KAMERALEDR M6 half , full case

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Full-case or half-case, which one is better? Does the case wear easily? Is it as good as it claimed- the quality has not been around for 30 years?

James L.

-- James L. (sigpe57@yahoo.com), April 24, 2001

Answers

Since the question was not "full-case, half-case or no case" I won't go there. If I were going to use a fitted case, I would get the full case. You get full coverage when you want it, then the top half snaps off and you've got a half case when you want that. I never saw the point to buying the half case. Kind of like getting just the pants to a suit.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 24, 2001.

No case? You mean I can do better w/out? Please comment.

Thanks,

James

-- James L. (sigpe57@yahoo.com), April 24, 2001.


James:

Most of us (I imagine) have given up having cases on any of our camera bodies a long time ago... When not in actual use, the camera is usually protected in an equipment bag; when in use, a full or half case dramatically slows down the already slow film re-loading process. Interestingly, when I first started in photography, these camera cases were called "ever-ready" cases. After a short period of time using them, we began referring to them as "never-ready" cases.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), April 24, 2001.


If you are in tropical areas, with high humidity, the leather case will contribute to fungus growth in the gear. Better to keep it in a rip-stop material bag. Just reach in the bag, grab the gear and shoot. I have a leather M6 case, it's beautiful, and because it isn't used, it will stay that way. PN

-- Paul Nelson (clrfarm@comswest.net.au), April 24, 2001.

What good timing!

I just received my Kameralder half-case. Man, I'm doing everything wrong: not just a case but a half-case! ;-)

Here's my theory:
I'm often walking around town (I live right downtown in Seattle) and want my camera with me. I have a small Tamrac pouch that's good for the camera, a spare roll of film and battery - that's it. The problem is that it still takes a few seconds to get the camera out of the pouch and it really doesn't provide much protection to the camera. Oh, and my girlfriend refers to it as the "manbag".

Carrying the camera "naked" doesn't seem like such a good idea; it's just too exposed. I'm not worried about a few scratches - in addition to those already there - but carrying the camera by just the strap makes me nervous.

I looked at the full body case but decided it was more than I needed - at more than twice the price. Also, I use a 35mm Summilux with it's large, square hood or a Noctilux. For either lens, I would have needed to purchase the largest snout for the body case. If I want more protection, then I'll put the camera, in it's half-case, into the Tamrac pouch.

...or that's plan. We'll see how it goes. Regardless, I am already delighted with the quality of the case and my dealings with George at Kameralder.

Fergus

-- Fergus Hammond (fhammond@adobe.com), April 24, 2001.



well, if I were to buy a case, I'd buy the half-case. That's how I carried my Nikon F for years and years, and when I sold it it still looked beautiful.

I usually use a Zing SLR case for the Ms, however. The small size one fits the camera nicely and allows me to carry it in my luggage if I want without fear of something banging it up. I just take it off and leave it in the hotel room when I'm out shooting.

Godfrey

-- Godfrey DiGiorgi (ramarren@bayarea.net), April 24, 2001.


I've carried my camera for years with a case, and for years without. I much prefer carrying it without.

An M camera is perfectly safe when worn around the shoulders like a cartridge belt and steady in use, moreover, as the strap steadies the camera.

If you are concerned about dings and dents to the finish, I suggest you read the threads here about taping etc. Basically, paper masking tape will protect the camera quite well for years, and a lens hood will protect the lens from mechanical damage as well, as long as the lens is mounted.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), April 24, 2001.


I never use a camera case--they just add size and weight and generally get in the way. Of course, all my cameras end up looking a bit worn (though not too beat up), and being slightly grimy/dirty is usually their natural state.

Guess it's a matter of priorities. . .

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), April 25, 2001.


I have a M6 half case for my M4-P. It looks good with the camera (kind of stylishly retro), but, since I shoot a lot with the camera, I soon discover how cumbersome it is to load and unload film with the case on. The last straw was when I missed an important shot while struggling to get the case off to change film (it's not helped by the M's lack of a hinged camera back). The half case is now consigned to my pile of less-than-useful accessories. Better to spend the money on something more useful, such as the M-Grip.

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), April 25, 2001.

I got an "Original Benser" black leather bag for my M6 0.58 in Hamburg - designed by Walter Benser of "My life with a Leica" fame. It's out of sight great because it completely disengages from the camera while still on the strap. I'm sure they're not in production any more but someone should start making copies of them. They're soft, will take all kinds of wide and normal lenses with hoods on and they have no "Leica" logo. They'll fold up in your pocket when you're working.

-- Peter Mackay (pm@novonordisk.com), April 26, 2001.


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