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left-eyed shooter and Thumbs Up?


rjsphd

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Just got a M 240 and am wondering about the experience of left-eyed shooters with the Thumbs Up.  The TU sounds very helpful for stability, but wondering if it pokes or cramps you if you are left-eye dominant, like me.

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When I picked up a mint used M9, lo and behold, a Thumb's Up was included in the box. I tried it for a while with both the M9 and over a couple of days with a new M262. It's an OK product. The particular one I have does not include an accessory shoe. I use the 21 ASPH quite a bit and swapping between the thumbs up and the 21mm finder is a PITA and the placement of the back command dial on the new M262, similar to the one on the M240, with the added ridge compared to the M9 made the Thumb's up less "needed", at least for me.

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I'm a left-eyed shooter and a slow learner.  I also wear glasses.  The thumbs-up was problematic for me.  It was a problem the first time I used one, so I sold it.  I had another come with another camera and tried it again thinking maybe I dismissed it too quickly and it was still problematic.  I've always shot film Leicas with the wind-on lever, so I thought that the thumbs up ought not to be so much different, but it is in quite a different place, apparently.  I've abandoned the thumbs-up altogether as they just don't work for me and my specific set of circumstances. 

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This product strikes me as rather well designed and produced, is very popular, and certainly does everything it claims.  I personally have found it to be highly useful.

 

However, it does have a huge drawback, at least for some of us who are laterally dimensionally challenged :)

 

When my camera hangs around my neck and down the front, the Thumbs Up sticks into my stomach in a very uncomfortable manner.  For that reason I no longer use one.

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I am left eyed and used on on the M (Typ 240) as well as the M9 with no problem. For me it improves the security and steadiness of my hold in portrait orientation especially.

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I've been thinking of one as well. The regular version, the EP-10S, is available in the uk, but the more recent CSEP-10S with the hot shoe extension is not, unfortunately.

 

Before I 'flash the cash', I would like confirmation that the weather sealing is maintained with the TU in place. The supplied hot shoe protector does and I could easily imagine a warranty issue if the camera stopped working due to water ingress. Also as an engineer, I can imagine a bending force being applied trying to shear the hot shoe from the camera. And finally whether the neoprene strip attached to the latest TU prevents damage to the top brass plate.

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I've been thinking of one as well. The regular version, the EP-10S, is available in the uk, but the more recent CSEP-10S with the hot shoe extension is not, unfortunately.

 

Before I 'flash the cash', I would like confirmation that the weather sealing is maintained with the TU in place. The supplied hot shoe protector does and I could easily imagine a warranty issue if the camera stopped working due to water ingress. Also as an engineer, I can imagine a bending force being applied trying to shear the hot shoe from the camera. And finally whether the neoprene strip attached to the latest TU prevents damage to the top brass plate.

 

If you follow the used Leicas for sale on eBay, you will notice a few which have rub marks on the finish where the accessory touched the rear of the top plate.  On realizing this I applied a piece of tape to the rear of the top plate to prevent rubbing altogether.

 

A rubber piece on the accessory would certainly provide a softer surface doing the rubbing, but but t's still rubbing and the paint is not really a durable finish.  Never having used the accessory without the tape I couldn't say from experience if the rubber version still causes finish wear, but my advice would be to use the tape on the body.

 

As I have never read a post regarding the hot shoe being damaged I suspect that the likelihood of damage in that regard is small.  

 

You might want to consider one of the versions that attaches with auto trim tape, which would neatly sidestep all three of the issues.

 

Insofar as I loath being in the rain, I have no information on the issue of weather resistance. :)

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I've been thinking of one as well. The regular version, the EP-10S, is available in the uk, but the more recent CSEP-10S with the hot shoe extension is not, unfortunately.

 

Before I 'flash the cash', I would like confirmation that the weather sealing is maintained with the TU in place. The supplied hot shoe protector does and I could easily imagine a warranty issue if the camera stopped working due to water ingress. Also as an engineer, I can imagine a bending force being applied trying to shear the hot shoe from the camera. And finally whether the neoprene strip attached to the latest TU prevents damage to the top brass plate.

 

 

Personally. I think you're worrying too much.

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I dont use the Thumbs Up because it stops me using the hotshoe but I do use the Thumbie. This is held on to the camera by very strong tape and so leaves the hotshoe free. I have them on two bodies and they work perfectly. Another good thing about them is one of this sites members can supply them to Forum members at a discount! PM sent.

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 I do use the Thumbie.

 

+1

 

On my M I use the small Thumbie that sticks to the camera body and see no difference with the hotshoe one I have on the M8 except that the hotshoe is free for the EVF and the flash when needed. Since I've sticked it on the camera I had no problems at all. It is discrete and works perfectly.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have a used M240 that did not come with a thumbie but had marks where one had been attached.  No big deal to me as cameras are tools not safe queens.  Anyway bought a thumbie and I shoot left eyed.  No issues at eye level but it does bump my donut filled belly!  Time for a diet as the thumbie is worth using!

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