yo! i mean im still kinda new to this but i was lowkey nervous about scratching my M3 too. Here is what I suggest: - Artisan & Artist LMB-M3 Leather Half Case: it’s super thin and has the back flap for film access. - Artisan & Artist ACAM-301N Silk Cord Strap: silk feels way more flexible than leather tbh. Maybe also check out Luigi Crescenzi Leicatime M3 Half Case?? gl!

Yo! Congrats on the M3, seriously, it’s basically the peak of mechanical engineering. I’m coming back to this thread because I saw the previous suggestions and wanted to offer a more technical, safety-first perspective. If youre worried about scratches and actual impact protection (vulcanite is brittle guys!!), you gotta look at the structural integrity of the case. For absolute safety, I’d HIGHKEY recommend the Oberwerth Half Case for Leica M3. Unlike some cheaper options, this one has a molded internal aluminum frame. If you accidentally bump your camera against a marble ledge, that metal core absorbs the kinetic energy instead of the M3’s baseplate. It has the back flap for film loading too, so you arent sacrificing usability for protection. If you want that "patina" look but with better build quality than the mass-market stuff, check out Arte di Mano Half Case for Leica M3 in Minerva Box leather. It’s technically superior because of how they hand-stitch the edges to prevent fraying over decades. It's definately worth the premium if you want it to last forever. Regarding straps, silk cords are cool but honestly they can dig into your neck after an hour. I prefer the Rock n Roll Straps Rock n Roll M-Type Leather Camera Strap. It’s made of dozens of small leather links that act like a shock absorber. It’s way safer for the lugs because it distributes the weight better and wont suddenly snap like some cheap replicas. Plus, the leather patinas way faster than silk lol. Good luck with the new rig! Peace.

Yep, this is the way

Hmm, I've had a different experience. A&A gear is nice, but highkey expensive for a beginner setup. I'd suggest going for value so you can buy more film instead: * Mr. Zhou Leather Half Case for Leica M3: It has the back flap for film loading and the leather patinas amazingly over time.
* Gordy's Camera Straps Leather Neck Strap: Super sturdy and wont fray like silk might. Basically does the same job for half the price!! gl

Huh interesting. I had no idea. The more you know I guess 🤷

@Reply #5 - good point! honestly i am always a bit paranoid about these cases because i once had a strap lug fail on me in the middle of a shoot. it was terrifying. since then i have been kinda DIY with my stuff, like i actually line the inside of my cases with extra micro-fiber just to be extra sure nothing is rubbing. i think i heard somewhere that the chemicals used in some modern leather tanning can actually mess with the old vulcanite on an M3, tho i am not 100% sure if thats just a myth or a real thing. be careful about that. it reminds me of this one time i was out in a humid climate and my gear started smelling like old basement. i ended up spending way too much time researching dehumidifiers for my closet instead of actually taking photos. i actually started building my own storage boxes out of cedar wood because someone told me it keeps the pests away from the camera leather, though i might have just made that up in my head. anyway, just make sure you dont leave the leather on if you are storing it for a long time. but yeah.