Grip or Half case or nothing?

Grip or Half case or nothing?

  • Sidegrip

    Votes: 38 18.0%

  • Half case

    Votes: 85 40.3%

  • Something else

    Votes: 14 6.6%

  • Nothing, pure body only

    Votes: 85 40.3%
  • Total voters
    211
When I bought my first M, I tried out Leica's own grip and found it wanting (too small for my large hands). in fact; I had abandoned the idea of adding a grip to my Leica. However; Last week, on an impulse, I decided to try one of Tom's Rapidgrips and I've already decided that I'd not care to shoot without it. For me, the Rapidgrip transformed my MP from what I felt was a slightly awkward and eccentric feeling piece of kit into a more serious tool. Not only can I now comfortably carry my M with one hand but I can also confidently adjust the shutter speed dial and, provided that I have remembered to pre-focus, shoot entirely with one hand as well. This has been of great benefit when I have been out street shooting as I have found that people pay less attention to me it I am able to shoot without raising my weak hand to the camera. Thanks Tom!



Ryan
 
Half case. Allows my largish hands to keep a much better grip on my Bessa. Came home from a recent trip without it, so I need to go shopping. Without the case, I usually hold the camera in my left hand with the thumb running vertically up the left side, the index finger braced along the right side of the lens, and the other fingers gripping the right side. My right thumb runs along the bottom of the camera.
 
I've just started using a side grip on my M6, and I really like it - I use a Gordy wrist strap (I don't like a camera around my neck or over my shoulder - I prefer to have a bag over my shoulder with 2 or more cameras in), and the grip really prevents the slight muscle strain I get from carrying the M6 around one-handed.

I do fancy trying a Luigi case, but the only thing that puts me off a bit is having to remove it every time I change film - I probably will try one though, but it will have to wait until I'm a bit wealthier than I am at the moment.
 
I tried the grip and tried the half-cases. In the end, I sold them all. I have big hands and always assumed that a grip or a case would improve my handling of the cameras. But I definitely prefer the M bodies as they are. Go figure.
 
Once you get used to a side grip it's tough to back.....so I have the best of both worlds, a Luigi's half case made to fit a Leica with the plastic side grip fitted.
I go to his site to drool over the black croc case........must......resist......
 
Why a half case? Nothing protects the the most vulnerable part, the top. Then when you are done, it feels like a football instead of a camera made to fit your hand.

Grips are nice especially when pulling a camera from a bag as it gives you a nice handle instead of a pinch grip. But then it takes away from the slim ergonomic body we paid so dearly for when it is time to make photos.
 
sepiareverb said:
I've been using the M grips for a long while, and just got a grip from Tom- amazing! I absolutely love it. Much better in my arthritic hand. Another is soon on the way!
Click to expand...
Glad to hear that you finally got one Bob - you were talking about this a while back. I find mine essential for a carry-round. Recently I got a Gordy wrist-strap to go with it and that seems to work really well too.
 
I can't do without a grip.
I found the best ones are the Motor M for Leica M.
The only body which have no grip is the M2, he have a Leicavit instead.
But please, no pyjama, even half of it !
 
Given I photograph people candidly and very close, I frequently shoot without looking through the finder. With the weight of a Leica M + 35mm Lux its much easier to shoot from the hip by flipping the camera upside down and you need a grip to do that with any control. and for how I shoot, a case of any sort just wouldnt work; I need the tactile feel of the camera in my hand
 
Never used a grip, so can't comment on it. The only camera I use with a half case is a Zorki 1, which has no strap lugs. But sometimes I use it out of its case too.
 
I don't travel in the exalted circles of the Leica, but I do have a handful of Canonets, a Konica Auto S2, and a Vivitar 35ES. I have half-cases that fit everything except the 35ES, and swap 'em around as needed. If I'm only gonna carry 1 camera on the shoulder, I tend to put on the half-case. If traveling a long distance, I'll use the full case, strip off the top when I'm at the destination.

I use the case to protect the body. I hate corner-dings, and I've occasionally been very happy that I had the protection. Nothing worse than going around a corner and hearing a metallic scrape...

When I'm wandering around with my 2-machine camera bag, they're naked inside the bag, then I wear the camera around my neck. TMI, eh?...

Regards!
Don
 
Both I guess.

I have found a grip on a Bessa is best for me and in place in my R4a.
Half case for the heavier Leica. I have one of TA's grips which I also like and use, but I think case is better for my Ms.
 
I use a half case, usually Luigi's. The reason: to hold the film tab from the box of film so I can remember what it's loaded with. How's that for a $250 solution to a Leica design flaw!

/T
 
Midcity camera in philly had a bin full of Leica never-ready cases at one point, and I grabbed a few. I like them, because I can throw the camera into my messenger bag with books, laptops, etc, and feel a little better about it. Most of the time I'll leave the bottom half on the M2 while I'm using it. If I anticipate the need for a fast reload, I'll let it go naked.

Best part? I paid ~ $5 for the M case, $2 for a LTM case that I thought would fit my dad's IIIf + leicavit. Turns out it's a case for a SCNOO, not a SYOOM. Damn.
 
So far I didn't like half cases but now it is getting really cold and the half cases give a better grip when wearing gloves. Nice side-effect, the shutter sound becomes more quiet and I can stick the film tab into it.
 
Zen-shooter said:
I admit it. I'm a fan of side grips. So much so that I modify existing ones and add a wooden piece. The link below will take you to my flickr site that show a modified Photo Equip FM Grip with custom made Koa wood handle.

Click here to see my grip
Click to expand...

Nice grip!

BTW, did you drill that shade out or did it come that way? Is it still effective? Reminds me of what we used to do to our bicycle parts in the '60s!
 
SLRs are always commando. Luigi half-case on my IIIc, with a Gordy wrist-strap. My M7 has a Abrahamsson grip and a SLING, and I'm trying to decide on my newly-acquired M2. I have large hands, and don't like anything too small and fiddly. A naked IIIc is right on the limit for me.

Regards,

Bill
 
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