M9/Monochrom Half-Cases

[ayewing]

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I had a Zhou case for my M9 for two years. It was an excellet fit and shows no signs of wear. I have now moved on to a M240 and was disappointted to find that Zhou does not yet make a case for it. However a little minor surgery with a Stanley knife has produced a very useable half case for the M240.

[terrycym]

Anybody use a case which fits the Leica grip on a M9 / ME?

[Herr Barnack]

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.

 

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Unbelievable!   The back views of the Luigi half case look like hammered shit.  I'm really shocked by the slipshod stitching. 

 

I won't be taking a chance on a Luigi case after seeing this.

[Lenshacker]

I've been using the Leica case that was bought new with the M8, almost 6 years old now. I bought 2 more, for the M9 and  Monochrom. I prefer them as they do not have the piece that goes above the LCD monitor. The cases must have a rigid internal construction, like my old Nikon F and F2 cases. The original version of the Leica case has a small finger grip, the later version does not. The cameras fit into a Nikon leather soft pouch case (CS-9) made for the Nikon F2 with the half case on the body. The pouch cases are from the 1970s, holding up quite well.

[fussgangerfoto]

I couldn't agree more about the fit of the Arte di Mano cases fitting like a glove. I have the same case for my Monochrom and it fits so perfectly around the LCD and scroll wheel that it's a little tricky to get the thing off. I'm always afraid I'm gonna drop the camera coaching the case over the screen and wheel, but that's only because it's snug and well-tailored to the MM.