Any recommendation for a Q3 half-case which allows access to the USB-C port and ideally allows for an AirTag

[bob24]

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So my pre-ordered Q3 has finally shipped and I am looking for a half-case 🙂

I am planning to charge the battery via the USB-C port, so the ability to access this port without removing the whole case is essential to me. Additionally, a (very) nice to have would be for the case to include some space for an Apple AirTag (similarly to this one for the M11 - Oberwerth seems to have a Q3 model lined-up but it isn't available yet and it isn't clear whether it will allow access to the USB-C port). Lighter is better, and I don't mind if it is obstructing the tripod mount.

Does anyone have good recommendations? (ideally with the AirTag option, but I'll also look at nice and compact options without it as I am not sure what I am looking for exists at all)

 

I saw this is an option: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1010943610/leica-q-q2-q3-case-with-air-tag-slot

But this looks like 3D printed plastic so I am guessing the quality as well as the look and feel wouldn't be great. But curious to know if anyone tried it.

Edited August 25, 2023 by bob24

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[FlowUK]

The Oberwerth half case should be released any time now. That will have the option to hide an AirTag in the bottom. Likely to be pricy though. 

[MindsEye]

6 hours ago, bob24 said:

So my pre-ordered Q3 has finally shipped and I am looking for a half-case 🙂

I am planning to charge the battery via the USB-C port, so the ability to access this port without removing the whole case is essential to me. Additionally, a (very) nice to have would be for the case to include some space for an Apple AirTag (similarly to this one for the M11 - Oberwerth seems to have a Q3 model lined-up but it isn't available yet and it isn't clear whether it will allow access to the USB-C port). Lighter is better, and I don't mind if it is obstructing the tripod mount.

Does anyone have good recommendations? (ideally with the AirTag option, but I'll also look at nice and compact options without it as I am not sure what I am looking for exists at all)

 

I saw this is an option: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1010943610/leica-q-q2-q3-case-with-air-tag-slot

But this looks like 3D printed plastic so I am guessing the quality as well as the look and feel wouldn't be great. But curious to know if anyone tried it.

I just posted a review on this forum of the Lim's half case which I quite like. It has access to USB-C port as well as battery and SD card and Arca Swiss dovetail. It's not only very nice looking but well made, light, and practical. Reasonably priced as well. I'm not sure about the air tag part. There might be a way but nothing official built in to the case. And I don't have any air tags so can't comment on how one would do it.

[bob24]

2 hours ago, MindsEye said:

I just posted a review on this forum of the Lim's half case which I quite like. It has access to USB-C port as well as battery and SD card and Arca Swiss dovetail. It's not only very nice looking but well made, light, and practical. Reasonably priced as well. I'm not sure about the air tag part. There might be a way but nothing official built in to the case. And I don't have any air tags so can't comment on how one would do it.

 

Thanks, I had indeed seen your review and it looks pretty nice. The diameter of an AirTag is 31.9 mm. Based on the picture it doesn’t look like it is the case, but out of curiosity are any of the gaps in the bottom plate (for battery and SD card access) wider than this? I don’t actually care for access to the battery and SD card as I am not a very intensive user and I just plan to charge on USB-C and transfer pictures with Wi-Fi or a cable, so I wouldn’t mind obstructing on of them with an AirTag (assuming it doesn’t block the signal). 

[bob24]

4 hours ago, FlowUK said:

The Oberwerth half case should be released any time now. That will have the option to hide an AirTag in the bottom. Likely to be pricy though. 

Yes I emailed them ans they confirmed AirTag slot and late September release. Still pending confirmation on having full access to the USB port though. 

