MarkP Posted November 15, 2013 Share #1 Posted November 15, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'd never thought I would start a thread on Leica cosmetics but I just received my Arte di mano half-case and strap (Minerva Black, black stitching, black chromed press-studs, no tripod screw) for my Monochrom. I have a Luigi black half-case which is about 2 years old, lightly used, with tripod screw (although I cut out the screw as it was a pain), and Thumb-Up cutout (which I also never needed). I never felt the case fit particularly well and was never particularly happy with it. The Arte di mano case fits like a glove and is beautifully crafted. The grips are excellent, especially the small thumb-grip at the back. The leather is beautiful to see and hold. I prefer the strap leather which is a bit narrower and softer than the Luigi strap. My next half-case (M240) will be from Arte di mano. The photographs say it all. The lighting here isn't great, the Arte di mano is a flat black and the Luigi shinier but they both are reflecting too much light and look a bit washed out. 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/216739-m9monochrom-half-cases/?do=findComment&comment=2466073'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 15, 2013 Posted November 15, 2013 Hi MarkP, Take a look here M9/Monochrom Half-Cases. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
marcg Posted November 15, 2013 Share #2 Posted November 15, 2013 I'm surprised. I have a Luigi for an M7 and it is much better quality than your pics. I have Zhous for a CLE, an MM and an x100. They are really excellent. No variation in quality. Very good quality, well-fitting, smart - and extremely cheap. I expect that you can get 3 or 4 Zhous for the cost of one Luigi or one AA. No contest as far as I'm concerned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted November 15, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted November 15, 2013 Maybe they were just having an off day. I've also seen better Luigi cases, just not on my camera! I've never seen a Zhou in the flesh. Can you post a photo? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcg Posted November 15, 2013 Share #4 Posted November 15, 2013 Very good indeed - and as I say, very cheap. Frankly I don't see any need at all to pay the inflated prices which are asked by Luigi or AA. At one pint there was really only Luigi - and he could dictate prices. Now there is competition. This is not to denigrate Luigi. I just recently bought an MM baseplate from him - with accessible battery and SDcard compartments. Very nice. Very nice quality - but there is no competition and I did feel that I was paying top dollar for it. By the way, the Luigi baseplate fits very nicely inside the Zhou case - even though the baseplate adds about 1mm of depth to the camera. It brings the top of the LCD opening just to the lip of the screen - but it is fine. If you want to spend money with Luigi - get a baseplate, but get your cases from Zhou Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhanke Posted November 15, 2013 Share #5 Posted November 15, 2013 As a driver of a more or less hand-built Italian car (and I love it!), I can only say: Welcome to Italian quality! Marcus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo171170 Posted November 15, 2013 Share #6 Posted November 15, 2013 MarkP, my lugi case looks just as yours! I've just bought a case from Angelo Pelle (Florence, Italy) for my monochrom. The case is perfectly finished, a thousend times better than my case from Luigi Leicatime.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hossegor Posted November 15, 2013 Share #7 Posted November 15, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) here are 2 pics of my Zhou in my m9p. i think its a very nice case. no signs of wear after one year of heavy use. 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/216739-m9monochrom-half-cases/?do=findComment&comment=2466221'>More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted November 15, 2013 Share #8 Posted November 15, 2013 I also have Zhou cases for M9, M6, M5, CL, and Zeiss ZM. All are very good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicatraveller Posted November 16, 2013 Share #9 Posted November 16, 2013 MarkP, my lugi case looks just as yours! I've just bought a case from Angelo Pelle (Florence, Italy) for my monochrom. The case is perfectly finished, a thousend times better than my case from Luigi Leicatime.... i agree with you, i also bought for my old beloved M8 a case from Angelo Pelle ( i bought this one in in Black monochrom half case leica M8 M9 BLACK MONOCHROM - angelo pelle ) even if i dont have a MM (and i would like) i liked the all black version of case it fit like a glove around back LCD and eyecup Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted November 16, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted November 16, 2013 i agree with you, i also bought for my old beloved M8 a case from Angelo Pelle ( i bought this one in in Black monochrom half case leica M8 M9 BLACK MONOCHROM - angelo pelle )even if i dont have a MM (and i would like) i liked the all black version of case it fit like a glove around back LCD and eyecup Yes, it does look very nice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xdayv Posted November 17, 2013 Share #11 Posted November 17, 2013 I'm usng the Leica half leather case, it became an essential part of the camera. Improved handling and protection. I like the Zhou. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted November 17, 2013 Share #12 Posted November 17, 2013 Mark, the new case is very nice, and a perfect fit, as you say. Slightly OT, but I see you have a schott glass cover on your MM, not really needed as the screen is the same as the M9-P. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted November 17, 2013 Author Share #13 Posted November 17, 2013 Mark, the new case is very nice, and a perfect fit, as you say. Slightly OT, but I see you have a schott glass cover on your MM, not really needed as the screen is the same as the M9-P. John Yes you're right. Just an extra backup () and one can still scratch the crystal.Furthermore I find the screen is easier to see with improved colour & contrast. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmitch6 Posted November 18, 2013 Share #14 Posted November 18, 2013 I love my Arte Di Mano case. The fit is absolutely perfect and the leather quality is excellent: 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/216739-m9monochrom-half-cases/?do=findComment&comment=2468038'>More sharing options...
alan c. davis Posted November 18, 2013 Share #15 Posted November 18, 2013 I bought a Zhou for my M-E but the quality of the fit is far from perfect. ( In the end you get what you pay for.) In comparison the bottom half of the Leica ERC I use on my M6 is of far better construction. The $1 I paid for a new Bessa ERC from Cameraquest was not only the best value but much better made than the Zhou. But the beautiful soft leather case that came with my Hexar RF was in a class of its own. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrycym Posted November 18, 2013 Share #16 Posted November 18, 2013 I had a look at the Zhou website over at EBay but they don't do a 1/2 case for my ME fitted with the Leica grip. What's the best case that does fit the Leica grip attached to the ME? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted November 21, 2013 Share #17 Posted November 21, 2013 I love my Arte Di Mano case. The fit is absolutely perfect and the leather quality is excellent:+1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted November 21, 2013 Share #18 Posted November 21, 2013 Mark, That's the same case that I plan to get.........I have one on my 240 and love it, the quality is the best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebferro Posted November 24, 2013 Share #19 Posted November 24, 2013 I have a Arte Di Mano case for my M9. The fit and quality is wonderful. I've got a Luigi case for my MM and the fit is not good at all, The case obscures the left top of the buttons and LCD. It's Arte Di Mano cases for me henceforth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olyamk Posted November 25, 2013 Share #20 Posted November 25, 2013 Have been using the same black Zhou case on M8.2 and now on M9, for three years now. Very good quality of leather and of workmanship, the shape of the case is exactly the same as of the date of purchase. My only complaint is that the dial on the back side of the camera sometimes does not have enough place to rotate when the case is on. Otherwise, very fine and durable hand-made product, tested for three years of continuous use. I like the brassing of the black painted buttons of the case, very similar to the brassing of the black painted Leica body. I remember myself trying to buy aftermarket floor mats for my wife's new LR Freelander2 - I ended up buying genuine ones because no other product did fit the car well enough. Zhou's cases fit M8/M9 almost perfect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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