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Off Camera Flash with Multi Function Grip


AlanJW

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I’m interested in getting one of these grips mostly to enable off-camera flash via a Pocket Wizard. The hot shoe for me is taken with a thumbs up grip that I don’t want to have to remove (it has a cold shoe).

 

How many people get these grips? Do they like them? Any suggestions for sizing for the finger loop?

 

-jbl

 

I really like my grip. Seems like a lot of money to keep a thumbs up when a thimble would allow the hotshoe to be free. I have used mine to trigger a skyport when I want to use my EVF. Works fine. Mostly I use the hotshot if possible, though.

 

I don't have a loop. I have a rapid strap mount in the base of the grip.

 

Gordon

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x
I think Geoff is just referring to the look of the cable, not who actually made it. I have an evilbay extension cable that is a clone of a Nikon SC17 with a hotshoe at one end and a male version at the other. I've yet to see one that's Leica branded.

 

I would like to add that I've found my grip/sca set very useful since I got it. I use it often. I put a very small Sunway Photo brand "arca Swiss" quick release plate under the flash hotshoe so I can easily get it on and off the bracket and it works a treat. Heavy though. I'd still like a lightweight version of that baseplate.

 

Gordon

The Nikon extensions work fine if you can give up the use of the evf as they require plugging into the hotshoe. Unless you have the Leica SCA extension in which case, the hot shoe on the SCA set can be used and then you can further extend with the Nikon cord. I have also connected to the SF58 wirelessly via Nikon compatible transceivers (Yongnuo) on both the extension hotshoe and the SF58. Then you're not constrained by the length of the extension.

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I’m interested in getting one of these grips mostly to enable off-camera flash via a Pocket Wizard. The hot shoe for me is taken with a thumbs up grip that I don’t want to have to remove (it has a cold shoe).

 

How many people get these grips? Do they like them? Any suggestions for sizing for the finger loop?

 

-jbl

 

I very much like carrying my camera by the MFG and loops. I bought it for geotagging my pictures. I have the medium loops and the fit is just right. The knuckles of my second and third fingers together measure 11cm circumference. I pop the camera in a shoulder bag when I want to put it down.

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I’m interested in getting one of these grips mostly to enable off-camera flash via a Pocket Wizard. The hot shoe for me is taken with a thumbs up grip that I don’t want to have to remove (it has a cold shoe).

 

How many people get these grips? Do they like them? Any suggestions for sizing for the finger loop?

 

-jbl

Did you mean using the flash connections on the multifunction grip or just freeing up the hotshoe? There are two different grips. If you only want the ergonomic improvement and not the electrical connections then you do not need the multi function grip. You can just get the cheaper dumb version. In my view the vertical grip really improves the handling and security of holding the camera, especially when holding for vertical composition.. Just speaking of the ergonomics, I like the ThumbsUp a lot and leave it with the grip too. I have to take it off to use a flash trigger though. I have that dumb grip for the X Vario and like it a lot on that camera. I got the multi-function grip for the M because that is the only way to get a USB connection too.

 

I only just tried the finger grip but I much prefer a wrist strap personally. For what ever it is worth I thought that my hands were average sized but the large size loops were what fitted me.

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I’m interested in getting one of these grips mostly to enable off-camera flash via a Pocket Wizard. The hot shoe for me is taken with a thumbs up grip that I don’t want to have to remove (it has a cold shoe).

 

How many people get these grips? Do they like them? Any suggestions for sizing for the finger loop?

 

-jbl

 

The SCA is perfect for the PW Plus 3 as I use the hot shoe for my EVF due to failing eyesight. I prefer the Leica grips for the M240 over the RRS grip even though one must, if using a tripod, use a generic L bracket. I have mentioned this multiple times on this forum under RRS grip or MF grip.

Finger loops are tricky. If in hot weather and fingers swell then I use my large, but if in cold or A/C environment then I use the medium. Just be careful of them unscrewing.

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Thanks for the responses. I'm interested mostly in it for being able to trigger a flash without removing the thumbs up which, I know is sort of dumb, but yanking out an Allen wrench is one more hoop to jump through to get a flash in place and I end up just not using the flash.

 

I want to trigger a PW so my options are the SCA adaptor with a PW in the hot shoe or using a PC to 1/8" cable to run from the socket to the cold shoe. Thoughts?

