SL lenses on CL - has anyone used these and added the handgrip?

[ropo54]

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This question is for those who may have used any of the SL lenses with the new CL.  If so, have you added the CL handgrip and does it significantly improve the balance of the camera and lenses?

 

Thank you for your thoughts.

Rob

Edited February 1, 2018 by ropo54

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[Mr.Q]

I've tried the SL 24-90 on the CL at the Leica store. Yes the CL handgrip significantly improves the handling. The CL thumbrest adds even more stability but not as much. I'd say if the handgrip adds 10 points in terms of handling then the thumbrest adds 6 or 7 points.

 

Either way your left hand needs to support the lens to protect the mount imo.

[LocalHero1953]

I have tried SL lenses and found them imbalanced on their own. I haven't tried a grip, but even with the SL I use a handstrap, so I'd be more likely to use that first. It will only be in specialised cases that I'd use SL lenses on the CL - I'd rather use the SL.

[jaapv]

I've tried the SL 24-90 on the CL at the Leica store. Yes the CL handgrip significantly improves the handling. The CL thumbrest adds even more stability but not as much. I'd say if the handgrip adds 10 points in terms of handling then the thumbrest adds 6 or 7 points.

 

Either way your left hand needs to support the lens to protect the mount imo.

If the mount were that weak it would be a rather lame design. The last Leica with a mount that bent easily was the R7 as fat as I know. I would only be a bit careful with the 90-280.

[LocalHero1953]

The problem, IMO, is not the weight of the lens on the mount, but steadying the CL on the back of the lens - the mount is easily strong enough to support the CL.

 

The question is how to keep the setup steady while pressing the shutter button - the centre of gravity is somewhere in the body of the lens, so any force on the body is enhanced by being at a distance from the CoG.

 

Note that you don't really have any choice about where to hold a camera with SL zooms: right hand on the body, left hand on the zoom ring. For the SL, the CoG is in between the two hands, for the SL it is close to the left hand, which thereby acts as a pivot.

Edited February 1, 2018 by LocalHero1953

[lanetomlane]

I bought the hand grip and find it invaluable for both the TL and SL lenses.