[MindsEye]

4 hours ago, bob24 said:

 

Thanks, I had indeed seen your review and it looks pretty nice. The diameter of an AirTag is 31.9 mm. Based on the picture it doesn’t look like it is the case, but out of curiosity are any of the gaps in the bottom plate (for battery and SD card access) wider than this? I don’t actually care for access to the battery and SD card as I am not a very intensive user and I just plan to charge on USB-C and transfer pictures with Wi-Fi or a cable, so I wouldn’t mind obstructing on of them with an AirTag (assuming it doesn’t block the signal). 

It may be possible. The width of the metal portion on the bottom is 36mm and the depth is about 10mm. The battery cover length is about 40mm and then some. So in theory there is room but I'm not a machinist. LIM'S has a 30 day return policy so if a machine shop tells you it's not possible you could always send it back. Another way to look at it is that you could ruin 3 of them trying before you're at the cost of an Oberwerth 🤣 If you think you might want to try, I can DM you some photos with a ruler to get an idea. You may also lose the Arca Swiss dovetail in the modification process (?) It also might be worth contacting Jin Ho of Modern JJ/LIM's via Etsy DM.

If the price of the Oberwerth doesn't deter you, their written description sounds like it has what you need.

Edited August 25, 2023 by MindsEye

[FlowUK]

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10 hours ago, bob24 said:

Yes I emailed them ans they confirmed AirTag slot and late September release. Still pending confirmation on having full access to the USB port though. 

Seems to be delayed again. I was told early September. Apparently it will have access to side ports though. 

[bob24]

5 hours ago, FlowUK said:

Seems to be delayed again. I was told early September. Apparently it will have access to side ports though. 

Ok thanks, they told me late September in a email sent yesterday so it should be their latest estimates. They also replied to my folow-up email and like to you they confirmed there will be an opening hatch to access the USB port. They said that all ports on the camera will be accessible without removing the case, which is why the case design took longer than usual.   

[bob24]

12 hours ago, MindsEye said:

It may be possible. The width of the metal portion on the bottom is 36mm and the depth is about 10mm. The battery cover length is about 40mm and then some. So in theory there is room but I'm not a machinist. LIM'S has a 30 day return policy so if a machine shop tells you it's not possible you could always send it back. Another way to look at it is that you could ruin 3 of them trying before you're at the cost of an Oberwerth 🤣 If you think you might want to try, I can DM you some photos with a ruler to get an idea. You may also lose the Arca Swiss dovetail in the modification process (?) It also might be worth contacting Jin Ho of Modern JJ/LIM's via Etsy DM.

If the price of the Oberwerth doesn't deter you, their written description sounds like it has what you need.

Thanks! I think I’ll give Oberwerth a few weeks to release theirs as no matter what it will be a cleaner solution, and consider other options if they don’t deliver. I actually received the Q3 yesterday and took a walk to try it a bit; and while I’d prefer some protection given its price, it is actually nice to just carry it on its own 🙂

[MindsEye]

3 hours ago, bob24 said:

Thanks! I think I’ll give Oberwerth a few weeks to release theirs as no matter what it will be a cleaner solution, and consider other options if they don’t deliver. I actually received the Q3 yesterday and took a walk to try it a bit; and while I’d prefer some protection given its price, it is actually nice to just carry it on its own 🙂

Congrats on the Q3! I agree it is nice to carry around as is. For me the thumb support made a huge difference. Although I appreciate the grip on the LIM'S case I mainly got it for protection. I'll know in a few weeks whether it will end up living on the Q3 or not. There's something to be said for the simplicty of just the camera (and thumb rest) too.

Enjoy!!

Edited August 26, 2023 by MindsEye

[nariza7]

I’ve been using the slick ids grip that doesn’t block any ports/sd/battery. I’ve also switched out the Leica hood/cap for a magnetic lens cap with an airtag stuck to the front (Amazon has sticky mounts for AirTags)

[bob24]

In case anyone is interested in it, I just got an email notification for Oberwerth saying the half-case is now avaialble to order on their website. I just ordered one - will see how it goes 🙂

[nariza7]

Quite a clever design. Just wish the grip was deeper