LeicaNewbieCA Posted February 20, 2019 Share #1 Posted February 20, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, I'm a newbie Leica user, purchased an M10 from the Singapore store 3 months ago. Looking at the various half-case options available, I've decided to get something from Arte di Mano just because, well, it looks awesome... Since every time you need to change battery or memory card, you'd have to take the half case off. How cumbersome is it to install and reinstall a half case? And will the fit eventually get loose after many times of reinstall? Thought I'd ask this forum before spending the $$. Note: I'm using a Leica hand grip, and Arte di Mano makes a half-case that accomodates the OEM Leica hand grip. Appreciate the feedback in advance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 20, 2019 Posted February 20, 2019 Hi LeicaNewbieCA, Take a look here Practicality of a half case. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TomB_tx Posted February 20, 2019 Share #2 Posted February 20, 2019 It depends on your shooting habits. I’m and old film shooter, and digital hasn’t changed my habits, so I don’t need to get at the battery or card that often. At times I do need to pull the card frequently to pull off some pictures I don’t use the case. i don’t use a grip - i’ve Been using M cameras for 50 years without one. On the M10 I use an Artists & Artisans half case that snaps around the strap lugs. It still fits tight, as does the Zhou case I’ve used on my M9 for 8 years. There are half cases made that do away with the normal bottom plate and have a snap flap so you can access the battery and card with the case in place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Printmaker Posted February 20, 2019 Share #3 Posted February 20, 2019 Like Tom B, I've been using Leicas for a long time. But I always found cases just got in the way. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nowhereman Posted February 20, 2019 Share #4 Posted February 20, 2019 More of an aesthetic choice than anything else: some people hate them for the "fussiness"; some people think they look great. Ralph Gibson, at the time he was shooting M6 film cameras, said he advised against them because they muffled the shutter sound — without a half-case he could hear, having trained himself to do so, if he was shooting at the wrong shutter speed. Me, I think they're absurd; but he only thing that matters is what you think: if you love them, go for it. _______________Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN MagazineNowhereman Instagram Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRTZMO Posted February 20, 2019 Share #5 Posted February 20, 2019 I use a half case on a M6. Really like the feel, grippy and solid. I don’t like the increased bulk. As far as removing the case, it is quick and painless; a good case will not loosen over its life span. Artisan & Artist LMB-M7. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckuwajima Posted February 20, 2019 Share #6 Posted February 20, 2019 (edited) I use a Leica half case mainly for protection against scratches resting the camera on rough surfaces. It also provides a small grip, without adding bulk. It requires being removed to access battery and SD card, but I do not care much the inconvenience. Edited February 21, 2019 by ckuwajima 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted February 21, 2019 Share #7 Posted February 21, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) I’ve bought a lot of used cameras, and the ones kept in a case are in much better cosmetic condition. It’s been said that you can judge a craftsman by the condition of his tools. I prefer the feel of an M without the case, but I like the protection of a half case, with little effect on the camera’s use. (Unlike the nEver ready cases of old.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
4pipes Posted February 21, 2019 Share #8 Posted February 21, 2019 I use one so I don’t have to unscrew anything to change cards or batteries. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxx71 Posted February 21, 2019 Share #9 Posted February 21, 2019 I also have the handgrip (in silver to match and it looks awesome!). I chose the Leica Protector case for these reasons: 1. It looks great and the quality is as good IMO as the arte di mano.2. If I use a half case with the handgrip then it would be too big. 3. The screen flap in the back is brilliant and I feel I'm shooting film when it covers the LCD. 4. It's very comfortable to hold with the thumb grip. 5. Very easy to install and take off by using a nickel to unscrew the bottom. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
