zlatkob Posted December 17, 2009 Share #21 Posted December 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) These are workarounds and compromises, and not particularly elegant. It would seem sensible for Leica to update the next M's body shape to have an integral thumb grip. If they can modify the left side of the top plate for cosmetic reasons, why not modify the right side for functional reasons? I know that some people are afraid of changes to the body shape. Even the S2 has some contour for the thumb. With the Thumbs Up you lose the hotshoe. With a Bumpon you have a camera with a furniture bumper. And with a leather case opening the baseplate becomes even slower. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 17, 2009 Posted December 17, 2009 Hi zlatkob, Take a look here Any alternative to the 'Thumbs Up'?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
noah_addis Posted December 17, 2009 Share #22 Posted December 17, 2009 I'm with jono on this one, I've never used any accessories and manage to hold the camera just fine. I don't see how a thumb rest or grip could improve handholding ability, since my other hand is focusing and also stabilizing the camera. Holding the camera with two hands, I actually prefer a somewhat loose and relaxed grip on the camera which may help with holding the camera steady at slow speeds. But even for one-handed shooting I've never had problems with gripping the camera. With all of the talk about the thicker M9 body, I was playing around with an old film body the other day and I do think the extra thickness of the M8/9, while it doesn't look as elegant, does make the cameras easier to hold. If the M9 were thinner maybe a grip would be more important (but the thinner film cameras have the thumb wind lever). One of the great things about the M system is that the bodies and lenses are cleanly designed without too many appendages to get caught on things. I can slip a body and lens into and out of a bag very easily without any fuss, and the gear packs up well for travel without too many things which can break off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted December 17, 2009 Share #23 Posted December 17, 2009 The nice thing about the add-on approach is that you can take it off again and be left with the pure minimalistic instrument when that is all you need. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted December 17, 2009 Share #24 Posted December 17, 2009 I don't see how a thumb rest or grip could improve handholding ability, since my other hand is focusing and also stabilizing the camera. Holding the camera with two hands, I actually prefer a somewhat loose and relaxed grip on the camera which may help with holding the camera steady at slow speeds. But even for one-handed shooting I've never had problems with gripping the camera. ...which just goes to prove that we are all different. The camera body is the same, no matter who holds it, but our hands are different, in dimensions, strength and steadiness. If we were all one shape, one size, just imagine how boring it would be... Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted December 17, 2009 Share #25 Posted December 17, 2009 It would seem sensible for Leica to update the next M's body shape to have an integral thumb grip. Noooo, because... The nice thing about the add-on approach is that you can take it off again and be left with the pure minimalistic instrument when that is all you need. and... ...we are all different. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted December 17, 2009 Share #26 Posted December 17, 2009 Personally I use the leica grip and the thumbs up for street work. The leica grip (bought 2nd hand for £75) makes it very easy to hold camera at your side and with thumbs up it feels very stable in my hands and if I want a little less bulk I use just the thumbs up with original base plate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted December 17, 2009 Share #27 Posted December 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) The nice thing about the add-on approach is that you can take it off again and be left with the pure minimalistic instrument when that is all you need. Yes, very good point:D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zlatkob Posted December 17, 2009 Share #28 Posted December 17, 2009 An integrated thumb grip can be a minimalistic design. For example, look at the S2's little contour for the thumb. Minimalistic instruments are designed for specific functions, not just to look pretty. Add-ons either look ugly (furniture bumper) or interfere with function (Thumbs Up, camera case). Besides, the M9 is not really minimalistic. It has three shutter release modes; A mode; exposure compensation; black & white mode; five image sizes; exposure bracketing; several playback modes; company name on the front, back and bottom; 6-bit coded lens detection; multiple user profiles; auto ISO; folder management; 5 auto power off settings; multiple acoustical signal settings; a stylish red dot on the front; an incredibly expensive system of lenses; a complex rangefinder; etc. So a little thumb grip would interfere with all of that "minimalism"? We are all different, but we all have thumbs (well, almost all). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted December 17, 2009 Share #29 Posted December 17, 2009 The nice thing about the add-on approach is that you can take it off again and be left with the pure minimalistic instrument when that is all you need. Yes a good point. I don't think anybody that uses one is saying they can't use the camera without a Thumbs Up, or that they all leave it on all the time, but its usefullness does depend on how you use your camera. I also have never had a problem holding a Leica body, but there have been times that a better grip is useful, like if your hands or camera are wet, your hands are cold, you want to shoot overhead in a crowd, you want to use a flash and extra grip is useful in balancing the extra weight, or that the camera is used in more extreme conditions where you are jolted and pushed in a crowd. And then there are the times for some users that their hands could do with some help, like if they have smaller hands, bigger hands, arthritic hands. So the idea that 'I've never had a problem holding my camera' implying people are making to much of the Thumbs Up is as ever a very personal statement. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
reynoldsyoung Posted December 17, 2009 Share #30 Posted December 17, 2009 I second the 3M Bumpon. Works very well. I found 40 of them on eBay. Let me know if someone wants some. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/106893-any-alternative-to-the-thumbs-up/?do=findComment&comment=1154704'>More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted December 17, 2009 Share #31 Posted December 17, 2009 Hi BobAs a fellow tramp in the cause of Leica. I agree that the thumbs up is expensive - even if it's good value (I haven't tried one, but I quite believe everyone else that it's great). I had a Leica grip for a bit . . . which I found comfortable but clumsy. Nowadays I use my cameras 'naked', and, do you know, I've never dropped it once (and my hand doesn't slip either!). Just something to get used to I think. I'm with Jono here - I now have the (some say) slippery leatherette grey M9 and a black one - and I've ended up using nothing but the Leica strap wrapped round my wrist if I'm feeling a need for extra security. I've found I don't like the feel of either the Thumbs Up or the Leica grip. I have both, but find they snag on things and somehow get in the way. If anyone in the UK wants an "as good as new" Thumb's Up (with the built in viewfinder holder on top) or a black M8 / M9 grip PM me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted December 17, 2009 Share #32 Posted December 17, 2009 Steve made a very valid point above that people like me, with bad hands (old injury and arthritis), can only hold a straight camera with difficulty. In cold weather, I struggle with my IIF and Contax IIa. I have used various devices, like Lutz Konnerman's Sling and then my modified version of the Sling, made out of softer, thicker and wider material, with a velvet-ish lining on the inside. However, I have found that a grip plus the Bumpon is the best and most secure so far, for me. I prefer the M film body grip for shape and I wish that the digital body one had been similar. It is much more subtle. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacTZilla Posted December 17, 2009 Author Share #33 Posted December 17, 2009 Many thanks to all for your feedback. For now I have applied a rubber sticky which makes a surprising difference to the handling. I'm sure I would like the thumbs up. I used to be an engineer (fabricator welder) and if I was still doing that I would have made something in my lunch time. I think the TU is worth the money. It looks very well made and the design is excellent. Luckily I received a donation towards something for my camera today so I'm heading in the right direction. Cheers once again. Regards Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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