View Full Version : What case do you use for your RF?
My poor little M3 is bare and winter is coming. He needs a case or at least a strap - paranoid about it slipping out of my hands.
Are half cases or any cases hard to find or are they all big $$ like those gorgeous luigi cases? What do you use?
I was trolling on ebay and see a number from Asia. Can anyone suggest where best to go?
Although I like the very stylish Italian cases, I only use the original leather cases that came with my RF cams. But then, I do not shoot with expensive RF cams anyway...
The Luigi cases (I had one once) are luxurious and beautiful, but dear. Now I have Zhou cases on my M2's, CL, and HRF. On a few of my SLR's I have the bottom half of the OEM cases. For me, cases make the camera easier to hold/hang on to, and I like the protection from bumps and knocks that cases provide. If I were to shoot more weddings, then no camera cases on those days as it slows down film changing.
Although I like the very stylish Italian cases, I only use the original leather cases that came with my RF cams. But then, I do not shoot with expensive RF cams anyway...
You are fortunate to have received your RFs with their cases.
The Luigi cases (I had one once) are luxurious and beautiful, but dear. Now I have Zhou cases on my M2's, CL, and HRF. On a few of my SLR's I have the bottom half of the OEM cases. For me, cases make the camera easier to hold/hang on to, and I like the protection from bumps and knocks that cases provide. If I were to shoot more weddings, then no camera cases on those days as it slows down film changing.
Are the Zhou cases on ebay?
Brian Sweeney
10-03-2009, 08:01
I use an original Leica M3 case picked up on Ebay for $5. Real leather. I cut the top half off for a half case, but made it so it would fit back on using the snaps and tripod socket.
I use an original Leica M3 case picked up on Ebay for $5. Real leather. I cut the top half off for a half case, but made it so it would fit back on using the snaps and tripod socket.
Holy cow! How did you find one so very cheap?
I bought a full case from Luigi at Leicatime for my ZI rangefinder, and absolutely love it as a halfcase, but never use the top and would not get a full case for a camera again (at least I don't think I would). Does slow down film changing and would be a significant impediment if I chose to shoot from a tripod with that camera, which has not been an issue for me. A tactile and aesthetic dream case. I believe Luigi can build a tripod lug into the base of his cases if purchaser desires.
On the other hand, his prices are also high enough that I have not felt able to get his case for any other of my small format cameras, so live with the much inferior cases Nikon made for their recent special release rangefinders on my vintage SP and S3 2000, and the lower half of the case that the Head Bartender likes to ship with his Bessas for my R3a, which is quite adequate for the job but a little bulky and butt ugly, as well as tactilely (sic) uninspiring.
I do also use an Optech neoprene one piece stretchy case (picture a camera wearing black Spandex) by way of variety on my Bessa R2S. It does provide nice protection when the camera is not in use or just dangling from whatever body part you like to dangle your camera from, and once slipped off the camera is out of your way and just kind of hangs below the camera on a short length of shock type cord, right in front of you, helping you look like some new breed of photo dork. Since it is not on the camera when actually shooting, it does not provide any of the tactile jollies at which Luigi's cases so excel, and only provides protection when you are not actually shooting as no part of the case is on the camera when the camera is actually in use (hopefully this is a significant part of the time that you are carrying the camera). Cheap, however.
I do not use anything for my Nikon SLRs, being as they are from the dark side and not rangefinders, they don't deserve special treatment but must instead suffer the full force of the elements naked. On the other hand, their exposure has not done them any harm that I have noted, which has had the side effect of making me feel less compelled to invest in more of Luigi's masterpieces, much as I may covet them.
Larry
wjlapier
10-03-2009, 09:14
I used to think I NEEDED a case for my M3. But after looking at all those beautiful brassy black M's I knew it was no case for me from then on.
RangerRay
10-03-2009, 10:02
I use a Luigi half case on my Contax G2 - pricey but top quality, and a synthetic Fujifilm original case on my GA645Zi that I picked up for $10 on e-bay.
