PU leather or genuine leather?

[johant]

Hi all,

 

Given the price of my newly bought (from China) X-T1 half case, I should not complain either way ... but is there a way by just looking to see (e.g. from the grain) whether this is genuine leather or PU leather? The item was described as genuine leather, by the way. Whatever material it is, I am surprised by the quality, given that it cost me €16 to get it shipped to my door (it was discounted when I ordered it)

 

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Thanks!

 

No affiliation with the seller, but here is the link: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Classical-Genuine-Leather-half-body-camera-case-set-for-Fujifilm-Fuji-X-T1/32658211547.html

Edited August 25, 2016 by johant

[Vidalgo]

Why photo. Use nose.
Natural leather has the smell of natural leather.

[johant]

Why photo. Use nose.

Natural leather has the smell of natural leather.

 

lol true ... nose says natural leather, but I am easily deceived in those matters

[milandro]

Leather smell can be added and texture embossed, believe me, most people will never recognize it.

 

This particular example looks like Bicast PU Leather, it is a technique much used these days.  

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicast_leather

 

This is PU

 

 

Don’t delude yourself, it is almost impossible to detect.

 

http://www.shoe-materials.com/shoe-leather/53-pu-shoe-leather.html

 

PU-Bonded-Leather-Abpbf0012-04-Dry-Emboss-.jpg

[johant]

A good thing is that the half case has a solid feeling steel bottom frame, so it won't bend easily, and that it looks to be finished well (the stitching).

 

I am sure that a Gariz or Fuji case will be higher quality, but this is probably good enough for me.

 

Edited August 25, 2016 by johant

[milandro]

looks very nice, if I didn’t use a grip with a arca mount I would have certainly considered that.

[Mike G]

Johant, please tell us the name of the manufacturer and or supplier else we are all just guessing!

[johant]

Johant, please tell us the name of the manufacturer and or supplier else we are all just guessing!

 

The link is in my first post ... the cases are sold on AliExpress, by the Joynang shop. They sell on EBay too, but at higher prices (EBay fees?).

[Mike G]

My apologies Johant.

 

I take it that aliexpress is a Chinese version of eBay?

 

The price seems almost too good to be true!

Edited August 25, 2016 by Mike G

[plaidshirts]

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It says it is genuine leather on the product information page, but the price is very low...

PU definitely has that plastic/oil smell to it. I agree with previous comments, let your nose decide.

[johant]

I take it that aliexpress is a Chinese version of eBay?

It's a Chinese online market place.

 

I let my daughter test the case with her nose (much better than mine), and she says leather, no doubt.

 

Unless, like milandro speculated, they may have sprayed the case with leather scent from a can

Edited August 25, 2016 by johant

[milandro]

coupled leather has leather and has a pu base read the link that I gave above.

[johant]

coupled leather has leather and has a pu base read the link that I gave above.

 

It probably has a PU base indeed ... the through and through leather cases (I presume) are advertised as "full cow hide leather". Anyway, no complaints for €16

[milandro]

nor would I complain and leather is not very expensive either, it is labour that makes up most of the cost.

[Aswald]

It looks good. Leather or pleather.

[milandro]

yes, and to some extent it is (what a pun) immaterial whether it is leather or not.

 

The fuji halfcase is also sold as genuine leather case ( I had one for my X-E1) but that leather is certainly very thin and possibly also coupled to some base material for strength. The inside of the case is certainly some synthetic cloth.

 

Personally, I prefer thicker and softer leather compared to the Fuji original halfcases.

 

It would be nice to marry an halfcase to a set of L plates because I use the camera on a stand and I truly loathe to remove the halfcase and then mount a L plate (small plates are in the way of the battery if you need to change it and you know Murphy’s law!)

[Aswald]

I know what you mean. I have the same issue with the L grip.

 

Fuji's original case's leather is too thin and fragile. Thick and soft is much better.

[jlmphotos]

I don't know I must have a bug up my a$$ about bags and cases.  I don't understand why you would want to add more bulk, and weight to a "tool".  I just don't get it... But it must be just me.  

[johant]

I don't know I must have a bug up my a$$ about bags and cases. I don't understand why you would want to add more bulk, and weight to a "tool". I just don't get it... But it must be just me.

Because it's not about the weight?

[milandro]

I suppose there is a mix of being decorative and functional.

 

A leather halfcase, while probably offering some extra eye candy, provides protection to the camera and its rubber coating which, others, have complained about.

[johant]

Not only that, but (PU) leather feels nicer to the touch than rubberised plastic, and the leather layer makes the grip more pronounced without really adding bulk.

Edited August 27, 2016 by johant

[milandro]

moreover... de gustibus non est disputandum  

[johant]

moreover... de gustibus non est disputandum  

 

Ja, over smaak valt niet te twisten ... je hebt het, of je hebt het niet

[milandro]

and “ if you’ve got it, flaunt it!"

 

 

 

[Aswald]

For me, I dislike a scratched/dinged bottom plate. and the rubber does wear out. I'm seeing some already on the Pro2.

 

As much as I avoid it, some people still persist in taking my camera for a "spin". Sometimes, they place it on cementitious  or rocky surfaces and drag it either to move it out of the way or when they want to pick it up again. It just shows lack of common sense or clumsiness.

 

I'm no advocate to pampering any gear but I try to avoid unnecessary damage.