Leica 18669 Classic Leather Case for D-Lux 3 Digital Cameras

BOUGHT THIS FOR MY PANASONIC LUMIX LX-3 - ITS A BIT OF A TIGHT FIT BUT THE LEATHER STRETCHES OVER TIME AND IT HAS LOOSENED SINCE I FIRST GOT IT.
THE D-LUX 4 IS PROBABLY A BETTER FIT AS IT LACKS THE LX-3'S HANDLE. ALSO THE METAL TABS ON THE LX-3 FOR THE NECK STRAP PROTRUDE A BIT. SOME OWNERS OF THIS CASE THAT USE IT FOR AN LX-3 HAVE REMOVED PADDING AND/OR CUT HOLES IN THE CASE BUT IT IS SO PRETTY I CAN'T BRING MYSELF TO DO THAT. I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE LOOK, QUALITY AND PRICE.

Delivery on time, no particular problem, although the strap is really too thin, and does not come with the additional enlargement leather piece seen on some other Websites.

The only drawbacks to this case are that, 1) it adds considerable bulk to the camera, and 2) it is expensive. These to me were buying objections. The way I dealt with the first one was by admitting that this is not exactly a pocket cam from the get-go. The protruding zoom lens makes it awkward to carry in anything but the bulkiest winter coat, and I live in the tropics. When it was delivered, I was pleased by the long leather shoulder strap that permits carrying as an independent item. When the price went down from $100 to abt $85, I got over Objection # 2. By then, I had been carrying the cam in a series of improvised cases for far too long. Overall, the case is robust and extremely pleasing, both to the eye and feel, in a retro-leather-classic kind of way that I find highly fitting to the Leica brand.

As soon as you try to close it up, you will see that this case is more about you posing with your camera than actually protecting it. When closed, the case halves do not even rest against each other, but leave a gap of about 5mm along two sides. I am guessing that if I am not willing to risk my lowly, but similarly bodied, Panasonic LX2, you are not going to feel comfortable trusting it with your Leica D-Lux 3. Leica would do better than to allow its name on something with such poor tolerances.

The case is good quality and good looking it is easy to get the camera in and out when wearing the case on my belt. The magnetic catch can be stronger.