Leica Koffer S / suitcase

[da_eltsch]

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Hello everybody,

does anyone of you use Leica‘s fitting „Koffer S“ with your S System?

It looks like a very sorted way for storing my gear and also do some „camper based“ traveling.

For areas where longer walks/hikes are necessary I use a large backpack with safe compartments. 
 

I also have some generic pelicases where you can set areas for each lens but I am not hundred percent happy, because they are rather flat, so that the longer lenses take to much room.

If you have some experience: how sturdy and at the same time smooth are the wheels? What do you think about the grip handle that you can extend from the case?

thank you in advance,

Helge

[davidmknoble]

I use the S hard case and have for about 6 years.  It transfers well in my car when traveling.  The handle works well, but normally I carry it.  Have not used on an airplane because I typically have a backpack or some other carry solution for onsite.  I know others that have carried it on a plane with success.  I love it.

[Pieter12]

Is it even available any more?

[da_eltsch]

Pieter, I guess one needs to be lucky to find one in some dealers store.
I am now waiting for a mildly used one for reasonable money that I was able to find on eBay.

[John McMaster]

It was designed in the early days, so takes 35/70/120/180 (off the top of my head).  The slots would need alteration if you have 24/100/zoom etc...

john - with two of them

[da_eltsch]

It even has room for 5 lenses … meaning: my 30, 35, 70, 120 and 180 are going to fit. The seller had sent me the page from the manual which shows it.

thank you all for your thoughts!

[Stuart Richardson]

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On 9/1/2024 at 8:29 PM, Pieter12 said:

Is it even available any more?

If I recall correctly, it is just a standard HPRC case with a custom foam insert and a Leica logo. At the time I remember it costing something like 4 or 5 times the price of the normal model, which annoyed me enough that I did not get it. In the end I wound up using a Tenba Air Case, which I have had great luck with. 

https://www.hprc.it/en/cases/

 

[Pieter12]

I'm pretty sure one could buy a similar case, from Explorer or HPRC or others and have a custom foam insert cut to one's exact needs and specifications for less than the Leica one. But that red dot costs a lot, both in cash and lack of prestige. Years ago, Leica was giving away keyring at a show, maybe glue one of those to the case!

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[davidmknoble]

The 24mm fits in the case without the lens hood.  The lens hood for the 24mm fits in the slot for the dual battery charger. ;).  I will check, but I think the 100mm also fits.  I know the 45 fits in the same spot as the 30/35 - with hood.

The only thing I wished it had was room for a second body…

[davidmknoble]

I also think getting custom foam is fine, but you have to be sure it is foam for photography equipment.  General protective foam can have all kinds of chemicals still airing out of the pores that can be bad for lens glass…

Just my two cents..

[tp2415]

Kinda related - has anyone seen or used the custom Halliburton case for S System? Did that have a specific name/product number?

[Pieter12]

On 9/3/2024 at 7:24 PM, davidmknoble said:

I also think getting custom foam is fine, but you have to be sure it is foam for photography equipment.  General protective foam can have all kinds of chemicals still airing out of the pores that can be bad for lens glass…

Just my two cents..

These guys make custom foam for photo gear, I would hope it would not affect the equipment. https://mycasebuilder.com/mcb-pre-made-designs/camera-cases/

[davidmknoble]

This is an excellent introduction to foam:

https://blog.peli.com/products/protective-cases/what-types-of-foam-does-peli-use

I think the key is long term storage in foam is very different from transportation back and forth.  

It was interesting that there is a closed cell foam filled with nitrogen for medical equipment / photography equipment that prevents outgassing issues with glass (I believe).

[davidmknoble]

Btw, I do own the Peli 1565 air case that I used in Haiti for 2 weeks (in 2018) with the air trek foam dividers.  It allowed me complete customization.  I don’t store cameras in there.  This thread has prompted me to go open it and check it out to see how the foam is doing (it’s been a year or two since I’ve opened it).  I use the S case a lot, so the Peli less.

I’ll report back…