Pimp My Leica! A Guide to Appointing and Dressing up your Leica M Digital

“Pimp My Leica”

A Guide to Appointing, Mod-ing, and Dressing up your Leica M Digital Camera to make it uniquely yours

By Ashwin Rao

“Part 1- Bags, Half Cases, and Hard Cases”

Hello everyone, it’s Ashwin, back with you all to discuss how to customize your Leica M8 or M9 to suit your aesthetic and functional taste. Like cameras of other manufacture, there has been a burgeoning cottage industry geared toward custom-fitting Leica M cameras to one’s taste and photographic peculiarities. In fact, given the cultural and aesthetic heritage that accompanies the Leica brand, many artisans have thrown their hats into the fray in designing customized bags, straps, cases, grips, and a variety of other accessories for the Leica M digital system. The Leica M system has always been accepting of this industry that has formed in and around the manufacture of its M-line of cameras, but it seems that the introduction of the Leica M8 and M9 have pushed the fold evermore. Thus, it is my goal to introduce you to some of the wonderful products that have been designed with M shooters in mind, and other products that can allow you to make that fancy Leica M8 or M9 your very own, individualized, shooting machine, both in terms of look and in use. So, let’s get started, shall we?

Bags

All of you know that the first question a sales person will ask, after you decide on a camera, is what kind of bag you want? Well, when it comes to Leica, there are some very specific choices of camera bags that are meant to work well with Leica M cameras and the rangefinder system. Traditional SLR bags, manufactured by Lowepro, Tamrac, Crumpler, Tenba, ThinkTank, and the like, are typically designed with SLR’s and their specialized ergonomics, and thus these bags are not often ideal fits for a rangefinder camera. Further, Leica shooters tend to be a unique breed in preferring camera bags that “don’t look like camera bags”, or bags that have a certain vintage look or quality about them, that goes in line with Leica M cameras, even the digital M8 and M9, looking like cameras of an era long past. That being said, Leica M digital cameras are very modern creations and deserve bags that will do the camera justice. In general, Leica and rangefinder shooters prefer bags with some degree of discretion, not only in terms of look, but also in terms of size. Bags for the Leica system, in general, should be small, discrete, and generally not too flashy (though there are exceptions to that rule). They should generally [resemt a classic or classy look that echoes the elegant lines of the M camera itself. Generally, bags for a Leica system should be capable of holding a camera, with lens attached, and 1-3 additional lenses. What bag you chose depends largely on what your kit is; that is, if you are a 1-camera-1-lens kind of shooter, then you’d probably want a bag that fits that system. If you have a larger kit (many of us own 3-4 lenses), many of us might desire a bag that fits this kit, or a couple of bags that fit different purposes (i.e. carrying your whole kit, vs travelling light). Of course, there are many opinions out there about what a bag should or shouldn’t be, but this is just my opinion, and I think it is reflected in many shooters with whom I have discussed such topics over the past several years. With all of that said, let’s go through a few of the manufacturers who design camera bags with Leica M cameras in mind.

Billingham – ( http://www.billingham.co.uk/pages/about.php )

Billingham makes the quintessential Leia camera bag. Their bags tend to embody the classic camera bag look, with high quality fabic, leather appointments, with bags that favor latches over zippers (though not exclusively). Like many camera bags that I will discuss, Billingham bags are typically waterproof, but they do a great job shielding your cameras against the elements, as long as the elements are not too trying (i.e downpoars, blizzard conditions)….

Billingham bags tend to go well with casual and semi-formal wear. They look great whether you are wearing a pair of faded jeans, slacks, or more formal wear. The bags come in a variety of colors ranging from black, tan, to olive, and leather appointments and stitching tend to be of high quality.

The bags come with outstanding internal dividers with outstanding padding. Pockets and divider sizes are designed for rangefinder-sized lenses, so you won’t have to reach far in to grab your lens of choice.

Billingham bags are a great place to start your Leica Bag journey, and you will likely find yourself entirely satisfied with the form and fit of these bags as a warthy companion for your Leica M kit.

Billingham bags tend to design their bags around functionality, that is allowing easy and rapid access to your cameras, while providing sturdy, weather resistant designs. Many of their bags have a overhanging flap, which latches and unlatches rapidly for access the the main compartment, which is designed to hold a body with attached lens and potentially other lens compartments.

