Must Have Rangefinder Accessories

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nation_of_pomation

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Does anyone have any favorite places to buy accessories for rangefinders? I find sometimes it's the little things that make the experience of shooting better. I've only been doing this for a little while, but I've found that I need a shutter release button for all my cameras; it makes the tactile experience more comfortable and makes shooting longer lenses/slow speeds easier. Does anyone else have things they must have on their camera or with them shooting?
 
I tried a softie, and sort of liked it, but was worried with the M6 it would lead to battery drain as I often put it in the bag cocked, and the M9 has soft mode which I really like and obviates the need of a softie. I am also worried about a softie snapping off and leaving the thread behind.

Otherwise, no accessories. Don't like grips etc. Might like a half case maybe but can't be bothered. Tripods and monopods and ball heads and the like are more my obsession lately. I was having a frustrating time with a non-ball-ball head one direction swivel device. Could not get it to snap shut properly. I finally worked it out. The E clip was too loose on the thread of the quick release plate, preventing the quick release plate attaching well to the camera base and from sitting flat on the bed of the main mechanism of the Manfrotto swivel head. I want this for a monopod for quickly detaching the camera when I want to move on.
 
I don't think anything is "must have", to be honest. I don't use anything outside of a neck strap. I always felt that accessories were luxury items. I like my M to be naked and my straps and bags to be boring.

Many people like soft releases, cases, straps, bags, grips, vc meters, and things like that.
 
More film and lenses. All the other fancy stuff will do nothing for your results, it will waste space in your bag and eventually just end up unused in a box.
 
Lflex said:
More film and lenses. All the other fancy stuff will do nothing for your results, it will waste space in your bag and eventually just end up unused in a box.
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A thumb grip can definitly help with low shutter speeds. A soft release does too, to a lesser degree. Half-cases protect your camera from the occasional fall...so I wouldn't call some of the "extra stuff" useless…
 
I've never used a half-case but one of my friends damaged his camera because it slipped out...I think it was a Luigi but I don't remember...

similarly, soft releases can damage your camera too.
 
Thanks for the input so far, everyone! I just knew vaguely that there were other things out there, but wasn't sure what. I may not need to use more stuff, but the information helps. I would like someone to talk out why using tripod accessories are such a big deal. I never find myself in situations where my old school one my father gave me didn't suffice.
 
nation_of_pomation said:
I would like someone to talk out why using tripod accessories are such a big deal. I never find myself in situations where my old school one my father gave me didn't suffice.
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For a rangefinder system with relatively lightweight lenses, it probably doesn't matter much. If you shoot with long telephoto lenses, the improved vibration damping of wooden or carbon fiber lenses, and the higher stability of a good head and QR plate makes for a noticeable difference.
 
There are lots of different rangefinder cameras so I suspect you are referring to Leica accessories.

Few are essential. Some make using the camera a little nicer. My basic accessories are a half case to improve my grip, a better neckstrap for comfort, a cable release and tripod adapter plate for when I'm going to use the tripod.

Beyond that ... Lenses and hoods. A coupe of filters. Accessory viewfinders for 28 and wider lenses. Viewfinder magnifier for longer lenses. An RF flash trigger for when that's apropos. Spare batteries, spare storage cards, film. A bag to carry it in, and store it in. Lens cloths, bulb blower.

It adds up, depending on what you want to do with the camera.

G
 
Don't forget the basics such as lens hoods and caps. Leica lens hood prices are outrageous. Even Voigtlaender lately has raised the cost of hoods quite a bit - for example the hoods for the 58mm f/1.4 (EOS/Nikon F) or their M mount 35mm f/1.2 lens. The hood for the latter lens sells for $130. Any generic hood from ebay (e.g. heavystar) will do.
 
Robert Lai said:
Don't forget the basics such as lens hoods and caps. Leica lens hood prices are outrageous. Even Voigtlaender lately has raised the cost of hoods quite a bit - for example the hoods for the 58mm f/1.4 (EOS/Nikon F) or their M mount 35mm f/1.2 lens. The hood for the latter lens sells for $130. Any generic hood from ebay (e.g. heavystar) will do.
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A hood for sure! Everyone is different but most people consider hoods to be essential. I'd get the proper hood myself...but in most cases something generic would probably be OK

Lens caps and UV filters are controversial.. I use UV filters (B+W MRC) but I don't use lens caps.
 
I always use a UV or Skylight filter to protect the front element - especially on a lens such as the collapsible Summicron which has soft glass and coatings.
I usually use a cap, or a hood hat also. Not just for lens protection - but also to prevent getting a hole burned through the shutter.
 
msbarnes said:
A hood for sure! Everyone is different but most people consider hoods to be essential. I'd get the proper hood myself...but in most cases something generic would probably be OK

Lens caps and UV filters are controversial.. I use UV filters (B+W MRC) but I don't use lens caps.
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I use OEM hoods whenever I can get them. It's sometimes very difficult for older lenses, but I was able to buy new Nikon hoods for both my 50/1.2 and 105/2.8 Micro just recently. The OEM hood and cap for my 1960 Leitz Hektor 135/4.5 cost almost half as much as the lens... but is well worth it.

I use filters whenever they are needed to filter light.

I use lens caps whenever I'm putting the equipment away, or whenever front element protection is needed and I'm not taking pictures.

G
 
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