Leica M Combination Case -- Any Opinions?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Leica Photography : One Thread

I am about to take the plunge and invest in an M6 TTL. I've read the other threads on the best cases for the M6 and other gear but didn't see anyone comment on Leica's M Combination Case. I am considering the small Combo Case for the M6 and a couple of lenses.

Is the Leica Combo Case a good choice? Are there better alternatives?

TIA

-- Jim Reed (jimreedpc@aol.com), November 07, 2001

Answers

I have one, which I actually bought in Frankfurt. It holds an M with 35mm or 50mm lens attached. With the 1969-79 or later 50mm Summicron attached,it's a tight squeeze. My old collapsible fits better. There's room for two more lenses, such as the 35 and 90, or 50 and 90, held together with the lens coupling ring. Mine has a nice filter drawer that holds three E39 filters. There was a place for the optical unit of the DR Summicron, until it fell off. Beyond that, there's not a lot of room for film and stuff; though if you take the film out of the boxes, you can drop a couple rolls in here and there.

All in all, it's a good case for going out with a Leica and an extra lens or two, if you don't need a lot of lenses and accessories along. You can always put film in your pockets. The leather case is rather classy and un-camera case like. You might think of it as the Leica bag for full dress occasions.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), November 07, 2001.


I have a hard case. My friend has a soft case. The soft case is better, because you can squeeze stuff into it. They are both a little less carryable (high-shoulderitis inducing) than more modern courier and photo bag styles.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), November 08, 2001.

The perfect M bag is the new ballistic nylon Domke J-803. (Page 13 of the pdf file).

It's little bigger than the canvas 803.

And also customizable, thanks to the optional inserts

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), November 08, 2001.


For me, so far the Domke FX-3 (nice and small but not too tiny) and the Lowepro Nova series and Photo Runner!!!!

-- Alfie Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 08, 2001.

The disadvantage to any leather bag is the relative weight vs volume, compared to the nylon/synthetic bags. Canvas is realtively heavy, too, but not as much as leather.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), November 08, 2001.


Wow, Alfie, you posted three days ago that you were thinking about the Domke FX-3, but some guy with a Nikon kit bought it first. Now you have enough experience to recommend it?! You are a fast learner, I guess.

Jim, the little Domke F-5X is a pretty good case for an M and 2-3 lenses. I've used one for about a year and I like it better than any other bag I've tried. I have the tan one and it really seems discrete to me. Only complaint is the loud Velcro tearing sound when you open it (tough to use in a quiet theater). But, you can just leave the flap open when noise is an issue. It hardley looks like a camer bag, and I like that.

I am just now trying a new approach. I got a Op/Tech Neoprene Rangefinder case and a Mini belt pouch. I put one lens on the camera and use the Rangefinder case to protect it (it slips off quick when its time to shoot), and I keep a second lens on by pants belt in the Mini Case. And, a coupled of rolls of film in my pockets. Seems pretty nice, and very discrete (and hides the Leica).

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), November 08, 2001.


I do have the new J-803. Works well as my everyday office briefcase, and a travel bag for 2-3 days. Clothes, papers, kit and M6 plus three lenses (I know, you don't believe me). But for an all-day carry around, it is not suitable in hot weather. The ballistic nylon just gets too uncomfortable.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), November 08, 2001.

Thanks to all for your input. This is a great board!

-- Jim Reed (jimreedpc@aol.com), November 09, 2001.

My new favorite bag is the Billingham Hadley Pro in black with black trim and nickel hardware. The Hadley Pro looks a lot like the Domke F803 and is approximately the same size but, unlike the Domke, the Hadley Pro has a Velcro compatible interior. This makes it very easy to customize depending on the gear you choose to take. I highly recommend this bag. It is $125.00 from Robert White.

-- Bob (robljones@home.com), November 09, 2001.

