I purchased this Leather Case for the D-Lux 5, but decided to return it as found it not functional for using the D-Lux 5.
The design of the case fits very tight the camera, therefore you need a strap to pull it out, and the case has no strap for the camera included (D-Lux 4 case from Leica had it). The problem is that you can not either use the original strap that comes with the D-Lux 5, as the camera will not fit inside the case. Therefore is a very good looking case, but is not functional due to the missing strap for the camera.
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After purchasing a D-Lux 5 I was unable to find this case anywhere online, but managed to get one at the Leica shop in Singapore. The quality is first class, as you would expect from Leica, both inside and out. As another reviewer pointed out this is not a "point and shoot" case, but rather a carrying case which works well with a wrist strap instead of a neck strap. I cannot imagine why Leica did not include a wrist strap with the D-Lux 5, but I highly recommend getting one to use with this case. With a wrist strap attached the camera is quickly and safely removed for shooting. I enjoy using this case with my D-Lux 5, as the camera is out of the way and protected when walking while leaving my hands free, but quickly retrieved when shooting opportunities arise.
I believe a major reason people purchase the D-Lux 5 over the Panasonic LX5 is for the great history of Leica, and perhaps some very slight styling differences. If this is important to you and you enjoy the nostalgia of photography and Leica then this is the perfect accessory for your camera.
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I love my new Leica D-Lux 5, & adore the case being reviewed. I purchased the brown leather version, though it comes in black as well (though I am told it is not nearly as elegant in black). It really is a beautifully crafted case for an exquisite camera. It comes with a long leather strap, which I never use, which clips onto either side of the case. Honestly, it's a rather feminine look with the strap (which is fine, of course), but I prefer to loop it through my belt, & it is always at my side. It has a magnetic "snap" at the bottom on the case, which works really well & has a nice feel to it. It has never opened without my intentionally doing so. The camera fits quite snugly within, & feels secure. The only downside has more to do with the camera's design, perhaps, than the case, but they are unfortunately related. As the texture of the camera is SO smooth, it often feels in danger of slipping out of my grip, which it has on a number of occasions, actually. Luckily, I am neurotic enough to never take the camera out of the case without first looping the wrist strap (which comes with the case) around my wrist. I would highly recommend doing so. The look of the design, with the wrist strap hanging alongside the case itself, is quite nice, & is effective. However, as I found the camera to be so smooth in texture, hence so insecure in my hands, I purchased the hand grip accessory, which screws into the bottom of the camera & significantly (though not entirely) increases my hold on the camera. The only problem is this: the camera will not fit in the case with the hand grip attached, which means I must continually attach & re-attach it every time I take the camera from its case, if I wish to use that accessory. This also means, of course, that I must somehow carry the hand grip separately from the camera, which is honestly quite annoying. I can't understand why the camera wasn't designed with the hand grip & the case subsequently designed to hold the camera as such. That not-with-standing, the case itself is LOVELY...that's the word for it. Even considering the flaw just described, I highly recommend the case. It is the case both made for & worthy of the Leica D-Lux 5.
Honest reviews on Leica 18752 D-Lux 5 Leather Case
Appearance/build: the case is well built and supports the camera nicely. The (brown) leather is lighter than it appears on my computer screen, the "Leica" brand on the lens cover more subdued, and there are minor but noticeable flaws in the leather/dyeing. While good looking, the case looks better on line (Amazon or Leica web sites). The stitching and build are solid, and look like they will last for a very long time.
Storage: the camera fits snugly and appears to be well protected/cushioned. The adjustable shoulder strap looks and works great. The belt loop is stitched well and is securely and snugly attached to the back of the case. The case is held shut by a magnetic flap, which works well. I have found the camera easy to extract from the case, whether the case is on your belt or the shoulder strap.
Minuses: The shoulder strap that came with the camera does not fit in the case, giving you the choice of removing the strap from the camera or having the strap hang out of the case (neither attractive nor functional). Third party straps will have the same problems. The case works better with a wrist strap (NOT supplied with the case), but the strap hangs out of the case. Of course, the case does not work with a view finder or hand grip.
Overall: a nice looking, well constructed storage/travel case that is not that functional when I am actually using the camera. For practical reasons (as well as looks), I don't like having straps hang out of my camera case, and I DO need a strap (wrist or shoulder/neck) to protect my camera. There are (non-Leica) alternatives that are much more functional and protect the camera just as well. The leather's flaws are minor but, combined with the lack of functionality, should be considered when looking at a $100+ camera case.
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I purchased this product a month ago. When I received, it was just as expected true Leica leather with high quality and vintage design and it fits well and tight the camera. However, it was only made to fit the camera itself with no additional accessories installed on the D-lux 5 like the hand grip or the viewfinder (that's why I gave it 4 stars). From a personal taste, I would have preferred if they had made a black color as well.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of buying the D-lux 5.
