ironringer Posted January 13, 2014 Share #1 Posted January 13, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello Leica users: There are very few pictures or illustrations in older Leica catalogs of the many "system" cases (holding at least one body and a couple of lenses) that were available after WW2 through the 1980s. Is there a website where many cases are shown, with correct product numbers and names? For example, what case (number, name, date, for what camera) is the small system case shown in the attached picture? I would like to know what 1960s and 1970s system cases are suitable for a IIIf and its accessories, estimating that its size is similar to the early M cameras. And, what are the "Benser" cases that were sold in the 1950s-1970s? Are they named for a Leica specialist or designer? Thank you for your guidance, from Montreal. 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/220091-leica-system-cases-identification/?do=findComment&comment=2508112'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 Hi ironringer, Take a look here Leica system cases identification?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
zeitz Posted January 13, 2014 Share #2 Posted January 13, 2014 Walter Benser was indeed the designer of the Benser cases. Search for "Benser" on E-bay and you will see lots of examples of these cases and their inserts. The case was great with the classic M equipment. Modern M equipment, bodies and lenses, are too big to fit correctly. The leather on these cases, particularly the straps, is now getting old. But prices do remain high. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted January 13, 2014 Share #3 Posted January 13, 2014 That looks like the CL system case, but there may be others with similar style. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 13, 2014 Share #4 Posted January 13, 2014 I have one almost identical to that shown in your picture, but possibly slightly wider at 31 cm. Inside is what was described at the time as a Benser Insert. I bought it new in 1966 for my new Leica M3. The insert would take two M bodies; contained two cylindrical tubes for storing lens, including the current 135mm Elmar. Theo Kisselbach's The Leica Book page 166 describes two inserts for various combinations of cameras, lenses, Visoflex, filters, rings, Leicameter etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 13, 2014 Share #5 Posted January 13, 2014 There are so many types that I doubt that anybody has kept track of them Or maybe? JC? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 13, 2014 Share #6 Posted January 13, 2014 A QUICK look at my old catalogs of the '60s gives me the following codes.... limiting to "combination cases" for Leica M : 14815 14820 14803 14804 14807 14808... plus many codes for inserts, straps etc... really a complicated story... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironringer Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted January 14, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you Forum members for confirming that the world of Leica cases is relatively undocumented. It seems that my example (coming by mail) is a smaller, 1960s, M system case. This may work well with my IIIf and accessories, and should be more useful than a mid-1950s leather system case that is more for storage and display (see pictures attached). Perhaps this would be an interesting research project, to confirm with pictures and descriptions what every catalog number case looks like. There are some nice looking cases offered for sale, but rarely are they associated with the cameras they were meant for, dates, or their Leica catalog numbers. For research I suppose the first step would be to capture pictures of many cases and store them on a website, for comments and identification by Forum members. 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/220091-leica-system-cases-identification/?do=findComment&comment=2508740'>More sharing options...
doubice Posted January 14, 2014 Share #8 Posted January 14, 2014 This appears to be a case that will fit a Leica IIIf (and similar bodies), 135mm Hektor and a couple of small lenses; maybe a 35mm and 50mm. There is also space for a universal finder VIOOH, filters and other accessories. I believe what you have coming is just what the doctor ordered... Best, Jan Here is a photo of what the doctor ordered for me a few years ago... 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/220091-leica-system-cases-identification/?do=findComment&comment=2508765'>More sharing options...
ironringer Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted January 14, 2014 Jan's "what the doctor ordered" leather case is a real beauty, something I want someday. This large "system display" case (mostly doctors could afford it) is probably what the 1953 catalog lists as catalog number 14,545 EHOOB Combination Case, imported (price $38.85), big enough to hold the camera body, 35mm, 50mm, 90mm and 135mm lenses, universal viewfinder, and various accessories. Lovely BIG case and an inspiration for Leica screwmount users. Wow from Montreal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted January 14, 2014 Share #10 Posted January 14, 2014 I have a modern version of that sort of case, bought in a fit of optimism when they were 'fashionable'. Turned out to be pretty impractical for out and about use as you had to find somewhere to put it down to get anything out. The Leica case has some straps to stop things falling out but that slows down retrieval of an item. As said the Leica case is IMHO more for storage or display, the only time my aluminium version comes out is when I do a technical 'job' needing a couple of Nikons, several PC, macro and wide angle lenses, Cokin filters, bellows etc etc. Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted January 14, 2014 Share #11 Posted January 14, 2014 The largest one I have for IIIf : 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/220091-leica-system-cases-identification/?do=findComment&comment=2508944'>More sharing options...
Pecole Posted January 14, 2014 Share #12 Posted January 14, 2014 Nothing to do with the Leica IIIf, but just for the fun, I enclose a picture of the ETGAM case for and with the non-standardised Leica I "LESOR" with its three matching lenses I had in my Fontenelle collection: Noticable is the fact that the three lenses bear the complete serial number identical to the camera's : 37380: 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/220091-leica-system-cases-identification/?do=findComment&comment=2509041'>More sharing options...
doubice Posted January 14, 2014 Share #13 Posted January 14, 2014 Jim aka 'ironringer' asked me for a better photo of the case so, here it is. Also, for general interest, photo of another case, designed for lenses only. Both cases were assembled to be 'historically correct', with all items from the same period. The only exception may be a 6.3/28mm Hektor that sneaked its way into the IIIf case. The intruder has been given a warning and issued a temporary visitor visa..... Cheers, Jan Here we go: 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/220091-leica-system-cases-identification/?do=findComment&comment=2509504'>More sharing options...
ogrove Posted January 17, 2014 Share #14 Posted January 17, 2014 Some of my combination cases for 111f and 111g cameras . 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/220091-leica-system-cases-identification/?do=findComment&comment=2511278'>More sharing options...
ironringer Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted January 18, 2014 Thank you Jan and "ogrove" for sharing these excellent pictures of screwmount combination cases. They must be very heavy when fully loaded. Excellent for displaying all those lovely goodies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kobus Posted January 20, 2014 Share #16 Posted January 20, 2014 I already owned a Leica EKOOZ and today I bought a new empty case on Ebay. I have just one picture of it and it looks to me the same case as the one from Doubice. Is it correct that is called EHOOB? Kobus 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/220091-leica-system-cases-identification/?do=findComment&comment=2514161'>More sharing options...
ogrove Posted January 20, 2014 Share #17 Posted January 20, 2014 A couple of smaller Leica cases with Leica 11 housed .one is made by Leica and the other By Dolton of London . 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/220091-leica-system-cases-identification/?do=findComment&comment=2514301'>More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted January 21, 2014 Share #18 Posted January 21, 2014 There are a lot in different shapes and arrangements...for our pleasure indeed ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted January 21, 2014 Share #19 Posted January 21, 2014 No one has pictured the wonderful M Benser cases, sold in one and two camera versions, although I have never seen the single camera version except in my 1966 catalog. Different inserts were available for M2.3.4 with/wo clip on meter. Inserts for 35 w/wo eyes. Also for viso and telyt lenses. The inserts for various pieces packed into the case with no space wasted and I think they were an engineering marvel. Sadly mine are idle as equipment grew, TTL camera, digital M, larger diameter lenses, making the system less than ideal for current equipment. I even have a large one Stan Tamarkin found in Germany for R cameras and lenses. He told me it was the last new one in the world. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted January 21, 2014 Share #20 Posted January 21, 2014 Superb condition ! congratulations. I already owned a Leica EKOOZ and today I bought a new empty case on Ebay.I have just one picture of it and it looks to me the same case as the one from Doubice. Is it correct that is called EHOOB? Kobus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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