Some models that bear particular mention are the Billingham “Hadley” line, the “Billingham for Leica” line, and the “Pola” line of compact camera bags. I started my Leica Journey with a “Billingham for Leica” bag, which was a great way to carry a camera with 3 additional lenses, and ultimately settled the wonderfully compact Billingham Pola Bag, which is an outstanding potion for a Leica M with 2 lenses.

B&H Photo sells the entire line of Billingham Bags – Check them out HERE

Artisan & Artist – (http://www.artisanandartist.com)

Artisan and Artist are another outstanding manufacturing company that designs products with the Leica brand in mind. This Japanese manufacturer has assumed a very “German” aesthetic to its product line, and A&A bags are very well build, having a slightly more modern look than their Billingham counterparts. A&A bags tend to have a “designer look” and may attract slightly more attention. They tend to display a bit more of the “urban chic” aesthetic, yet they are functionally outstanding in a manner quite similar to Billingham’s products.

One issue that I have discovered in trying out A&A bags is that the internal padding and dividers are not as robust as some of the competitors in this segment. A&A bags use a red cloth based divider that’s thinner/less firm that that employed by Billingham, and dividers can end up getting scrunched down when cameras are place and replaced in their housings.

Artisan and Arist make several lovely bags for Leica cameras, that bear mentioning. “The Image Smith” Bag, “Oskar’s One Day Bag,”, “penn’s Pad & Pencil Satchel”, and “The Evans Walker” bag designs all are worthy companions for your Leica system, and I, in fact, own the low profile “Image Smith” as a way to carry a bulky kit of 1-2 cameras, and 5-6 lenses.

Dale Photo sells the Artisan & Artist line. They can be found HERE.

Fogg – (http://www.foggspecialistbags.com)

Above photo courtesy of Chiif

Fogg bags are the “Rolls Royce” of Leica bags. The Fogg brand was established by Nigel Fogg and Bee Berman in 1987. The company’s designs immediately were met with critical acclaim, winning a design award from the “London Design Centre. These bags are costly, and often look the part, in terms of aesthetic and design elements. In fact, on their own website, they claim to intentionally disregard product pricing in preference to selecting the best materials for their products. These made beauties are sold by only a few vendors in the US, whie their manufacturing base is in France.

Fogg bags are crafted of high quality fabrics, higher quality leathers, and the finest attention to subtle details such as stitching, form, fit, and function. But their bags can cost $400-$500 and don’t protect your cameras that much better than a Billingham, Artisan & Artist, or any number of more cost effective brands. However, some people would rather prefer driving a Rolls Royce to a Toyota.

Photo courtesy of Jono Slack

The Fogg bag that best fit’s the Leica aesthetic, in my opinion, is the “B-Laika”, a lovely bag that includes padding within the fabric material and is a near-perfect match for a Leica M-camera with 1 attached lens, and an addition 3 lenses, with a side pocket to store memory cards, microfiber cloth, batteries, or other accessories.

Domke – (http://www.tiffen.com/products.html?tablename=domke )

Domke bags are very popular among both rangefinder and SLR shooters and represent a more affordable entry into accessorizing your M8/9 camera. The Domke name stems from its creator, Jim Domke, who was a photojournalist who turned his passionate “kitchen” project into a successful enterprise and line. Of camera bags. Domke bags are manufactured in the U.S. and emboy an aesthetic of rugged discretion that permeates their entire line. These bags are durable, weather resistant, and low key. Most bags are manufactured from a cotton canvas material, though some lines use ballistic nylon for improved weather resistance. Straps tend to have twin track s of a high friction rubber liner that improves gripability of the shoulder strap, so that it won’t fall off your shoulder anytime soon. Domke bags embody a far more casual look than any of the camera bag lines I have discussed above. Many Leica shooters find Domke bags appealing for their workmanlike charm. Of particular note, for your consideration as a rangefinder shooter, are the F-series line of Domke bag, including the versatile F-3x, the F-803, and the smaller F5XA and F5XB designs.

