So why is the M8's grip so bad compared to older M's?

[bayerische]

Probably discussed before, but why on earth go to this on the M8 from the beautiful Vulcanite I had on my M6?

[jaapv]

Modern days... I agree 100%.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by jaapv

Modern days... I agree 100%.

Since the Vulcanite on the M2 I'm getting tomorrow is so bad, Ron on the forum pointed me towards : CameraLeather.com Custom camera leather and leatherette

I'm getting a new skirt for the M2. I'm thinking Pink!

[tummydoc]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Probably discussed before, but why on earth go to this on the M8 from the beautiful Vulcanite I had on my M6?

If your M6 had Vulcanite you had quite a collectors' item, as the M6 was never originally covered with Vulcanite. The last model to use Vulcanite was the M4-P. The process became obsolete due to the cost involved and the presence of modern synthetics that wear much better over time, and are much easier to replace. Vulcanite becomes brittle with age, and flakes off in chunks and cannot be satisfyingly patched (well, I suppose that depends with what level one is satisfied). The M8 is covered with the same material Leica chose for the MP. Clearly whoever made that selection has a different sense of the aesthetic than many Leica users. However, as with the MP covering, the M8 covering simply peels off and can be re-covered with an assortment of colours and textures including one that replicates the appearance of the old-style Vulcanite. Sooner or later these will become available from one or another source.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by tummydoc

If your M6 had Vulcanite you had quite a collectors' item, as the M6 was never originally covered with Vulcanite. The last model to use Vulcanite was the M4-P. The process became obsolete due to the cost involved and the presence of modern synthetics that wear much better over time, and are much easier to replace. Vulcanite becomes brittle with age, and flakes off in chunks and cannot be satisfyingly patched (well, I suppose that depends with what level one is satisfied). The M8 is covered with the same material Leica chose for the MP. Clearly whoever made that selection has a different sense of the aesthetic than many Leica users. However, as with the MP covering, the M8 covering simply peels off and can be re-covered with an assortment of colours and textures including one that replicates the appearance of the old-style Vulcanite. Sooner or later these will become available from one or another source.

OK, So what was used on the M6 then? Definately not the same as on the M8.
The M6 was easy to grip, the M8 is slippery.

Thought the M6 had a vulcanized? (Correct english word?) rubber grip?

[carstenw]

The M6 is covered in a leather-like synthetic. I think Leica calls it "classic leatherette".

[guy]

I don't have an earlier-M-series frame of reference, but I found the M8 eminently droppable until I fitted the Leica grip to it. Certainly a grippier covering would be an advantage.

[grduprey]

Interesting, that the new covering on the M8 is perceived as slippery, but on the
MP is hailed as a great improvement over the M6 & M7 leatherette. Personnaly I have no problem holding the M8.

Gene

[norm_snyder]

Has anyone seen or taken delivery on the "Thumbs Up" as described over on RFF? It seems like a terrific idea, perhaps in combination with the grip, for a very secure hold on a camera that can be a bit slippery.

[stunsworth]

Gene, while a lot of people don't like the feel of the new covering, I don't recall anyone actually saying that they've ever dropped one. I think it may be a perceptual thing.

[carstenw]

Norman, the creator of the Thumbs-Up also posts here. The usual comments have been that it takes up the hotshoe, and worries people about stress induced on the hotshoe.

[erl]

My take on the M8 "grip-ability" is that because of the absence of the traditional wind lever, the whole dynamic is changed in how you can hold it. Personally, I find the classic Leica wrist strap, no longer available, is great in conjuction with my StreetShooter. I am sure Gordi's Straps, advertised on this site, would be very helpful, and safe wrt to dropping. I tried the Leica grip, but it does not suit my style of handling/holding. I think some additional device is pretty desirable to comfortably work with the M8 for a reasonable length of time to avoid hand stress..

[k_g_wolf]

With all the older LEICA-Ms you have the film-transportlever which adds to the grip of the camera, IMO.

Without the lever the M8 feels indeed VERY unpleasant, so a grip seems to be must.



Best
_______________________

What >>erl<< said, read it after my post ...

[tim power]

Andreas, the reason for the rather nasty black covering, I believe we all know, is that the M8 had to be bigger than the other Ms cos it has so much electrical gubbins to contain. So Solms designers/engineers chose thinnest covering possible. It was a double bad call cos the material they chose is slippy and hard to grip on the oversized M8. And tho I love it to use my M8 for available light b&w, it is definitely NOT as discreet and hideable, or as easy to use one-handed, as my basic M6 or even my TTL M6 which is a tad larger.
What to do? get a wrist strap maybe? strip off the cheapo covering and stick on some black leather? get one of those grip attachments?
Whole point of Ms, in my humble opinion, is that they are robust, compact and are, in their quirky way, shaped very ergonomically through their functional evolution. The M8, sadly, had to break the compactness rules because it had to. Even with my favourite smallest lense, an old Summaron 35mm f3.5, the M8 doesn't slip easy into a jacket pocket like the M6 does.
But the M8 does have a lovely heft to it and Leica has undeniably pulled off the very clever trick of using digital to closely simulate the analogue film shooting experience,in an RF platform, better than any camera yet apart, perhaps, from the Epson rd thingie.

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Since the Vulcanite on the M2 I'm getting tomorrow is so bad, Ron on the forum pointed me towards : CameraLeather.com Custom camera leather and leatherette

I'm getting a new skirt for the M2. I'm thinking Pink!

Would they do M8's ?

[Shootist]

Originally Posted by jaapv

Would they do M8's ?

Yes I think they will but remember that for any work to be done on the inside of a M8 the covering has to be removed so the case can be split in two. This fact I think is the big reason for the current covering. It can be peeled back and then reused.
Also in that other thread about the new covering, IIRC, The warranty would void if the covering is changed and if you need to send it back Leica will remove your covering and replace it with a original and charge you for it.

[jaapv]

Well, they go out of warranty in November and January anyway.

[carstenw]

The warranty is two years, isn't it?

[jaapv]

I never checked. Is it? Don't want to use it anyway....
Those limitations have become less meaningful in Europe, under consumer protection laws. We have a right to expect a reasonable functional lifespan on any product with reasonable use. I wonder what court of law would find a reasonable lifespan on a 4000€ camera.

[tummydoc]

Originally Posted by grduprey

Interesting, that the new covering on the M8 is perceived as slippery, but on the
MP is hailed as a great improvement over the M6 & M7 leatherette. Personnaly I have no problem holding the M8.

Gene

+1! I'm happy someone else said precisely what I was thinking If one carries one's cameras on a neck strap and rests it in the palm of one's left hand whilst shooting, the texture of the covering doesn't have a significant affect. Those who carry the camera in one hand need more of a grip.