The case for cases

[guangong]

After reading several threads about people whose cameras were terminated from a nasty fall or bang, I am just curious about fellow APUGers attitude toward camera cases. From my own experience camera cases are an important accessory. My Hasselblad 2000FCM with lens once tumbled off the seat of a Jeep onto concrete pavement with no damage because I was carrying the camera in a Hasselblad ever ready camera case (one of the few actually ever ready). Once my then infant daughter kicked my cased Rollei 2.8F out of my hands and it fell about 5 feet to the pavement. The only damage was the little pin that fits into the camera lock. A little unusual is the Kodak Medalist, I find the case to actually help in hand holding the camera while using. Also, folding Contessa and Retina cases were designed for cameras to be used in cases. Other cases are quite unhandy for using camera, such as those for Leicaflex, but they do protect the camera when traveling and when not in use. Nikon F and Nikkormat cases are designed so that the bottom of the cases (they fit tight as gloves) can protect the cameras from bumps. I realize that there are some who feel that using a case somehow detracts from the "professional" image and would never use a case in order to promote their image, but what are the case habits of the general APUG photographer.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I'm a firm believer in cases. Straps, too. But nothing will substitute for being mindful of the presence of the camera, and that it is a delicate instrument.

I read in the instructions for a recent camera that we are not to put the camera strap around our neck, due to the choking hazard; the strap is to be put over the shoulder. I've seen two cameras slide off the shoulder, I've never yet seen one slide off a neck....

 

[Svenedin]

I like using cases and straps. I am often hiking with just a normal rucksack, not a camera bag, and I don't want my cameras scratched or otherwise damaged from banging into other things in the bag. Some "never ready" cases are a bit inconvenient especially if the camera has to be fully removed from the case to change the film but I think it is worth the inconvenience for the protection they afford. I bear in mind that at some point I might want to sell some of my cameras and lenses and they will fetch a better price if they remain in good cosmetic condition. Some of my cameras are already in fairly battered "user" condition -I don't worry too much about those. On the other hand, I have some rarities like an OM3-Ti and I would rather that didn't end up battered but I do love using it.