M8- Gettin' a Grip on it

Luigi back from summer break soon

Luigi back from summer break soon

POINT OF VIEW said:
It appears Luigi, ihttp://leicatime.com/, is not accepting E Mail request for price quotes. Do you know how to contact him?
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Luigi has been on vacation most of this summer. He told me he would return to his regular routine on September 15th. I would imagine a few days of catching up on old business and all will be back to normal. So please try another message to him then.
 
Just to bump this to the thread to the front again! I took delivery of Tim's Thumbs Up model 3 at the same time as the M8.2 from Robert White in the UK, a few weeks back. Fits the M8 like a glove and certainly improves handling. I'm now thinking i need some for my film M's....
 
Thumbs Up CSEP-1

Thumbs Up CSEP-1

I had the opportunity to meet with Tim Issac and his wife today(lovely couple BTW). I bought his original Thumbs Up-1 soon after it was released. They came down from Seattle to my neck of the woods, here in Tacoma. Had a good talk, and he showed me his latest and greatest. If you haven't checked his website lately, I would suggest you do it soon.
He has introduced a couple of interesting TU variations. The one I picked up today is the Thumbs Up CSEP-1. After some un-scientific testing today IMHO, is all I can say is WOW. This new version is more ergonomic than the original TU. In initial testing, I have gained at least 1 stop with it. I will do some standardized testing and report it later. The other surprise was his Thumbs Up CSEP-4. Now that Voightlander has stopped producing the double shoe, and if you need one(I will) it is well worth the look.
If you need an eye cup, he's is doing them, too(E-Clypse Eye Cup). He has the plain, .85X, and 1.25X.

Disclaimer: Other than buying and using his products, I have no relation to his business. I will though, recommend his products based on my use and opinion.
 
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Wonderful Thumbs Up CSEP -1

Wonderful Thumbs Up CSEP -1

I had the great pleasure of meeting Tim and his wife today in Seattle. We talked about life, photography, and a variety of topics, and I was thrilled to handle and purchase one of his new Thumbs Up CSEP-1 models and a Beep shutter release adapter. I concur with Art in that this device gains you at least a stop of additional stability and makes the M8 more stable. I did handle the dual cold shoe CSEP that he has designed. For those in need of a second hot shoe or an easy way to move from checking exposure (via the M's own view finder) to a mounted external viewfinder, this is quite a nice device. As I tend to use the M viewfinder, I prefered the profile of the CSEP-1. This is my first post on RFF, but I was so excited by meeting Tim and now using this product that I figured I'd make this my post!
 
My Thumbs Up CSEP-4 arrived today and I'm absolutely thrilled
with it. It's beautifully designed and made, it fits the contour of my
thumb perfectly - even better than its predecessor - and, above all,
the shifting of the shoe to the left is a revelation. Now I can meter
and focus through the M8 viewfinder and then quickly and easily
compose the shot through an external viewfinder. Of all the accessories made for the M8 this in my opinion should be at the top of everyone's list. Given my enthusiasm, perhaps I should add that I have no interest in Tim Isaac's business, other than as an appreciative customer.
 
I received my Thumbs Up mod3 on Saturday, with a very fast shipping from Robert White in the UK (I ordered on Thursday night!). The unit itself is much smaller than I expected (photos seem to overemphasise it) and the font of the Thumbs Up writing is much more discreet than photos suggest (I was going to rub it off, but it's absolutely fine on the camera and blends in nicely).
The first time I picked up the camera with it on, it felt a bit funny, but I suspect that was because I was very conscious of the device on the camera. The next time I picked it up to shoot, my hand naturally fell into place and it was only after grabbing the frames did I realise that the Thumbs Up was on (and doing it's job!)
Ergonomically, it improves the M8 vastly - both for me (with my big hands) and my girlfriend (with her much smaller hands), the Mod3 does the job nicely. The camera comes to hand much more readily now, and my grip on the body is much more secure. Perfect when combined with a Luigi case 🙂
3279275005_4ed2b70a69.jpg

(One of the first few frames I grabbed with my Thumbs Up Mod3 on... I am a very happy customer indeed! Thanks very much to Tim as well for giving some advice prior to my purchase as well.)
 
Add me to the very satisfied customer list! I am a new M8 owner and felt the camera was a bit clumsy at times compared to my Canon 40D. I was afraid to drop the camera unless I held it with both hands. Not any more. I think every M8 should have one for that reason alone. Holding the camera more steady is also goodness.
 
