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Field report: The Oberwerth Crossbody Holster for Leica M and Q
Oberwerth is known for the highest quality photo bags and accessories - handmade, fine leather and a finish that still impresses even after years of use. With the Oberwerth Crossbody Holster , however, Oberwerth has a bag in its range that clearly stands out from the classic range of bags. I took a closer look at the holster and would like to share my impressions here.
Oberwerth was kind enough to provide me with the holster for this review. I will return it after my test. No money is going my way, the report will not be sent to Oberwerth for approval in advance and I have not been told what I can or should write. So, as always ;)
I openly address both positive and critical points here.
At the same time, Oberwerth was kind enough to provide us with a promo code for you - our readers:
With "qimago10" you get a 10% discount on the holster and the vast majority of products on the Oberwerth site. We get a small kickback for this. So much for transparency - let's get on board:
Materials & workmanship - Premium leather for Leica cameras
Oberwerth hardly needs to say a word about quality. The crossbody holster is no exception: leather, stitching and hardware are of the highest quality. For me personally: 10 out of 10 points. Feel, smell, attention to detail - exactly what you would expect from a high-quality leather camera bag.
The leather feels great. Even though I have only used the holster briefly, I am certain that it will only get more beautiful as the patina increases.
Here you can see the light brown version. The holster is also available in black and dark brown - all three are part of the Classic Line leather series(more information here).
Design & look - retro camera bag with character
The design is definitely a matter of taste. It reminds me a little of my father's camera bags from the 70s - retro touches that definitely have charm.
It was precisely this look that prompted me to ask Oberwerth for a sample. I'm generally a fan of retro designs. They don't always fit, but if the function doesn't suffer, I prefer things that have this vintage character.
However, not everyone will like it. It's not an inconspicuous, modern look, but deliberately independent. Some people really like it, others will probably go for the classic Oberwerth models. For lovers of a retro camera bag, however, the look is a real argument.
Use case - minimalist on the move with Leica M or Q
The holster is designed for the Leica M or Leica Q. It is intended to be a slim, elegant solution if you are only taking the camera itself with you - no additional equipment, no accessories, no large "luggage". For me, this is exactly where the biggest special feature lies: the holster is extremely use-case-specific.
Although it is compact compared to a classic photo bag, I don't necessarily find it inconspicuous. It is clearly recognizable as a photo bag. Perhaps not for the younger generation, who travel more with smartphones than classic cameras, but the unusual shape definitely makes it an eye-catcher.
Many people are looking for an inconspicuous camera bag that doesn't scream camera. That's not the case here. However, the extreme retro look looks so "out of date" that it is unlikely to be of interest to potential thieves. You're more likely to think: someone is walking around with a camera from the last century - so it's not worth anything anyway ;)
Points of criticism from practice
Not everything is wonderful about the holster. In practice, I noticed two things that could be a showstopper for some.
1. no compatibility with halfcases
I now consistently use halfcases on my Leicas - to my own amazement, I've become a real fan of them. This makes it all the more annoying that the Oberwerth Crossbody Holster is not compatible with an (Oberwerth) half case. The camera simply doesn't fit in it. A real downer for me.
On the positive side: without a halfcase, the camera (whether M or Q) sits perfectly and securely in the holster. No wobbling, no risk of it falling out when opening. At the same time, it's not too tight - it's easy to remove. Oberwerth has solved this really well.
2. hand strap or camera strap difficult to integrate
While the first point won't bother everyone, I see a more general problem with the strap.
A hand strap or camera strap cannot be stowed away in a practical way. There is simply not enough space. It might still work with an M with a pancake lens, but not with the Q.
A small makeshift solution: pass the hand strap through the cut-out for the thumb rest. Practical, but it significantly restricts quick stowing and removal. A shoulder strap is almost impossible.
This makes it difficult for strap fans. Hand strap users at least have a workaround - as long as speed is not an issue.
Safety & handling
Very positive: the camera sits securely in the holster. The magnetic closure of the flap is strong enough to provide support in addition to the push button. A good balance between convenience (easy opening) and security.
Conclusion - for purists with a retro taste
Der Oberwerth Crossbody Holster ist ein interessantes Produkt mit einem sehr speziellen Einsatzzweck. Der Look wird nicht die breite Masse ansprechen, aber er ist ein echter Hingucker.
Er spielt seine Stärken vor allem dann aus, wenn man wirklich nur mit der Leica M oder Leica Q „light“ unterwegs sein möchte – ohne Halfcase, ohne Strap, ohne Extras. Die Verarbeitungsqualität ist überragend, das Design eigenständig und nostalgisch.
Für mich persönlich schränkt die fehlende Halfcase-Kompatibilität den Nutzen stark ein. Auch die Frage „Wohin mit der Handschlaufe?“ bleibt ungelöst. Wer damit leben kann und genau diesen minimalistischen Ansatz sucht, findet im Oberwerth Crossbody Holster eine hochwertige Retro Kameratasche aus Leder mit viel Charme.
