Trivial question on M8 case

[luigi bertolotti]

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Winter is in... and I'm finally decided to get a standard everyready case for my M8: fact is, that I'm not so sure to honor my name and order a Luigi case ... ... add case+front cover+strap... easy to reach an amount which makes me think "isn't a better way to spend this around my M8 ?" (I'm so terribly avid on lenses... there is always some interesting CV... ).

 

So my question is : does someone use the standard Leica eveready case for M8 (the nappa-made, black) ? How does it feel ? My dealer hasn't ever had it in his shop... I'm always uncertain to buy an accessory I can't touch before... but am well disposed to hear something about from this forum's members.

[LeonardT]

Hi Luigi,

 

I bought the full M8 leather case, 14872, two years ago when I bought my M8. I don't know why but my dealer sold it to me at his cost. Let me say that this is a very beautiful, well made soft case that is much more useful for storing your camera rather then using your camera with it attached. I find the problem is that the back flap, which gives you access to the controls and display, gets in the way when you are trying to take a picture. It is permanently attached to the front of the case so when you are taking a photo you have to hold it and the front of the case down so it doesn't get in the way. Also the case is not designed to easily remove the top and back to use as a half case. I have only used the case once and that was two years ago. If I had it to do over I would buy the Luigi half case only. It is much more convenient.

 

Len

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[gfspencer]

Len, I was interested to read your reply since I was seriously considering buying a Leica case. I don't think I will now. (Others have called it a neverready case.)

 

The Luigi cases are beautiful. I'm just not sure I want to spend that much money.

 

I guess I will leave my camera naked for a while.

[doug_m]

Consider buying the Leica neoprene case with the large size front hood. It is great and cheap. Of course it is not the equivalent to a fancy leather case but I have used mine with the M8/M8.2 for 2 years and love them. Do not buy the small/ regular hood one though.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Luigi, I use a small shoulder bag from Eagle Creek -- that does NOT look like anything except junk. However, it keeps the M8 protected when the camera is inside, accompanied by 3 lenses. It's padded and goes in the washing machine (without the contents).

 

I'm looking at another Eagle Creek bag that is larger in case I want to carry a bit more.

 

So, when the camera is slung around my neck (with the silly looking case over my shoulder) it is open and unprotected except by my own caution. Then, when the shooting is over and the smoke has cleared (sorry, couldn't resist), the M8 goes back in the bag.

 

There must be many bag makers like Eagle Creek, who make inexpensive bags that don't look like camera bags.

 

Highly recommended, as it doesn't affect the lens budget.

[luigi bertolotti]

Hi Luigi,

 

I bought the full M8 leather case, 14872, two years ago when I bought my M8. I don't know why but my dealer sold it to me at his cost. Let me say that this is a very beautiful, well made soft case that is much more useful for storing your camera rather then using your camera with it attached. I find the problem is that the back flap, which gives you access to the controls and display, gets in the way when you are trying to take a picture. It is permanently attached to the front of the case so when you are taking a photo you have to hold it and the front of the case down so it doesn't get in the way. Also the case is not designed to easily remove the top and back to use as a half case. I have only used the case once and that was two years ago. If I had it to do over I would buy the Luigi half case only. It is much more convenient.

 

Len

Thanks a lot, Len, I suspected that the 14872 had something "uneasy" in operation... your answer fully clarifies my doubts...

[luigi bertolotti]

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Consider buying the Leica neoprene case with the large size front hood. It is great and cheap. Of course it is not the equivalent to a fancy leather case but I have used mine with the M8/M8.2 for 2 years and love them. Do not buy the small/ regular hood one though.

 

I saw just its picture... how is in operation ? I mean, if you take camera with lens on, and want to "open" to shoot, is it a quick and simple operation ? How do you access the back LCD and buttons ?

[luigi bertolotti]

Luigi, I use a small shoulder bag from Eagle Creek -- that does NOT look like anything except junk. However, it keeps the M8 protected when the camera is inside, accompanied by 3 lenses. It's padded and goes in the washing machine (without the contents).

 

I'm looking at another Eagle Creek bag that is larger in case I want to carry a bit more.

 

So, when the camera is slung around my neck (with the silly looking case over my shoulder) it is open and unprotected except by my own caution. Then, when the shooting is over and the smoke has cleared (sorry, couldn't resist), the M8 goes back in the bag.

 

There must be many bag makers like Eagle Creek, who make inexpensive bags that don't look like camera bags.

 

Highly recommended, as it doesn't affect the lens budget.

 

I bought a small shoulder bag (Samsonite - branded), less than 50 Euros, probably made for videocams, and was happy to verify it keeps M8+15/21/35/75 or M8+28/50/135, with space also for a backup battery and hoods. Great, cheap, but I like to go around with M8+lens on my neck... that's why I am looking also for a std. case... my old M4 leather bag was so useful and robust... ... I understand that the need to access the back of the camera is a problem...

[rob_w]

Luigi

 

I would second the recommendation of the neoprene case with large front. It wraps around the camera and a mounted lens (including the 90 AA). It is lightly cushioned and protects from minor knocks, moisture, etc.

 

When you are ready to shoot you remove the case completely, crumple it up and store it in a coat or trouser pocket. You leave the case removed for the whole time you are using the camera. Afterwards, recover the camera and head home. Works well for me, does not require an additional strap or bag, the camera is always ready to go -- light and easy to take everywhere. The flap has space for a couple of spare SD cards. Sometimes I take a second lens in a coat pocket.