There are so many camera bags out there, and I simply don’t have time to mention them all. However, let me list a few other brands for you to consider, and you can do your own research. Black Label Bags have long tempted me and appear to be a more robust copy of Artisan and Artist designs. Tom Binh bags are lovely bags, suiting multiple purposes, which can serve as discreet camera bags. While I stated up front that manufacturers such as Lowepro, Tenba, Tamrac, and Crumpler are geared towards SLR and ultracompact shooters, some of their lines of bags can be easily adapted to suit rangefinders, be it with a little creative modding or through the use of cushioned inserts (Billingham has several of these for sale to simply insert into an otherwise unassuming bag. There is really no right answer to what is the “best camera bag” for the Leica digital rangefinder system. I suggest that you try a few and see where you end up. Even these bags tend to hold their values, so you won’t be out too much money for trying out a bag for a while.

I can tell you for certain, that chosing the right bag for you is more art than science. Many shooters go through many bags during their photographic adventures. The term “Bag Acquisition Syndrome”, which correlates well with “Gear Acquisition Syndrome”, is a well known phenomenon in the Leica photographer community. So prepare to lust for and own a variety of bags. I certainly have, and ultimately, I settled for a kit that includes 3 bags. You will find your own comfort zone as well. It just takes time.

B&H pHoto is a dealer for Domke Bags. They can be found HERE.

Hard Cases

Before moving on, I briefly wanted to mention hard cases, which are a way to store your precious Leica ware in a weather proof, climate proof shell that essentially hermetically seals your camera and lenses away from the elements. While stashed at home, my gear is generally stored in Pelican weatherproof cases. I take care to keep silicon packet inserts to absorb any stray moisture, but these Pelican cases do a great job at protecting my gear, not only in the field during more inclement weather circumstances, but also at home, where the elements can creep in to cause subtle damage to your gear.

Pelican cases (http://www.pelican.com/ ) represent some of the most popular hard weatherproof cases used in photography, but in truth, they are adaptable to a wide range of usees. Pelican cases usually come with foam inserts that you can customize to fit whatever size/shape lens and/or camera you chose, making these products quite adaptable. Their outer shells are made of a advanced, ultra high-impact copolymer resin which is both shock absorbing, protective, and low-profile. In fact, Pelican cases are a trusted product employed by polic, fire, and rescue professionals, so they are more than up to the task of protecting your fancy-pants camera gear ; ).

Half cases

Okay, now that we have moved past camera bags and hard cases for your Leica M8/9 system, let’s move on to half cases. Leather half cases are among the most popular methods by which to dress up your Leica M body. A variety of artisans have produced their take on these half vases, which essentially wrap your M8 or M9 in a leather or similar shell, providing additional shock absorbing capacity, protection, and grip. Maybe more importantly, many photographers favor leather half-cases because they make the Leica M8 and M9 look oh-so-damn cool ; ).

1. The Luigi Half-Case (http:///www.leicatime.com )

By far the most sought after brand of Leica Half case is the “Luigi case” branded half case, manufactured by Luigi Crescenzi in Italy (see http://www.leicatime.org). Luigi is possibly one of the three most famous Leica-centric artisans on the plan, along with Tom Abrahamsson (of RapidWinder fame) and Tim Isaac (the masterful creator of the Thumbs Up grip line, see below). He is a master leather worker, and he and his elves/minions/collaborators manufacture magic out of fine leather. I am not joking, and let me say it here. Luigi Half cases are a work of art in and of themselves.

Luigi manufactures all of his lovely cases in Italy. Most of his lines are hand-crafted and sewn, while he has now begun to offer machine stitched options, which are slightly cheaper and just as nice as the hand made versions (these versions look a bit less organic, due to the lack of imperfections that are part of the charm of Luigi cases). Regardless, imperfections or not, Luigi cases generally fit Leica M cameras like a glove. They are exceptionally well crafted, and will add to the charm of your camera. Some cases will include cut outs to accommodate a Thumbs up Grip. Others can be modified to include a grip that effectively replaces the Leica grip. Luigi’s cases are quite customizable.

There are several issues with procuring a Luigi case, for which you should be made aware. Luigi’s website, for all intents and purposes, is terrible…it’s ridiculously hard to negotiat, crowded with text that’s hard to understand, and with directions that are even harder to comprehend. The infinite customizability and Luigi’s willingness to manufacture so many varieties of cases leads his site to be nearly non-navigable. It’s really the worst site I have ever seen, in terms of user-friendliness, but I suspect Luigi keeps it that way on purpose.

