> I’m particularly concerned about the fit around the new cooling vents and ensuring the articulating screen can still flip out and rotate freely...

In my experience, finding the right half-case for a brand new body like the R5 II is always a bit of a gamble until the high-end shops catch up. Honestly, I've been through this with almost every R-series body Canon has dropped. For your situation, I'd suggest looking at Kaza Deluxe Leather Half Case for Canon EOS R5 Mark II versus something like the SmallRig Leather Case Kit for Canon EOS R5 Mark II.

I've used Kaza for years on my street setups because they use actual vegetable-tanned leather that gets that nice patina you mentioned, and they're usually much better about screen clearance than the cheapo brands. But, be careful with the side ports—sometimes these custom fits can be a bit tight. The SmallRig Leather Case Kit for Canon EOS R5 Mark II is actually surprisingly solid if you want something more functional and less 'boutique,' but it might feel a bit more processed than an Arte di Mano Heritage Leather Half Case. If you've got the budget, just wait for Arte di Mano; their fitment is literally perfect and they ALWAYS account for the battery door and screen rotation. Just my two cents after decades of shooting... good luck!!

Quick question - what’s your actual budget for this? Honestly, I’ve had issues with "compatible" cases before and they were NOT as good as expected... they blocked the ports and felt cheap. Since the R5 II has those new vents, a bad fit could literally cause overheating issues. Just wanna make sure you aren't looking for the cheapest option cuz those are usually a mistake. Are you okay with spending a bit more for safety??

Can confirm

Saving this thread

Big if true

Late to the party but I wanted to chime in because the heat situation on the R5 II is actually a big deal. You really gotta be careful with these half-cases. If the leather covers those new bottom vents, youre basically asking for a thermal shutdown during a long shoot. Maybe check out the SmallRig Leather Case for Canon EOS R5 Mark II 4833 if you want something that actually prioritizes performance while still giving you that premium skin feel. Its built to keep the airflow moving which is vital. Also, make sure to look closely at the hinge area for the screen. Some cases make it a total pain to get a fingernail in there to flip the monitor out. The TP Original Leather Half Case for Canon EOS R5 Mark II is another solid option because they usually do a great job with battery door access. Just be cautious about the 'compatible' ones from the old R5, they definitely wont fit right. Let me know if you want me to look into the port clearance more!

Caught this thread and honestly, the struggle of finding a case that doesn't choke the R5 II is driving me crazy too. Ive spent a small fortune over the years testing these, and the way some manufacturers ignore the cooling vent specs is just negligent. It is beyond frustrating when you pay a premium for a body and the accessories actually hinder performance. In my experience, you really need to look at the Gariz Design Genuine Leather Half Case for Canon EOS R5 Mark II. Their metal baseplate isnt just for show; it adds structural rigidity that keeps the leather from sagging into the vent area over time. Another solid option if you want that bespoke feel is the Kenji Leather Half Case for Canon EOS R5 Mark II. I have been tracking their build specs and they usually leave a generous enough margin for the articulating screen to clear the top edge without catching. Just make sure whatever you grab has the dedicated battery door flap because unscrewing the base every time you need a fresh LP-E6P is a total workflow killer... especially when you are out in the field and need to swap fast.

Tbh, finding that balance between 'premium' and 'actually useful' is tricky with a new body. I’ve gone through a few of these for my older R5 and R6, and for long-term wear, you really want something that doesn’t just look pretty but handles the daily grind without getting in the way. If you want my two cents on what’s worth the money: - LIM'S Design Italian Minerva Genuine Leather Half Case for Canon EOS R5 Mark II – I love these because they usually have a built-in Arca-Swiss plate in the metal base. It makes the camera feel super solid and you don't have to faff around with tripod plates. The clearance for the flip-out screen is usually spot on, though I’d double-check if they’ve updated the side cutouts for the new vents.
- TP Original Genuine Leather Half Case for Canon EOS R5 Mark II – These are great if you want that classic look without the 'luxury' price tag. The battery access is super simple (just a flap), and the leather actually feels like leather, not that weird plastic-coated stuff. It patinas reallyyy well after a few months of sweat and sun. Maybe keep an eye on the vent area though? I'm not 100% sure how much heat the R5 II throws out during long video sets, so you definitely don't want anything too restrictive around those new ports. Just a quick reply while I'm thinking about it!