malsop Posted April 28, 2013 Share #21 Posted April 28, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is interesting… I rode over to San Luis Obispo early in April with my M to get an RRS bottom plate that would work until they came out with something like the picture in Mike's reply above. I came away with BP-CS plate that will do nicely until they make a dedicated replacement. At the time they did have an engineer spend some time looking at the M and it's baseplate but I don't think they could have designed one from that. They did ask me if I would leave my new M with them for a couple of weeks …fat chance! But it looks like someone did. While I was talking to the engineer I did mention that I don't attach the L to the plate and I thought the rubber plugs were a little less than elegant …but they do work. I mentioned that in my opinion it would be better to have two versions, each milled from a single piece of aluminum. He agreed but it looks like the M bottom plate will be similar to the M9 design. I really like the look of this new plate. It appears that it is secured to the body via the tripod lug …which should be much stronger than the way the M9 baseplate is attached. I'll have to call and get on the waiting list. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 28, 2013 Posted April 28, 2013 Hi malsop, Take a look here M240 RRS QR Plate. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
algrove Posted April 28, 2013 Share #22 Posted April 28, 2013 Glad to hear someone has had some direct face to face contact with RRS. I do hope theirs will work as a replacement. What I did not understand from your explanation as to what exactly the engineer said to you about their being able to get their plate from preventing water seepage from coming in around that tripod mount area. Seems a tricky setup to me. As for Leica, they will stand behind their products and design. As for RRS, they can make all the stronger and better fit statements they want, but so far have we not seen a statement concerning their seal for the base plate. That is crucial for long term use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted April 28, 2013 Share #23 Posted April 28, 2013 I think comments about liability with regard to water sealing are red herrings anyway. But if , as you maintain, the RRS plate was to be fitted to the existing plate rather than replace it, how could this reduce the sealing properties??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted April 28, 2013 Share #24 Posted April 28, 2013 New comment from RRS on their FB photo: "This only fits the newest Leica M 240 (not the M9/M8). It does replace the original Leica bottom plate." TYS :D:D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted April 28, 2013 Share #25 Posted April 28, 2013 I think comments about liability with regard to water sealing are red herrings anyway. But if , as you maintain, the RRS plate was to be fitted to the existing plate rather than replace it, how could this reduce the sealing properties??? I did not mean it would reduce it-just leave it the same as Leica had done to sealing. That's all. Let's hope it truly replaces the original base plate as we all need a QR solution for the M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabriel Posted April 28, 2013 Author Share #26 Posted April 28, 2013 I hope that on the new M240 L plate one does not have to detach and refit the camera strap in order to mount the plate on the camera as on the M9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted April 29, 2013 Share #27 Posted April 29, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I hope that on the new M240 L plate one does not have to detach and refit the camera strap in order to mount the plate on the camera as on the M9 Agreed, that's very annoying on the M9 initially until one figures out a way around that! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalfx Posted April 29, 2013 Share #28 Posted April 29, 2013 RSS has confirmed the plate is a replacement just like it was on the M9 and as clearly stated on the website. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted April 29, 2013 Share #29 Posted April 29, 2013 I stand corrected. Their plate "replaces" the OEM plate. However, when I asked how they were providing seals inside their base plate like the 2 seals inside the Leica M 240 base plate they admitted that they did not know of any sealing inside the OEM plate nor where they aware of the plastic window Leica has provided for Eye-Fi card use should it prove valuable in the future. This window is positioned directly over the SD card. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabriel Posted April 29, 2013 Author Share #30 Posted April 29, 2013 Had email from RRS today. The strap will not have to be moved in order to install the L plate, Good point about thr wifi card. RRS said that they hope to have an actual image of the final design up on their website soon and would welcome comment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted April 29, 2013 Share #31 Posted April 29, 2013 Further to my post #29. I sent RRS a photo of the inside of my Leica M base plate at their request. The sales guy then talked to the engineer who developed the RRS plate and he said that a die-cut foam gasket will encompass the inside of the entire plate with one continuous piece of foam to aid in dust suppression and moisture resistance. They sent me a photo of the inside of their plate and it looks to be well done. Their photo shows a hand cut foam gasket, but final models will have die-cut foam gaskets. The entire RRS base looks very stable and is what we are looking for, for tripod and QR use. To my surprise the tripod socket will stay alu and will not be black. MF GPS use will have to be: take a shot with the MF grip and then switch it out for the RRS QR plate or just mount a MPR-113 or the longer MPR-1b on the base of the MF grip for tripod work. When wanting the hand grip for say street/urban use then the RRS setup suits me just fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalfx Posted April 29, 2013 Share #32 Posted April 29, 2013 Further to my post #29. I sent RRS a photo of the inside of my Leica M base plate at their request. The sales guy then talked to the engineer who developed the RRS plate and he said that a die-cut foam gasket will encompass the inside of the entire plate with one continuous piece of foam to aid in dust suppression and moisture resistance. They sent me a photo of the inside of their plate and it