Protecting the things we like - But how about the future?

Frankly Unsharp · Nov 27, 2014

Hello to you, reader!
I'm quite fresh when it comes to posting threads here in APUG, so this topic could be something You've discussed recently. In that case, cut me short.
A few weeks ago I felt the money burning in my pocket, so I went ahead and bought myself three (3) Ikoflex-cameras. They all came in their leather cases, almost every one of them falling apart from the seams, but still protecting the cameras inside (all three in good conditions).
I usually try to give them new seams (linen threads) before I possibly pass them on to a new owner. But it's a hard work, and time-consuming, so the ones of bad quality will probably stay in the closet, and the new owner only gets the camera, not the broken case.
How about You, what happens to the cases if they are not good anymore?

chip j · Nov 28, 2014

I toss 'em.

Kirks518 · Nov 28, 2014

APUGuser19 said:
The cases go with the camera no matter the condition. They give testimony to the new owner that the camera was always protected by having been in them.

Agreed.

Alan Gales · Nov 28, 2014

If you are selling in person then include the case. If you are selling on Ebay then it depends. If the case just needs new threads then include it. If the case is really ugly then pitch it. I've seen and sometimes bought items that included something ugly in the pictures. The ugly really can bring the price down. Some people can't look past it.

Shootar401 · Nov 28, 2014

Both my Rolleiflex cameras came with the original leather straps and cases. I threw them both out since they were dried out and stitching was coming apart. No need keeping broken stuff around IMO. Someone on another board freaked out when I threw away the boxes, packaging and manuals from my Nikon F and Nikkor 50mm lens. I still can't understand why. :confused:

Frankly Unsharp · Nov 28, 2014

Shootar401 said:
Both my Rolleiflex cameras came with the original leather straps and cases. I threw them both out since they were dried out and stitching was coming apart. No need keeping broken stuff around IMO. Someone on another board freaked out when I threw away the boxes, packaging and manuals from my Nikon F and Nikkor 50mm lens. I still can't understand why. :confused:

The most important thing is to have straps and cases that support You, and don't work against You when you are "out in the field".

Peltigera · Nov 28, 2014

I keep the cases as they will protect the camera in storage. If it is too bad, I add a rubber band or two.

L.J.SILVER · Nov 29, 2014

Frankly No said:
The most important thing is to have straps and cases that support You, and don't work against You when you are "out in the field".

Very true indeed.

Having had an original leather strap break suddenly while "out in the field" (but luckily my reflexes caught and saved my TLReflex!) I have changed my Rollei straps to webbing with the original clips riveted on.

Better safe than sorry.

MitzyG · Nov 29, 2014

Here where I live we have a small local film shop that caters to film photographers. Just inside the door, they have a 3 bins of leather camera cases from tons of old cameras, most under $20. If you feel like digging through the bins you can usually find a nice one. I toss anything that is awful and get "new" ones there.

Pioneer · Nov 30, 2014

I try to fix the case enough that it will protect the camera in storage. I am not a leather repair person but a bit of pledge and some leather oil can do wonders. Fabric repair tape on the inside of the case helps hold it together and rubber bands help reform the case, at least enough to protect the camera a little better.

As for selling, I always include the case, though I may not picture it with the camera in the ad. If they want to discard it that is their choice. I do the same with boxes, paperwork and other items. To me they are a part of the history of that camera. I am only the current custodian of that history. I know it probably sounds silly but I feel I have a duty to protect that history as best as I can.

smolk · Nov 30, 2014

I've always had the cases repaired by a local shoe repair shop. Costs depend on whether any new leather is necessary (for straps), between £4 and £16 (the latter is rare and involved a completely new strap and stitching the old case of a DeMaria LaPierre Telka III). Average price is about £6. Done Rolleiflex TLR cases, MPP, Agfa, the lot. Apart from preserving original cases and keeping them usable, it helps selling an item when I want to. And it is a joy to have the original cases when I use them myself, even though I usually have them in a bag without the case.

SchwinnParamount · Nov 30, 2014

I was out for a ride on my beach cruiser last year with my Contax IIa in the original leather case and strap around my neck. As I was was crossing a busy street, I had an odd intuition to grab the camera as it hung around my neck. Moments after I grabbed it, the strap broke. I would have lost the camera in the street. Since then, I always carry my cameras in modern new cases even when the original leather cases appear to be intact. The Contax strap appeared to be quite solid but was in fact rotten.

Pioneer · Nov 30, 2014

This I do agree with. I use modern straps when carrying my old cameras. I may save and try to restore the old leather goods but I do not use trust my old equipment to them while in use. In fact, I have several modern Leica straps that are very flexible and strong and I use them on my Contax II cameras as well several others, not to exclude Leicas of course.

frank · Nov 30, 2014

Long term storage in leather cases increases the likelihood of fungal infection.

SchwinnParamount · Nov 30, 2014

frank said:
Long term storage in leather cases increases the likelihood of fungal infection.

Wait. fungal infection where? Your camera or your other... equipment. Because, I always keep mine in clean white cotton.

frank · Nov 30, 2014

SchwinnParamount said:
Wait. fungal infection where? Your camera or your other... equipment. Because, I always keep mine in clean white cotton.

Encased in latex is safe too.

Whiteymorange · Dec 1, 2014

frank said:
Long term storage in leather cases increases the likelihood of fungal infection.

We see a lot of old cases at the PHSNE warehouse. In fact, we have boxes and garbage bags filled with them that I have to take to the dump some day soon. When cameras are stored in less than ideal circumstances, as is often the case with the lots we get from spouses cleaning out the collection of a deceased partner, the cameras in cases are always worse for the experience than those that have been left out of the cases. Moisture collects in the leather of the case and stays there, encouraging mold growth. We tend to take all of the cases off if there is any suggestion of mold, since the case cannot be easily cleaned but the metal and plastic can. I always take my own cameras out of their cases and store them in plastic bags with a desiccant. Of course, I check them regularly and replace the desiccant every so often.

When selling a really nice German camera (Leica, Retina, Contax, etc.) we try to include the case if we have one, but only if we have one that passes the smell test and looks to be in perfect condition. Beat-up cases almost always just get chucked.

Pioneer · Dec 1, 2014

Whiteymorange said:
We see a lot of old cases at the PHSNE warehouse. In fact, we have boxes and garbage bags filled with them that I have to take to the dump some day soon. When cameras are stored in less than ideal circumstances, as is often the case with the lots we get from spouses cleaning out the collection of a deceased partner, the cameras in cases are always worse for the experience than those that have been left out of the cases. Moisture collects in the leather of the case and stays there, encouraging mold growth. We tend to take all of the cases off if there is any suggestion of mold, since the case cannot be easily cleaned but the metal and plastic can. I always take my own cameras out of their cases and store them in plastic bags with a desiccant. Of course, I check them regularly and replace the desiccant every so often.

When selling a really nice German camera (Leica, Retina, Contax, etc.) we try to include the case if we have one, but only if we have one that passes the smell test and looks to be in perfect condition. Beat-up cases almost always just get chucked.

There are some very good points here. Where I live mold or fungus is not really a major concern. Out here if you don't use a bit of saddle soap and leather oil from time to time cases just dry out, crack and start to fall apart.

Heck! Out here if my wife and daughters don't use a bit of soap and lotion THEY start to crack...

...OOPS, Never mind.

Protecting the things we like - But how about the future?

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