The Leica Box Saga Continues...

[Rick]

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As you have read here on the very informative Leica User's Forum, it has been extensively reported that many felt something was wrong right from the beginning when unwrapping the new Leica M240 box! As you may have read, many of us experienced an especially traumatic beginning. It started the moment we opened the packaging and discovered a somewhat different and redesigned box from Leica.

 

It was different. It had drawers and other unfamiliar changes. Many here just put the camera back in the box and returned to the familiarity of the old box or found another manufacturer that had a different and newer box... there seems to be a lot of discussion about the merits of newer boxes. These new boxes basically perform similarly, but they are new and seductive.

 

On hearing about the new M240 box, certain people became convinced that it must be bad without even using it for themselves. They rushed to support the old box. Some, even felt there was a slight difference between the box's color. The old being inherently better and the new, well, it wasn't like the old.

 

You can use the search function and find many threads about the trouble some people seem to have accommodating to the new box. The new box, for many, is just too much change to fast. For others, not enough change to late.

 

But, outside the cyber ether-world is another group that seems to be blissfuly content with the new box. Actually, placing less emphasis on the M240 box and more on those perfect little lens boxes! Enjoying a certain blissful perspective that newer box makers have hardly any nice lens boxes yet.

 

Lens Boxes! That's where it is at. These little beauties are amazing. So simple and small. Probably, the best boxes made. Without a nice selection of good little lens boxes, let's face it, the camera boxes really don't matter as much.

 

Is it just me or does there seem to be not enough talk about lens boxes.

 

Happy-Thanksgiving to all,

 

Just Rick.

 

 

My favorite Boxes. Like most here I'm sure, I never actually take them out of the box.

 

 

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[DMJ]

[pieterpronk]

I really do not get these discussions about the box. A box is a box! And the newer box IS a better box. I really don't like to have to explain this ad nauseam: the boxes are exactly the same, and the newer is factually a better box! Why do you bring this up every time, RickLeica?! Can't you go to the old box forum instead?!

[randyman]

As a first-time M owner, all I've ever known is the new box... it makes me wonder what I've missed in never having had the chance to appreciate the classic features of boxes from the past.

 

It's been said that Henri Cartier-Bresson was so profoundly moved by his first Leica box that he gave up painting forever and became the photographer we know today. Would the same thing have happened if he had been exposed to one of today's modern boxes? I don't know; I really just don't know.

[Gibbo]

Len Crockwell said "I support my family and half of America by

reviewing boxes. I'll do any box for money. Please click my link".

 

Everyone else said "Oh **** off Len :rolleyes:"

[Rick]

As a first-time M owner, all I've ever known is the new box... it makes me wonder what I've missed in never having had the chance to appreciate the classic features of boxes from the past.

 

It's been said that Henri Cartier-Bresson was so profoundly moved by his first Leica box that he gave up painting forever and became the photographer we know today. Would the same thing have happened if he had been exposed to one of today's modern boxes? I don't know; I really just don't know.

 

:D:D

[bideford]

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Is there a difference in boxes purchased from "My Lecia Dealer" or do I get the same quality box from a shop or even (dare I say it) online?

[ModernMan]

I don't need all the features of the new box and they detract from the pure essence of capturing the decisive unboxing moment. So brothers, I say "Phooey!", if they add anymore useless clutter in the M11 box I won't buy it. I may buy the camera (since, if Leica makes it it is surely sanctioned as a correct successor to the M3 -- even if it doesn't have an optical rangefinder), but a more cluttered new fangled rootin'-tootin' high-falutin' box is just nuts. It simply seeks to compete with the whole SonyCaNikon industrial complex that hijacked the 24mmx36mm format, and polluted that pristine essence with reflex cameras -- in shiny fancy boxes.

