Custom `Half-Case' (Classic Cases, UK)

[snowyphile]

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I just received a new case made for the digital Leica M cameras.

 

This is a beautiful, handmade, well fitting case, covering the bottom half of the camera and protecting it against hard knocks. It's not attached to the baseplate; it hooks over the 'ears' for the strap. For added protection, I use a neoprene case, which accommodates this leather half case.

 

I requested that the flap, made to protect the viewfinder, be attached so that it falls down -- out of the way -- when the flap is unsnapped. Paul Glendell implemented my request, and the flap is out of the way when I want it to be.

 

A case is an important accessory. With the Leica-Forum discount (which essentially paid for the shipping), the case cost about 200 pounds sterling.

 

In 1975, I bought a used M4, which opened the door to photography. Close to 30 years later I found that the floppy brown Leica case it came with and which I'd worn out, wasn't the one made for the camera. I was thrilled to find one with no signs of wear at Schouten Select Camera (in the Netherlands). It cost less than the custom case for the M9-P described above.

[colonel]

I just received a new case made for the digital Leica M cameras.

 

This is a beautiful, handmade, well fitting case, covering the bottom half of the camera and protecting it against hard knocks. It's not attached to the baseplate; it hooks over the 'ears' for the strap. For added protection, I use a neoprene case, which accommodates this leather half case.

.

 

pics ?

[snowyphile]

Pics attached.

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[colonel]

nice

I don't like hanging backs though. I prefer the fully detachable back when I am working

[nggalai]

I’ve received my “Classic Case” a while ago and am very happy with it. I mainly bought it to dampen the M9’s shutter sound (somewhat), and it does the trick nicely.

 

Nice side effect: I stopped chimping for good. I know it’s mostly a question of self-control and whatnot, but having the display covered by a flap makes it easier for me.

 

The cases seem reasonably priced and are very high quality. Shipping (once it’s done) to continental Europe is swift and inexpensive.

 

Paul is a great fellow (and photographer) who’s quite interested in experiments. He just posted a custom camera strap made to some weird suggestions of mine, mainly reverse it and make it as “slideable” as possible. Should arrive early next week; if you guys are interested, I’ll post pics of case and strap once it’s here.

 

Glad to see Paul getting more exposure. I think his cases are a nice alternative to the omnipresent Italien leatherware.

 

Cheers,

-Sascha

[farnz]

... Paul is a great fellow (and photographer) who’s quite interested in experiments. He just posted a custom camera strap made to some weird suggestions of mine, mainly reverse it and make it as “slideable” as possible. Should arrive early next week; if you guys are interested, I’ll post pics of case and strap once it’s here.

...

Sascha,

 

Please do.

 

Pete.

[snowyphile]

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"I don't like hanging backs though. I prefer the fully detachable back when I am working".

 

Great idea, colonel! Paul could easily make one that way.

[nggalai]

Sascha,

 

Please do.

 

Pete.

 

Okay, here we go. Sorry for the rambling, but I’m procrastinating writing something else, this tends to happen. Should you be impatient: Pics at the end of this post.

 

The strap arrived two days ago. Shipping was as fast as with the case, despite customs making a smallish fuss this time. Nothing I’m not used to by now and cleared with one phone call. Anyway. [1]

 

I had ordered the half-case with flap and a cutout for a Thumbs-up. I hoped my Thumbie would fit the cutout, but it didn’t. The Thumbs-Up E-P1s (the new version) fits perfectly, though.

 

The cutout around the viewfinder is wide enough to fit an eyecup, too, albeit a tad tight. I don’t usually use eyecups so this is no issue for me.

 

Craftsmanship is excellent, materials are too. The leather softens considerably in use and receives a patina quite quickly. Originally, the case had the same colouring as the strap, still has in parts, but turned darker nicely. The red velvet/velours doesn’t rub off, even when getting somewhat wet through rain.

 

The case muffles the M9’s motor rewinder somewhat. Not mightily so, but two layers of thick leather take the edge off it. It’s still no stealth camera, but models I shoot candids of for the first time don’t get that why-do-you-shoot-me-with-a-chainsaw look anymore. This was the main reason I shipped for a half-case, plus additional slight bulk to better hold the camera in conjunction with a Thumbie or Thumbs-up.

 

Now, the strap. Normally, Paul ships them with a shoulder pad and the soft side up, rough side down for additional grip. As I wear my cameras diagonally over my chest and slide them up from my hip when needed I asked whether he could reverse the design and lose the shoulder pad. Paul was happy to accommodate my wish, and this is the result.

 

The leather is very stiff at first but softened up considerably after my first hike. The strap uses “traditional” keyring-type fixing rather than a more complicated design such as the Leica quick remove thing. But then, I don’t need to remove straps once they’re in place.

 

Length is adjusted through one buckle, excess bends held back by this tight leather band as shown in shot four.

 

Nothing too out of the ordinary, but it was a great deal and it works very well for me. In the rare case I should need shoulder grip I simply twist the strap inside-out (the traditional fixings help), hence I’m glad it’s not all-around soft. Wrapping the belt around one’s hand is very stiff and rather uncomfortable at first, but gets way better after the belt softening up somewhat. It’s broad enough for my style of wearing cameras even with heavy lenses without hurting or getting in the way.

 

I don’t know how well Paul’s “Classic Cases” compare to Luigi’s or other manufacturers’ as I’ve never handled their cases, only know of them through photos. I consider Paul’s work well worth the money, but as they’re hand-made I guess there may be some spread in quality. In this, haha, case, I’m sure he’ll be easier to reach and talk to than other manufacturers, though.

 

Hope this helps,

-Sascha

 

[1]: Funniest incident I’ve had to date was customs holding back a computer keyboard I had ordered in the US. I had to pick it up myself and explain to them why the contents of the package didn’t match the shipping papers – “There’s no musical instrument in the box, just this small typewriter!!!”

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[nggalai]

Short update after 2+ weeks:

 

As expected, the strap is now the same tint as the case. Both are still darkening, but it seems the most pronounced change in colouring happens when exposed to the elements during the first few days.

 

The case has softened enough removing it to replace SD cards is a breeze now. Also, the strap is now as soft as my M3’s original, 50+ years old full-case strap and only marginally stiffer than the standard Leica strap the M9 ships with. Wrapping the strap around my right wrist feels far more comfortable than both, though, probably due to the treatment of the edges.

 

There’s no visible wear and nothing to indicate the strap might break any time soon when in the field.

 

I’m glad about the case in our current weather conditions: even with thick leather gloves, the “naked” M is very cold to the touch at temperatures below -10 °C, resulting in even number fingertips and palms. The half-case helps a lot in this respect and seems to provide a modicum of insulation for the battery, too: it appears to drain less quickly, if not massively so.

 

Cheers,

-Sascha

 

P.S. As a side note; the M remains the only camera I can fully handle with gloves on. This hasn’t changed much with the M9 (it’s its first season); setting ISO is somewhat fiddly, but that’s what fast glass is there for.

[RockyIII]

I've only tried two Leica M9 half cases, the Leica brand and Artisan & Artist. I prefer Artisan & Artist. I also use an Artisan & Artist silk cord braided strap, which is round. I like it very well, but I wish it was a bit longer.

 

Rocky