Thumbs Up No.2.....

[doubice]

A few days ago, a rather heated discussion followed a post which informed us all of an ingenious accessory for the M8, called Thumbs Up. For those of you not familiar with the post - here it is:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...thumbs-up.html

I knew of this little device from earlier posts and decided to buy one as I was highly sceptical of the variety of mathematical and physical theories which promised to destroy my M8 .

As I already had a Voigtländer 'Double Accessory Shoe', I decided to combine the two. Now, even more forces will be applied to the poor M8's shoe and it will surely selfdestruct in no time at all.....

The contraption is rock solid and....... no, I will not make any more .

Best,

Jan

[stephengilbert]

Do you wear any protective clothing (gloves, goggles, flak vest) in case of explosive deconstruction?

[rwfreund]

I calculate that it should hold together as long as there are no scratches on the M8 top plate.
If a scratch should occur, that would cause a stress concentration and surely the start of explosive deconstruction.-bob

[farnz]

At last, you'll be able to wind your film on, Jan!

[fotografr]

Oh, come on, you can make just one more, can't you?

Hey Tim! Are you seeing this?

[Daniel Ortego]

Well, as functional as it looks’ I’m not sure if I would add the device. Heck, I'm skeptical about the Leica grip I just purchased, since I’m still not sure how much I’ll actually use it.
Regards,

[bayerische]

I got the SNOB from Leicagoodies. It stayed on for about a week, then it came loose... The snob is hollow, and has very little surface to bond to the tape, a bit of a dissapointment. I will buy some new tape and try again, but I doubt it will hold...

[MJones]

That's pretty slick. Great idea.


I think Tim mentioneded in RFforum that he was working on other versions of the TU so flash and viewfinders could also be mounted.

But either way, that's a great solution.

[boilerdoc]

Absolutely it is a good idea, altho created in jest (I think). I want to be able to use a flash and/or viewfinders. As it is you have to remove the Thumbs Up and stick it in a pocket somewhere and I'd lose it for sure! Tom'll come up with something. He's onto a good idea here. Congrats Tom!
Steve

[doubice]

Originally Posted by rwfreund

I calculate that it should hold together as long as there are no scratches on the M8 top plate.
If a scratch should occur, that would cause a stress concentration and surely the start of explosive deconstruction.-bob

I allowed for that possibility by having my psychoanalyst design a series of felt pads. Those were professionally installed using a micrometer and a tensioning device, once their adhesive characteristics were determined.

Best,

Jan

[doubice]

Originally Posted by stephengilbert

Do you wear any protective clothing (gloves, goggles, flak vest) in case of explosive deconstruction?

Not during actual use. During the manufacturing process, while measuring, drilling, and tapping I had a steady supply of Pilsner Urquell, interspersed with the odd shot of Havana Club to keep the hands steady.

Jan

[doubice]

Originally Posted by farnz

At last, you'll be able to wind your film on, Jan!

I tried that on a prototype M9 I have been beta testing for a Chinese toy camera manufacturer and the bloody shoe came off. Darn..... Back to the drawing board.

Jan

[doubice]

Originally Posted by fotografr

Oh, come on, you can make just one more, can't you?

Hey Tim! Are you seeing this?

Brent,

The only reason I waited this long to get the Thumbs Up, was the shoe (or lack of) situation. Once I disassembled the Voigtländer Twin Shoe and realized that my project was doable, I ordered the Thumbs Up from Tim. I also let him know of my plan and yesterday emailed him the pictures.

For those with the propper tools, the whole project is quite simple.

Tools needed:

• Phillips screwdriver
• 1.5mm Drill
• 1.8mm Drill
• 1.8mm Tap

1. Remove the appropriate upper (female) shoe from the VC Twin Shoe by prying up in the front of the black cover. Slide the cover back and remove the four Phillips screws.
2. This will expose two Phillips screws which hold the lower (male) shoe block in place - remove the screws and separate the top plate from the lower shoe block. You will also see two positioning pins, which should be left in the top plate.
3. Determine the positioning of the Thumbs Up and the Twin Shoe Adapter - preferably in a vise with soft jaws. Mark the appropriate spots to be drilled.
4. Use the 1.8mm drill for the holes for the positioning pins. I had to re-position one of the pins to allow for clearance.
5. Once the positioning pins are in place, clamp the two items together and drill the holes for the screws, using a 1.5mm drill. Tap those with the 1.8mm thread cutter, make sure all fits propperly and screw is all back together, using the original screws.
6. Have a shot of your favourite drink.

I originally thought of not using the positioning pins, but decided to leave them in - it gives the whole assembly much more strength thus allowing you to rip the shoe off the M8 should you be so inclined.......

Best,

Jan

[doubice]

Originally Posted by MJones

That's pretty slick. Great idea.


I think Tim mentioneded in RFforum that he was working on other versions of the TU so flash and viewfinders could also be mounted.

But either way, that's a great solution.

I spoke to Tom Abrahamsson ("the Rapidwinder Tom") yesterday, who met with Tim in Vancouver a few months ago - the shoe issue was discussed by both. Apparently, Tim is working on a cold or hot shoe adapter for the Thumbs Up - this is secondhand information though.

Since I don't use flash with my Leicas, the lack of a hot shoe does not bother me; cold shoe for finders is a necessity though.

Best,

Jan

[Daniel Ortego]

Ok, call me paranoid although I already nearly broke my new M8 twice before because of assuming too much or just otherwise being stupid. Just received my “Thumbs Up” and it seems very stiff when inserting it into the shoe. Is this normal or maybe it should have a thin coat of lube? Or, just shove the thing in and wish later, that I asked before hand?
Regards,

[fordfanjpn]

Originally Posted by Daniel Ortego

Ok, call me paranoid although I already nearly broke my new M8 twice before because of assuming too much or just otherwise being stupid. Just received my “Thumbs Up” and it seems very stiff when inserting it into the shoe. Is this normal or maybe it should have a thin coat of lube? Or, just shove the thing in and wish later, that I asked before hand?
Regards,

It's a fairly tight fit, but I think that's how you want it to be, otherwise it wouldn't provide a firm grip. I would definitely not put any kind of lubrication on it.

Bill

[farnz]

Originally Posted by Daniel Ortego

Ok, call me paranoid although I already nearly broke my new M8 twice before because of assuming too much or just otherwise being stupid. Just received my “Thumbs Up” and it seems very stiff when inserting it into the shoe. Is this normal or maybe it should have a thin coat of lube? Or, just shove the thing in and wish later, that I asked before hand?
Regards,

Daniel,

Rather than lube you could use graphite, which is a solid lubricant. Got a pencil? Rub the pencil lead on the edges and the Thumbs Up should insert a little easier. Don't overdo the pencil lead though because it's a conductor and, although unlikely, you don't want to accidentally short the contacts in your hot shoe.

Pete.

[Daniel Ortego]

Originally Posted by fordfanjpn

It's a fairly tight fit, but I think that's how you want it to be, otherwise it wouldn't provide a firm grip. I would definitely not put any kind of lubrication on it.

Bill

Thanks, that’s all I needed to hear. I partially inserted it although it seems like it will require some effort to remove once fully installed. On the bright side, I noticed it dramatically enhances the ergonomics by providing a more natural hand/finger position than with the Leica grip. In fact, I find it actually works better than using it in combination with the grip, which is something I didn’t expect. Still, the need for a viewfinder and occasional flash will likely place me in line with Tim’s new CS (twin shoe) series. Overall, I feel this product deserves two "Thumbs Up".
Regards,