Interesting leather half-case being sold on eBay. I pass this along because I bought this item a week or so ago & it stands as the best Leica street case I've found. It's sold by a Leica dealer in Italy who has these handmade. Look at it if you're interested here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=125812 5754

Patrick Garner

-- patrick C. Garner (pg@patrickgarner.com), July 26, 2001

Answers

I feel that a Kameraleder half case and strap, made in Los Angeles is nicer... Works for me, at least:

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

Not that I have anything against Luigi's case, but the Kameraleder half-case is more "Leica-like" in the design IMO. Less money and shipping, too.

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), July 26, 2001.

As an aside, I own their half-case as well. Although nicely made, the straps attach to the case identically to the original Leica design (which has always driven me crazy). The Italian case that is being offered on eBay is a unique design with leather straps that surround the body lugs. This does two things: the camera is snugged into the case more firmly; and the neck strap does not jut out from the body as severely as it does on the Leica-style original case. So although both offerings are well made (and the same price), I've fallen in love w/ the Italian case & the unique thought that has gone into it. Smaller, tighter & hugs your body w/o bouncing everywhere... Compare the photos of both & you'll begin to get a sense of what I'm trying to convey.

-- patrick C. Garner (pg@patrickgarner.com), July 26, 2001.

Luigi will deal, you can get the Italian case for less than the LA model, including shipping. It has a marvelous feel and smell (I like the smell of this leather!) I didn't realize before I tried it that there's a little extra padding right where the M grip would otherwise be, under the fingers of the right hand, so the case provides a grip that feels a bit more ergonomic. I went for the "classic" strap attached to rings through the lugs, because there are times I want just the strap, and not the case. Mr. Nemeng's case looks way cool, too. But you have to make your own.

-- Phil Stiles (Stiles@s-way.com), July 26, 2001.