Grip or no grip?

[sojournerphoto]

Grip on the Ikon (need a second🙂) and I have one for the voigts. Transforms the handling for me, much meatier.

Ikon grip has the advantage of a triop bush as well compared to Bessa

Mike

 

[mark-b]

Leica M's are about tactile feel and its small size. The grip literally destroys that for me.

 

[SteveM]

Grip.

For many years, I used a Canon A1 which had a finger grip. Then a few years ago I moved to a Bronica RF645, which has a built-in grip. Like others have said, an M with wrist strap and grip go together very well. They allow me to hold these cameras similarly, which is convenient.

Steve

 

[Warren T.]

I have only one grip, and it's for my Bessa R. It balances better on the straps with it on 🙂

 

[Particular]

The leica m is so well proportioned, I have never had a problem holding it, even in one hand. I tend to like that I can slightly alter my hand position depending on how I am shooting, as opposed to it being prescribed. I seriously don't understand why anyone would want to add a clumsy grip, nor cases and soft releases.
I have used canon dslr's, and actually really dislike the fat sculptured grip. They are so uncomfortable for vertical shots, that for the pro-models they had to design a second grip in the base. It all makes little sense to me.

 

[Doug]

I like a grip for a more secure hold on the gear, and appreciate built-in grips and contouring on those that have 'em. The benefit was particularly notable when I got a new Pentax 67II after years with the older 6x7. And I'm happily using the M8 grip.

 

[back alley]

grip plus wrist strap equals perfection.

 

[newspaperguy]

I voted no, but I do use one on the Bessa.

Like Warren said, it hangs better.

 

[cweg]

My M3 fitts perfect without a grip. My Yashica GSN and Olympus are fitting better with a Halfcase, what is a good alternative to grips.

 

[semilog]

No grips!

I might feel differently if I had a Nocti or a 90 'cron ASPH, though.

 

[Doug]

Pablito (shameless Kodaker?), totally agree! 🙂

 

[back alley]

i like a grip mostly for carrying a camera in hand.
there is no hand cramping even though i may carry it for hours.

 

[Krzys]

Grips seem to be a recent modern thing. Ive never found a need for them, the cameras handle just fine in my hands, like they did in other's 20-40 years ago.

 

[ferider]

For me, a grip helps with big lenses. In hand and on tripod.

 

[Rob-F]

You might think differently if you put a BP 90/2 AA on an M6 to hand carry. The camera isn't big, but a heavy lens will unbalance it and make it very difficult to carry in the hand. A grip solves all that.

I find this to be true, and it goes double for my 75/1.4. For shorter and lighter lenses, I find the grip unnecessary. And I agree with Keith about the Luigi case, which makes the camera very comfortable to hold for all but the heaviest lenses.

So it's more complex than "do you use it or not." A better question is, "For what purpose do you like it, and when don't you?"