I am a member of the "bag of the month club"... well, you understand I am sure. (: I have the small combination bag to hold an m6, 35,50 an d 90 summicrons and I can squeeze an sf20 flash in there if need be. However, I can only recommend this as a bag to hold this equipment as opposed to a bag to work out of. It is certainly compact, but not convenient for me. I prefer the Domke F6 I have had for several years (prior to purchasing my Leica system.) The F6 is very easy to work out of and protects the equipment reasonably well. (I don't throw my bag around so have not missed having padded sides.) I also can recommend the F2, but it is a bit large for my Leica system at present. Good luck, Doug

-- Douglas Lee (douglas_lee_2000@yahoo.com), November 09, 2001.


I second the vote for the Hadley Pro from Billingham. I owned a Domke camera satchel but found that one too thin and the configuration of the inside too limiting... gave it to my sister for a document/camera satchel on her many conferences. I still use my Courierware Camera satchel but only for carrying a complete outfit with all the trimmings. Now my bag of choice for street shooting is the Billingham. I especially appreciate the quick release system (brilliant in its quietness compared to velcro) and the many ways you can configure the insert. Also, its really not that much heavier than a Domke satchel but the zippered pocket in the back is a plus... and I can attest to Billingham's claims of water-resistance.

...but of course this is standard fare for the common disease known as "gadget bag fetish" that many Leicaphiles (including myself) fall victim to.

Happiness is at the end of the rainbow and a closet full of rarely used camera bags.

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), November 09, 2001.


I have a Domke F-803. It's so small no one every knows you have a camera. Also Domke bags have a great shoulder straps that dont slip when walking around. The only problem is the you must make sure your clasp on the front flap is closed or your M6 could go flying out! No velcro on the front flap to act as a insurance if you dont clasp. My domke F2 bag for the F-100 has velcro in the front. Who Knows!! I could sew some in I guess. I'm thinking of buy one of these new bags.http://www.crumplerusa.com/index.html I saw them at the N.Y. photo show and on one of these boards. They have the VELCRO on front flap. I'm waiting for a catalog from the company. Good Day, Scott

-- Scott (scottevans@mediaone.net), November 17, 2001.

i just bought a m6ttl with summilux 50 and 35 and an motor m. i got a sf20 flash and the small leica combi case( the hard one) with it for free. and: it is utterly useless if you have anything more than the minimal outfit. it holds the m6 with attached lens very tightly and the other lens has to float around quite unprotected. no way to fit the m6 with the motor into that bag, even on its own. the flash has also to stay outside(if the other lens is as big as the summilux). it looks very nice and classy, a bit like a handbag. the leica sign is hardly visible. so for me it is a absolute useless thing (but being free is cheap enough) i think it is ok for body and two small lenses and very little accessories i would exchange with anyone who is interested for the m-lens-carrier or the 1.25 magnifier. contact me: geesbert@yahoo.com, i live in london and travel to munich around chrismas

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), November 20, 2001.

Although the original question was about the Leica bag(s), I'd like to ask about the Hadley Pro. Will it hold a Leica M w/MR meter, along with 35, 50 and 90 Summicrons? Can I also get a swing out polarizer and small flash in there as well?

Could I also use the same bag for an SL or SL/2 with 28, 60 and 90 lenses along with that small flash and a few filters?

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), November 20, 2001.


Jim, Don't know about the combo-case but you asked about alternatives and here is another vote for the Domke 5XB. I put in an extra divider (from another bag)and when wearing the bag the compartments from Left to right are: 1.'cron 35 (in a sock) 2.M6 with 'cron 50 3.Elmarit M 90 (in a sock) 4.rolls of film and lens cleaning stuff. I use one of Lutz's slings see (accessories thread for this little wonder) which is perfect for a fast and secure gunfighter's draw and is equally good for putting it back in the bag. If I am using the 35 or even the 90, either will load back into the bag on the M6 although the 90 is a fairly snug fit (but not too much so and I'm fairly fussy about such things). Dan Brown is right about the loud tearing sound from the velcro on the flap. If you are caught with it shut when silence is necessary you'll have to fake a coughing attack and even then you probably won't get away with it. Luckily the bag is beautifully secure with the flap folded back but you have to think ahead. Mostly of course it's a non issue. I'm sure there are many other good bag options but I find the 5XB to be just big enough well made and offering good protection. I even use mine attached to the Domke belt (and the strap too!) when I have to climb about and a shoulder strap alone allows the bag to lurch about. I suppose it might look a bit trussed up and funny but it works for me. It's a tough unobtrusive little devil and nobody gives it a second look.

