Thank you for your interest. I make traditionally styled camera half-cases
by hand, using functional simplicity and elegant design to enhance the
iconic beauty of the cameras they help to protect.
There are currently four case types (as shown below), designed for the
following cameras:
Leica iiic / iic / iiif / iif *
Leica iiia / iiib
Nikon F3
Nikon FE / FE2 / FM / FM2
Canon P (Populaire) / 7 / VI-L
Cases for various Leica M film cameras are being planned
* designed for cameras without a self-timer.
Case will fit cameras with a self timer but there will be a slight bulge
All
cases...
Simple and slim to enhance the inherent beauty of the camera and retain
its feel in the hand.
Made from hard wearing 2mm thick full grain, semi analine, vegetable
tanned leather. (** more info here)
Shaped to accommodate strap lugs to allow strap rings sized up to 15mm
to be fitted.
Securely attached to the camera via a metal screw to the tripod socket.
Able to be attached to a tripod without needing to remove the case.
The inside base is lined with felt but to keep the design as slim as
possible there is no lining elsewhere, instead the leather is brushed
on the inside of the case for a softer attractive finish.
Leica and Canon cases...
Traditionally shaped around the lens to allow for the focusing tab of
some older lenses.
Strong single strap ring positioned on the left side. This makes it
unlikely for the strap to interfere with the shutter release hand. The
camera hangs vertically. If worn over the right shoulder the base faces
forwards and the top faces backwards which helps keep it guarded from
frontal knocks.
Alternatively the strap ring can be used to attach an accessory such
as a handheld lightmeter or lens-cap keeper.
Please note the case for the Canon cameras will cover the self timer.
This applies to the case for Leica cameras too if the model is an ST
version. In my experience the self timer is only ever rarely used so
I therefore feel it is a worthwhile trade-off to achieve maximum protection
to the camera's body and to enhance the classic looks and lines of these
extremely elegant cameras. The case will bulge slightly at first, but
over time and use it will mould itself for a contoured fit. There is
a photo showing this here.
Nikon FE / FE2 / FM / FM2... case
Shaped so that the FE's Exposure Lock lever remains fully accessible.
Like the Leica and Canon cases it has a single strap ring positioned
on the left side to minimise any interference with the shutter release
hand. This ring is confidently strong enough to hold the camera and
a 550g lens (which covers most Nikkor prime lenses between 20mm and
135mm) but caution should be applied for lenses heavier than this.
As mentioned above the single strap ring on the left side has the advantage
of keeping the strap completely clear of the right hand while taking
a photograph.
Nikon F3...
Styled in such a way as to leave all buttons and levers accessible and
remaining fully operational. There is no strap ring on this case due
to the heavier weight of this camera, but the design accomodates the
camera's own strap lugs even allowing a 15mm ring to be attached.
**
Full-grain leather is the highest quality and refers to hides that
have not been sanded, buffed, or snuffed (as opposed to top-grain or
corrected leather) to remove imperfections (or natural marks) on the
surface of the hide. The grain remains allowing the fibre strength and
durability. The grain also has breathability, resulting in less moisture
from prolonged contact. It develops a patina during its expected useful
lifetime.
Semi-aniline leather has a thin protective top coat added to protect
it from wear and staining. The case leather has a satin finish.
Vegetable-tanned leather is tanned using tannins and other ingredients
found in different vegetable matter. It is an old-world, artisanal process
that does not have harmful chemicals, taking advantage from the tannic
acids naturally found in some plant species, such as tree bark prepared
in bark mills, wood, leaves, fruits, and roots.
Each
case currently costs £42.75 and can be made to order directly
or by purchasing one I have already made through my eBay listings, as
shown below.
Cases are made to order by emailing me directly with your camera model
info. The email address is shown on the banner at the top
of the page. Once made, I will send photos of the case for your
approval first and, once approved I will send an invoice via PayPal.
A PayPal account is not necessary to pay. After payment is received
I will send the case by a "tracked and signed for" service
to the address given.
Please remember I make these cases in my spare time, it may take a week
or two to complete.
Alternatively, I try to keep one of each case available to buy via eBay.
Any cases for sale are shown below. If you have visited previously you
may need to refresh the page. Last page update... 1st July 2020.
Clicking an image will open the listing...