 

I'm also interested in being able to use the finger loop since I often grab the camera in the house without the neck strap and that's going to bite me one day.

 

Maybe I should just order the SCA adaptor, M & L finger loops and the SCA adaptor and see what works for me.

 

Thoughts?

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Thanks for the responses. I'm interested mostly in it for being able to trigger a flash without removing the thumbs up which, I know is sort of dumb, but yanking out an Allen wrench is one more hoop to jump through to get a flash in place and I end up just not using the flash.

 

I want to trigger a PW so my options are the SCA adaptor with a PW in the hot shoe or using a PC to 1/8" cable to run from the socket to the cold shoe. Thoughts?

 

I'm also interested in being able to use the finger loop since I often grab the camera in the house without the neck strap and that's going to bite me one day.

 

Maybe I should just order the SCA adaptor, M & L finger loops and the SCA adaptor and see what works for me.

 

Thoughts?

 

My Pocketwizard trigger is attached to my finger loop and connected to the PC syn @ the multifunction handgrip. This way I can I can keep my EVF and attach/detach my pocketwizard trigger easily.

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Oh. Cool. That's sort of what I'm talking about. Which PW do you have and how are you connecting it to the finger loop?

 

I have 4x PlusIII. Connect one PW permanently to my finger loop via black cable ties neatly.

 

I have the SCA adapter which I attach to the MHG when I need to fire my SF58 while keeping my EVF attached on my M240.

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Oh, nice!

 

I went ahead and ordered everything: the MFG, the SCA adaptor, the M and L finger loops and a Plus 3.

 

My PocketWizard situation is a little messed up since when I bought them I was still tilting at windmills maintaining compatibility with my Canon system so I have a MiniTT1 and a FlexTT5. At least they have hot shoes.

 

The best thing about these things to me is that the Sekonic 758 meter can trigger them.

 

-jbl

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For Off camera flash, I am using 2x Lumopro LP180 Manual flashes.

My way of applying off camera manual flash is very simple. Take exposure from camera w/o flash turn on. Start filling in the flashes from low power output until satisfied with fill in light effect. So no metering were required.

 

I'm no pro photographer, my next project is to shoot moving car shot. I'm in the process of getting all my necessary gears for the shoot. i'm planning to use my M8 + 12mm Voiglander lens + a 5m cable release to take the 1-2s motion shot from driver seat. I'm still in the process of acquiring the car/camera rig. No confidence to use my M240 + Leica lenses for the project in case the rig fails and camera smashes onto the bitumen.

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I got the set late last week. Opinions so far: I'm mixed on the grip. It helps stability a huge amount (especially with a 90mm), the GPS seems hit or miss, so I'll probably end up disabling it. I like the finger loop a lot. The M size is a bit snug but the L is too big to feel like it's actually providing anything. The M size adds a much stronger feeling of security to holding the camera.

 

The SCA adaptor is beautifully made, but I think I'll send that back. I like the feel of the camera better with putting the PocketWizard in the cold shoe on the thumbs up.

 

What are other people's experiences with the sizing of the finger loop?

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I got the set late last week. Opinions so far: I'm mixed on the grip. It helps stability a huge amount (especially with a 90mm), the GPS seems hit or miss, so I'll probably end up disabling it. I like the finger loop a lot. The M size is a bit snug but the L is too big to feel like it's actually providing anything. The M size adds a much stronger feeling of security to holding the camera.

 

The SCA adaptor is beautifully made, but I think I'll send that back. I like the feel of the camera better with putting the PocketWizard in the cold shoe on the thumbs up.

 

What are other people's experiences with the sizing of the finger loop?

 

I took an 'L'.

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Hi I have mfg and the large finger loop it all felt strange at first but after carrying it around for a few days it sits very comfortably in my hand and have a lot of confidence relying on it . As others have noted in other threads either put some loctite on the loop thread as it does have a tendency to unscrew itself, or just check it when you grab the camera. I am in the habit of checking it all the time like in the old film days when I used t give the rewind knob a gentle twirl just to make sure film was loaded and wound on properly that of course was pre motor drive days but I did it sub consciously as I now do with the finger loop.

cheers Keith

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