A new M, a disappearing bottom plate, some re-positioned knobs and buttons… Designing and perfecting accessories for new cameras is a delicate process. And precision is important when crafting half-case protectors which must to fit like a glove.
Such protectors are a Leica tradition, stretching right back to the earliest Barnack cameras, and they remain popular with M owners to this day. In the old days it was common to have a front on the case, protecting the lens, but this is no longer practical in view of the huge variety of lenses available.
Even so, crafting a protector case for a new M takes a lot of trial and error.
Over in Seoul, Sejun Kim and his team of artisans at Arte di Mano, had to contend not only with the new back layout of the M11, but also the completely revised bottom plate with its pop-out battery and inconveniently placed USB socket, hard by the right-hand edge of the camera.
The final decision was to offer M11 cases in three configurations. First is a basic model with tripod-screw fixing and then come two versions of the case with instant access to the bottom of the camera. One has a door covering both battery and USB port while the other allows independent access to the USB port. Both these cases are the same price, it’s just a matter of choice.
As usual, Arte di Mano cases are made to a very high standard, something that is reflected to an extent in the price. But then, if you spend over £7,000, shelling out a few hundred on what is perhaps the world’s finest leather case isn’t all that daft.
Sejun is sending us a sample of the M11 case equipped with the full-house of battery, SD and separate USB access. When it arrives I will let you know how it performs on the M11, in particular how it improves the handling with its narrow grip (a deeper grip is available, see below) and texture.
In the meantime, here are some pictures of the new cases which are available in a wide variety of colours and leather finishes.
The basic case costs $399 while the two case with access doors cost $489. Cases are made to order and shipping from Korea is charged extra. See the full range here.
Read more on Arte di Mano cases for Leica cameras
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Beautiful and sturdy cases. I’ve had one for my M9M since 2016 and it still looks great with a nice patina. However, to this day I still have to pry it off because the fit is too tight. I’ll only use the case when I know I won’t remove it for several days. The finish has even worn off the camera. I was hopeful it would stretch but 16k+ shutter clicks since then it’s still frustratingly tight. It looks great though.
Great cases, great price. I am buying the Leica cases more and more, they have improved their quality. It’s great to have choices, from low to high. Similar to Leica equipment the high price of these cases can be (partially, substantially) recovered when selling the item years later.
Good point, Daryl. From my experience, Arte di Mano cases sell on the used market for about 50% of the original cost, perhaps even more. It’s like an M10, for instance. There is a very substantial return on sale or trade in. So you have to look at whole life cost rather than the ticket price.
Hi Mike, I would echo that point. My M cameras have been certified pristine by Leica just before I sell them. They all have had these cases on them and I sell for a gorgeous premium price – what not to like. Also my cameras feel appreciated in them.
The craftsmanship by this company is second to none in my experience. My cameras find these cases make them comfortable especially in the chill of winter.
I use a cheap, stretchy, fabric, all-over, lightweight, waterproof, lycra-ish slip-on case from the sadly-now-gone Reiter camera shop in Munich ..so light it hardly registers on the scales – ah, on these lightweight letter scales it shows as 70 grams – and it cost about €9.99.
Rain-proof, squishable-into-your-pocket – for when you don’t need it – protects from knocks and bangs ..what’s the brand, must be on it somewhere? ..ah: ‘Leica’! (..though it doesn’t currently show on their website.)
Fits any ‘M’ – except, probably, an M5 – and has two little Velcro-shut handy pockets inside for spare SD cards! Also can be slid onto the leg of a tripod. It cost peanuts, and even accommodates the wonderful Summarit 75mm (..or longer ..’cos it’s stretchy)!
No; it doesn’t have a flap in the bottom for extracting a battery, a card or for plugging in – how crazy is it to have the USB socket on the bottom? – a USB cable.
But nearly 500 quid for just half a case (see above) ..which isn’t even rain-proof? Ahahahahaha! ..Style over substance strikes yet again.
It’s a bit like £7,000 for half a camera. No AF, no EVF, whoever would want one of those?
Puzzling, isn’t it?
I love Italy and Italian craftmanship, but it’s just the name. Better than Daewoo for instance though. Also I actually never ever use a camera case, except for the one I got for the CL due to the plasticky battery and card compartment lock door; really a potential weakness.
Those cases seem fantastic, but some people do nearly the same leather stuff at one tenth the price!
Wish some people would also do the same with the cameras too…
I tend to agree on the name which is a bit misleading. Sejun and his team have no need to masquerade as Italians. They do a wonderful job with great attention to detail and the leather is top quality. They could call it Kim-Style and it would be just as good!
These look great, but for now I am using my M10 half case from Leica. It fits well and if removing it not an issue for charging / battery change / SD card, along with tripod usage, then the old case is a good fit for use. I don’t use tripod at all so, the old m10 case works well !
My problem is that my last M was the M10-D, so there is no way it is going to fit the M11.