wlaidlaw Posted September 18, 2011 Share #81  Posted September 18, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I think fashion and the way people work with their cameras, has a lot to do with the case or no case argument.  If I think back to the 50's and 60's, I never remember seeing my father use one of his Leicas or Contaxes without an Ever Ready case. However he very rarely changed lenses. He kept the 50 Summar on his IIIA, the 50 Summitar on his IIF and 55 Sonnar on his Contarex. The other camera he used a lot, a series IV Super Ikonta, was not interchangeable lenses. He did have a Thambar and 105 Elmar for his Leicas. He used the Thambar a handful of times and I cannot ever remember seeing him use the 105 Elmar. As my father did not carry around lenses with him, he did not need a camera bag, so an Ever Ready case was an essential to protect the camera. Being a Scottish textile manufacturer, he was usually seen in a three piece suit (with plus fours at the week-end) made from his own cloth, there were therefore, plenty of pockets for spare film, filters and other small accessories.  Similarly today, if I go out or away with no additional lenses and with the Tri Elmar 28-35-50, that is not difficult to do, I use the Leica M Neoprene case, even though it is rather a poor design. It does however protect the camera, when it is sitting on the floor of car, boat or helicopter. Velcro or pop stud mounting for the attaching strap would be a huge improvement - see pic below for my minor modification to the case, which means I don't have to remove a camera strap to mount the case. As I use Luigi straps, this means fiddling around with the split ring, where I usually end up digging it in under my thumbnail - ouch.  If I am taking extra lenses, I take my Billingham M and then I feel a camera case is just another thing to get in the way.  Wilson 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/161701-why-are-poorly-fitting-italian-cases-so-expensive/?do=findComment&comment=1795763'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 18, 2011 Posted September 18, 2011 Hi wlaidlaw, Take a look here Why are poorly fitting Italian cases so expensive.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
euston Posted September 18, 2011 Share #82  Posted September 18, 2011 I would like a nice leather half case for the M9.I see on this site many are happy with one particular Italian made leather case. When I go to that site the photos their of these cases appear to not to be well made.  To my eye his stitching is poorly done (not straight when it should be etc.) and the leather itself doesn't appear to be cut properly either.  I'm not an expert on expensive hand made cases but they just don't look right to me, especially not for several hundred dollars per case.  Wrong on all counts!  I don’t know which Italian cases you’re not an expert on but, if you want a case that is beautifully made of the finest leather, you can’t beat the ones made by Luigi Crescenzi. He and his workforce are craftspeople of the old school. The workmanship is second to none. I have two of them, so I don’t have to rely on pictures on a web site. In my opinion, the price is more than justified by the quality.  You already have one of the best cameras money can buy. Do your expensive M9 a favour! Protect it with the best case money can buy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etruscello Posted September 18, 2011 Share #83 Â Posted September 18, 2011 For the Luigi case I just received, the leather is supple and a most sophisticated shade of color. The red stitches and lining are a perfect connoisseur's touch. The strap and battery case are elegant additions. It fits my Leica just like a tailor-made glove fits the hand. The camera falls right into place. All fasteners and flaps snap in easily. It covers my largest lens perfectly. It is as beautiful as it is functional. The case is a work of both craftsmanship and art. One does not have to worry about slow response or no response or changing prices from Luigi any longer. He has a new "smart" assistant, Ginevra -- his daughter, who is most efficient and communicates clearly and quickly. Amen. Tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted September 18, 2011 Share #84 Â Posted September 18, 2011 The half case clearly does not provide protection to the top of the camera. Â However, forgetting protection against small cosmetic abrasions/scratches, what makes a half-case worthwhile is that I would expect it would provide reasonable shock protection against impact to the bottom/back/sides of the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted September 18, 2011 Share #85 Â Posted September 18, 2011 You can be 100% certain that whoever made this case is not licenced to put the Leica logo on it... Â Indeed. I'd also be amazed if Luigi (he seems to be on first name terms with most forum members) is entitled to use the Leica logo (or name) in his 'Leicatime' brand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 18, 2011 Share #86 Â Posted September 18, 2011 I am happy that many agree that quality of Italian leather is often excellent; as a side note, and a correct acknowledgment of chineses' work, it must be taken into account that leather' working (cutting, stitching etc...) has been made by Chinese immigrants in Italy for decades (in my - non big - town, some existed when I was a child), and in recent years the chinese communities have been steadily growing. I don't know how Luigi Crescenzi artisan firm is organized... but I'd bet that he has found a pair of good local chinese-managed labs... they abound in many parts of Italy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted September 18, 2011 Share #87 Â Posted September 18, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) +1 Â Chinese quality (and price) will vary from terrible imitations made from cheap substitute (i.e. plastic) materials to excellent, hand crafted leather with highly detailed stitching. Just don't expect China to supply such a high quality case for under $50. Â As for the general ability of Chinese to produce quality items I need look no further than my tailor in Hong Kong. Even he now used mainland labor, and the results are stunning. Italian fabric, Hong Kong tailoring and measuring and mainland Chinese production truly result in the best of all worlds. Â If a deal seems to good to be true it probably is. Pay for quality and it will serve you for years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest srheker Posted September 18, 2011 Share #88  Posted September 18, 2011 - the country it is made in has a social system with health care, pension, social welfare   Are you talking about Italy or China?  At least we must admit that the communists seem to be better in keeping any Bunga-Bunga under the lid.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 18, 2011 Share #89  Posted September 18, 2011 Are you talking about Italy or China? At least we must admit that the communists seem to be better in keeping any Bunga-Bunga under the lid....  <no comment> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.