In response to Don's posting about Minox cases... (Doesn't the title of this
message look like something you'd see in a camera dealer ad?)

For the record, I have my III-s in a black nylon belt case meant for Swiss
Army (and slightly larger) pocket knives. I like it better than the old
Minox belt cases - besides not having one! - in that the camera hangs
vertically rather than horizontally. It uses less real estate along my
bulging waistline!

It's meant for knives up to 5", so the closed III-s - which I put in head
down - goes all the way into the pocket portion. The flap portion (which can
extend a bit) I close as far down as the velcro closure will go. This leaves
about a 3/4" gap above the edge of the camera, but it's not really open
because the camera is all the way in the pocket.

This case cost me about $6 in a sporting goods store and is large enough for
a B or LX - a C would be a snug fit. I have also seen really nice black
leather knife cases with snap closures for a bit more money. The trick with
them is to have enough slack within the case so that the camera doesn't
stick a bit and open accidentally when you pull it out (a problem in
pre-Minox Cs in that you only want to open the camera when you really intend
to take a picture, since it always advances the film when closed), but
doesn't have so much slack that it rattles around. I intend to get one of
these leather cases soon, as the almost-daily use for the last
year-and-a-half has frayed the top of the belt loop on my nylon case.

(I did get a brown standard case with the camera, but it was already plenty
worn, so I put it into a baggie and stashed it away. Besides, I prefer using
a belt case to wasting pocket space.)

BTW, when I was using a chain, it came right out the top via the space
between the pocket and the fold of the flap, hung a la a zoot suit watch
chain, and connected to my pants belt loop a bit in front. (I wear my Minox
on the right side of my belt, slightly behind my arm-hanging-at-rest
position.) The problem there was that such a chain didn't really suit my
lifestyle. After a couple of months I broke it on the edge of a seat in a
commuter train; had a jeweller weld it; then subseuqently broke it again on
the seat-belt housing in my car. (The chains are only nickel-plated copper,
and are fairly brittle and break easily.) I didn't bother trying to fix it
that time.

I miss having the chain on hand for close focus. Someday I'd like to get
another to wear on "formal" occasions. Anybody know where I can purchase
one? Last time I asked MPL, it was an absurd $37 (vs. just $18 a few months
earlier); now they don't have them listed...

Anyway, I'm very happy using the knife belt case, and recommend it.

MSG

=========================================================================

Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 12:40:00 EST
Reply-To: The Subminiature Photography Mailing List
<SUBMINI-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM>
Sender: The Subminiature Photography Mailing List
<SUBMINI-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM>
From: Michael Goldfarb <MGOLDFAR@MAIL.MOBIUS-INC.COM>
Subject: Maglite belt case for a Minox?

I originally wrote:

>For the record, I have my III-s in a black nylon belt case meant for Swiss
>Army (and slightly larger) pocket knives. I like it better than the old
>Minox belt cases - besides not having one! - in that the camera hangs
>vertically rather than horizontally. It uses less real estate along my
>bulging waistline!

Peter responded:

\//\/\/\/\/\/\ GREAT idea. Maglite also sells a somewhat longer belt case
for their small flashlights. I bet the C would fit it perfectly! pz
=====
I've looked at those cases. I'm pretty sure that - at least the ones I've
seen most often - wouldn't work for a Minox. They look too narrow - if
they're too snug , the camera can't slip in and out easily. Also, I think
they have an open bottom, as the Maglite's fluted top prevents it from
falling through - but a Minox would fall right out. And I don't think
there's a covering flap like mine has, which protects the top.

(I actually put mine in head down, preferring the wear and tear of taking
it out be on the bottom rather than the business end. Also, it makes it
easier for the chain to come out, if you're using one. When I had a chain, I
used to use it to pull the camera out of the case; now I just push the
bottom [top] with my right hand, then grasp the camera as it comes up with
my left hand.)

I've seen alot of pocketknife belt cases similar to mine in various lengths,
shapes, colors, and designs; also the fancier leather ones. Look for them
in sporting goods stores, knife stores, Army-Navy stores, gift shops, and
other specialty stores.

MSG

=========================================================================