As a newcomer to the Leica M cameras could anyone advise if I should buy the usual full leather case for this body/lens or go for the soft leather pouch made just for the combination.

-- malcolm pipes (m.j.pipes@ukgateway.net), July 19, 2001

Answers

Go for this half case:

http://www.kameraleder.com/leicamhalfcase.htm

It's neat, and since the strap is attached to it, your camera's sides remain unscratched. Of course, you have to unscrew it to change film....

And the endless argument over the "never ready" case is actually lessened by the fact that the camera is always ready to shoot with this half-case, but it is somewhat protected.

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), July 19, 2001.

I haven't yet seen it mentioned here, but based on Stephen Gandy's observation, I purchased a Voitglaender Bessa case and it fit my M6 TTL perfectly. In addition, this case comes in two sections, thus keeping the user from the fumbling inherent to the "never-ready" Leica case. Moreover, the then half-case hooks around the straps and is easy to detach for film loading. The unit is rather inexpensive, I think less than $50.00 at B&H.

-- Jean-David Borges (jdborges@home.com), July 19, 2001.

I'm not familiar with the "soft leather pouch made for the combination". But if it is like the "Original Benser" soft leather pouch I have, it may be good. The Benser is no longer in production but you may find one second hand, possibly in Germany. I love it; it'll fit into a jacket pocket when you're shooting, it doesn't say "Leica" and it'll fit lenses with their hood on.

-- Peter Mackay (pm@novonordisk.com), July 20, 2001.

Many thanks for the replies. Malcolm

-- malcolm pipes (m.j.pipes@ukgateway.net), July 20, 2001.

I have one of the Leica soft pouches, which come with a very good wrist strap. The rear of the case has a belt loop, and although the M is a heavy camera, I do wear it on the thick leather belt on my jeans. It's supposed to be made for the f2.8 collapsible, but I use it with my 50mm Summicron, which is one model before the current one with built-in hood. This latter lens is bigger, I think. It is a tight fit (my lens, I mean), and probably not recommended by the factory, but it does stretch a little and is well made. No sign of damage.

-- john stockdale (jjss@bigpond.net.au), July 20, 2001.

There are some interesting looking soft leather cases shown in Jonathan Eastland's 'Leica M6 TTL Handbook' which are made by Ajax News & Feature Service (who also publish the book). With these you leave the original strap on the camera and the case removes completely and squashes into a pocket.

I rang them (+44 (0)2380 405801) to ask if they have a leaflet or brochure, and found that production is currently interupted but is hoped to resume within about a month. Their email address is: boogiepix@ajaxnews.co.uk.

-- Nigel Bowley (nigel.bowley@btinternet.com), July 21, 2001.