-- Tim Gee (twg@optushome.com.au), November 21, 2001.


Bud,

I have the medium Hadley, basically the Pro without the zip pocket on the rear of the bag. To be honest, a single M body, MR meter and 35 or 50 Summicron lens is almost lost in the bag. To answer your question, that equipment plus 2 lenses would fit just fine, and you'll have room in the front pockets for a flash & polarizer. Prior to getting my Leica equipment, I used to carry my Canon F1 and 4 lenses, including either a 200mm f/2.8 or a 300mm f/4. My Canon Speedlite 540EZ just fit in the front pocket too.

One word of advice - if you get the Hadley, make sure you also buy the Billingham shoulder pad. I have a Billingham 550 which was supplied with the pad; I unclipped the pad and put it on the Hadley and it's so much more comfortable, especially after a couple of hours schlepping around town.

Cheers,

-- Stuart Dorman (stuart.dorman@us.pwcglobal.com), November 25, 2001.


Oh, was it time again for the bag-of-the-month poll? Well, then let me throw in my 0.02: This is my absolute favourite. Holds tons of stuff, has an additional top zipper(!) and is extremely comfortable to carry. Comes with full rain protection and a whole series of perfectly matching add-ons and upgrades... gadget-bag addicts duck! Geez... ;o)

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), November 25, 2001.

Stuart, Looks like the Hadley is too big for my purposes. I have a variety of bags such as the Lowe Pro Elite III that make good general purpose bags but I'm looking for something as a walk-around bag to replace my old Leica hard case or later combination case for the SL/2.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), November 25, 2001.

Lutz; just curiosity; how much do you take in your Lowepro?; it seems big... and it seems there are many bag collectors among us, I have bags for one, two, three and even four bodies and lenses... you know, we never know when are they going to be needed, usualy I do fine with a waist bag from Samsonite, for a M and small lens atached, and two rolls of film in a very small back zipper bag.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), November 26, 2001.

Bud,

I may have overstated the 'comfortable' capacity of the Pro Hadley - I really was stretching it when I put in the longer lenses. Normally I would just carry 1 body and 2-3 lenses. If I removed the lining, I could just about fit 2 laptops, to give you an idea of the medium/Pro Hadley. There is, also, a small version of the Hadley, which might be right up your street. The Billingham website lists both internal and external dimensions, I think. By the way, I don't work for Billingham; but maybe I am trying to do a little something for the UK balance of trade (what with me being an expat, or maybe that was export)!

Cheers,

-- Stuart Dorman (stuart.dorman@us.pwcglobal.com), November 26, 2001.


Thanks Stuart.

I liked the Hadley Pro because it has the handle on top. It looks like the small version might be just right for me.

You don't have to sell me on Billingham. I'm a sucker for English quality (Jaguar excluded:-))

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), November 26, 2001.


Roberto,

I have actually two LowePro Reporter bags: one is a 400 AW and it holds a hassy with three lenses, a flash unit, prism finder, lightmeter filters, films, changing bag, table tripod... comfortably. then I have the 300 AW (the one pictured) for my Leica M gear: 2 bodies, six lenses, SF20, lightmeter and this and that... well packed. Still, it remains compact and comfortable to use. To give an idea of it's dimensions I'd say that it just holds a baseball (does this give you any idea...?!). If this seems too bulky to you, there still is the 200, and the 100... and even the "Film Organizer", which perfectly houses a body and two lenses. The built is just great and I like the colours and the soft and baggy approach. Damn, I'm hooked on that stuff... ;o)

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), November 26, 2001.

Lutz, do you mean a "basketball", because my Samsonite may hold three baseballs.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), November 26, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