Hello, I'm Greig Clifford (say as Greg), a photographer and vintage camera enthusiast. Since 2016, I have made camera half-cases in my spare time under the label "Mr Brizzles" (an old nickname), to keep some separation from my photography work. Here is some info about how I came to make these cases and my thoughts behind the designs...
The leather is
cut by hand initially from my template design...
... then individually fitted around the camera body and trimming adjustments
made for a proper fit.
The first cases I made were for my own cameras to protect them while
photographing rock/punk/metal music concerts, often in small venues
among the hustle and bustle of energetic crowds.
All the cases I found online and in camera shop searches didn't fully
meet my requirements. Typical issues were that many cases lacked a tripod
socket, or were too bulky, or were insecurely attached to the camera
by leather loops poppered around the strap lugs (I have used these cases
and found the leather loops wear quicker with the regular flexing and
the poppers can also become looser over time).
I also wanted to protect from wear to the strap lugs on the camera itself
(in particular to my Leica and Canon cameras) so I realised a case with
its own strap rings was preferable to me, positioned so that the strap
would not interfere with the right hand and shutter release finger.
I found that the original "ever ready" cases are an annoyance
to me, the top always getting in the way when in use, so I wanted a
dedicated half-case. There were some cases that seemed ideal but were
actually priced more than the cameras were worth. I'd need a case to
protect the case! So, I made my own cases to my own requirements.
The Nikon FE
and Leica iiif in their cases.
I decided a metal screw to the tripod socket was the most secure way to attach the case, a screw that will also allow it to fix to a tripod if needed, without always having to remove the case (at least when used in landscape position). In portrait position on a tripod the lens weight tends to cause cameras to tilt downwards unless the tripod screw is overly tightened so it is recommended to remove the case in this situation.
When
in landscape position there is no
need to remove the case to attach the camera to a tripod.
To solve the issue of straps getting in the way I decided a single strap
ring on the left side was a good solution. The Leica M5 employs a similar
principle with straps attached to the left of the camera, so does the
original Leica CL. It keeps the strap away from the shooting hand at
all times.
Through tests I found that a single strap ring was enough to hold the
screw mount Leicas and the Canons confidently with their LTM lenses.
I regularly use a Leica 90mm, Jupiter 8, Jupiter 12, Industar 22 collapsible,
and Industar 61 zebra. Although a heavier overall package, the Nikon
FE was also held without any issue with lenses weighing up to around
550g. Most Nikkor prime lenses are in this range. I use it mostly with
a 24mm Sigma, a 50mm Series E and a 70-300 Nikkor f4-5.6 zoom attached.
Weightier lenses and longer lenses don't feel well balanced and may
put the case under more stress than necessary. The camera's own strap
lugs should then be used.
The Nikon F3 is a heavier camera and more likely to use a variety of
heavier and/or longer lenses too so I decided not to include a strap
ring on that case and stick to using the strap lugs already present
on the camera. To sum up my experience I have seen no issues up to a
total camera and lens combined weight of 1.25kg.
A
Canon P (Populaire) and Nikon F3 in their cases.
The
first cases I made for my own cameras act as a constant guage as to
how they wear. As you might expect the edges do soften over time through
use, rubbing against clothes,etc. and the case gradually takes on an
attractive used look. I expect the patina of the leather to grow uniquely
personal to the owner depending on how they use the camera.
With my Canon P case the leather seems to have moulded itself around
the self timer lever really nicely (see photo below). This particular
case is nearly two years old now and has seen a lot of heavy use in
that time, including in extreme metal mosh pits at festivals and many
hot sweaty music venues!
The first case,
made in 2016, photo taken in 2018. The edges have softened nicely. The
leather has moulded around the self timer lever and started to show
a unique character, wearing the knocks and scratches of regular use
well.
Finally,
each case I make is something that I am proud of. The leather I use
is excellent, full grain quality. The satin finish from the semi-analine
process looks nice and adds a little extra protection from things that
may otherwise stain if it was untreated. The black minimalistic design
not only focuses on the beauty of the camera, but helps to keep the
camera relatively understated, which helps to prevent drawing attention
when photographing in the street.
All cases are delivered in a tissue lined box, making it nice to give
as a gift.
A Leica iiic
/ iiif case in its box, with an adapter screw shown.
Thanks for visiting!
MR BRIZZLES IS A TRADING NAME OF GREIG CLIFFORD.
© GREIG CLIFFORD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.