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Leica M-P (240) leather protector - any experiences?


drk_1981

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Hello all,

 

recently I upgraded to a lovely silver* M-P (240) and now i'm on the market for a leather cover. I was interested in the Leica leather (cognac or black) which I could get for USD 130. But I was curious to see if someone has it as well and if someone has some experiences or alternatives to share .. Luigi is also an option as he's basically located around the corner in Italy (I'm based in Switzerland). I'd be happy to hear some thoughts.

 

* was supposed to be the black one but then after using solely blacks I went with the silver after managing to catch the sales guy by phone before him shipping out my Leica .. 

 

not to forget, I also use a tripod time to time ...

 

thanks for your positive contributions and thoughts in advance.

 

Doruk

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I had a Leica half case for my M8 and I was not impressed. I have owned the Luigi as well when I had an M9. They are very nice but the fit was all that good. If you want one that fits very well and looks great, try the Arte di Mano and classic strap. The Arte di Mano have a tripod screw on the bottom.

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I have the Leica half case for the M240, unlike the Leica M8/M9 case it is very well made and on a par with the better cases, albeit not quite the quality of the Arte cases.  Closer to Artist and Artisan, the leather is nice and has a heft that makes it feel substantial.  A slight slippery feel makes it less than ideal for a strong grip.  I believe the M-P (240) case is similar save for slight difference in cut for the preview lever.    One big advantage of the Leica cases is the ease of removal, there isn't leather between the lcd and top plate.  There are Arte cases with a tripod mount in the base but I question it's stability.   I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again, $130 for a Leica product puts it at the least expensive end of the ( half case) price range, kinda unusual. 

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just picked up a Arte Di Mano case and strap - in a word -- SWEET

 

i added a thumbs up so with the case i notice a difference in weight and bulk BUT i think i picked up a stop on "stability"  - i also use a tripod occasionally and the Arte has a nice and secure threading on the bottom.  i really wanted to hold a Angelo Pelle  in my hands - but was unable to find one - in my opinion the case is something you need to feel prior to buying   

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I like the craftsmanship and luxurious appearance of the Arte Di Mano cases and straps.  The strap & half case that I like will go for $617 USD, if I can ever find them in stock.  Or, for $599 USD, I could get the Fogg Lyre, which would offer more protection to the camera and lens. 

 

The above makes me wonder which is a more intelligent expenditure of that amount of cash.  I am not tight fisted with my money when it comes to Leica gear and accessories, but I do always endeavor to make expenditures based on sound reasoning, which brings up this offering from Billingham: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/507965-REG/Billingham_501348_Digital_Hadley_Bag.html The Digital Hadley is nearly identical in size to the Lyre, but at a savings of $382 USD. 

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I like the craftsmanship and luxurious appearance of the Arte Di Mano cases and straps.  The strap & half case that I like will go for $617 USD, if I can ever find them in stock.  Or, for $599 USD, I could get the Fogg Lyre, which would offer more protection to the camera and lens. 

 

The above makes me wonder which is a more intelligent expenditure of that amount of cash.  I am not tight fisted with my money when it comes to Leica gear and accessories, but I do always endeavor to make expenditures based on sound reasoning, which brings up this offering from Billingham: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/507965-REG/Billingham_501348_Digital_Hadley_Bag.html The Digital Hadley is nearly identical in size to the Lyre, but at a savings of $382 USD. 

Good luck in finding a Fogg Lyre. I ordered a Fogg bag a couple of years ago and ended up buying a Billingham. The Fogg arrived about 10 months after I ordered it. I declined to take it and the dealer said he already had it sold. I have bought my Arte di mano from Leica Miami. They usually have some stock all the time and the wait is usually not that bad if you place an order waiting for supply.

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I still have the arte di mano case but the Leica made one is what I use. It's not luxurious and doesn't fit like a glove as with the Korean case, but it is very easy to remove and has a lower profile so I like it much more.

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Good luck in finding a Fogg Lyre. I ordered a Fogg bag a couple of years ago and ended up buying a Billingham. The Fogg arrived about 10 months after I ordered it. I declined to take it and the dealer said he already had it sold. I have bought my Arte di mano from Leica Miami. They usually have some stock all the time and the wait is usually not that bad if you place an order waiting for supply.

I am 99% sure that I will go with a Billingham, either the Digital Hadley, the L2 or the Leica Combination M bag.

 

I have had two of Billingham's larger bags in the past and currently have a Hadley Pro; none of them have ever given me reason to complain. Billinghams may not be as succulent as Foggs, but they aren't made out of recycled dirty underwear, either. 