Here’s the bottom line: Take a look at his site. Browse around and find the case that you want, in the color that you want it, with appropriate modifications. Then just email Luigi. Usually, he’s pretty good about getting back to you, and if you wire him money via Paypal or bank transfer (they are quite expensive, I forgot to mention, usually $200-$350 USD), he’ll get you one of these jewels within 2-3 weeks, and you will forever be thrilled. Luigi cases are that great. So Luigi, if you read this, I apologize for trashing your website, but your products make up for the site! I personally own 2 of Luigi’s cases (both bought second hand, I couldn’t deal with his site), and love both of them dearly. My camera will never be without one….

2. Leica “Eveready” half and full cases (http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/accessories/cases_and_straps/2221.html )

Leica itself manufactures Leither half and full cases, the latter which add a top cover that protects the top aspect of the camera. I personally have no use for the top case, but in the past, these have been quite popular to protect the Leica M and one attached lens (think Summicron-sized lens).

Leica’s half case is well crafted, but the Leather used for these cases does not seem up to the standard of other manufacturers such as Luigi and A&A. Still, if you must have all things “Leica”, these cases are worth a glance.

3. Artisan and Artist Half-Case (www.artisanandartist.com) – (From Steve: These are my personal favorite half cases for my Leica M’s. Soft, supple, fit like a glove and not bulky)

We talked about A&A’s wonderful bag line, but Artisan and Artist also makes a variety of other products, including Half Cases. A&A use high quality leather, an their half cases are very well machined (I suspect that these are not hand made, but rather machine sewn). Their design element is somewhat different than Luigi cases, and their line is far more limited. A&A half cases do not include built-in grip options, and their fit seems to be better for Leica film cameras than Leica digital cameras, in my experience.

The major benefit of A&A half cases is that they are far easier to obtain than Luigi cases, and comparably well made, albeit missing some of the charm of Luigi’s products.

Dale Photo sells the entire line of A&A Cases HERE.

4. Zhou Cases – (http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=jiozhou )

The final entry, of which I am aware, in the Leica half case repertoire, is the Zhou half case. I have never owned one of these, but I have seen several people who have and have been very satisfied. Zhou cases are manufactured in China by a younger guy who makes lovely case designs, similar in many ways to Luigi cases, but with a more machined look. These cases are not hand sewn, to my knowledge, and have a look of machined manufacture to me. The leather used in these cases appears to be of lower quality, more sythetic, than Luigi’s line, but Zhou cases are far more affordable. Zhao himself sells these cases from his ebay store for a variety of rangefinder cameras for $60-$80, and thus these cases represent the best bang-for-the buck in terms of half case lines, with both nice product fit and finish at an affordable price. I think of these as the “Honda Accord” of half case designs, while A&A make the “Lexus” level of quality, and Luigi represents the “Maserati” line, in terms of quality. Once again, there’s no right choice here, but rather what aesthetic appeals most to you.

Look forward to “Pimp My Leica, Part 2”, subtitled, “Wrist Straps, Next Straps, Grips, Baseplates and Soft Shutter Releases”

After that, I will conclude with the article, “Pimp my Leica, Part 3”, sub-titled, “How to Disguise your M9- Black Dots, Camera Leather, Screen Protectors, and Tape Jobs”

You can see more from Aswin Rao at his very own blog HERE!

[ad#Adsense Blog Sq Embed Image]

HELP ME TO KEEP THIS SITE GOING AND GROWING!! IT”S EASY TO HELP OUT!

Remember, anytime you follow my links here and buy from B&H or AMAZON, this helps to keep my site going. If it was not for these links, there would be no way to fund this site, so I thank you in advance if you visit these links. I thank you more if you make a purchase! I have nifty search bars at the upper right of each page so you easily search for something at either store! I currently spend 10-14 hours a day working on this site and the only way that I can pay for it is with your help, so thank you! Currently my traffic has been increasing but my funds to pay for the site has been decreasing, so any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Even if  you buy baby food, napkins or toothpicks at amazon it helps this site, and you do not pay anything extra by using the links here. Again, you pay nothing extra by using my links, it is just a way to help support this site, so again, I thank you in advance :)

If you enjoyed this article/review, feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page and also be sure to join me on twitter or my new facebook fan page where you can win a cool photo prize that is given away on the 1st of every month! Also, you can subscribe to my feed at my subscribe page HERE and read these posts in your browser or news reader!

