Soft release and thumb grip recommendations

[Wiyum]

Just grabbed a great deal on an X100s (joining an XE-1 I've been loving for months) and feel like I finally want to try a soft release and a thumb grip.

For the soft release, what are people's suggestions? I think I want a convex model, and I think I want 10mm, not 15mm. Is that about right? I've been looking at the match technical and Tom Abrahamson models and will likely go Abrahamson just because I can buy it locally. Good plan? I'm especially interested in hearing from anyone familiar with both.

Meanwhile, I'm also looking at thumb grips. The match technical Thumbs Up is of course the gold standard here, but they are awfully pricey. I'm also looking at the Lensmate version, which seems reputable and of high quality. Has anyone used it? How does the color match? I don't want to throw good money after bad, so I neither want to overpay for something I may well just end up not liking, nor do I want to buy junk. The Lensmate strikes me as a possible compromise.

All feedback is very appreciated.

 

[Pablito]

Just ordered a plastic thumb grip from hong kong via ebay thanks to backalley's recommendations. Two for $5. Plastic seems like the right material - less likely to deform the camera if the grip got caught on something. And can't beat the price. Have not received it yet, but backalley seems happy with his.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Lensmate has a nice deal going right now. They're selling their X100S thumb rest along with a beautiful little soft release as a $75 package. I just received mine… the soft release is the nicest I've owned, and their thumb rests are excellent. Check it out here: http://www.lensmateonline.com/store/fujifilm_finepix_x100.php

 

[peterm1]

I have an M8 (Not an X100s although I would certainly like one). So I can only speak for that camera, but it might be useful to hear my thoughts - both are cameras, after all.

As to the soft release and its size, I have both a larger one in stainless steel by Tom A which has beautiful build - heavy and nicely machined, and a smaller "lady bug" type which looks very pretty in red.

Check here, about halfway down the page here if you are curious........

http://www.matchtechnical.com/Pages/Beep.aspx

Both work fine and I regularly use both - don't ask me why because even I do not understand, but sometimes I like to use the large one and sometimes the small one. Both look well and work well. Both are convex. I have previously owned a concave one and I can confirm that the convex style is preferable as it gives more control (IMHO). The concave one requires you to "crook" your index finger more to place it accurately in the correct position and I find that uncomfortable.

As to thumb rests - I made an extensive research of the thumb rests on offer on eBay by various companies. For the M8 at least, the better ones are very very pricey for what they are (above $150), in my view and the cheaper ones I saw looked poorly finished based on photos I have seen. So I was in a quandary - low price and low quality or good quality and a price that makes your eyes water?

In either event I was of the view that something was needed to help control the M8. I even considered getting a "thumbie" which is a different approach and less expensive. Nice but not quite what I wanted I decided in the end but if one is made for your camera it might be OK.

See here - http://lavidaleica.com/content/m8m9-thumbie

In the end I decided not to go down this path and instead buy a half-case from Mr Zhou on eBay. These are very well made and nice looking. The "bump" in the front where the right hand fingers hold on, and the extra thickness from the leather gives just the right feel when holding the camera and avoids the need for a thumb grip while achieving much the same level of control. Besides it looks great. So this is what I now use. Not sure if these options would work for you but it gives you something to think about. Which is half the fun! Here is Mr Zhou's store.

http://stores.ebay.com/Zhou-Camera-Case?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

 

[back alley]

hard to beat tom's soft releases…i did just buy a plastic thumb thing and so far it's working out fine.
i have a lensmate on the xe-1 and i honestly can't say that it's better than the plastic one.

 

[FA Limited]

i did purchase a horusbenu thumb grip and also one of the "bug" soft releases to use with the X100. however after using it for a while, i found it was better and more steady without these accessories. I keep my thumb on the "Made in Japan" and use a firm grip with my right hand. i really dislike the hard half press of the X100 as it causes me significant camera shake.

 

[Canyongazer]

Me too, Peter.
I use both the small and large convex releases...have no idea why I can't settle. 🙂
Do not like the concave for reason you stated.