JazzDoc Posted February 17, 2012 Share #1  Posted February 17, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) For those of you (and I assume there are many) who have leather half cases on their Leica M bodies, I'm curious as to why - I read that those who truly use their cameras (as opposed to owning them merely to serve as shelf displays) want to protect the body from the injuries they'd be prone to on the street and in bags with other items.  So I wonder why you'd want to put up with yet another obstacle between you and the battery or memory card, in addition to the camera's baseplate (which I feel Leica could redesign to enable easier access via trapdoors without the necessity of having to totally remove the baseplate - but that's another story altogether).  I also wonder about those of you who use tripods or monopods for support, do you then remove the case (unless you bought the Luigi half case which can be had electively with the screw for tripod mount)?  And, of course, the option for a half case would be out of the question for those of you (like myself) who keep a RRS L-bracket on my M, or those of you who use Leica's grip (I am aware that some cases have built in grips). (See my RRS L-bracket with grip rig below - for now, anyway).  Anyway, the question isn't rhetorical - I am truly interested in hearing from you.  Thanks!  - 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/172896-why-use-a-half-case/?do=findComment&comment=1929093'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 Hi JazzDoc, Take a look here Why use a half case?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
CalArts 99 Posted February 17, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted February 17, 2012 I don't use one as I prefer to go naked. But I know people who do. They feel that it provides a secure grip to holding the camera and makes it less slippery. Plus they can drop it to the ground or set it down somewhere easily (e.g., on concrete) without being concerned about banging it up, etc.. Â That's probably the main reasons..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted February 17, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted February 17, 2012 Personally, I've tried one and I can't imagine why anyone would bother - it's really irritating replacing the battery, and in the end it usually marks the camera anyway. Â My M9s are 'nude' . . . no grip, no softie, no L bracket, only the camera and the strap - works for me! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 17, 2012 Share #4  Posted February 17, 2012 I use a Luigi half case for two reasons:  It gives me a better grip, especially for vertical shots, and I like the slightly thicker case dimension to give a more positive feel The cover flap over the LCD lets me concentrate on photography and not chimp, however easily opened when needed  My Luigi case is now so soft from use that it peels off in one second like an old leather glove. Definitely not a problem when changing batteries or SD card.  1K Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted February 17, 2012 Share #5 Â Posted February 17, 2012 I have a Luigi case that I really do not use but you have really answered your question by virtue of how your have your M9 dressed out. I do not think a half case would work unless you undressed your M9. At that point I think it would be a decision of necessity. Some folks like them, some don't. It is nice to have one just in case you feel the need. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leffe Posted February 17, 2012 Share #6 Â Posted February 17, 2012 Very simple. Protection. Secondly Even better disguise. When The flap is on and The Screen is hidden, People think it is just an old camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted February 17, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted February 17, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Some days I like the extra grip of my Zhou half case (with kidney grip). Some days I don't use it. Cases can be removed when not wanted. I do tend to keep it on when shooting assignments. Not only for extra protection. It makes the camera a bit quieter as well. Â My thumbie is always attached. Â Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
proy Posted February 17, 2012 Share #8 Â Posted February 17, 2012 It just feels better than naked. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 17, 2012 Share #9 Â Posted February 17, 2012 Grip, as said. I have large hands. Mind, the cameras I have cases on have no cards or batteries, just a new film every 36 shots... Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 17, 2012 Share #10 Â Posted February 17, 2012 I don't think half cases have anything to do with ergonomics, the humble Leica grip does everything claimed of it if all you want is a bump on the front of the camera. But it is human nature to take things too far and make what is meant to be a simple and clean camera look like a tarts boudoir or something from Star Wars. Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf Posted February 17, 2012 Share #11 Â Posted February 17, 2012 It just feels better than naked. Â I never mind to feel something naked..