Also, the new forums are NOW OPEN on this site so get involved if you like! Thanks so much for visiting my site!

40 Comments

  1. While others have said nice review , I actually doubt that you reviewed all camera cases / bags. I purchased an Artisanal/Artist half case my my Leica m3. To say it’s a poor fit is an understatement. The case is not centered and covers the ASA dial on the back and does not allow any focussing of the lens while on the camera. What’s the point of that? If one has to take the case off to focus the camera the how can the half case be functional? And yes the order clearly states that it’s the correct case but quality control seems to be a major issue

  2. Hi! I love your website – your reviews are thorough and easy to understand. I just wanted to say THANKS for the tip about Leica camera bags! I originally bought a gorgeous Billingham for about $500 for my new Leica, and though it is beautiful – it is heavy and has too many flaps and pockets for my needs. I found your website and bought the black Artisan and Artist bag, it is PERFECT. It is lightweight and makes my body and 3 lenses light as a feather. Thanks again………..

    and I’ll use your links to purchase!

  3. cat hair…. my 10 year old daughter wanted a cat, she got one. I wanted a Billingham, got one. But at this point, I am not sure what is the bag, and what is the cat? This bag collects hair like one of them rolly hair removal things.. 🙂 suckage.

  4. Hello Steve, thanks for sharing, I was wondering what’s the model number for Artisan&Artist half leather case that you mentioned above? I have been looking for their products but couldn’t find the one in this article. Thank you.

  5. Steve,

    No idea if you will ever read this, as some time has passed since this was posted, but here goes.

    1. You refer to “Tom Binh” above. For SEO purposes (not that you need my input there, you are doing very well on that front), this is a typo, ie it is *Bihn*.

    2. You say “Black Label Bags have long tempted me and appear to be a more robust copy of Artisan and Artist designs”.

    I could be wrong, but it looks to me like the “black label” bags steel A&A designs and even use names that are “passing off” on A&A in some cases. I concede I am making some assumptions here as I don’t know for sure. But if you also think this is likely to be the case, have you turned your mind to whether or not “steve huff photo” should be endorsing companies that produce products that are based on stolen IP? Again, if that is actually the case.

    You are huge influencer, after-all, eg if Steve Huff says it’s OK it must be.

    I am not looking for a response.

    Please: friendly feedback, in the nicest and friendliest possible way, your blog is terrific.

  6. I’d add to your bag list (and I’ve had/tried them all! Love my Billingham Hadley Large, all-black!) Eric’s bags from Courierware (www.courierwareusa.com). They’re simple, rugged, nearly custom-built to order, and Eric answers the phone when you call! They hug to your body the way we all like, and very quickly develop that ‘lived in’/’old friend’ feel we all covet but so seldom find in our gear.

    In addition to Luigi’s half-cases (I have two for my MP – one for w/motor, one for w/o), I’d add the half and full-cases from Kameraleder (www.kameraleder.com) here in Los Angeles, handmade by George Elanjian, Jr. These cases are pieces of art. As good as Luigi’s work is (and it is very good), it’s runner-up to George’s. I own two of George’s cases for my Hasselblad Xpan, and there is simply nothing like them. He also makes straps. Just gorgeous. Simple and elegant. Makes half and full-cases for Leica.

    So… my two cents.

  7. Nicely done, Ashwin. So true, the (un)famous “Aquisition Syndrome”, that’s the way the cookie crumbles in Leicaland. Love it.
    my best,
    Guenter

  8. Ashwin, my preference would be to pimp it down, rather than up. To detract someone else’s attention away from what it is. But this is just me, but probably explains why all my M’s are black.

  9. I don’t refer to this as accessorising, but here’s what I do:

    Old Super 8 movie cameras are a good source of high-quality wrist straps. My Zeiss Ikon Moviflex M808 cost me €3.00. Works great. A wrist strap is much more practical for the type of shooting I do, while a neck strap often just gets in my way.

    I don’t care for half-cases since they are another thing i need to keep track of when I change film, and slow down access.

