Leica LTM Anyone use a grip with your Barnack?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Rayt

Rayt

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Searching for a grip for my IIIf I only found one from China. My 50mm F1.5 Summarit is a bit heavy and unbalanced on the IIIf and a grip ought to help. Anyone use a grip on their Barnack?
 
My worst lens for balance with my Barnacks is an 85/1.8 Canon, which I suspect is a fair amount heavier than the Summarit. I have the Metro Case grip which works well for attaching the camera to an Arca-Swiss tripod clamp but doesn't do much of anything to help with the balance with the camera hand held. I suspect this would be the case with any smallish grip on the right front of the camera because of the hand position required by the location of the shutter release.

What I found does work very well is a Leitz CTOOM flash bracket. It lets me firmly support the left end of the camera leaving my right hand free to just support the weight of the right end of the camera and operate the shutter release. And as a nice bonus my little Voigtländer VC light meter mounts nicely in the cold shoe on the CTOOM with my left thumb perfectly located to operate the pushbutton on the back of the meter. (That's a front view below - my references to front and back are from the back of the camera.)
CTOOM.jpg
N.B. The CTOOM was made with both 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 mounting screws. When I was looking for one a number of years ago the 3/8-16 was more common. Many eBay sellers didn't know the difference.
 
Last edited:
raydm6 said:
Just the ones with the bump built into my Luigi and Zhou half-cases.

I use a Summitar and a Summicron on my two IIIfs and don’t know how they compare in weight to a Summarit.
Click to expand...

The Summarit is heavy like a block of metal and probably not the best choice for a little Barnack but it’s the only screw mount 50mm I own. A Zhou case is a good option. Thanks.
 
Doug A said:
My worst lens for balance with my Barnacks is an 85/1.8 Canon, which I suspect is a fair amount heavier than the Summarit. I have the Metro Case grip which works well for attaching the camera to an Arca-Swiss tripod clamp but doesn't do much of anything to help with the balance with the camera hand held. I suspect this would be the case with any smallish grip on the right front of the camera because of the hand position required by the location of the shutter release.

What I found does work very well is a Leitz CTOOM flash bracket. It lets me firmly support the left end of the camera leaving my right hand free to just support the weight of the right end of the camera and operate the shutter release. And as a nice bonus my little Voigtländer VC light meter mounts nicely in the cold shoe on the CTOOM with my left thumb perfectly located to operate the pushbutton on the back of the meter. (That's a front view below - my references to front and back are from the back of the camera.)
View attachment 4865952
N.B. The CTOOM was made with both 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 mounting screws. When I was looking for one a number of years ago the 3/8-16 was more common. Many eBay sellers didn't know the difference.
Click to expand...
I have a 85mm Summarex and if I ever use it on a Barnack then this would be an option.
 
Rayt said:
The Summarit is heavy like a block of metal and probably not the best choice for a little Barnack but it’s the only screw mount 50mm I own. A Zhou case is a good option. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I guess the Zhou case is going to get a big tarrif bill if I order one now. They appear to be the best looking reasonably priced barnack case out there.
 
Rayt said:
Is it still around $65? Still a bargain with T tax and not many other options for Barnack.
Click to expand...
Yeah. I almost ordered one yesterday for the iiif I just got back from YYE but there’s Ben so much bank and firth I’m not even sure what tarrif is today. Hopefully not the 150% that was threatened for a minute.
An aside I know is not the case but I like to imagine there is really an 80yo Mr. Zhou hand making all the cases. 😜
 

Rayt,​


The yellow filter on the IIIf could use a clean 🙂

I don't use a grip with my If & IIIF cameras. I do with my M3 and M4-P. The grip I use with my M cameras is the Leica Motor Drive

m3mot2.jpg
M3-MOT w/Canon 50mm f/1.2 & shade
 
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