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted February 17, 2012 Share #12 Â Posted February 17, 2012 Depending on what 'm doing and where I'm going and which lenses I'm using with my M9 I swap between the Leica handgrip, Luigi half-case, and the standard baseplate. I also use a Thumbs-up most of the time which I find significantly improves grip. Â sometimes if I'm only taking one small/mid-sized lens for more casual use of the camera I'll take the Liugi half-case. It does protect the camera and improve grip, and also potentially offers significant cushioning if the camera is dropped onto a surface covered by the case (hasn't happened yet). Â For more 'serious' use where the camera is more likely to be in my hand for long periods of time and/or I'm using heavier lenses I use the Leica handgrip. I use the handgrip or standard baseplate where I'm likely to be using my tripod. Â I bought the Luigi half-case with the tripod screw. Big mistake! Too slow to slip on & off readily at other times because it has to be screwed into the camera baseplate to be fitted to the camera. I plan to get the bit of the screw projecting into the half case sawn off which will make it much more useful. Â Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted February 17, 2012 Share #13 Â Posted February 17, 2012 I own a Luigi half-case for my M9 (also a bespoke full case, but that's protection against the elements when I carry just the camera with the mounted lens, and the weather looks dubious). I do not use the half-case when I carry the camera in a bag, meaning that it is out of the bag only when I am actively using it. But the half-case comes on when I just want to stroll around with the camera and a 35 or 50mm lens, because when I owned a M8, I found that contact with buttons, zippers etc. scratched the monitor cover and was generally hard on the back of the camera. So I got the Luigi case for it, and it fits the M9 perfectly too of course. Â Cases were something of a pain when we used film and had to change it every 36 exposures. But I can use my M9 all day without ever having to remove it from the case. Tripods? What's a tripod? If I wanted to use a tripod I'd get a field camera for it. Â Come to think, that was more or less what I did long ago ... Â LB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted February 17, 2012 Share #14 Â Posted February 17, 2012 I use a half case for the smell. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digbyhp Posted February 17, 2012 Share #15 Â Posted February 17, 2012 Another half-case user here, on my chrome M7. I just like the look of it.For me, a Leica M is as much of an aesthetic choice as a photo-taking tool, and the Artisan&Artist half-case enhances its beauty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted February 17, 2012 Share #16 Â Posted February 17, 2012 Camera protection. The most important thing for me is that I can place the camera down on any surface without worrying about scratching the bottom. Â I had a Leica M8/M9 protector but progressed to Luigi "value" half case as it also give protection to the top side at the back. Â A side effect is that the camera is easier to grip and also not freezing in cold climates. I found holding cold metal unpleasant for long periods (I carry the camera hand-held, I do not use a strap). Â In terms of utility, i.e. changing the battery or SD card, I find it a non-issue. I am also in a minority here as I like the protected base plate arrangement on the M9 much more then the plastic side doors of the 5Dii or D700 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanzlr Posted February 17, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted February 17, 2012 it looks nice Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richam Posted February 17, 2012 Share #18 Â Posted February 17, 2012 Large and sweaty hands. Nice grip and feel with my Luigi half case. The case pops off easily for infrequent SD card or battery service. I also have the Luigi spare SD card and battery carrier that snaps on the camera strap. Handy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 17, 2012 Share #19  Posted February 17, 2012 I don't think half cases have anything to do with ergonomics, the humble Leica grip does everything claimed of it if all you want is a bump on the front of the camera. But it is human nature to take things too far and make what is meant to be a simple and clean camera look like a tarts boudoir or something from Star Wars.  Steve  I thought Pico was supposed to be the resident dark cloud, grumpy, glass half empty persona on the forum. Steve, are you trying out for the job?  It's somewhat crass for a man who professes that people should attach a hunk of plastic on the back of their M Leicas with double sticky tape to criticize those of us who like using a half case as "tarting up our cameras". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted February 17, 2012 Share #20 Â Posted February 17, 2012 Can someone please tell me what a tart's boudoir looks like, or indeed, what a tart's handbag smells like? Â Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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