an extra level of inconvenience compared to a nude M8 ....and changing batteries adds even more, but I agree that most people can survive a day with a fully charged battery. If not there is the optional battery leather pouch from Luigi.
  

I am clearly missing something as so many people seem to have fallen in love with the Luigi half case. What am I missing? I fully accept that this is a beautifully made product with a lot of design attributes. I just query how people use it in the real world?

[braza2013]

O I just query how people use it in the real world?

 

It protects 70% of the camera against scratches and light dents.

 

For transportation I use a larger bag with more space and padding, but for walking around, the half-case offers light protection, while leaving the camera ready for immediate use.

 

I don't consider a half-case to be an essential accessory, but I tend to use it more often than not, and would miss it if it were gone.

[bill]

...I just query how people use it in the real world?

 

...those of us who live in the real World tend not to over-intellectualise or functionally decompose to third normal form our use of cases.

[papimuzo]

Thanks Bill....!

[Double Negative]

I guess somebody totally missed the point.

 

If you have nothing but the camera with you, it's nice to have a half case as it does offer a little protection. It's also about the ergonomics. Sure it adds to the bulk (though not much), it also offers a grip and a better "feel" to the camera. It also serves to quiet the shutter slightly (if you're interested in that).

 

Some days I don't use a half case. Some days I use the Leica grip. Some days I don't use anything or use a camera bag instead. It's all good. If you don't see the benefit of a half case, don't get one.

[falkk]

... one more thing:

I use the half-case with the removable long nose from the early beginning.

 

in my luigi-set, i also got the fine leather strap. but i never really got 100 % confident in it's strength. The M8 with the half-case and the long nose and some lens on it, is quite heavy. can anybody of you reassure me of the strength of the luigi-strap? it sure feels nice, but i would feel a bit more confident with some lining for inforcement - or so. i am using my M8 mostly wrapped around my hand. there the leather feels just great - but is it strong enough?

 

falk

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[wstotler]

my luigi-set, i also got the fine leather strap. but i never really got 100 % confident in it's strength. The M8 with the half-case and the long nose and some lens on it, is quite heavy. can anybody of you reassure me of the strength of the luigi-strap?

 

I've used the strap for three years. Including toting around the Visoflex III + 135mm, the old 90mm "brass cannon" Type II Summicron, and the CV 35mm. (In addition to lighter-weight lenses.) No issues. The strap is a lot stronger than it may look or feel, IMO, no stretching, etc. I've also never seen a reported case of strap breaking/tearing. (When I was using them, I'd take a look every month or so to visually inspect the strap.) But, if you don't feel good about it. . . . Don't use it!

 

Cheers!

Will

[bocaburger]

[*]You live in hope that it does not rain as the camera and lens is NOT protected

[*]You presumably also need to have a large soft bag in the car to take the M8 plus half case?

 

I believe that holds true whether or not a half-case is involved (although my M8 with Luigi case and lens attached, along with 4 other lenses fit just fine in a little Domke F5XB).

 

[*]The half case adds bulk to the M8 all of the time compared to the nude M8 plus lens and I thought the joy of a Leica was its compact size.

 

No disagreement there.

 

[*]The half case complete with rear flap on or hanging down as Luigi recommends seems to add an extra level of inconvenience compared to a nude M8.

 

Agree there too, which is why I have the removable flap. Haven't lost it yet (3 yrs).

 

I just query how people use it in the real world?

 

I use it when I'm outdoors to protect the camera from swinging and banging against something hard like a concrete wall or rock or such; and if I'm carrying two bodies, to keep them from bashing each other up. Otherwise I prefer to leave the case off.

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[Speenth]

... is [the leather strap] strong enough?

 

falk

 

Hello Falk,

 

I've used the same Luigi package as yourself since 2007 (see my pictures in this thread). The strap in my picture carries my M8 mountain-biking and cycle-touring, horse riding, hiking and hill-climbing. It hasn't failed yet!

 

The Luigi full (long-nose) case completely protects my camera in heavy rain and mud. Best of all, I can remove it easily, or flick it open in a second to take pictures - it's a very ingenious design. Remarkably it also accommodates my Summarit 90 (with lens hood reversed)! The only lens that doesn't fit the Luigi case is my Elmarit 24mm - the rectangular lens hood and mount is too wide.

 

Steve'

[fotografr]

Been using this one nearly from the beginning, so it's now over four years old. Great case!

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