Half-cases, anyone? [Archive] - Rangefinderforum.com

Pfreddee

07-20-2010, 16:08

I'm wondering how many of you (if any) use a half-case with their camera? I own a Bessa R, which came with the $1.00 special case when I ordered it from Stephen Gandy. It does come in handy when I want to take it out in iffy weather: the top part snaps off completely if I wish, and the bottom half was, until now, sitting on the case as a more-or-less permanent fixture.

But I'm getting tiered of fooling with it, and have taken it off for now. Not throwing the case away, but simply leaving it behind. Plus, it makes it tough for me to see what kind of film I have loaded, and it is a real nuisance to remove to load the camera.

So, I'm wondering, do any of you use a half-case at all? (I was also using it to help protect the finish :o.)

Thanks to all who reply.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

Chriscrawfordphoto

07-20-2010, 17:02

No, I don't even own half-cases for my cameras. Some guys here buy those expensive handmade cases by Luigi Crescenzi, and while they're gorgeous, I see them as the ultimate admission that the owner sees his Leica as jewelry rather than a tool. Why? Try changing film when you use something like that! You have to unscrew the thing, pull it off, then load film (cumbersome in the best situation with a Leica) then fit and screw in the case again. Meanwhile the world is passing you by....

coelacanth

07-20-2010, 17:07

I'm with Chris on this one. Besides the point Chris made, half case adds weight and thickness. To me, compactness and speed are the strength of rangefinder cameras, and I don't see any benefit of half case.

Maybe if you use a tiny camera and you have huge hands, say, D-Lux 4, you might see more benefit in half-case than the harm it causes. But, Bessa/Leica and other "full size" rangefinders, I just don't see enough upside other than preserving-value department which I don't care much.

Keith

07-20-2010, 17:09

I'll use a half case on a camera if it improves the handling for me but not to protect the finish. The Bessa really benefits from the accessory grip IMO ... I use one on my R4A.

fixbones

07-20-2010, 17:14

Bought 2 half case. One for my MP and one for my Zeiss Ikon.

Used them once and never again. Now they are just collecting dust.

I agree with Keith; bought the halfcase to see how they would influence the handling but certainly not to protect the camera. Turns out they made my cameras too bulky for my liking.

Leigh Youdale

07-20-2010, 18:46

I'm a bit 50/50 about this. Unless I'm just out locally I use a small camera bag and keep both my Bessa bodies in it, plus lenses, without any other protection.
However, for those times when I just take one camera I have a Voigtlander case for the Bessa (used full or half depending on the situation) and I have a lovely Artist & Artisan black leather half case for my 'new' M6. It arrived in absolute mint condition and I'd like to avoid knocking it around if I can.

joohander

07-22-2010, 07:12

i generally don't believe in adorning my cameras too much, though i do like how it adds personal character to them.

however, i own an r2a and a nokton 50/1.1 and i found the body to be lacking in girth and grip to handle the lens properly (it is really huge) so i spent some time deciding between getting the voigtlander side grip or a half case. as it turns out, mr zhou from ebay was just getting started making his own half case for bessas so i ordered one from him right away. i'm quite pleased that the camera fits my hands much better now and the added grip actually aids in getting a more steady shot especially with heavier lenses attached! hope this helps :)

ctdogs

07-22-2010, 07:29

I use half case to protect black Bessa. I usually just carry my beat up Bessa R (silver) in my briefcase. But when I purchased Bessa R2, I noticed that the black finish seems a bit fragil, so I started to use the half case for it. Would prefer not to use, but I get tired touching up the black body.

tyrone.s

07-23-2010, 02:53

Recently started using a Mr Zhou Hexar RF case on my Bessa R. Like it a lot. Nice to grip. Easy to get on and off. the camera. But hey, if you're fed up with your case - easy to fix that!

campbellcj

07-26-2010, 14:26

I use the case only when transporting the camera during traveling, but usually remove it for shooting. When I travel for business sometimes I just stick a camera or two in my work briefcase / computer bag and do not bring a proper camera bag, so it is helpful to protect the camera a bit.

jawarden

07-26-2010, 14:37

I had a Luigi case for my Contax G2 and the thing was just beautiful. It felt good in the hand too, but changing a roll of film was a little more work than I wanted to do. I sold the half case, but I kept the excellent leather strap and use it on my Ikon.

Roger Hicks

07-26-2010, 15:03

Dear Stephen,

In my view, they're worse than a waste of money. I prefer a slimmer camera that I can reload fast.

Have you wondered why the case was only $1? It's 'cos most people agree they're a waste of time and money...

Cheers,

R.

Pfreddee

07-30-2010, 18:52

Dear Roger:

I had figured out that the case was cheap from the price before I ordered it, but I thought I would give it a try. For a dollar, what could I lose? Those of you who eschew such fripperies are correct: it's a much better camera without the case.

But some of us who are just entering geezer-hood do remember a time when most cameras had *some* kind of case, so I suppose it was partly nostalgia that caused me to buy-it-and-try-it. But again, thanks to all who replied.:D

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

SolaresLarrave

07-30-2010, 19:03

Well... I like my M3 in it's original leather half-case. I simply carry it about with the strap that comes with the case. I don't put a strap on the camera. Same goes for my Nikon S2 (which came with lens and leather case).

Of course, if I could, I'd swing one of Luigi's half-cases for my Leicas. What's wrong with protecting the camera? Besides, when I am photographing, I'm enjoying the moment and enjoying the task, so I don't care about what happens while I load film. Just get me a nice surface to do it and I'll stop the world while changing film.

telecentricity

08-01-2010, 20:17

Stephen,
I guess I'm in the minority but I like the feel of the leather half cases when I shoot. I use the original leather case on an SP and some old eBay no-name case on a Contax IIa. I don't find they make changing film any more difficult.
Kind regards,
Gary

Brian Legge

08-01-2010, 20:34

I have a hard case for the Canonet 17 which I use with it at times. It makes me feel better about tossing the camera in a backpack without some other bulkier protection. I only use it when I plan to use the camera sporadically and won't be changing film much. Its light protection and nothing else.

