Thou Shalt Accessorize?

[photorat]

I think I'm falling deeper and deeper into the second category.

Here is my M2 with the following accessories:

1. IXMOO Rapidwinder (Tom Abrahamsson)
2. Luigi Deluxe Strap (Leicatime)
3. Sling (Leica Goodies)
4. MP-Winder rewind crank (Photo Equip)
5. Mini soft release (Tom Abrahamsson)

And yet, I feel like I'm missing something. Still looking for a second hand Angle Finder M by Leica and the shoe is just crying out for something to do. Any suggestions anyone?

 

[Hephaestus]

I don't have any suggestions for filling the shoe, but I understand about the need for accessories. I removed the RapidGrip, Soft-Release, and Gordy's wrist strap from my Mp the other day and I couldn't beleive how awkward the camera felt on it's own... I don't know what I'd do without Tom A!

-Ryan

 

[gertf]

The mini softie is essential

 

[John Lawrence]

For the shoe:-

possibly a light meter, either one of the contemporary Leica ones or the Voigtlander VC ?

 

[Ronald_H]

Recently I posted a thread about 'pimping' my M2... what you are doing follows closely what I would like to do... but I am resisting... for now...

I recently asked my repair guy if he could install a cameraleather covering on my M2. He could. But when it dawned on him that there was nothing wrong with the original vulcanite, and that I'd like a cobalt blue covering, his attitude changed. Of course the customer is always right, and if I was willing to pay for it he would do it. But he used the word 'heresy' at least twice 😀

Softie and rapidwinder are high on my list, as is a VC II. I have no use for the rewind crank, but a custom made Luigi case would be awesome.

 

[Al Kaplan]

A Leica M to PC flash adapter for the one body that hasn't been converted. Dirt and grunge, mostly in the knurling on the rewind knob. A no-name rewind crank on the button rewind M2 that I'd love to remove but the screw is rusted in place.

On occasion I'll take the film box end and cut and fold the thing to slide in the shoe as a "what film?" reminder.

Ronald, reskinning a Leica is really a very easy Mystical Experience. Paying a camera tech to do it for you IS heresy. Light some candles, burn some incense, play Roxanne (vinyl only!) on your stereo...

Perhaps you'd be bettter off finding a repair CHICK with a sense of style instead of your repair guy?

 

[LADP]

For me, a soft release shutter button, and a strap of some kind are essential (I have Luigi's LeicaTime, A&A and Gordy's straps for various bodies). Other than that, a Luigi 1/2 case is on some of my bodies.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Just the softie, for me. But I don't even consider that an accessory.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Strap, yes, but I don't regard that as an accessory: it's in the same class as a lens hood or filters. Leicavit/RapidWinder, yes, because I like the fast wind-on. Viewfinders: well, yes, if I'm using a lens that needs one (21/18/15, or 75 on the M2). Rewind crank, maybe (I have one on the M2 with the RapidWinder). Anything else: not really. Things like half cases, grips, and soft releases add unwelcome bulk and make the camera less usable, not more, as far as I am concerned. Funny covers and paint jobs? Probably not, as I prefer to be unobtrusive, though I've long toyed with the idea of a fire-engine-red M2 for when I don't want to be unobtrusive.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ferider]

I used to love accessories ... these days they mostly stay at home, except soft release (I like the TA large one), strap, and a GMP grip when using heavy lenses and/or tripod, like 75 Summilux or 90 Summicron.

It's quite amazing how much money one can spend on accessories that can otherwise be invested in lenses ...

I have to say though that SLING + strap seem like belt + suspenders 😀

And how about a meter ? I know, I know, meters are for whimps ....

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[photorat]

Lots of interesting responses so far. Sounds like I've been called to justify my choices by some of the puritans out there:

1. IXMOO Rapidwinder: I've had this less than 24 hours and it's already dramatically changed the way I take pictures, for the better!
2. Luigi Deluxe Strap (or the belt if you like): is for carrying the camera (or perhaps "wearing" it, like the male jewelery that it is).
3. Sling (or "suspenders" LOL): is for holding the camera (when using it, like the functional piece of equipment it is).
4. MP-Winder rewind crank: certainly easier and faster but perhaps not $108 easier or faster.
5. Mini soft release: a no-brainer: it gives you a full stop in speed, period (no pun intended).

