Leica M8 hand grip and Thumbs Up model 1 on M9?

[gurtch]

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I have an M8 with hand grip and Thumbs Up model 1. I am considering moving up to an M9. Will the grip and Thumbs Up fit the M9?

Thanks in advance.

Dave in NJ

[gravastar]

I have an M8, M9, Leica Grip and ThumbsUp-1 and find that they fit both cameras. You may find the ThumbsUp is a tighter fit in the M9 hot shoe than the M8 shoe. I fixed that with a very small amount of fine oil on the ThumbsUp foot. You might be able to use the graphite from a pencil lead to achieve the same.

 

I'm curious if there has been a very small change in the M8/M9 baseplate dimensions since there have been reports of the RRS M9 replacement base being tight. They now make ones specifically for the M8 see here.

 

Bob.

[Nicoleica]

A small word of warning if you use graphite. Be very sparing in its use, and be very careful to ensure that it doesn't get near the hot-shoe contacts. You could encounter some interesting electronic anomalies if the contacts short out.

[hoppyman]

That IS curious! My baseplate and L plate are still in transit (I'm in Australia). I may have to send it right back. My M8 Leica grip/plate fits my M9 just fine. Maybe it's just a tolerance thing? My thumbs Up was firmer again on first M9 fit (after M8) but they are intentionally so, of course. After a couple of fit/remove cycles it smoothed up considerably.

 

I have an M8, M9, Leica Grip and ThumbsUp-1 and find that they fit both cameras. You may find the ThumbsUp is a tighter fit in the M9 hot shoe than the M8 shoe. I fixed that with a very small amount of fine oil on the ThumbsUp foot. You might be able to use the graphite from a pencil lead to achieve the same.

 

I'm curious if there has been a very small change in the M8/M9 baseplate dimensions since there have been reports of the RRS M9 replacement base being tight. They now make ones specifically for the M8 see here.

 

Bob.

[gravastar]

I wanted to get one set of RRS kit for use on the M8 and M9 - now I'm not so sure. I will have to contact them to see what the issue is and if there's a "one fits all" solution.

 

There does seem to be quite a variation between the hand grip and camera base plate in the thickness of the metal skirt at the end where the slot is. The thickness on my M8 grip is only half that of the M9 base plate and has started to fracture at the corners of the slot.

 

Bob.

[hoppyman]

RRS has sent surveys out to all of their customers for these. Presumably the responses trend was that the plates are too tight on the M9 but fine on the M8. I know of the member that provided his M8 to RRS for the measurements and prototype fittings. Maybe his was the runt of the M8 litter!.

 

I think that another factor is that the RRS design is much more rigid and strong than the original, plus its surface finish would be brand new (and M9's more likely to be so also). All of those factors may be involved perhaps. For an ideal set up on a tripod you want the best possible snug fit for mass coupling. If mine is snug but usable at all, I won't be returning it. Customers here are reporting in so I guess we will see the trends in practice.

[gurtch]

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I have an M8, M9, Leica Grip and ThumbsUp-1 and find that they fit both cameras. You may find the ThumbsUp is a tighter fit in the M9 hot shoe than the M8 shoe. I fixed that with a very small amount of fine oil on the ThumbsUp foot. You might be able to use the graphite from a pencil lead to achieve the same.

 

I'm curious if there has been a very small change in the M8/M9 baseplate dimensions since there have been reports of the RRS M9 replacement base being tight. They now make ones specifically for the M8 see here.

 

Bob.

Thanks Bob. Good to know they will both fit the M9.

Dave

[tdtaylor]

RRS has sent surveys out to all of their customers for these. Presumably the responses trend was that the plates are too tight on the M9 but fine on the M8. I know of the member that provided his M8 to RRS for the measurements and prototype fittings. Maybe his was the runt of the M8 litter!.

 

I think that another factor is that the RRS design is much more rigid and strong than the original, plus its surface finish would be brand new (and M9's more likely to be so also). All of those factors may be involved perhaps. For an ideal set up on a tripod you want the best possible snug fit for mass coupling. If mine is snug but usable at all, I won't be returning it. Customers here are reporting in so I guess we will see the trends in practice.

 

Don't assume the RSS baseplate will be to tight. I have a black M9 and it fits perfect, much better than the stock base. And it definitely is stiffer. You probably already received the email, but following the RSS questionnaire, they followed up with a recall.

[tdtaylor]

It appears the recall was a followup to the questionaire, which you can't fill out until you recieve the plate. For those that have not recieved their baseplate, here is part of the voluntary recall. In spite of these problems, RSS is a class act. Every business has problems, but very few immediately step up to the plate and make good on a problem so quickly.

 

 

We would like to thank you for your participation in our BM9 fitting survey. In designing the BM9, we intentionally decided to improve the fit of Leica's standard base plate, which we found to be surprisingly loose and flexible. While dimensions naturally vary from camera to camera, even between two identical camera models, we could not predict just how variant it would be in Leica's case. Further, the Leica bodies used to fit our prototypes were on the smaller end of the spectrum. We now realize that a great deal of RRS BM9 plates fit too tightly on some cameras.

We therefore are proceeding with a voluntary recall of BM9 base plates.

If you feel that you are satisfied with the plate's fit, then do nothing. We will still honor your 5 year parts and manufacturing guarantee.

The fix of the base plate is pretty straightforward:

For U.S. customers:

1. Discontinue using the BM9 base plate immediately.

2. Contact Really Right Stuff via email: info@reallyrightstuff.com or phone: 805-528-6321 and request a return shipping label via U.S. Postal Service or UPS. We will mail or email the shipping label to you.

3. Immediately send us your BM9 base plate once the shipping label arrives. You will have to print the label and attach it yourself. Include a copy of your original RRS Sales Order, or a short note with your return shipping information and/or customer information.

4. In the meantime, new plates are being made with widened dimensions. They will become available approximately 3 weeks from today.

5. After the improved plates become available, one will be shipped back to you at no charge.

For international customers:

1. Discontinue using the BM9 base plate immediately.

2. Immediately send us your BM9 base plate using your country's local carrier. Indicate on any customs forms that the contents of the package are undergoing a warranty replacement. Indicate the shipping costs on the package itself if possible. Include a copy of your original RRS Sales Order, or a short note with your return shipping information and/or customer information.

3. Once the plate arrives here at Really Right Stuff, Your shipping costs will be reimbursed via credit card.

4. In the meantime, new plates are being made with widened dimensions. They will become available approximately 3 weeks from today.

5. After the improved plates become available, one will be shipped back to you at no charge. We will ensure that the replacement items are properly labeled to avoid duplicate import taxes and customs fees.

We will not ship your replacement plate until the original is received here at Really Right Stuff in San Luis Obispo, CA. You must send us your tight fitting BM9 during your 30 day money back guarantee period, which began the day you received it. We understand some circumstances will not allow such a short window. Please contact us to make any special requests.