looks to be well done. Their photo shows a hand cut foam gasket, but final models will have die-cut foam gaskets. The entire RRS base looks very stable and is what we are looking for, for tripod and QR use. To my surprise the tripod socket will stay alu and will not be black. MF GPS use will have to be: take a shot with the MF grip and then switch it out for the RRS QR plate or just mount a MPR-113 or the longer MPR-1b on the base of the MF grip for tripod work. When wanting the hand grip for say street/urban use then the RRS setup suits me just fine. Is it foam or rubber? It seems like foam wouldnt be very durable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted April 29, 2013 Share #33 Posted April 29, 2013 He just said it's OK to repeat what he sent me. So here goes. Quote--Hi Lou, While waiting for your image I spoke to the designing engineer about the features of our base compared with the OEM base. While the Leica base does have those rubber o-rings, they are not water-tight seals. Our plate will have a high-density foam gasket that provides the same (if not more) level of dust-resistance, and minimal moisture-resistance as those “seals”. I’m not sure why they have the extra area for the SD card slot, but I’ve attached an image showing our base plate with a hand-cut (the final version will be die-cut) foam gasket. Since our plate does not make use of the rotating key mechanism like the OEM version, and instead mounts via the screw socket in the base of the camera, the depth profile is different and we’re able to get the same “seal” using one continuous sheet of foam. Please let me know if you have further questions. Jim Weise _________ Really Right Stuff, LLC--unquote First, I did not infer that the Leica base plate sealed, but I did call them rubber seals for lack of a better term because they are like strips of very hard rubber it seems to me. Just to be clear--my rubber inside the Leica base plate presses the camera base so much that having removed it no more than 30-40 times since purchase they are already creating marks on the camera base where they press against it. I believe this very good seal is important to prevent moisture intrusion into the base where the plug for the MF grip electrically attaches to camera body plus a multitude of other items which need to be kept dry. Keep in mind the OEM plate has 2 rubber "seals"-one small 360 degrees around the tripod hole and the second larger one also 360 degrees that goes in a large oval the width of the base plate which takes in the tripod hole and extends to the end of the base where it attaches to camera. This larger oval one closes from moisture the SD card, the MF electric socket, the tripod socket, the closer mechanism and the battery. The "extra area for the SD card slot" is the plastic area which rests directly on top of the SD card thereby permitting Eye-Fi use should that be important. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted April 29, 2013 Share #34 Posted April 29, 2013 I would want to see a statement from them that they will replace the camera should their base plate leak if it in fact replaces the original base plate. So, did you ask? Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted April 29, 2013 Share #35 Posted April 29, 2013 It is not final yet so it is a premature question. I am actually undecided whether I get this RRS only, this and the MF grip or just the MF grip with a $55 MPR-113 under it. For where I go I do really want GPS in my EXIF data so it seems the MF grip will be in my kit even though its price seems over the top. It just would be lacking the L feature. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted April 30, 2013 Share #36 Posted April 30, 2013 It is not final yet so it is a premature question. And I presume no further premature conclusions about design. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted May 5, 2013 Share #37 Posted May 5, 2013 RRS now have the photos of the finished design on their site, including for the optional L attachment. The new "L" piece is cut away completely so that there will be ample clearance for the strap lug. What does really please me is that the attachment points on the base plate itself are symmetrical. This means that the L may be fitted to either end. For me that is a great advance as it allows for the viewfinder to be at the top when shooting in portrait. That greatly improves access, especially for left eyed shooters. See the old M9 arrangement here: Panorama Photography - LUG Pearls Mounting it that way will preclude using the optional grip of course. Personally, while I would like a grip similar to the original Leica item, I think that the RRS one seems too bulky and too smooth too. I have not tried one though. I still don't have my M. My dealer now says maybe another 3 or 4 weeks since he is getting just one supplied this week and I am number two on his list. I am going to pre-order the baseplate and L attachment now anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macjonny1 Posted May 5, 2013 Share #38 Posted May 5, 2013 Glad to hear someone has had some direct face to face contact with RRS. I do hope theirs will work as a replacement. What I did not understand from your explanation as to what exactly the engineer said to you about their being able to get their plate from preventing water seepage from coming in around that tripod mount area. Seems a tricky setup to me. As for Leica' date=' they will stand behind their products and design. As for RRS, they can make all the stronger and better fit statements they want, but so far have we not seen a statement concerning their seal for the base plate. That is crucial for long term use.[/quote'] RRS isn't going to replace a camera for a leaky baseplate. To expect that is ridiculous. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KanzaKruzer Posted May 5, 2013 Share #39 Posted May 5, 2013 I asked if they would offer a clear coat anodized BM240 to match the silver M base plates. They said not at the current time, but they may reconsider if there is enough interest. I haven't received my Silver M yet so I plan to wait and hope they receive enough interest. It would really look good on the silver bodies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanJW Posted May 10, 2013 Share #40 Posted May 10, 2013 Anybody know when RRS expects to ship the new baseplate? An estimate would be nice -- if it is not sheer speculation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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