As for the suggestions, thanks guys! I use a Sekonic Twinmate most of the time and although it comes with a shoe mount, it's much less of a pain in the arse to carry it around your neck and/or in the top pocket. Viewfinders? I have one for the 15mm Heliar but only use that on the R-D1 where I can correct for vignetting (and then 15mm is too wide!). If I still lived on the beach I'd consider one of those monstrous, head-turning polarizing filter systems or a 77mm adapter that covers the viewfinder window. Spirit levels seem dawkish and I have one on my groovy Manfrotto Modo tripod anyway. And I hate on-camera flash... So I guess my accessory shoe is destined to go unused. <sob, sob>

That said, I like the idea of folding up the film box as a reminder. But if I forget to set the dial on the rear door, what will make me remember to change the cardboard and trust myself to have remembered to do it last night after way too many Jamesons (again)? Hmm...

 

[Kyle]

Does anyone use the STRAP from Leica Goodies? I've always wanted to carry my camera across my chest, as this seems like one of the most comfortable ways to carry a camera, but I am worry about using only one of the lugs to support the weight of the camera. I've heard of lugs coming loose after years of use, is this something to worry about?

http://www.leicagoodies.com/

 

[Florian1234]

As far as it was in my budget and I "needed" it, I have:

- LTM/M39 to M adapter 50mm
- Leitz 90mm accessory finder to use with Jupiter-9 lens.
- Konica strap (model not known; came with the M4)

 

[drewbarb]

Interesting thread. What counts as an accessory and what isn't? Is a strap an accessory? A lens hood? How about an 'accessory' finder for that 21mm lens? I put a piece of tape on the base-plate of my cameras, on which I write the film type, EI, and other brief shooting notes; when I finish a roll, this gets wrapped around the cassette for later reference. Does that count as an accessory? I went through a phase of trying out lots of bits and bobs various people have developed for M cameras- softies, cases, add-on rewind cranks, winders, Lutz's Sling, grips, and others. Some I still use, some I don't. I keep a soft release on or near all my M's, because (even though I have come to dislike most "accessories") I find that for me they really do work. When I want to put an M on a tripod, I use a grip, to get the centered mounting hole- and sometimes I use a grip with larger, heavier lenses. I keep a Sling on my Bessa L (I find the camera too light for a neck strap but, the Sling is perfect with it).

I like the Rapidwinder, and I might still have one if I still had a camera with a motor lug- but I prefer to shoot with M3's, and have sold off all my later M's. When I find a deal on an M2, I might try to find an M2 version- but (Tom, are you listening?) if you made one that would work on the M3, I'd be sorely tempted...I know, I know, it's a tall order...

I use neck straps, lens hoods, finders for lenses my cameras don't have frame lines for, LTM adapters, meters, filters and flash units. Roger brings up the valid question of whether these are accessories or not, but anyway, for me, these items add necessary functions. I suppose any accessory can add features or functions that their users see value in, so I wouldn't regard others using them as pointless or silly, even if I wouldn't use something myself. There is plenty of stuff I picked up along the way that I now regard as, let's say, superfluous. I'm all about function, and for me, less is more; these days I try to use as little gear and extra stuff as possible to do what I want to.

Anyone want to buy a cheap leather half case?

 

[icebear]

My MP is mated with a Sling + Tom's Softie, Rapidwinder & Rapidgrip - love it 😀

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Roger, are you serious in saying that a soft release just gets in the way? I find it hugely useful...I just consider it part of the camera, now. It's much, much more comfortable, to me. Maybe this has something to do with the length of your finger...I find that having my finger poised over the release is a little awkward...whereas laying it across the soft release feels "right."

I wasn't counting a wrist strap as an accessory, either--straps are so ubiquitous and basically necessary.

And come to think of it, I have a hood or a UV filter on many of my lenses. So perhaps, by "no accessories," I actually mean "lots of accessories."

 

[photorat]

I'm well aware of the irony of looking for a purpose to fulfill the accessory, rather than the other way around. I had hoped this would spark a discussion about the relative usefulness of accessories (and that seems to have worked!).

I would class as an accessory anything that can be (or is designed to be) detached from a camera or lens, the detachment of which does not undermine the intended functioning of the camera or lens as "that" camera or lens. I therefore agree that if something is "necessary" to such functioning, it is not an accessory. But I beg to differ that a soft release, however useful, is necessary to the functioning of the camera as a camera. The same goes for filters, hoods, straps, etc. that are not essential to the intended functioning of the camera but may of course be useful relative to one person or the next.

This may not be a perfect definition. It may also beg the question. I.e. what is the definition of "intended functioning" and why should the maker's intention be the final word on the meaning or meaningfulness of an object? I guess the degree to which the concept of "intended functioning" is relevant affects the meaningfulness of the distinction between camera and accessory. I guess for many people, a softie really is "inseparable" from "their" camera. And in the case of Al Kaplan and his rewind crank, that might quite literally be the case.

