ulphoto Posted January 15, 2007 Share #1 Â Posted January 15, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I can't figure out how to search the archives so please forgive me if this has been discussed before. I'm curious about how well the hand grip works for the M8. I often do what we used to call "Hail Mary's" - hold the camera up over your head to shoot at a higher angle and pray the framing is good. With digital, they praying is short lived since you can check it on the screen immediately! Anyway, I find that I'm having trouble holding the camera securely in these situations (seems the film advance lever gave one good purchase on the body) and was wondering if anyone has used the grip in this way and whether its an improvement? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 15, 2007 Posted January 15, 2007 Hi ulphoto, Take a look here M8 hand grip. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
terrycioni Posted January 15, 2007 Share #2 Â Posted January 15, 2007 Tom Abramhamson (Rapidwinder & Rapidgrip) is currently working on a grip for the M8. You might want to send him an email. Â Cheers. Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted January 15, 2007 Share #3 Â Posted January 15, 2007 Bob, I got the hand grip with the camera and it has been on the entire time. Â The camera handles extremely well with this grip in place and I like it a lot. The only difficulty I've had with it is when using a monopod. In this situation, my hand tends to rest a bit and my 1st finger keeps ending up in front of the window that provides the focus screen. Â The grip definitely makes the camera more secure in the hand. Â I also recommend the 1.25 magnifier. It makes focusing a *lot* easier. Â Buy the grip -- or buy one of Abrahamsson's. I have his grips for my film-M's. Â Regards, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gurtch Posted January 15, 2007 Share #4  Posted January 15, 2007 Bob, I got the hand grip with the camera and it has been on the entire time. The camera handles extremely well with this grip in place and I like it a lot. The only difficulty I've had with it is when using a monopod. In this situation, my hand tends to rest a bit and my 1st finger keeps ending up in front of the window that provides the focus screen.  The grip definitely makes the camera more secure in the hand.  I also recommend the 1.25 magnifier. It makes focusing a *lot* easier.  Buy the grip -- or buy one of Abrahamsson's. I have his grips for my film-M's.  Regards, Bill: My tripods and monopods have quick releases. I keep the hand grip on the M8 all the time. In my bag I have the original base plate with a "permantly" attached quick release. When I use a monopod, I switch base plates and use the original baseplate without hand grip on the monopod. Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
george + Posted January 15, 2007 Share #5 Â Posted January 15, 2007 I like the grip a lot. With the Abrahamsson soft release it provides for a more steady hold that is important for this old guy. Â As to the Hail Mary, while it is not one of my usual stances; I tried it for you and the camera seems more stable with the grip in that position too. Â Hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulphoto Posted January 15, 2007 Author Share #6 Â Posted January 15, 2007 Thanks for the quick replies - I just ordered one from B&H Bob LaPree Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted January 15, 2007 Share #7  Posted January 15, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Bill: My tripods and monopods have quick releases ... When I use a monopod, I switch base plates and use the original baseplate without hand grip on the monopod.Dave  Dave, I'm going to try this. What plates are you using. Great suggestion; thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gurtch Posted January 15, 2007 Share #8 Â Posted January 15, 2007 Dave, I'm going to try this. What plates are you using. Great suggestion; thanks! Bill: I had a spare "generic" plate by Kirk Enterprises; I think it came with one of the ball heads I bought from them. It is model PZ-3, is small and sturdy. You can find it here: Listing of ALL Kirk Quick Release Camera Plates Best..... Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macusque Posted January 15, 2007 Share #9 Â Posted January 15, 2007 I bought the grip but I'm going to return it. I don't like the handling with the grip, actually I prefer the 'naked' camera. IMO the grip is a bit too thick and a bit too short, I'm waiting to see what Tom Abramhamson will design or maybe I'll go with Luigi's leather cases (Leicatime.com) His cases (available in many colors) include a grip which seems better and they cost more or less like the Leica grip. Â Luigi's leather case sample Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamriman Posted January 16, 2007 Share #10 Â Posted January 16, 2007 I went for Luigi's grip case also. I have one I use on my MP. Gives more stability and preserves the camera. Must keep it in nice shape to turn it over when the M9 comes out ;^) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtmerideth Posted January 16, 2007 Share #11 Â Posted January 16, 2007 I also have the grip. Â In addition, I fashioned a hand strap (Camdapter} from the neck strap connecter to a quick release base plate. I got used to the hand strap on the DMR and it provides a level of security for this spaz. Â OK, I'm ready to be drummed out of the Leica club. I know it's heresy. Â g. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodyspedden Posted January 16, 2007 Share #12  Posted January 16, 2007 Bill: I had a spare "generic" plate by Kirk Enterprises; I think it came with one of the ball heads I bought from them. It is model PZ-3, is small and sturdy. You can find it here:Listing of ALL Kirk Quick Release Camera Plates Best..... Dave  Bill  i have a generic plate (Arca Swiss style) from Really Right Stuff (RRS) and it works just fine. Better if we could get a custom L bracket so we could go landscape and portrait without hassle but at least one is a good start. I personally swear by the Hand Grip though. It has saved me dropping the camera more than once. Don't know about Tom's grip for the M8 but if it is up to his usual standards there will be no worries there. He is a certified Leica genius.  Woody Spedden Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted January 16, 2007 Share #13 Â Posted January 16, 2007 Gary, which QR base plate did you use for this? The RRS plate for the M8 has no loops. My ImageTooling plate for the 5D fits on the M8, but it is not the right shape and is not elegant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macusque Posted January 16, 2007 Share #14 Â Posted January 16, 2007 I'm curious too about the generic handstrap. Â Gary, give us more hints Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B&W Posted January 16, 2007 Share #15  Posted January 16, 2007 I'm waiting to see what Tom Abramhamson will design or maybe I'll go with Luigi's leather cases (Leicatime.com)  This is the planned Rapidgrip for Leica M8 from Tom Abramhamsson Rapidwinder & Rapidgrip  The Luigi case is very nice, but it makes the camera "bigger" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted January 16, 2007 Share #16 Â Posted January 16, 2007 I used the M8 for a month without the grip, it was fine but felt a little un-secure in my hand. I bought the grip and the security in my hand improved.I would not say it's the most comfortable / ergonomic addition but but serves it's purpose. Obviously it makes the camera slightly larger which did not really bother me, seeing as it's removable if needed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhoutman Posted January 16, 2007 Share #17 Â Posted January 16, 2007 I have the grip, but I do no like it. The round style just doesnt feel very "natural" to me so I took it off. btw the M8's weight is much lesser than the M7's so that it for me that is an advantage. Â Michiel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted January 16, 2007 Share #18 Â Posted January 16, 2007 I have the grip on both camra's but like most folks I am not crazy about the design . In my view I would have liked it pressed right to the body with a half cut out on the back also a touch taller and a intergrated hand strap or optional one like the DMR which i love that setup. Now I would have loved a electronic release in the grip like the DMR setup but that will have to be a future model. I did mention this grip issue to Leica about the design of it and with a hand strap several weeks ago to my rep and she liked the idea also. maybe it will get passed on to the folks in Solms and redesign a new one., with a option for a hand strap. I bought a release plate that has a bar in it to attach a strap and i also bought a little Sunpack starp but have yet to try this. Sorry been busy working, actually a very good thing. LOL Â I will try and put that together today or tomorrow and post a image of it, trying to catch up after being gone 2 weeks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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