 

The only thing I dont have yet is something for the spare battery I always carry, which experience has taught me to do!

 

Cheers

 

Robert

[Julius Bjornsson]

Winter is in... and I'm finally decided to get a standard everyready case for my M8: fact is, that I'm not so sure to honor my name and order a Luigi case ... ... add case+front cover+strap... easy to reach an amount which makes me think "isn't a better way to spend this around my M8 ?" (I'm so terribly avid on lenses... there is always some interesting CV... ).

 

So my question is : does someone use the standard Leica eveready case for M8 (the nappa-made, black) ? How does it feel ? My dealer hasn't ever had it in his shop... I'm always uncertain to buy an accessory I can't touch before... but am well disposed to hear something about from this forum's members.

 

Luigi, I have tried all the Leica cases and ended up getting the neophrene case, which is great, protects, is unobtrusive, and removes completely when using the camera. Looks a bit unstylish, but in my view that is an asset. Recommended. I use it mainly with shorter lenses, for when I just want to travel light and take one camera and one or two lenses. And it protects when I have to put the camera into something else.

[luigi bertolotti]

OK, friends, another proof that forum is really a fine place... I'm gradually adressing the neoprene case... it's even rather cheap ! When has ever happened in Leica (original) world, that "cheaper is better"?

Just a final question on it... has it a strap of its own or does one use the body-attached strap ?

[jaapv]

It has no strap, but there is a kind of internal loop that will fit around the handgrip, leaving it dangling when disrobed. The pockets at the back will take one M8 battery (It fits in rather snugly, but it does fit) and one or two SD cards.

[t024484]

OK, friends, another proof that forum is really a fine place... I'm gradually adressing the neoprene case... it's even rather cheap ! When has ever happened in Leica (original) world, that "cheaper is better"?

Just a final question on it... has it a strap of its own or does one use the body-attached strap ?

 

I use the body straps. The neoprene casing has two holes around those straps. When you start taking pictures, all you have to do is to remove the neoprene case with one quick movement, store it in your pocket and off you go.

 

Hans

[wda]

Luigi

 

The only thing I dont have yet is something for the spare battery I always carry, which experience has taught me to do!

 

Cheers

 

Robert

Luigi, please forgive an interloping diversion. I have ordered an M8 and am interested in user experience not only of the case issue already covered above, but the battery too. Apart from spare battery storage, what is a typical count of DNG files possible with a fully charged battery?

[luigi bertolotti]

Luigi, please forgive an interloping diversion. I have ordered an M8 and am interested in user experience not only of the case issue already covered above, but the battery too. Apart from spare battery storage, what is a typical count of DNG files possible with a fully charged battery?

 

It depends a lot on how you use M8, i.e. how many times you switch on/switch off, how intensively you use the LCD screen, the menus and so... difficult even to declare a "mean" value... my feelings are:

1) The battery has a good reliabilty, i.e. it does not discharge significantly when M8 is unused

2) It suffers a little low temperatures, but not too much (surely much better than some cellphones, to make an example)

3) I have never drained completely the battery with less than 100-120 DNGs, but, as I said, the absolute number of shots is not the main factor.

4) A backup (charged... ) battery is neither heavy nor too costly... a good investiment.

[Guest breverl]

I use the halfcase from Mr. Zhou together with the Neopren case, which fit easily over it - for me it is the best way for protection as well for handling

Regards

Roland

[jevidon]

I use the Leica leather half case and leave it on full time. It provides great protection. Contrary to some comments, it leaves no marks on the camera body, but I understand that Leica changed the design to avoid this problem and I probably have the later case. It costs less than either Zhou, Artisan and Artist or Luigi and is well made and finished.

[lanetomlane]

I think the neoprene cases are wonderful for actual travel. I have two of them, one with the short front and the long one. (The only lenses I can't get in the short one is the WATE and MATE.) I just then put the cameras in my hand luggage.

 

I bought a secondhand Luigi half-case on ebay from a guy who had had it made without the rear cover and that it soooooo good.

 

Just before Christmas I decide to buy another half-case for the second M8 but couldn't be bothered to order from Luigi and so bought the Leica one. I now regret being lazy, as I don't rate the Leica one (only Leica product I've ever been disappointed with) compared to Luigi.

 

The side retainers are a real pain to get over the strap (The camera has a leather Leica wide strap) and to me the whole thing is too rigid, if that's the right word for leather. Hopefully it will soften up with use and some leather soap, otherwise it will end up in the attic with my enlarger and developing tanks.

_______________________________

Cheers, Tom

 

 

 

Photography by Tom Lane

[luigi bertolotti]

... Oh damn... seems that those Luigi cases are on the way to become a must... well, after all the neoprene case costs about the same as the spare-battery accessory from Luigi... I'll sleep and think of...

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[wparsonsgisnet]

Luigi, please forgive an interloping diversion. I have ordered an M8 and am interested in user experience not only of the case issue already covered above, but the battery too. Apart from spare battery storage, what is a typical count of DNG files possible with a fully charged battery?

 

David, I get up to 700 shots on a battery, and I always remove when the last segment shows in the indicator.

 

As it happens, this corresponds to the 740 dng capacity of an 8Gb SDHC card.

 

If you shoot jpg's the camera does more work. Battery capacity should be lower in that circumstance.