Food for thought: When does the camera itself become an accessory?

 

[photorat]

I put a piece of tape on the base-plate of my cameras, on which I write the film type, EI, and other brief shooting notes; when I finish a roll, this gets wrapped around the cassette for later reference. Does that count as an accessory

What a great idea! And yes, a quite useful accessory I'd say! I'm definitely going to try it. I'm sick and tired of exposing the second half of a roll of FP4+ at ISO 400 "the day after"! :bang:

 

[Tom A]

Some wise man/woman ( probably in the fashion industry) once said "What sets us apart from animals is our capacity to accessorize!).

To each his/her own when it comes to that. I find a couple of things essential when using a M camera. The neckstrap is one - wrist straps are useless to me. I have tried them and usually end up a/dropping the camera or b/getting it tangled up in something.
The hood is essential as I don't use lenscaps on any lenses and the hood serves as a "bumper" - they are usually cheaper than front elements anyway (except with Nikon rangefinders!!!!!).
The Softrelease - I cant shoot without them - period! Not only does it give you more control of the release button and allows a softer "click" - thus less camera shake. When I designed it 10 years ago, I spent quite a bit of time filing different shapes and curves to get it as comfortable as possible. The shape allows you to either hooking your finger across it and squeeze it down - very much akin to firing a target pistol or rifle. You can feel that moment just before it goes off. It also allows you to fire the camera quickly by tapping the Softie anywhere. Some friends who are professional shooters swears by that method for "instant response" (their term).
The Rapidwinder (or Leicavit MP/Bessa Trigger winder) is primarily designed for us left eye shooters. After decades of sticking our thumb in the right eye or knocking glasses askew -it allows you to advance the film without dropping the camera and "breaking" the concentration. It also allows you a better grip on the camera. Yes it does add a bit of "heft" to it and if you use multiple bodies it adds up. However. I find that the benefits outweigh the disadvantage.
The same thing goes for the RapidGrip - there are plenty of grips available for M's including Leica's own. They all suffered from one major problem! A grip has to be sturdy enough to allow you to lift the body out of a bag with a heavy lens on it (50f1 or 0.95 or the 75f1.4). It also needs a "lip" on the top to prevent it from sliding through your hand. For some reason nobody else puts one on their grips. I don't use the Grip all the time, but when I carry a heavy lens, it goes on the winder or body.
Top mount finders - handy for the ultra wides and medium wides (25mm and wider). OK, they do fall off, they do bang into things, but they also do help framing and keeping edges straight.
Film remainders! I have simplified it - 90% of all my shooting is with 400/250 asa bl/w (TriX/Presto/XX) - any camera with those films in it have a green Softie on them). Any other color, means a different filmspeed (usually red for 80/100 asa, black for 800/1600 or formal occasions). If I go to very slow, or "strange" films, I simply use a chrome softie and write the speed on the Softie with a marker. It can be cleaned off or simply will wear off.
As for shoe mounted meters - having knocked a lot of them off (MR Meters can really damage the top plate if they are bumped heavily!) I prefer a pocket handheld. Either the tiny little Gossen or the VC II Meter carried loose works best for me.
OK, neckstraps - I like Luigi's and Art and Artisans straps. Luigi's are really nice and they smell so good too! The heavier the kit, the wider the strap. On some of my Nikon's I uses "ropes" or even shoelaces if needed. The Nikon's are usually quite a bit lighter than the M's (smaller and lighter lenses in most cases).
I think the trick is to fit the camera so that it works for you! If the camera is comfortable in your hand, your pictures usually get better as you don't have to "fight" the controls.

 

[Tom A]

I like the Rapidwinder, and I might still have one if I still had a camera with a motor lug- but I prefer to shoot with M3's, and have sold off all my later M's. When I find a deal on an M2, I might try to find an M2 version- but (Tom, are you listening?) if you made one that would work on the M3, I'd be sorely tempted...I know, I know, it's a tall order...

Drew, the M3 can be converted to take the M6 Rapidwinder. Tech's like DAG and Sherry Krauter can do it, as can Jerry at Kinderman in Toronto. It is a rather slick conversion too. I usually send the Rapidwinder to the "converter" and it is matched to the body. Interestingly enough, a double stroke M3 stays double stroke on the top and becomes single stroke with the winder.
You can also use the M-winder once this conversion is done - a M3 Mot!