[masjah]

Is the new box covered by a Passport scheme, and, if so, how long is it for, and is it transferable to subsequent owners. Also, I'm worried that if the box is dropped and damaged, will it be covered under Passport, or would it be considered to be "cosmetic damage" and therefore not covered. I ask becasuse what might be considered cosmetic damage for a camera might be more substantive, essential, damage by the standards of a box. I think Leica needs to clarify their policy on this aspect.

[bideford]

For those that will be using the older LTM lens boxes you will need an LTM to M adapter box:

 

http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mgRFeDx88oq6VKwSgnTiOdA.jpg

[algrove]

Oh, Rick, you boxed yourself in now!

[pgk]

My problem with these boxes is that they all have far too prominent logos and red dots on them. But I can't find out what sort of tape to use to cover them up to make them look less conspicuous when placed surreptitiously on top of the wardrobe;). Gaffer tape is not too bad a colour match but I'm worried that later it might be peeled off to leave an unsightly residue or worse, even damage the boxes' surface thus devaluing them if I ever dispose of them. Has anyone got any suggestions? Are there specialist suppliers out there?

[AlanJW]

Thank you Rick for raising this important subject. But more questions are raised than answered.

 

What kind of bag do people use for their boxes? Does Billingham make a box bag that can hold a camera box and two or three lens boxes?

 

Also, is it better to have your boxes stored straight up or lying on a side? Will cosmic rays

fade box print more one way or the other? Is such damage repairable? Will the box need to go back to Solms?

 

Finally, I think it important to understand that the box is a system that includes its outer shell, but also foam or cardboard inserts, and sometimes other bits of plastic. To get the box to work right, you must have all these parts working together properly. So if your box is not performing properly, don't be afraid to open it up and fiddle with the pieces. There is a thread somewhere where Mark Norton opened up a M8 box and found all kinds of interesting things. The M box is different of course, and maybe Mark can again give us a little help understanding how the box is put together.

[E_42]

probably a good idea to build aftermarket boxes. So you can perfectly park your great camera (thing) or whatever next to your bed (or wherever you want it) and look at its boxes. Same for watches, cars, boats, horses or houses. Could get it personalized and when your dealer send the good to "boxcompany.com.org" you would get it even in your dream box to unpack it for the first time!

[Gibbo]

I'm planning a holiday in Tuscany next year and have two

questions for the forum.

 

Firstly, is it safe to take the box for my M to Italy?

 

Secondly, which are the best three lens boxes to take

on holiday?

 

Thirdly, can I arrange special insurance for all my boxes?

 

I am not retarded by the way

[jcraf]

I am waiting to use my R lens boxes with my M240 box. Still waiting....and waiting. These R to M adapter boxes are slow to come to market. I mean, its only a bit of card, for goodness sake.

 

I have been tempted to use a non branded sh*tty grey card box, which purports to do the same, but frankly it would look like a carbuncle on my M240 box, a weak link if you will. Snob that I am.

 

So here I sit with some nice silver boxes, which cannot yet achieve union. Ahh well.

[bideford]

My dream has now been realized.

 

I can now purchase an empty Rolex box from ebay and drop the fact that I have one into conversation whenever possible.

 

Do sports cars come in boxes?

[pico]

Rick! I'm concerned about the open-up time of the Typ 240 box. It is a real deal breaker for me.

[farnz]

I'm planning a holiday in Tuscany next year and have two

questions for the forum.

 

Firstly, is it safe to take the box for my M to Italy?

 

Secondly, which are the best three lens boxes to take

on holiday?

 

Thirdly, can I arrange special insurance for all my boxes?

 

I am not retarded by the way

Gibbo,

 

You'll be fine taking your M box on holiday to Tuscana because potential thieves won't recognise them as valuable and will instead go for garish CaNikon boxes that they can readily process into cash on the open underworld box market. Just take sensible precautions such as being wary in dark areas like in boxrooms.

 

Pete.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[farnz]

... I mean, its only a bit of card, for goodness sake. ...

<Gasp!> Card that's annointed by Leica, I think you'll find! ("only a bit of card"… my goodness.)

 

Pete.