I owned the older version, and recently purchased the newer version with the slanted thumb rest. Just an absolute joy to use on the M8, the camera is very solid and feels like an extension of your hand. Highly recommended!!
 
Awesome products

Awesome products

I recently bought a Thumbs Up CSEP-1 & Beep from Tim... What a fantastic product... Functions just great on my M8..The packaging is fantastic, and the shipping was lightning fast.... Thanks Tim for a great product.... 😀
 
Many thanks

Many thanks

Hef, thank you sir.

Paul, great you like the new shape, thank you sir.

John, Nice you feel more confident holding your M8. This was the primary reason for the original TU design.

CMDRFIRE, your description of that natural feeling is what I was hoping to achieve. An effective test is to remove the TU from your camera for a short time. That test will provide a clear contrast to show you what the additional leverage does for your grip. Isn't physics fun! from looking at your blog, you would know better than me.

Nelson, the TU-CSEP-4 goes in a new design direction for me. I wanted to place my wide angle viewfinder on the left side right over the camera's viewfinder. With the wide angle viewfinder on the left side, my nose has all the room it requires and I can look straight ahead when composing, just as if I was using the M8 viewfinder. I focus with the M8 finder, then simply move my eye up an inch and compose with the wide angle finder. Thank you for your comments sir.
 
I was a skeptic but I bought a CSEP-4 and in combination with a Photo-Equip grip it makes my M8 feel rock solid in my hands. Kudos to Tim for a product that simply does what it says on the box!

Btw: if there was a silver TU I'd buy a second one for my chrome M8.2 ...
 
Here is one of mine

Here is one of mine

Not for the Purist, but here is a pic of my M8 with the CSEP mod 4. Not pretty, but it really is functional. I use the center mount for either the Kenko polarizer viewer, or, when doing architectural shots, a level, with the whole rig on a tripod.😱

M8_grip_csep4_boop_polorizer.jpg


Tim has done a fantastic job of putting his Leica accessory ideas into products that actually work as promised.
I also use an original TU which is attached to my M3.
 
Just one more person who is very (very) happy with his CSEP-1.
Thanks, Tim!

(now could you design a new baseplate that doesn't need to be removed to change the battery or card?? 😀)
 
Love the Thumbs Up!

Love the Thumbs Up!

I very recently acquired a Thumbs Up CSEP-1 (the newest one with the slight bevel). At first, I was looking for the older long model (I think it was the CS-3) but when I contacted Tim Isaac, he suggested I should try his latest design with the bevel as it was proving to be very comfortable for all hand-sizes and he was confident I would like it. He even offered me a refund if it didn't work out.

I have bought many useful accessories for cameras over the years and although I have heard many good things about the Thumbs Up, I didn't really know what to expect.

My first impressions were very positive. It was beautifully packaged with a small hand-written note and it just really looked like something crafted and special. In the hand it felt hard and weighty and looked beautifully made. It inserted into the hotshoe with precision and and the little allen key secured it into position with half a turn.

I lifted the camera and my thumb naturally went into position without even having to think about it and suddenly I found I could easily lift my M9 with just one hand and it felt totally secure and just incredibly comfortable. I have tried various grips in the past but they were all bulky and awkward and somehow never offered the right kind of support. Now suddenly, this tiny little lever on the back totally changed the feel of the camera to turn it into something I could almost twirl in my wrist. It's by far the best accessory I've come across and I now that I have it, I cannot even imagine ever going back to using my camera without it. A brilliant design and a must have for the digital M!

I am including some pics of my M9 with the CSEP-1 and Luigi half-case. I recently upgraded my case to this one - it is the latest design from Luigi with a special tapered cut-out for the Thumbs Up. You will notice he has also shifted the rear cutout to show the top edge of the LCD screen and added a little more space around the wheel to make it easier to turn. The clasp-buttons for the flap have also been shifted down half-way. It's a great combo with the Thumbs Up.

By the way, in case my enthusiasm for these products suggests otherwise, I'm not affiliated with Tim or Luigi in any way; I am just a delighted customer who is very impressed by their products and design and want to recommend them to others.

Regards,

Tony

...
www.tonyobrienphotography.com
 

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A Model 3 came with my M8 I purchased. It is wonderful! The packaging is some of the best I have ever opened. I could not imagine holding my M8 and CV 35 1.2 without it.

If I ever need another one I will certainly be looking to buy a new one and support your wonderful product.
 
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