2001alal
Member
hi tim
i know that ill be getting one of each no matter what
thanks again
i know that ill be getting one of each no matter what
thanks again
M8- Gettin' a Grip on it
- Thread starter TS ISAAC
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TS ISAAC
Established
Yesterday the model 2 painting was completed. This brought a whole new feeling of a working product to my hands. Althought the development of the Thunbs Up model 2 has stopped, I will use the prototype for practical tests. Finally I have the real deal...and its on my camera!
I have posted some photos of the pantd model 2 for you all to review and critque. Since the model 3 is following the same path, all comments, good or bad are received with gratitude. I have found that the brass is 'as advertised' and provides the stregth, weight and feel I was hoping for. Also, the properties of brass are excellent where the Thumbs Up engages with the hot shoe. It slides right in without
marring or galling. Its tough and conveys a quality feel.
Please have a look:
I have posted some photos of the pantd model 2 for you all to review and critque. Since the model 3 is following the same path, all comments, good or bad are received with gratitude. I have found that the brass is 'as advertised' and provides the stregth, weight and feel I was hoping for. Also, the properties of brass are excellent where the Thumbs Up engages with the hot shoe. It slides right in without
marring or galling. Its tough and conveys a quality feel.
Please have a look:
2001alal
Member
hay tim
looking real good
looking real good
Joe Mondello
Resu Deretsiger
That looks sensational, Tim!
One suggestion though, should you decide to make a production run of your "Model 3" I wouldn't call it that, I'd think of the model number as solely an internal designation for discussion here and elsewhere and call (and engrave) the final product as simply "Thumbs Up."
In fact, I'd even go a bit further and suggest that you engrave the product name on the other side so that the back of the camera doesn't have the extra type on it.
OR eliminate the focal length designations (are they really necessary?) and engrave "Thumbs Up" on the top where the numbers are currently.
"Thumbs Up by Fotogo" sounds like you might need a trademark, too!
HTH!
BTW, have you thought at all about *testing* pricing? Of course you have, but I means in terms of testing price sensitivity among M8 owners here to find at what price you can sell them vs what it will cost to make them.
Is it possible that you *may* even be close to the point of beginning to accept deposits?🙂
One suggestion though, should you decide to make a production run of your "Model 3" I wouldn't call it that, I'd think of the model number as solely an internal designation for discussion here and elsewhere and call (and engrave) the final product as simply "Thumbs Up."
In fact, I'd even go a bit further and suggest that you engrave the product name on the other side so that the back of the camera doesn't have the extra type on it.
OR eliminate the focal length designations (are they really necessary?) and engrave "Thumbs Up" on the top where the numbers are currently.
"Thumbs Up by Fotogo" sounds like you might need a trademark, too!
HTH!
BTW, have you thought at all about *testing* pricing? Of course you have, but I means in terms of testing price sensitivity among M8 owners here to find at what price you can sell them vs what it will cost to make them.
Is it possible that you *may* even be close to the point of beginning to accept deposits?🙂
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cme4brain
Established
I want one
I want one
This is brilliant work, just what my M8 needed. How do I insure that I get one of these? Any price quote yet? I will keep following this tread.
-Lloyd
I want one
TS ISAAC said:Yesterday the model 2 painting was completed. This brought a whole new feeling of a working product to my hands. Althought the development of the Thunbs Up model 2 has stopped, I will use the prototype for practical tests. Finally I have the real deal...and its on my camera!
I have posted some photos of the pantd model 2 for you all to review and critque. Since the model 3 is following the same path, all comments, good or bad are received with gratitude. I have found that the brass is 'as advertised' and provides the stregth, weight and feel I was hoping for. Also, the properties of brass are excellent where the Thumbs Up engages with the hot shoe. It slides right in without
marring or galling. Its tough and conveys a quality feel.
Please have a look:
This is brilliant work, just what my M8 needed. How do I insure that I get one of these? Any price quote yet? I will keep following this tread.
-Lloyd
TS ISAAC
Established
Lloyd and all,
I can feel the momentum building with my Thumbs Up project. The model 3 development is nearly ready. I am most encouraged by all who want my model 3 Thumbs Up for their M8. It seems it's almost off the ground.
As of yet, I have no price. I am reluctant to voice my price estimation until I have all my costs fully documented and covered. There are many details yet undone, such as packing, various shipping arrangements and costs. Looks like I will be shipping to all corners of our planet! Very exciting stuff indeed.
I would like to start a Thumbs Up model 3 buyers list, to get a grasp of the initial volume of parts I will produce, and the many destinations.
I feel it is best not to accept any payments or deposits until I have the Thumbs Up in production and I can ship to you. USCCharles...you will finally be able to send me a payment!
It is my intention to be using PayPal for payments as this seems the most secure for us all.
