Hacking Voigtlander Grip on r-d1?

[Pinphot]

I've had a look at the Voigt' side grip on Cameraquest, and it appears to me that the only thing stopping one being mounted on an r-d1 is the vertical bit holding the extra strap lug on the grip. Obviously, I can't see the thing too well on Cameraquest, so there might be other issues, but what is to stop me from buying a Bessa grip and hacking off the bit where the extra strap lug sits with a hacksaw so it's no longer fouled by the cameras lug and attaching this to an r-d1.


Thanks

Mark

 

[mwooten]

The only (obvious) drawback would be the need to remove the side grip each time you changed the battery. There may be other fit issues, but it seems to be a good starting point.

Michael

 

[Pinphot]

The only (obvious) drawback would be the need to remove the side grip each time you changed the battery. There may be other fit issues, but it seems to be a good starting point.

Michael

Thanks for the reply. I've looked and the battery compartment is at the other end of the baseplate from the grip which doesn't cover the full length of said baseplate so it does not appear to obstruct the battery door.

 

[mwooten]

Thanks for the reply. I've looked and the battery compartment is at the other end of the baseplate from the grip which doesn't cover the full length of said baseplate so it does not appear to obstruct the battery door.

You're right -- and I guess you could releave it some to clear the hing on the card door.

Michael

 

[Pinphot]

Definitive answer to my question

Definitive answer to my question

I rang Robert White this morning who were extremely helpfull and tried to put a voigtlander side grip on an r-d1. The item would fit physically, however the tripod socket is sited differently to a Bessa camera, meaning that the grip could not be attached without drilling a hole in the grip closer to the end of the grips base for the mounting screw. It won't happen now, but it seems a shame that VL couldn't have manufactured a version of the grip with a slightly differently situated tripod screw for the r-d1. I don' think that it would have been a major issue in terms of retooling. Perhaps we could start a poll to see whether there would be enough r-d1 owners out there to make it viable for Cosina to manufacture a small run of modified side grips.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[bellyface]

I'd be alright with bying a VL grip and redrilling a new position hole for the R-D1. This might be worth looking into.

 

[Ragnar]

Not a good match...

Not a good match...

I have the RD-1 and a R2 with the grip. I've tried to fit the grip, removed the tripod screw - but it doesn't fit without some machining. The base of the RD-1 is wider than a standard Bessa, so the grip won't fit tightly. Second, the side of the camera seems to be a little different between the two cameras, preventing a tight fit. I think it's possible, but you would have to file down the rear of top of the baseplate of the grip, and live with a tripod screw thats on the very edge of the grip. If someone has a good solution - please let me know! As for the moment, I like the grip on my Bessa, and I'm not ready to sacrifice it...

 

[Jim Watts]

It is possible to modify a Nikon FM grip to fit as some R-D1 owners have done. Some information in this thread: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23612&highlight=grip

 

[bellyface]

just ordered the grip....

 

[pfogle]

It is possible to modify a Nikon FM grip to fit as some R-D1 owners have done. Some information in this thread: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23612&highlight=grip

... this is what I use - there's a thread on here somewhere with the detail.

It's great, and I never take it off.

 

[bellyface]

just ordered, but will take 3 weeks they're out of stock.... have to fabricate it I guess.