howiebrou Posted February 21, 2019 Share #10 Posted February 21, 2019 (edited) I would ditch the Leica Hand Grip and opt for the Arte di Mano case with a built in grip and a battery door. That way your M10 is lighter and shorter as well and battery and card changing is not an issue. I did this with my M240-P. Edited February 21, 2019 by howiebrou 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Black Posted February 21, 2019 Share #11 Posted February 21, 2019 Arte di Mano makes cases with a "battery door". With these cases, you no longer use the M's base plate. The door is held shut by a magnet. Easily opens for direct access to the battery and SDHC card. The Leica M + Grip + Half Case gets pretty fat. I tried it briefly with the M-240-P and didn't like it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 21, 2019 Share #12 Posted February 21, 2019 The rise of the half-case began at the crossover point when people began to think buying a Leica was an 'investment' rather than just buying a camera. At the same time the camera also changed in the minds eye from being a better tool for a particular job to being a unique camera out of the mainstream. You can see how the half case and ability to customise the camera fits into the new mindset. To my way of thinking losing the direct tactile connection to the camera is an anathema, somewhat like people who'd buy a sofa and keep the plastic wrap on it, so if you are buying a Leica as a unique and special experience (and why not) at least touch it while using it. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 21, 2019 Share #13 Posted February 21, 2019 2 minutes ago, 250swb said: The rise of the half-case began at the crossover point when people began to think buying a Leica was an 'investment' rather than just buying a camera. At the same time the camera also changed in the minds eye from being a better tool for a particular job to being a unique camera out of the mainstream. You can see how the half case and ability to customise the camera fits into the new mindset. To my way of thinking losing the direct tactile connection to the camera is an anathema, somewhat like people who'd buy a sofa and keep the plastic wrap on it, so if you are buying a Leica as a unique and special experience (and why not) at least touch it while using it. I always used my M3 and M2 with a leather ever-ready case, occasionally removing the top part. I travelled and worked in obscure places and construction sites so my camera was in need of protection. Adding a half case to my M9 seemed a natural continuation. I stopped using it when I switched to wrist straps, so my camera was not swinging from a strap around my neck, and so less likely to hit something. It was also valuable for protecting smart table surfaces from the hard camera edges. But if you like the soft brush of skin contact with your Leica, who am I to tell you not to? 😊 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stein K S Posted February 22, 2019 Share #14 Posted February 22, 2019 I never used anycases on my M6 and my M9. And thought I never would with any M. But when getting the M10 I decided to try Leica`s own half-case out. And I have become quite happy with it: actually feels ¨safe¨ (even if not really needed) and it provides some grip... and still with rather little bulk added. PS: the screen protector part of the half-case, however, is awfull/bulky/¨unfitting¨ and was never attached to my camera. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photon42 Posted February 22, 2019 Share #15 Posted February 22, 2019 I think I am presently in my case-less phase 😎. They do look nice though, especially on the slimmer M10 and CL bodies. But going naked looks nice, too, and presently, I like it better. Not to mention you save the equivalent of a voigtlander 2/35 when going AdM with all options. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardgb Posted February 22, 2019 Share #16 Posted February 22, 2019 I used a (Leica) half-case on my M9 and currently have one on my M Typ 240. As others have said, it's only a few seconds' work to remove it for changing the card / battery, and it also gives a good grip to the camera apart from adding protection. So, for me, recommended. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdemeyer Posted February 23, 2019 Share #17 Posted February 23, 2019 I use the Leica half case with the rear flap (closed 99% of the time). I like the look, protection, and grip. Agree no hassle removing it to change batteries or cards. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted February 23, 2019 Share #18 Posted February 23, 2019 I haven't used an erc, full or half, for decades. For me a small neat camera like an M series Leica is best kept that way, but I fully acknowledge that doing so means that wear and tear do show up before long. This doesn't bother me as my cameras are not an investment. Personal choice, but cases are not for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 23, 2019 Share #19 Posted February 23, 2019 Well I happen to like half cases, I use them on my MMI and 240, ( Gariz ) and the M10, ( Leica half case ).......and I would like to find one for the MD10 too, but there's not one available for that model that I've been able to find, if there was I'd buy it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucerne Posted February 23, 2019 Share #20 Posted February 23, 2019 5 hours ago, petermullett said: Well I happen to like half cases, I use them on my MMI and 240, ( Gariz ) and the M10, ( Leica half case ).......and I would like to find one for the MD10 too, but there's not one available for that model that I've been able to find, if there was I'd buy it. Good news Peter. Luigi is now offering a custom case. When searching, do M10-D Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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