M8- Gettin' a Grip on it

cold shoe

cold shoe

kbg32 said:
find a way to make the shoe useable as well and you have a great product.
Click to expand...

How about adding a coldshoe on top? Or detachable via screws to be removed if one does not need an accessory shoe?

On the other hand, anything sticking out on any M camera is too much. The whole top is flat for some very good reasons.
 
laptoprob said:
How about adding a coldshoe on top? Or detachable via screws to be removed if one does not need an accessory shoe?

On the other hand, anything sticking out on any M camera is too much. The whole top is flat for some very good reasons.
Click to expand...

cold shoe?

why not hot shoe?

just extend the contacts.

Stephen
 
That's brilliant! It would work very well with a Sling too.

I agree with Bill, better as it is without the extra hot/cold shoe. I'd prefer it without the SD card holder too.

Good luck with the production. I'd definitely buy one as long as the price was right.
 
Bill P and Andy Aitken
Good ideas and thanks to all,

Bill P,
I did place knurling on a few virtual versions before settleling on the smooth shape. The knurling looked good, but I felt that smooth surface also served my design intent well. I liked the way it matched the camera surface too. Basically, I am trying to get my hand to the same position each time I grasp my M8 as I compose the shot, and I am not as concerned with a firm grip. I thought the knurling was more than needed. There is still the chance to change the design before I tool up, and I will keep your comment in mind...count on that.

The prototype will be completed from the CNC phase tomorrow and I will post some photos for you all. Its my first chance to feel the brass thumb grip in my hand and possibly on the camera. The schedule is to send the prototype to the painter, also tomorrow, and I am trying to keep it moving forward. The letters are recessed and filled with white paint, just as the M8, and this will no doubt present its own set of challenges.

With respect to the hot shoe / cold shoe offerings, these are good ideas. Still, I will stick it out with this concept phase, and then tackle the more complex versions later if there that possiility develops. Wouldn't that be fun!

What a fine opportunity all of you have placed before me with your critical and supportive comments. Many thanks,
 
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I think i'd definately prefer it without the cardholder. It doesn't do the design of the grip and the camera justice and you're not going to keep a card in there all the time. And to put one in there before opening the baseplate...i don't think so.

Hans
 
would the grip just slide into the shoe or will you have some type of screw mechanism to hold it tight on the shoe. i wouldn't want the grip to slide off while the camera is dangling on my finger tips on the grip. my 2 cents.

i hope the prototype is a gem. i really look forward to getting one (or two) if it works out. cheers~
 
USCCHARLES,
thanks for the message.
The thumb grip will slide into place with a close tolerance fit. Also, the two surfaces of the thumb grip that mate with the hot shoe frame on either side are tapered 1 degree. So the pressure to press the grip into position increases as it reaches it position for use.

There is a small recess on the top leading edge, to allow you to pull it back out with your finger, if you need access to the hot shoe. All this means is, it will not fall out. The hot shoe also has a lpair of eaf springs built in that exert a small pressure while the thumb grip, or your flash unit are in place.

I will have my hands on the first prototype in a few hours. What fun!

Thanks for your 2 cents
 
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Thumb Grip Observation..

Thumb Grip Observation..

Hi Tim..

Just joined RF forum today.
Your prototype looks fantastic!!!.
One suggestion i would like to make is to extend the top part so that it can still take a wide angle viewfinder attachment. In short putting your thumb grip on does not take away another functionality of the hotshoe adapter. if this can be done.. you should extend it so that an electronic flash can be mounted of your unit once it is in place.. i think this means extending the original contact points through your unit when mounted.
This is just a thought. But whatever... your design looks awesome. Let me know when you are commercially going to sell it 🙂

Best regards

Billy
 
Great!

Great!

Great design...
Please show us the prototype asap- and please tell me if you will be selling that grip to Europe, too.

Regards,
Stefan
 
Lads and Lasses,


The first prototype of my model 2 is complete! IT’S WONDERFUL IT WORKS

Yesterday I went to the machinist’s shop to inspect my first prototype. I waited for the Thumbs Up to be delivered to the inspection room. I felt both nervous and most anxious to see the results. The first Thumbs Up was handed to me. It looked great. Calmly I took out my calipers to measure the critical dimensions and have a closer look at the work. The M8 waited patiently at my side in my camera bag. Had I really conveyed the critical dimensions on my drawings? Did the machinist interpret my 3D model with precision? ARRGH !

