Best case for my 111c?

scigeek · 03-18-2006

Best case for a wartime 111c?
Well, I looked at the alternatives (including no case at all, which is where I've been for the last four years), and although the Luigi cases were tempting, finally decided to buy a reconditioned period case. This means a wartime case, with inherent weak strap problems.
Malcolm Taylor had one which was right - it's been on a trip to the Saddler for a new strap (using the old fittings), re-stitching where necessary, and leather-feed, and he (hopefully) painted the rivets this week, so the case should be with me early next week.

My thoughts are that since the camera is slow to use anyway, the ever-ready case won't slow things up much more. And I think the protection of a full case should outweigh any "slow shooting" issues.

I'll post a report on the case when it arrives. Meanwhile, all comments gratefully received....

rover · 03-18-2006

I am going to go the no case with wrist strap route myself and see where that takes me. A Luigi half case is a wonderful luxury, maybe if I really feel the need that will be my fallback position.

PeterL · 03-18-2006

I was walking around this morning and realized a wrist strap would be perfect. If I'm not actively using the camera, coat pocket works great for me

Peter.

rover · 03-18-2006

I just ordered a Gordy wrist strap for mine.

Nikon Bob · 03-18-2006

scigeek

My thoughts were the same as yours and I use the bottom half of an original case. No saddler here so I restitched the case myself and while I was at it removed the top part of the case, the neck strap and rivets. I fed the leather with some Neats Foot Oil. Everything worked out well enough.

Nikon Bob

Mohan · 03-18-2006

I’ve just recondition the case for my IIIG I saddle soaped the leather, removed the corrosion from the strap lugs and poppers and persuaded my mother who is a jeweller to make me a brass bayonet fitting to replace the bottom rivet, all I need to do now is replace the leather strap as all the brass fittings had disintegrated (must be the same reaction that causes Zeiss bumps).

If you excuse the self promotion but I’ve been selling vintage style camera straps on eBay which some of you might want to check out. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tem=7601500743

scigeek · 03-19-2006

Thanks for the feedback people.

I used the Leica soft pouch/wriststrap combo on my M6 for a while, but didn't like it. I thought the M6 was just a bit too heavy for a wriststrap.
It worked better on the 111c, but in practice I found it was just as easy to keep the camera in my jacket pocket without a strap.

Hopefully, the full case will protect the camera, and at the same time allow reasonably quick horizontal shooting.

I'll report back when it arrives.
Cheers,
scigeek.

Graybeard · 03-19-2006

I prefer to carry a LTM in a belt pouch rather than around my neck on a strap. I use a Lowepro Z30 pouch as the case for my IIIf; it holds the camera with a rigid lens, a Weston V, and a spare roll of film nicely.

jkelly · 03-21-2006

I use a Leice M black neck strap with my Leica IIIa. It's nice and lightweight, and has rubber protection for the strap lugs. Then, I stuff an extra roll or two of film in my pocket, and maybe an extra lens, and I'm good to go. If I'm out shooting, I like to pre-set the apeture and speed for the circumstances, and then just pull the camera up to my eye and fire away. My biggest problem is remembering to remove the lens cap. A neck strap is the least restrictive for me.

lmd91343 · 03-21-2006

There must be 4 million FED1 and Zorki1 POSTWAR cases still about. The FED1s were made until '55 and the Zorki1s until '56. They are bound to be in better shape than a prewar case.

scigeek · 03-22-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmd91343

There must be 4 million FED1 and Zorki1 POSTWAR cases still about. The FED1s were made until '55 and the Zorki1s until '56. They are bound to be in better shape than a prewar case.

I thought about that before taking the plunge and ordering a wartime Leica case. I sourced a not too beat-up case which has been reconditioned (+ new neck-strap).
The Leica case will be more expensive certainly, but it's important to me to keep the kit as original as possible.

laptoprob · 03-22-2006

So you missed my pre-IIIc case for sale? Lucky Frank S!

scigeek · 03-22-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by laptoprob

So you missed my pre-IIIc case for sale? Lucky Frank S!

Wouldn't a pre-111c case have been 1/8th inch too short?

No expert - it's just what I've been told.

OldNick · 03-22-2006

I have a post-war case from the early 1950s and it works fine with my IIIa and my IIIf. I bought it with the IIIa and never knew it was 1/8 inch too wide until I read about that years later.

scigeek · 03-28-2006

Well, the wartime/pre-war case arrived this morning.
Boy, am I pleased with it!

Even with the case, the 111c is still small enough to fit into a jacket pocket.
I had the seller fit a new strap and one new keeper loop, so I'm very happy to sling the camera/case around my neck without the fear of an old strap breaking on me.
I have to say - I like the design of the case. In keeping with the camera, it's small and handy. I should also add that I didn't realise the case has built-in stiffeners at the sides and back. This certainly offers more protection for the camera than I'd thought.