Leica M8.2 Handgrip = Awkward?

[bherman]

All;

I have a Leica M8.2. Back in the day, I had a Leica M6 with the Leica M-Grip. If I recall, it felt ok. So, I just purchased a Leica M8.2 Grip, and it just feels weird. I mean, my fingers seem to grip the camera in an awkward way.

I mean, for the cost of this baby, I can almost get a nice Luigi case with the built-in grip, which I understand is phenomenal. The other option is the 'Thumbs-Up' grip or whatever it's called.

should I keep the M Grip and I'll just get used to it, or are there better options?

Thanks, Brad

 

[greggebhardt]

I loved the thumb grip on my M8.2

The OEM grip is quite different than the ones used on the early M series and they DO feel different.

 

[bherman]

Leica M8.2 Handgrip = Awkward?

Greg;

Are you talking about the Thumbs Up Grip?

Thx

Brad

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Double neg, do you ever fear the stick-on button is going to slip and fall off?

 

[greggebhardt]

Greg;

Are you talking about the Thumbs Up Grip?

Thx

Brad

Hi Brad. Yes the Thumbs Up Grip. It has been my favorite. I have even used it with the grip but mostly not. A friend has a grip made of Rosewood from Photo Village and it is nice, too. It also offers som protection for the bottom of the camera. I love the M8/M9 without a grip of any kind but feel more comfortable with some help. I am not a strap person!

 

[Carterofmars]

What do you guys think about this grip for the M8?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250542364688&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I notice that in one of the photos the camera is propped up with a clear piece of plastic underneath. This leads me to believe that the camera can't stand upright on it's own; not cool.

 

[ali_baba]

grab a thumbs up -- keep your m8 grip and don't look back.
you can hold the body extremely well with these 2 items.

i think leica should step it up and make a battery bnooster handgrip for the m9.
the m9 is a battery hog, so why not make an extended battery?

also -- i wish there was some sort of leicavit ergonomic style battery grip, i have big hands and the leicavit on my m7 makes holding it much more easy.

anyhow. comeon leica, step it up!

 

[lewis44]

I use this one. I like it much better than the Leica one.

http://www.photoequip.net/

 

[GrahamWelland]

I use this one. I like it much better than the Leica one.

http://www.photoequip.net/

+1 for the PhotoEquip grip. IT makes the Leica grip feel cheap and nasty by comparison. You just have to feel how well these things are constructed and the lightweight solid machined aluminium full plate build. I've used these on both my M7 & digital M's. If you shoot with a plate on a tripod, one of the biggest differences is that there is NO flex whatsoever compared to the Leica grip.

If the Luigi case is an option then I'd seriously consider it. I use the half case with built in grip and it is just such a natural complement to the camera and provides some protection too.

 

[greggebhardt]

You people got me looking around eBay and I found and ordered this. China Red Wood! <vbg> Well who knows, it looks like it is made well. It will be here next week.

See: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310186930326&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

 

[GrahamWelland]

Probably a homeless Panda now where they chopped their tree down for it 😱 (still, I guess no cow died for it ...) 😀

Just kidding ...

 

[greggebhardt]

I thought I had seen it a few years ago but dismissed it. It is now looking quite interesting. If it works as good as it looks, it will suit me. Will let everyone know when it arrives

 

[Doug]

That Chinese wood grip seems awfully expensive to me...

 

[marke]

I had been using an older version of the PhotoEquip grip. And even though the older ones didn't have the full bottom plate, they are very well made, as is the present version. However, I have come to a conclusion that I don't care for a grip, even though I initially loved it.

It was Roger Hicks who helped me figure this out. I realized that the grip works great for carrying the camera (with one hand) and for pulling it out of the bag. But I didn't care for it while I was actually shooting. I realized that the finger for pressing the shutter button changes position when holding the camera with a grip on it, because of how the rest of the hand holds the camera. Instead of my finger pad lying across the bottom, it was now positioned so that I was pushing the button down with the tip of my finger. Because of this, I found I was able to produce a smoother shutter release without a grip.

I think a grip probably works great for someone who uses a wrist strap, as the two seem to compliment each other for carrying the camera in this manner. But I use a neck strap. And as I said, I found my hand had a better position for shooting when I didn't use a grip. And since how the camera is held while shooting is more important to me than how it's held while just carrying it around, I decided to take the grip off and I am a happy camper! 😀

 

[isalan]

I have the Luigi half case with the small bump on it and a thumbs up and I find it very comfortable. I use the thumbs up on the outside of the case and did not cut the case.

 

[jpmac55]

Another vote for Thumbs Up. It works very well for me. Not crazy about the printing on it but they now have an all black version.

 

[kmallick]

+1 for thumbs up

+1 for thumbs up

I also got the Leica hand grip for my M8.2. 'Uncomfortable' is an understatement for me. I am keeping my Thumbs-up - its so much for comfortable and compliments M8's svelte body.

I would also look into a half case with a little bump - I would assume it would be better of than the hand grip.

 

[sepiareverb]

I have to use a grip on every Leica, arthritic hands make them impossible t hold otherwise. I currently use the Thumbs Up 3 and the Leica grip on both the M8.2 and the M9. I had the photoequip grip on my M8, and liked it, but the shape of the Leica grip allows more comfortable holding for me.

Still waiting for a proper Rapidgrip M8/9 (hint hint hint Tom) as the Rapidgrip on a film M is as perfect as I could ever want.

 

[menos]

When I started with an M6, I hated the ergonomics of the Leica M.
Where my DSLRs were rounded and ergonomically optimized, the Leica simply seemed to cut my hands or slip.

I quickly purchased a film M grip and used it for a while.

After some time (the same time, it needed, to get used to the RF seeing and focussing), I appreciated the less bulk of the Leica and it's unique shape.

I omitted the grip and shoot Leica M now always naked (with clothes on).
Any kind of grip or gadget feels weird to me on the M now, even with the heaviest of RF lenses attached.

 

[Keith]

When I had the genuine grip on my M8 I found a tendency to block the RF window with the tip of my index finger ... it annoyed me to the point where I stopped using it and put it back in the cupboard in disgust.

Very poorly designed IMO ... especially for the price!