To place your name on my Thumbs Up model 3 pre-order list, send me an e-mail.
Please include your address.
Again, many thanks to all for your attention during this project.
Timyzik@Comcast.net
I can feel the momentum building with my Thumbs Up project. The model 3 development is nearly ready. I am most encouraged by all who want my model 3 Thumbs Up for their M8. It seems it's almost off the ground.
As of yet, I have no price. I am reluctant to voice my price estimation until I have all my costs fully documented and covered. There are many details yet undone, such as packing, various shipping arrangements and costs. Looks like I will be shipping to all corners of our planet! Very exciting stuff indeed.
I would like to start a Thumbs Up model 3 buyers list, to get a grasp of the initial volume of parts I will produce, and the many destinations.
I feel it is best not to accept any payments or deposits until I have the Thumbs Up in production and I can ship to you. USCCharles...you will finally be able to send me a payment!
It is my intention to be using PayPal for payments as this seems the most secure for us all.
To place your name on my Thumbs Up model 3 pre-order list, send me an e-mail.
Please include your address.
Again, many thanks to all for your attention during this project.
Timyzik@Comcast.net
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etrigan63
Rangefinder Padawan
TS ISAAC said:
Link to the list? I couldn't find one.
TS ISAAC
Established
Etrigan,
You can send your request to be added to the Thumbs Up pre order list by following the link to my e-mail.
Timyzik@Comcast.net
Many thanks again
You can send your request to be added to the Thumbs Up pre order list by following the link to my e-mail.
Timyzik@Comcast.net
Many thanks again
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jamriman
Established
count me in!
Joe Mondello
Resu Deretsiger
For some reason the link you provided doesn't work, but I sent an email via the Forum!
TS ISAAC
Established
A good week of more design and fabrication refinements, brings me to the final process selection. A mid course correction has been implemented. I will produce all Thumbs Up using cold forged brass billet, which will then be CNC machined for precise tolerance and surface finish control. This change was brought about by the creep in tolerances that might occur to purely die cast parts. Short version....the parts wil be stronger and fit better.
So, it seems a good time to make an introduction. This part has been with me for some time, but waiting for me to choose my final production methods.
The Thumbs Up model 1, is now in prototype phase and will be ready for production along with the model 3 that we have all seen this past week.
Please have a look at the photos. The model 1 is 14 mm shorter than the model 3 and may provide an improved grasp for those with large hands or a wide grip.
The Thumbs Up model 1 will be available at the same time as the model 3, and both will be priced the same. I should have the prices available shortly.
In the meantime, if you would like to be placed on my customer list, please leave me a message at my e-mail.
Many thanks to all.
I look forward to all of your comments both favorable and critical.
So, it seems a good time to make an introduction. This part has been with me for some time, but waiting for me to choose my final production methods.
The Thumbs Up model 1, is now in prototype phase and will be ready for production along with the model 3 that we have all seen this past week.
Please have a look at the photos. The model 1 is 14 mm shorter than the model 3 and may provide an improved grasp for those with large hands or a wide grip.
The Thumbs Up model 1 will be available at the same time as the model 3, and both will be priced the same. I should have the prices available shortly.
In the meantime, if you would like to be placed on my customer list, please leave me a message at my e-mail.
Many thanks to all.
I look forward to all of your comments both favorable and critical.
Last edited:
barjohn
Established
You now present an interesting dilema. What if we aren't sure which would be better for us, model 1 or 3? Will you comeo out with some rules of thumb (a little play on words) to help us know how to measure or select the one likely to work the best for us? Also, what if you have the hand grip, does that change the equation on which is the better fit?
etrigan63
Rangefinder Padawan
I don't think the hand grip changes things unless you hold the M8 with a "monkey grip" (all fingers including the thumb on the same side of an object).
Oh and Tim, update my listing for a Model 1 instead of a Model 3. I fall into the "big hands" category.
Oh and Tim, update my listing for a Model 1 instead of a Model 3. I fall into the "big hands" category.
Fin
Member
barjohn said:
barjohn raises an interesting question, as does etrigan63 in the subsequent post. I think the solution lies in Tim's excellent CAD diagrams, especially the shots taken from the rear of the camera.
I intend to use the Thumbs Up in conjunction with the Leica hand grip (which I already have) for true one handed operation (cue muffled laughter from the innuendo fiends at the back of the class!). I've held my M8, with Leica grip, one handed and seen where my thumb naturally lies.