If I'm going out specifically to take pictures, I usually have a small camera back with me. Throw a rangefinder and a folding MF camera in it with a bit of film and I'm set. No need for a half case there.

lmd91343

08-01-2010, 20:41

Stephen,

I have a Zhou half case that I put on my Canon IVSb2. Primarily it gives my a comfort level so that I can carry it around outside of a bag. Secondly it has the finger grips for shooting. It also looks nice.

nikon_sam

08-01-2010, 20:44

Half case on a Nikon F2, Spotmatic SP, Olympus 35-S and Yashicamat 124...

Ron G

08-02-2010, 02:18

I use the eveready cases at the very least when carrying my old Voigtlanders because there is no provision to attach a strap to them.I like the security of the strap when I am out and about.Ron G

Mablo

08-02-2010, 02:43

Have you ever tried to hold a Leica or Canon P against your cheek in -15C? It hurts! I use half case in those kind of situations and it really helps a lot.

icebear

08-02-2010, 03:28

If the camera is not in my hand , it's in my shoulder bag with the cover just flipped but not locked, so I can grab it very quickly. I never tried a half case and never will. Most of them are leather and can get soggy, humid and prevent the camera body from breathing. If it doesn't really do damage it most likely is also no gonna help anything - besides getting no brassing on the bottom plate;)

Edward C. Zimmermann

08-03-2010, 22:37

In my view, they're worse than a waste of money. I prefer a slimmer camera that I can reload fast.
Personally I do like cases and half-cases--- which in my case tend to be the bottom half of cases. Many of my cameras don't have provisions for shoulder straps.
Rapid film changes might have once been important but in today's digital capture world it does not matter anymore if I can change film in under X seconds. Its still X seconds too long for many.
While rangefinder photography was once fast food its been made obsolete by other faster technologies. Shooting film today is slow food. Its to enjoy.

lacavol

08-03-2010, 23:15

I have a IIIA and use no case on it as it is a camera that has scars that works well. It has Cameraleather on it that works well for grip and I only use a collapsible Elmar with a wrist strap. It's my pocket camera. I have a M6TTL with a Zhou case and since I use larger lenses and it is a larger camera the grips on the case help considerably. It's my neck strap camera. It still takes longer for me to change film on the IIIA than the M6 even without a case.

I think whatever works, but my setup works for me. As for indicating film type, I use a bit of the film box stuck in the accessory shoe on both.

myM8yogi

08-04-2010, 00:41

I think the full and half cases are probably more suited to digital use

I use a very old beat up Yashica ever-ready case on my black tape M9. I want the camera to look as cheap and nondescript as possible in certain situations. The full case also gives water and shock protection when I just have a 50 sonnar on the camera and am not carrying a bag.

When shooting with the case, I often fix the ISO somewhere between 400 and 800, switch off the auto-review, and shoot just like a film camera exept a roll of film lasts about 400 shots.

Vincenzo Maielli

12-01-2010, 13:29

See the Walter Ferro italian website (also in english language). They made fantastic half cases.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

John Robertson

12-02-2010, 16:12

Have Mr Zhou half cases for my two Bessas and Leica CL, they handle better in them IMHO
Also use them on two Focas Fed2 and Arette.

rbiemer

12-02-2010, 16:32

I turned the cases that came with my FED 4 and FED 5 cameras into half cases so I could carry the cameras with a strap--no lugs on them--and I used the Bessa case for a while because I prefer the slightly bigger feel the case gave my R and R2a. I have since got a side grip on the R and a trigger winder on the R2a and no longer use the Bessa case.
Rob

35mmdelux

12-02-2010, 17:32

My Luigi 1/2 case increases my shooting pleasure. IF I plan to do a lot of shooting I simply remove the case. No biggy.

kshapero

12-02-2010, 17:38

my sort of half case

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/5220942782_6b1802e400.jpg

rbsinto

12-08-2010, 10:29

If one is going to put a half-case on a camera, one might as well get this Luigi person to make up half-cases for their Toaster and Food Processor as well. After all, they too are tools for particular jobs and should be protected from whatever, the same as a camera.

rbiemer

12-08-2010, 12:49

LeicaFoReVer

12-08-2010, 15:48

I am gonna come soon with my own design of leather half case as competitor to Luigi...(seriously, for much less money) Anyone interested?

rbsinto

12-09-2010, 02:59

Well, no. Most folks don't actually hold the toaster/food processor while they are using 'em...
Rob

Hold it. Don't hold it.
Doesn't make no never-mind.
Half cases and ever-ready cases just get in the way, and are a complete waste of money.

CSG123

12-25-2010, 07:27

For you. To make such a stupid remark as to how others should protect and use their cameras is foolish.

John Robertson

12-25-2010, 18:27

For you. To make such a stupid remark as to how others should protect and use their cameras is foolish.
and a waste of time!!

excellent

12-25-2010, 19:14

Film dino

12-25-2010, 19:41

I would like one for my CL because the case has better strap lugs.
The Luigi half case looks great but I would love to see it attached to the camera in some way. Has anyone tried this combo? Is it secure?

Thanks

Yes it is secure. Apart from snugly fitting the CL, the strap end not fixed to the case is attached to the top strap lug of the camera. This can be seen in Luigi's "M cases" page-
http://www.leicatime.com/a000-CasesLeicaM.htm
(Scroll down nearly to the bottom)

A major drawback is having to take the case off to change films, but this has to happen with any never ready case anyway