    My camera bag is an old French army ammunition satchel (model M1926) from 1953. Cost €10. Leather-lined, super-robust canvas. It’s been with me from Europe to Africa and back, several times. It’s big enough to hold my ‘road’ kit: One body (film or digital), one Summicron 28, a Summicron 50 (usually on the camera) and an Elmar 90, a couple of rolls of film, my pencil, my notebook and maybe some other odds and ends. And it really doesn’t look like a camera bag.

    I often mask off things like the red dot and any other branding with black cloth tape.

    I aim for light, agile and relatively discreet.

  10. Great article. The Peli Case solution work really well.

    Christian

    [img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/stiffrook/3962296171/[/img]

    [img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/stiffrook/3963070422/in/photostream/[/img]

  11. I love the distressed Luigi.
    Can’t wait to get an M8 soon.
    So what do you all prefer the most… Silver M8 with silver lenses or the black versions? I kinda like the silver but prefer the black lenses.. .not sure if that would look good mixing it up though.

  12. Ashwin,

    Nice article. Look forward to parts 2 and 3. I left you a message on DPR asking for some advice. Thanks.

    George

  13. Ashwin and Steve,
    Thank you for the great article. I ordered two A&As: one for my M9 and one for my M3. I have had a Zhou case on my M6 for two years and it has held up great. Ashwin is correct in saying it looks machine made. Thanks again.
    Joseph

  14. Nice review Ashwin, I will look forward to others. A few comments: The Domke bags mentioned indeed serve the purpose very well but, in my opinion, the quality of their inserts has gone down of late. I bought one of their triple inserts for an F803 bag and it ripped apart in one day!

    The Crumplers are designed mainly with SLRs in mind but the 5 Million Dollar Home nicely fits a Leica kit of camera and 3 lenses in a very compact and well padded space.

    Another bag solution taken by many is to find any unpadded shoulder bag that they particularly like and fit it with a Billingham insert. Obviously the dimensions of the bag need to match the dimensions of the insert but a surprising number of bags will easily accept the small Billingham insert.

    • Yes, this is exactly what I use now, after having gone through several others and found them wanting. In the 5 million dollar bag, I can get an M body with lens attached, plus 4 other lenses and a Frankenfinder. I like this bag because it doesn’t scream “Camera Bag”

  15. I find it very interesting the way many Leica owners think Billingham bags are discreet and that they “don’t look like camera bags”. That may have been true, when nearly every piece of luggage was made of leather and canvas (i.e. when the Leica was ‘young’). I imagine the Leica owners back then, when it was th P.J. camera of choice, picked bags like that because that was the only choice they had, and they looked like every other bag anyway. Now they look totally unlike every other bag out there – they scream eccentricity, individuality and ‘expensive camera inside’.

    The top A&A bag looks just like one of a million messenger bags I see every day – I doubt anyone would look twice. Again, very interesting how the author believes that it “may attract slightly more attention” than the Billingham. I think I’ve seen one person carring a sand coloured canvas bag in the last year – and thoughts of Indiana Jones immediately sprung to mind.

    I guess it’s down to attitude – do you want to use the Leica as a tool in a modern environment, or are you trying to regain the ‘feel’ of a time past. (Also, I’m European – is the canvas look very common in America?)

    But if you want to be really discreet with a Leica, put it in LowePro or Tamrac bag like the millions of others out there. It’ll immediately disappear.

  16. I totally agree w Lugi web site 8-), I gave up after trying three times dealing with it. After searching around I found this Ciesta brand, a product from Korea,

    http://ciesta.co.kr/ciesta9_com/product/body_jacket_M8M9_02.inc

    There are many camera case including Leica, handmade from Italy leather with quite affordable price about $150-200

    However, there is no customized cut(yet) version for my M8+ThumbUp 8-(.

    Have a nice day!
    Noppadol

    [img]http://ciesta.co.kr/ciesta9_com/product/body_jacket_M8M9_02.inc[/img]

  17. Hi all,

    I have a Zhou Case and could not be happier, a great case for the money.

    When it comes to bags I have had a few, Crumpler, Domke, Artisan and Artist, Ari Marcopoulos Incase to name a few. (I have a bag fetish obviously).