Well, I do have hands - as opposed to stumps - but only just! So my miniscule digits make it a Mk3 model for me!
barjohn
Established
I too tried to see where my thumb naturally fell; however, you can't be sure if that is where it would fall if the Thumbs up were installed and whether that would produce the most comfortable holding and shooting position. For me it is looking like the model 1 but if I guess wrong and it catches my thumb in some awkward way along the one edge becasue I am using the hand grip then it would need to be the model 3 even if that wasn't where my thumb would normally fall. I guess what I am suggesting is that there would need to be an option to exchange it for the opposite model if one found that they had made a mistake in their guess/selection. It isn't like I can walk into my local camera store and try it out and then decide.😀
2001alal
Member
like i said in my earlier post i'm getting both
you never know lol
you never know lol
TS ISAAC
Established
2001alal, I sure like your style. I will keep that thought with me today roaming the streets of Tokyo.
But not to make too much light of it, Barjohn has the right idea, try some different poisitions, compare to the visuals I posted. Frankly speaking, both positions actually work very well and substantially improve your grasp on our fine M8 s.
I have both model 1 and model 3 in production prototype phase now. It means if these two look good, then I turn on the produciton plans within the next 10 days.
More to follow....first its time for making some photos in Tokyo and a visit to the Leica boutique on the Ginza. Yodobashi is also nearby! What a place to look at things that require manuals...
Thanks to all for the feedback, encouragement and interest.
But not to make too much light of it, Barjohn has the right idea, try some different poisitions, compare to the visuals I posted. Frankly speaking, both positions actually work very well and substantially improve your grasp on our fine M8 s.
I have both model 1 and model 3 in production prototype phase now. It means if these two look good, then I turn on the produciton plans within the next 10 days.
More to follow....first its time for making some photos in Tokyo and a visit to the Leica boutique on the Ginza. Yodobashi is also nearby! What a place to look at things that require manuals...
Thanks to all for the feedback, encouragement and interest.
TS ISAAC
Established
Etrigan63, Did not mean to ignore your good comments and mesage. I have been traveling.
There have had many requests about the price. I am in the final production prototype phase for model 1 and model 3 this week and next. I am also arranging for packaging and shipping details, so there are still a few unknown values in the plan. But in just a few more days I will set the price. My plan is to see full production within this month. Its a fine feeling to see this taking shape.
Tony Rose had a close look at my model 2 prototype today when we met in Thousand Oaks, CA. (model 2 is my dicontinued but useful prtotype on my own camera).
I am not sure what pleased me more, Tony's big grin, or his positive remarks. It was a great relief to see a man who has such close working knowledge of cameras, extend his approval of what he saw and felt with his own hands. I felt I was most defiinitely on track after our meeting.
Thank you Tony. It was worth the trip to see that big grin. I arrived in Seattle just fine.
Etrigan63, I will put you on the Thumbs Up model 1 list. Many thanks sir for your support!
There have had many requests about the price. I am in the final production prototype phase for model 1 and model 3 this week and next. I am also arranging for packaging and shipping details, so there are still a few unknown values in the plan. But in just a few more days I will set the price. My plan is to see full production within this month. Its a fine feeling to see this taking shape.
Tony Rose had a close look at my model 2 prototype today when we met in Thousand Oaks, CA. (model 2 is my dicontinued but useful prtotype on my own camera).
I am not sure what pleased me more, Tony's big grin, or his positive remarks. It was a great relief to see a man who has such close working knowledge of cameras, extend his approval of what he saw and felt with his own hands. I felt I was most defiinitely on track after our meeting.
Thank you Tony. It was worth the trip to see that big grin. I arrived in Seattle just fine.
Etrigan63, I will put you on the Thumbs Up model 1 list. Many thanks sir for your support!
jjcha
Established
If you're in Tokyo still, check out the Yodobashi Camera dedicated camera shop in Shinjuku as well as Map Camera (not far from there). The Bic Camera in Ikebukuro has a better/focused camera shop than the other branches, but this is one of the few places that just has a M (M7) out on open display for fiddling with. The Leica store in Ginza obviously has all these on display, but honestly it feels too much like a museum sometimes to really just feel free to abuse the display cameras 😀
Best regards,
-Jason
Best regards,
-Jason
quadtones
Established
Ranks with the best Leica accessories
Ranks with the best Leica accessories
Tim--
I recently started following this forum, after a bit of contribution on a couple of others focusing on Leicas. Then I found your post and followed the design development you posted, all around the same time that I added a 75mm Summilux for the M8. I was wondering how to cope with the additional weight, etc. Certainly something to keep me from lurking...
You have developed an extraordinary idea. I'm in! Mod 1, I think.
Norm
Ranks with the best Leica accessories
Tim--
I recently started following this forum, after a bit of contribution on a couple of others focusing on Leicas. Then I found your post and followed the design development you posted, all around the same time that I added a 75mm Summilux for the M8. I was wondering how to cope with the additional weight, etc. Certainly something to keep me from lurking...
You have developed an extraordinary idea. I'm in! Mod 1, I think.
Norm