 

Leica must also approve of Billingham bags ( http://leicastoremiami.com/collections/bags-and-cases-shoulder-bags/products/leica-combination-m-bag-by-billingham-khaki ).   At the end of the day, I see no reason to pay an almost $400 premium for a bag that is almost identical to the Digital Hadley. 

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I have the Leica half case for the M240, unlike the Leica M8/M9 case it is very well made and on a par with the better cases, albeit not quite the quality of the Arte cases.  Closer to Artist and Artisan, the leather is nice and has a heft that makes it feel substantial.  A slight slippery feel makes it less than ideal for a strong grip.  I believe the M-P (240) case is similar save for slight difference in cut for the preview lever.    One big advantage of the Leica cases is the ease of removal, there isn't leather between the lcd and top plate.  There are Arte cases with a tripod mount in the base but I question it's stability.   I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again, $130 for a Leica product puts it at the least expensive end of the ( half case) price range, kinda unusual. 

 

 

I still have the arte di mano case but the Leica made one is what I use. It's not luxurious and doesn't fit like a glove as with the Korean case, but it is very easy to remove and has a lower profile so I like it much more.

Interesting that we have two post here mentioning that it is easy to remove the Leica half-case, I am looking at options for having a better grip when using my M246 with heavier lenses. I'll find the built in grip sufficient for smaller lenses but I would like a better grip sometimes, a half-case is one option and a Thumbs Up another but both needs to be easy to remove. Do you feel it makes a difference to use the half-case when you have a heavier lens mounted?

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I used a Luigi half case on my M8 and M9 but am not using anything on my 240 M-P.  The paint on all buttons of the M9 was rubbed off by the case, and I feel this camera (silver) looks tough enough to live without one.  I do still use the leather strap I got from Luigi, it is fabulous!

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Interesting that we have two post here mentioning that it is easy to remove the Leica half-case, I am looking at options for having a better grip when using my M246 with heavier lenses. I'll find the built in grip sufficient for smaller lenses but I would like a better grip sometimes, a half-case is one option and a Thumbs Up another but both needs to be easy to remove. Do you feel it makes a difference to use the half-case when you have a heavier lens mounted?

The Leica case is easier to remove than the Arte case on the M240.  The Arte cases are so well adapted that removal is quite difficult.  To improve my grip on the Leica case I place gaffers tape giving it a textured surface, this will likely ruin the nice leather finish.  It's difficult to answer your question with a definitive yes or no, for me it improves the grip but for real assurance I would use the handgrip or multifunction grip.   

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Well, my heaviest lens is the 85 sonnar, but I would say, the case definitely helps in improving grip. The arte di mano locking clip is so close to the finder it feels uncomfortable. For once Leica has designed a really nice half case.

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I have the m240 , arts district Mano, thumbs up.  With the 75 f/2 it's heavy but easily usable.  With my 35 f/2 the weight just feel right.   The thumbs up surely adds weight. The new titanium version might be a better choice

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Interesting that we have two post here mentioning that it is easy to remove the Leica half-case, I am looking at options for having a better grip when using my M246 with heavier lenses. I'll find the built in grip sufficient for smaller lenses but I would like a better grip sometimes, a half-case is one option and a Thumbs Up another but both needs to be easy to remove. Do you feel it makes a difference to use the half-case when you have a heavier lens mounted?

You might consider the Leica grip #14496 (this is the $269 USD non-GPS grip).  This grip fits the M240 and M-P.  I am not 100% sure, but I believe it is also compatible with the M246.  I have this grip on my M-P and it is worth its weight in gold.

 

...arts district Mano...

 

:D

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You might consider the Leica grip #14496 (this is the $269 USD non-GPS grip).  This grip fits the M240 and M-P.  I am not 100% sure, but I believe it is also compatible with the M246.  I have this grip on my M-P and it is worth its weight in gold.

 

:D

That's how they set the prices. They weigh the item and charge by the spot price of gold on that day.

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congrats on your new camera

the Leica case is not bad. unexpected I know !

 

I have pretty much tried most half-leather cases

 

I prefer Art & Artisan. I pretty much get them for all my Leica's now.

They fit the best for leather cases, have a good lining, tend to protect more then the others (see side walls), very sturdy construction, beautiful fit and finish, not as bulky as some and surprisingly good value compared to the other premium brands

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Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated. Thanks for the info on the grip Carlos, I had completely missed that one existed without the GPS and stuff and it is the same for the M 240 and M 246.

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