M8- Gettin' a Grip on it

Fin,
Thank you for your kind support. The hardest work is surely comes just before the start of production. There are innumerable details that must be defined with care and understood by everyone involved. I am now amazed at the list of key people that have become involved along the way, from machinist to painter, from box maker to polishing crew. Surely I am close, and this remarkable RangeFinderForum and its members have provided a continuity and communication base to bring this idea forward.

Greg Gebhardt,
Your comment brings a big smile to my face. Wish I could send you a sample, but I they are still a part of my development process. Time seems to be slowing down as I get close to final production.

My apologies to the growing list who have sent me e-mails anticipating the start of shipments. Please stick with me just a bit longer gentlemen and ladies. It will be well worth the wait.
 
Tim,

I simply cannot wait any longer! Every time I pick up my M8 now, I think, dang, this would be waaay better with a ThumbsUp!!

Please please please soon?

🙂

Thank you,
Tom
 
Even with your background in Bicycle design, I still can't believe how flawless this project is going for you. The quality eminating from the Thumbs Up is almost ridiculous, and the second I buy a M8 I'm going straight for a Thumbs Up order form.
Hell, I might even just pick one up for my M2.

One question: are you going to offer a chromed version along with a black (chrome or paint?) version?
 
Tom Conte, Your wait is nearly over. Thumbs Up PRODUCTION HAS STARTED.Please see my photos below from this past week. Thanks for your kind comment. I have been quite busy with the production and have not posted here for a couple weeks. With production now well underway, pre order list shipments may begin quite soon.

Erikhaugsby, I have no plans for a chrome or silver painted version. For me, black looks quite good on both M8 versions.

Likaleica, You are certainly on the pre-production list and your Thumbs Up might be seen somewhere in my photos here!

To all of you so patiently taking the time to monitor this thread with an interest in Thumbs Up, the production has begun and photos of completed ready to ship parts will be available in a few days.

Many thanks to all of you.


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Production Has Started

Production Has Started

Joe,
Many thanks for your consistent encouragement. I have used a couple of my prototypes for a couple months now and the M8 does not feel the same without the Thumbs Up attached. I am hoping you feel the same with yours.

John,
You are number 9 on the list! Given that the list of interested folks have significantly grown, you are well placed! Thanks for sticking with me from way back in June. Its much appreciated.

Iron Flatline,
You are on the pre-order list now! I hope that shipping can begin in another 10 days.
 
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Hi Tim,

I'm delighted to hear that you're close to shipping. I know that I'm on the list, but have you figured out the payment logistics yet?

Thanks

Best regards,

Tony C.
 
Payments via Paypal

Payments via Paypal

Howdy Tony,
Payments will be through my Paypal account. I will happily receive your orders via e-mail. Once I am ready to ship, with completed parts in hand, then I feel I can start doing business. Shipping information can be gathered via e-mail and the charges tallied. Its time to confess about my website situation. Since I posted photos on my website from Flickr, I cannot access it anymore from China. Flickr and China are not getting along so well at this time. So, my website sits there in the virtual inky darkness, unused and incomplete and would just embarrass me. During October, I will be in the USA and attending the LHSA convention in Rochester. During my stay in the states, I will be able to update the website and arrange for e-mails and contacts that way as well. Whew! . . . Darn censorship is not a good thing. I am so grateful to RangeFinderForum. This may be all the website we need.
 
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Tim--

I have been following the progress as well, and anxiously awaiting availability. I hope that I have not fallen off the list. I have been using high speed lenses [75 Lux, 35 Nokton] and this would improve the balance tremendously. Where can I go on line to confirm pricing, delivery, etc.

Norm
 
Howdy Norm,
Sure you are on my list as of June 12th! That seems like a long time ago already. Please decide if a Thumbs Up model 1 or model 3 is best for you. You can then send me an e-mail with your model choice and shipping preferences and contact info and then I will return to you an e-mail with a Paypal connection for payments as soon as I am prepared to ship. I have found that my "old" model 2 and now the model 1 are both working very well for me and the camera feels quite incomplete without them. Hope you will find the same is true. Thanks for your message
 
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In my country, when somebody's thumb is up, then that means very good, no need to say something , just do that then you will know what that means, no matter which country you come from. I am newer here, but the first sight is the drawings here, fantastic! If I am a manager, I will hire this man to be my designer; if I own a Leica M8, I will definitely buy one Thumbsup to hold the camera steady in my hand. Congratulation!!
 
