Luigi case

[damnsharp]

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Good morning,

I have always my viewfinder on the X1 and that's why I never use the "normal" X1 case, though I love it. I didn't buy the Leica ready case because I think it is not practical for me because of the extra small case for the viewfinder.

 

I asked Luigi to make a full case and maybe in September he will make one. The price is not known but when it is the same as for a M than I think about EUR 350 which for me personally is a bit over budget.

 

I bought a second hand Pentax ready case and with the viewfinder attached to the X1 the case fits but it is not a beauty.

 

So now my question: who has a Luigi (half) case for the X1 and what is the experience with it? What do you do when it starts to rain?

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[georgio]

Hi Damiaan,

Here is my Luigi half case that I received last week.

I also had Luigi cases for my D-Lux 4 and Epson DR-1 and I find them absolutely great.

They are so well made and age very nicely, that for me, there is not another solution.

When it would rain, I think I would put my camera under my shirt or coat, but the case is leather,

so if your shoes can take the rain, the case can.

I have protected mine with transparent shoe cream.

GEO

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[nippa]

The Leica ERC works really well and in my view is better made than any Luigi case.

 

I 've seen so many good things said about Luigi's cases that I sometimes feel that I must be missing something.

Looking at his website the heavy gauge leather , bizarre colours and often uneven and course stitching put me right off.

Clearly it's partly a question of taste but I've not seen one Luigi product that I'd pay for.

Am I the only one who thinks like that?

[georgio]

Ohhhhhhhhhhh, you just judge from his website; you have never seen one in the flesh?

There are lots of colors available and 90 % are not bizarre at all, many natural brownish tints

and some bright ones as well.

I always like this natural cognac a lot.

Hope to receive one for my M9 soon, I just love the way the camera feels in your hands with the half case.

George

[ezc203]

I have a black Luigi half-case for my X1 and it is wonderful.

 

The added thickness really helps the handling of the camera (which I find a little to thin for my hands at times) and I love the feel of leather.

 

Nippa - Perhaps you should handle one in person, I hope it'll change your mind about his products.

[alexc]

i have cases for both M9 and X1. Both of them have opening(s) at the bottom for battery and card. Very well done, beautiful and practical.

[BB W]

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Glad to hear that Lugi's half case for the X1 has an opening in the bottom because the photographs I've seen don't show this. I am familiar with Luigi and know that his website is a bit unusual, so I tend to use his ebay store - umana.

 

I've just sent an email off to ask about the pricing on the X1 half case and whether it includes the strap as well. I have a feeling I might not hear back right away and will probably need to use the ebay method of contacting him.

 

For those of you who already have the half case, if you wouldn't mind letting me know if the strap was included and any other pertinent information that would be great. I understand that not everyone wants to discuss prices, however.

 

Thanks for your help, if you have the time.

[georgio]

Hi BB M,

The strap is indeed included.

His website is very complicated and I believe

Luigi is on holiday until mid or end of August.

If his eBay store offers the case you like,

this is your best bet.

Geo

[BB W]

Thanks so much, Georgio! That's a big help to know about the strap. I did see that he is on vacation but has an assistant, so we'll see how it goes. I think if I were to go this route, I'd choose black.

[damnsharp]

Thank you all for the replies. Sorry that I respond so late.[blush]

I have a few questions.

 

@georgio, thanks for the pictures! I think the leather from Luigi is perfect. I am still a little afraid the camera is not protected enough when I walk with it. What is your experience? Now with the old Pentax case it is full protected.

 

@ezc203, is it possible that you post a picture of the black case? I am doubting between natural ages brown or black.

 

@nippa, is it possible that you post a picture of the Leica case? On the shots I've seen it is difficult to see the quality.

@nippa, is it really not possible to close the cover with the viewfinder on? This is the main concern for me.

 

Thanks!

[georgio]

Hi Damiaan,

It's a half case and the camera is indeed not protected on the top side.

But for me it's enough, when it starts to rain, I put the cam under my coat, shirt

or what ever I am wearing.

The good thing about the half case is, that the camera is always ready to shoot.

Geo

[JanCderidder]

The Luigi cases undisputedly look beautiful, are well made and have "character" However the half case offers very little protection to the X1, the top part that is. Also the back-flap get pretty annoyingly in way

[BB W]

Yes, it really would be great if there were a removable (snaps?) top portion to that case of his. That is the kind of case that I would really like to have - and one that allows the VF to remain on the camera. So far, I haven't come across one, have you?

 

P.S. The thing I like about that back flap is the protection it offers the LCD. Jan,considering the suppleness of the leather, I figured it wouldn't be too annoying while it was hanging down. I can't recall if you have one yourself or not.

[JanCderidder]

I had one for my M8 back in the time, like I said beautiful enough but much more a "fashion" item. As for other cases, it's hard to find something compact but usable, especially if you want to keep the viewfinder attached... I gather leica has as model, haven't seen it yet though.

 

I currently use a Lowepro reza 40 or perhaps 50 the fit is very snug and its well padded. I just use this for transport and when the camera isn't used, normall out in real world I use the standard leica strap with both ends in the same notch on the camera... this works well enough for me, although in this case it isn't protected either.... I'm trying to make a point to myself though that a camera is a tools and needs to be used accordingly, with all my Leica's I have always fussed about them as if the were my mother in law .... as far as I'm concerned it can get scratched and show signs of usage, I do however use a screen cover, one of thes sticky plastic things like the iPhone ones.

[BB W]

I'm trying to make a point to myself though that a camera is a tools and needs to be used accordingly, with all my Leica's I have always fussed about them as if the were my mother in law .... as far as I'm concerned it can get scratched and show signs of usage,

Great analogy! I hear you. Mine is only about a week old and I had been evaluating it and was feeling as though I was holding the Hope Diamond while trying it out!

 

Now one more question - that sticky film that you mention...can you tell me who makes it? I am guessing it is easily removable unlike some of these other LCD protectors that one needs to use a hairdryer to remove. Somehow I just feel uncomfortable about those options.

 

Thanks for your input on this thread, by the way.

[JanCderidder]

Yeah its easy to remove, heres the link; Vikuiti ARMR200 Displayschutz Folie f

 

I use this brand for all my lcd screens. I have tried others but this is really good

[BB W]

Thanks, now to find it somewhere in the USA or shippable to the USA without exorbitant costs.

 

I'm surprised that I haven't found it listed here. I'll keep looking!

[h00ligan]

All skins are just about the same. Get a protector from Invisible shield, ghost armor, etc, and cut to size...no biggie!

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[BB W]

Ok, thanks for saving me from my obsession on the small stuff.

[nippa]

Hi BB W

 

I was looking to see if ithe Vikuiti would be suitable for my GF-1 but previous purchasers seem very unhappy.

Vikuiti ARMR200 Screen Protector for Panasonic Lumix: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

 

Please don't let my reference to a HairDryer in a different thread put you off what looks like a better product. You simply warm the AC Maxx Guard that I purchased before making adjustments or removal..nothing aggresive;)

 

Now I must get to see a Luigi Case for real