    I ended up keeping the ‘Billingham Leica Signature bag’ along with a very well made Domke F803 CLONE by the brand name of ‘Saffroto’ . You can find them on eBay if you do a search, a great bag for the buck hands down*.

    Cheers
    Simon

    *I also decided to keep the Ari Marcopoulos InCase check the link below
    http://www.goincase.com/ari/

  18. Dos it matter if the camera gets scratched,dinks in it or marked…. Why bother with these cases….it’s a tool. Spend the money on film, cards, prints that’s what photography is about not trying to win a “Best Dressed Camera” competition.

    • Agreed, don’t drive around in my car with it wearing a great big leather case so why my camera that’s far less likely to get damaged. As what Eric said, get good tough strap – done LOL 😀

  19. Great article! I have a Zhou 1/2 case in brown – nice and practical. Will probably get the Luigi case soon, i need to pimp up my M9 and this article is pushing me over the edge! hahaha

    Cheers

    KL

  20. Fogg bags are amazing – hands down – tried all the rest and there truly is no comparison – I have two one small for just the m9 and a lens and a bigger version for carrying my m7 and m9 with a few extra lenses. Tamarkin had one designed for them looks very unassuming. Good Post.

  21. Hi, great article and looking forward to parts two and three! I to have a Zhou case for my M8 and a RRS grip and baseplate, thumbs-up and soft release for my M9 plus black logos on both.

    Don’t make my pictures look any better but most of the mods on the M9 make it easier to work with for me…

  22. Great article Ashwin, looking forward to the follow-ups!

    A visitor of this site with good webdesign skills should contact Luigi, and build him a website for, say, 2 half cases…

  23. Have the Leica everready and the A&A half case and love both but prefer the everready as it has the front cover part so that when I am shooting and it gets dusty (and windy) it is nice to cover up the glass 🙂

    For bags I love the Billingham (but don’t own one). I have a Barbour leather bag which is probably a bit heavier than the Billingham but I like the feel and look of leather and I think it will out live me (as will my Leica)… 😉

  24. EXCELLENT!!

    It’s so nice to have this kinda info in one place/article.

    Some of the stuff looks absolutely gorgeous.

    I am looking forward to the two additional write-ups in this series.

    Thanks very much.

    Warm regards,

    plevyadophy

    • The shoulder-strapped bags shown here may be more well made and look more fashionable than my much cheaper and smaller shoulder-strapped Kata DC 437, but this cheap and tiny DC 437 bag will hold in its adjustable center an M9 with just about any M lens attached and pointed downwards, thereby facilitating quick draw and positioning. Furthermore, it can also hold 2-4 additional M lenses packed around the lens attached to my conveniently facedown M9 while leaving room for various small accessories.

      This DC437 bag is equipped with converging zippers that could certainly be better made, but at least they permit attachment of a small combination travel lock and otherwise make theft a bit more difficult. This bag not only has shoulder straps but also a belt loop, which provides not only an alternative mode of carrying but also can be used simultaneously with the shoulder strap to add extra defense against bag snatchers and to disperse the weight of its contents across a larger area of one’s body. If I use one of the Think Tank belts, or some other excellent equipment built, I can attach another small bag to hang from my other side whenever needed.

  25. Great review. However for me its Billingham all the way. Currently using a 335 for my Olympus DLSR System (I have no Leica M (yet). Size, comfort wearablility and durability is just perfect and with 300,- Euros for one 335 they aren’t that cheap as well.

    All they now need to design is a Backpack.

    B

  26. So cool! I own the plain vanilla black leather Leica half-case and it does the trick. Added a burgundy red leather strap to replace the one that came with the M9. Convenient enough and for once, sorta affordable too..

  27. I dunno … you need to do a bit more than buy a case anybody else can buy to TRUELY pimp your Leica…. It needs to be Unique in All the World….

    [img]http://www.kylecassidy.com/lj/2011/frankenleica1.jpg[/img][img]http://www.kylecassidy.com/lj/2011/frankenleica2.jpg[/img]

2 Trackbacks / Pingbacks

  1. Tweets that mention Pimp My Leica! A Guide to Appointing and Dressing up your Leica M Digital | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS -- Topsy.com
  2. Hammock Pawleys Island Tree Straps | Patio & Garden Supplies

Comments are closed.