Tim PM-ed me to say he's having trouble posting here. Hopefully that's a temporary thing. He has something new to tell you all about! I can say no more !
 
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First Production for Your Consideration

First Production for Your Consideration

10 September 2007
The big day has arrived. 14 weeks ago I started this thread about my Thumbs Up concept. Now, I have production parts and I am OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

For those of you that requested to be added to my Pre-Production List, many thanks to you. I will be shipping from that list first and I have enough for you all.

There is a surplus of production remaining, but I don’t know how long that supply will last. With thousands of views on RFF and hundreds of e-mails, I could only estimate the number of Thumbs Up to make. Based on response here, another production run can be certainly be considered.

Those of you waiting for reports from real users, you should see the first Thumbs Up reviews in be about one week. I most certainly welcome comments from anyone who receives a Thumbs Up and I hope you will post your comments here in RFF.

For the many of you on the Pre-Production List, please supply me now with all your shipping and contact information, including phone numbers for air freight. You will then receive a PayPal invoice in your e-mail with all the Thumbs Up specifics for your review prior to making any payments arrangements.

Again, I want to express my thanks to RFF and to all of you for your patience and great ideas and comments.


Here are a few photos for your consideration...perhaps some of the last with my Canon digital Elf. Its time to get outside and make some real photos with my Leica M8 and my Thumbs Up securely attached.



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Above: the long and short of it. First production Thumbs Up to get a great grip on your great M8!



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Above: M8 with Thumbs Up model 3 long version



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Above: M8 with Thumbs Up model 1



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A blossom of Thumbs Up model 1's, the short version waiting for final dimension checks and packaging.
 
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Hi' Tim,

Wonderful job! I am looking forward to taking delivery of a Model One as soon as you're ready to ship.

Some comments on the look of the finished item: First, is there any possibility of making the finish a little more matt (to complement the black M8 body)? Second, I'm not too sure about the font for the Thumbs Up logo - it is not in keeping with the simple elegance of the font used on the camera itself. Finally, I'd rather the Model Name (Model 1, 2 or 3) only appeared on the back of the device - its just clutter on the front and isn't necessary to promote the device.

I hope this doesn't sound too negative - I am totally impressed by your creation and all the dedicated listening that went into its development. These personal comments are just observations for your consideration.

... and a question: I see you have a Schott glass LCD screen protector fitted. Which make and model is it and does it fit perfectly? I ask because recently I contacted Giottos and asked them if they had screens to fit both the Leica M8 and the D-Lux 3. In both cases they said they did not!


Good luck with the Thumbs Up and all your other planned and emerging accessories, gadgets and gizmos for the world of Leica photography - you have a lot of fans ready to reap the benefit of your design skills and inventiveness!
 
Speenth said:
... and a question: I see you have a Schott glass LCD screen protector fitted. Which make and model is it and does it fit perfectly? I ask because recently I contacted Giottos and asked them if they had screens to fit both the Leica M8 and the D-Lux 3. In both cases they said they did not!
Click to expand...
It looks like the SP8250 - at least after enlarging with Alien Skin Blowup that's what I read.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/239577-post12.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...iottos-schott-glass-lcd-screen-protector.html

I've used ScreenPatronus for 6 months without a problem. Unfortunately the first ones they sent were cut to exact size and caught on clothing etc. and soon came off. The replacements were cut fractionally small and one has stayed on now for 6 months, although it's getting rather knocked about and is due for replacement.

Bob.
 
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Powers of Observation

Powers of Observation

Speenth,
Your powers of observation seem most keen to me. Thanks for close look at the production Thumbs Up photos and your good comments here. I have started shipping.

The Finish:
I have changed my original course, which was to use a matt finish as you suggested, but the matt finish did not feel right. I felt that a little slide of my thumb was good when getting the proper position on the TU. The gloss finish actually provides an excellent feel for your thumb, and for me that is the key point. When you finally press down on the gloss finish, your thumb will not move!

Logo:
Yup, I changed that too. Rather than copy the Leica font, I felt quite comfortable taking my own route with a logo and font that could be identified with my own products.

Model number:
When Leica moves its M8 model number to the baseplate where it can't be seen, I will move my model 1 and model 3 model numbers too. Keep me posted.

Screen Protector:
Tony Rose provided me with that Giottos in June, and I am very pleased with it. Bob Parsons is right, it is an SP8250. Lucky for us all that SP8250 model number was easy to find!
 
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