After taking a few notes, and trying to act like a professional, I restrained the urge to get up and do a little dance. Things were looking quite good.

I slipped the M8 from its bag and placed it on the table in front of me, picked up the Thumbs Up and slipped it into position on the camera, as if I knew what I were doing!

Remarkably, it positioned perfectly. Could this be happening? As I pressed it into position, the resistance increased owing to the taper on both load bearing tabs. A final nudge and it was in position! GREAT, it was secure and smooth to the touch and the camera was ready to hold.

My first reaction was to pick up the camera and hold it out at arms length. The feeling was most solid indeed. I turned my hand and held it at 90 degrees. What an excellent feeling. The desire to do the little dance was turning into a desire to get outside and take some photos!

I thought about the comments here and on Leica Camera Users Forum, about the shape and length of the grip surface area. I thought about the comments suggesting the thumb grip would poke me in the chest. I thought about all the great comments encouraging me on. It seems its actually coming together. It is even better than I had imagined.

The shape on my thumb is secure and comfortable. The poking in my chest, is more like my M8 reminding me, its ready for the next shot! I love it!

Bringing the Thumbs Up home and preparing for the photos here, I first took a moment, once inside my door, to do the little dance! HA…What a marvelous feeling to have this part coming together.

My wife picked up the M8 with the Thumbs Up in place while I waited silently for her comment. “IT WORKS”, she said. “IT’S WONDERFUL”. She is on the small side and the M8 is a handful for her, but she has no trouble now to maneuver it with one hand. The photos below and on flickr show her holding the M8.

Last message I got ahead of myself and misspoke and said the first part would be brass. We modeled the first proto in copper. The second prototype will be complete in 2 days and will be the brass one. The brass thumb grip will be painted and will be tested thoroughly. The copper is too soft a material for actual extended use.

EDM electrodes (Electric Discharge Milling), are formed from copper and are used to ‘burn’ the cavities in the steel die-casting mold while submerged in pool of cooling oil. This is an ultra precise method of forming complex shapes in steel mold cavities. I will present photos of the mold also, when that stage is reached so we can all share in the development of the part as I approach the manufacturing stage. GULP

Sorry for all the words. For me, part of the pleasure derived from all this is the telling of the tale. Let’s hope the next chapter is also a good read!

I want to extend many thanks to you all for your comments and observations.

More to come!


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Hi Tim,

That looks absolutely wonderful. I can only guess how it must feel to actually hold it in your hands after designing it in you computer. Congratulations!

Hans
 
Tim, fantastic work! Simple and elegant, and a worthy addition to the camera.

One question to consider: what will Leica's position be regarding the addition of this device to the camera? Is the mounting of the hot-shoe sufficiently strong to take the forces exerted by a strong grip?

My gut feeling is that the camera is strong enough (if the M8 is made as strong as the earlier Ms). But will it effect the warranty on the camera?
 
Leica's position

Leica's position

Chris N.
Your comment is right to the point. Frankly speaking, I don't know how Leica will react, when confronted with the question you raise. My impetus to pursue this project was strickly for selfish reasons, to get a better hold of my camera and to demonstrate the results in this forum. I would guess there are some very capable guys in Solms, with eyebrows raised in curiostiy, pondering the same things as you. They sure did provide me with a fantastic foundation from which to work.

I can only do my best to insure the fit and function is as good as I can make it. To do this I expose MY camera to rigorous and reasonable testing. If this takes me to a point where this looks like a marketable product, I will pursue it to the best of my ability, once the test phase is complete.

I suppose we could look at various aftermarket accessory suppliers and ask the same questions. I also believe their answers would not be much different from my own.

Thanks for your compliment too Chris. I have got to say, while I write this to you, the M8 is inches away, thumb grip attached, and waiting for the morning sun!

I may have even dropped my steady hold / lowest shutter speed, by a click or two on the wheel with this thumb grip. Maybe I should head outside tonight!

Kind regards.
 
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I have to say this really is a great idea and a very, very elegant solution. The prototype looks great. I can't wait to see it with paint on.

Do you have any inclination yet of what a production version might sell for?
 
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