david_craig1 Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 Anyone got a Kameraleder case? What do you think? Good quality? How do they compare with the old M3 cases from Leitz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new hampshire john Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I used one for my M5 a while back (the OEM ER case for the M5 seemed impossible to find at a reasonable price), and I have used the ER cases made by Leitz for the M3. The quality is comparable, although the Kameraleder cases are probably marginally the better product. They're also substantially more modern-looking; it emanates a different affect. I found my Kameraleder case to be slightly more rigid than my M3 cases, but (a) I didn't have the Kameraleder case long enough for it to be broken in in any real sense, and (b) the M3 cases were over 40 years old and were quite well broken in. They're pricey, to be sure -- but (a) as lots of Leica owners know, you never regret buying quality, and (b) if it's for a special camera that you'll anticipate keeping for a while, it's likely worth it. Of course, while I got rid of that old M5 in a paroxysm of gear-shedding (together with the case), I don't particularly pine over the case -- though I do so over the M5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kastner Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 <!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Mozilla/4.73 [en] (Win95; U) [Netscape]"> <title>cases</title> </head> <body> I can only tell you about half-cases.This may, of course also apply to full-cases. kameraleder cases are of excellent quality, maybe even better than Leica's own cases, the originals thereof being hard to find today. <br>Even better, however, IMO are those of Luigi Crescenzi, in Rome, Italy. See under <br> <a href="http://www.leicatime.com/">http://www.leicatime.com/</a> <br>The reason I prefer my Luigi half-case to the kameraleder half-case <br> <a href="http://www.kameraleder.com/leicam6.htm">http://www.kameraleder.com/leicam6.htm</a> <br>is that Luigi's has its own strap, and the bottom part (the case itself) is belted over thecamera lugs. kameraleder's case is screwed in from the bottom of the camera. Too much trouble to remove and reapply. Especially during film change. There, Luigi's case is a "shelf in itself" -- ideal for film changes -- which kameraleder's case is <b><i>not</i></b>. </body> </html> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_matsil Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I'm in agreement with what Michael is pointing out. As well, Luigi is down to earth and a nice business man to work with. It is more likely that you will get the case you want from him more quickly that you will from the more aloof Kameraleder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_theken Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 Of the various M everready type cases that I own and use including the Kameraleder, Luigi and Leica M6/M7 models, the Kameraleder is, by far, my favorite. It is perfect for black paint cameras if you wish to use them without marring the black paint finish. I especially appreciate that the neck strap is attached to the case instead of the camera lugs. I have well used M6 and M7 cameras but for some reason (most likely the cost!!!), I handle my MP very carefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kastner Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 To enlarge on the last two responses, (a) Luigi is truly a really nice guy. Answered all my mail questions within an hour or two, built exactly the custom job I wanted and sent it to me (by fedex or whatever) all within 8 days. I've heard (but can't substantiate) that kameraleder was much harder to deal with, took longer to get things done, was more difficult as re payment transfer, and more expensive. We've been told, here on the forum, by Leicophiles in the U. S., that it was quicker and easier to do business with somebody in Rome than in LA. Even if Luigi is, like now, gone off scuba-diving, he still has his own assistents. (b) Luigi also has several different types of stap-conditions. Mine is with it's own strap, meaning of course that "case off" also means "strap off". "Case off but strap still on" -- as was the case with the bottom half of my Leica 14870 really peeved me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob haight Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I have both Luigi's cases and one from Kameraleder who I thought was now out of business. I think, with due respect to Luigi, who is a great guy, the leather on the Kam.. case is much softer and all around nicer. It also snugly holds the camera, much better than the Leica cases. The strap seems to mesh with you. Only complaint would be its for everready users, as you have no strap if you take it off. I really only use the cases to travel and toss in the car, otherwise, I take them off. For me, than, Luigi's are really more practical. But, if your an everready user in use, Kameraleder is the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent_demas1 Posted February 25, 2004 Share Posted February 25, 2004 I own compact Kameralander cases for a minilux and a Nikon 28ti and I have to say the workmanship is truly incredible. I actually had a very good experience dealing with the company ... so much so I am ordering an M5 case shortly. That said Luigi is, as stated above, a terrific guy to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitch_zeissler Posted February 25, 2004 Share Posted February 25, 2004 I've put a Kameraleder case on every Leica body I've owned. The construction and fit are superb, much better than any of the Leica ER cases I've seen. That said, I wish the Kameraleder cases had the tripod hole in the screw that the ones from Leica have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_s4 Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I like the compact nature of the ever-ready case, but how does using one compare to using a small shoulder bag? That is, doesn't it impede changing film, and doesn't the top half get in the way when taking pictures (especially verticals)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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