I use a Gordy strap and nothing else. Winter gets bad here and I like to shoot it. Don't want any obstacles when I reload my film.
Tim Gray
10-03-2009, 11:11
I have an optech wrist strap on one camera and a leica neck strap on the other. No case.
MRohlfing
10-03-2009, 13:39
I use the lower part of the case I got free with my by now long gone Bessa L for my Bessa R3 and my Zeiss Ikon and my Leica M2, whenever I feel I need a case.
Robert Hooper
10-03-2009, 14:58
As someone has mentioned. You can buy a beater case on eBay pretty cheap. To make a half case, I look for the model M cases that have the top part stitched to the lower half rather than riveted to it. Then I take a sewing "seam ripper" and remove the top section from the bottom half. The results are a terrific genuine Leica half case.
I also like the fact that I don't have to attach a strap to the camera lugs. The case has it's own strap attachment buckles. Sometimes, you will have to replace the strap, or at least cut off the cracked section of the strap attached to the case and rivet the strap to the case further up the strap where the leather is still sound.
You can also replace the strap with old, small Donney and Bourke purse straps. They fit just right and are higher quality than the original Leica strap. Look for them in thrift shops.
This product (http://www.amazon.com/Sof-Sole-Leather-Lube/dp/B000F6W1E2) is absolutely amazing for restoring leather camera cases. An absolute miracle product. Much much better than Lexol.
John Elder
10-03-2009, 15:13
Strap but no case. Case slows me down to much. Have never used a case for any camera .
zenlibra
10-03-2009, 15:40
I prefer to go commando with my cameras.
charlesfoto
10-04-2009, 05:50
I know that I'm really in the minority, but I do not find the Luigi cases the least bit attractive. My M6TTL is either hanging from my neck or in a small Lowepro bag. Strap...I've used a Contax G2 strap and am now using one by Lowepro.
I got a used narrow plain black Nikon strap yesterday very cheap and the sales folks found a couple of mismatched lug protectors for it so the chrome won't get marked. I think for now, that's all I'll use with my little lowpro bag from my P&S days. Just big enough to hold my M3 and my J8 and 90mm lenses.
Op/Tech
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/222046-REG/Op_Tech_USA_7001224_Rangefinder_Soft_Pouch.html
It protects when I want protection. The case attaches to the tripod socket on my RF add-on grip and can be removed quickly without loss.
Much of the time, my RF/grip go in their birthday suits, without case.
Tan Luigi half-case for my IIIf and the bottom half of a black Leica never-ready case on my M6. I don't burn through film so i don't mind them on my cameras, plus, the leather feels good in my hands and gives the camera that bit more cushion from bumps.
wjlapier
10-04-2009, 07:15
Let me rephrase what I said earlier. I did have a Luigi aged brown case for my M3 when it was still chrome. I had the case that has the little bump in the front and I enjoyed it alot. It does protect the body well, and it felt good in my hand when shooting.
But after I had my M3 repainted black ( still have original chrome top and bottom if I ever decide to go back to chrome ), and seeing how the black M's looked after alot of use, I sold the case.
Zhou cases are fine--I have one of those still, but the Luigi's are top quality.
hans voralberg
10-04-2009, 07:41
There is one more option between Zhou and Luigi, Luxecase. Their price and quality is "in between". I find their strap excellent and their case should be just as well made.
Their site is www.luxecase.com
Thanks, Hans! That half case for Rollei 35 looks cool.
You are fortunate to have received your RFs with their cases.
Well... yes. But I do not have a case for each of my RFs.
I have nice cases for my FED3, my Yashi Electro 35GS and my Hi-Matic E. And I use the Oly 35RC and the Rollei XF35 without a case.
I use two Luigi cases. One is tan (see my avatar), bought directly from Luigi. He was offering it at a discount. The other is black, bought from, as I recall, a forum member. I like everything about them except the nuisance of taking them off to change film. If you think you want one, you might just wait until one comes your way at the price you want. I paid over $100 for each, but it's a case of "the quality remains after the price is forgotten." (Who said that?)
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