Leica M10 - Thumb Rest, Grip or Both?

[bherman01545]

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Hello;

 

I just picked up a Leica M10 in silver chrome, and ordered the Leica Grip. When I had my M240, the grip helped when I wanted to shoot with longer lenses,  especially with the 90mm F2 APO Summicron.

I just saw that Leica makes a snazzy silver chrome Thumb Rest. Anybody use that instead of a Grip or is it better with both the Thumb Rest and a Grip?

Thanks!

 

-Brad

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[farnz]

Hi Brad,

I use my silver chrome M10 with the Leica thumb rest but without the grip and I find it very comfortable and secure even when frequently shooting with my Noctilux.  I have used the "Thumbie" thumb rest on the M8, M9P, and M240 so I wouldn't be without a thumb rest now.  

I tried the Leica grip on my first M8 but found it made the M8 feel large and cumbersome although it gave better grip of the camera owing to the M8's awfully slippery covering.  Regardless it was gone after about 3 months of trying it.

Pete.

[microview]

I tried a grip with an earlier M camera but didn't find it a help in any way so sold it. Have never felt any urge to get a thumb rest.

[astrostl]

Thumbie > Match > none for me.

[Gelatino]

Hi  Brad,

I personnally use both Thumbie AND grip on my M10 : belt and suspenders.

With Thumbie you still may use EVF 020 as it is stuck so does not inactivates the hot shoe, and it is much cheaper than any other thumb rest.

The grip gives a better handling, specially for M as left hand has to focus and set the aperture, so is less able to hold the camera. See how many cameras are designed with a grip.

The leica grip for the M10 is not heavy and adds only 5 mm to the body height .

Three negative points for me are  #1 as it is screwed, acces to battery and memory card are a bit less easy and fast

                                                           #2 the screw pitch is deported on the side so when using a tripod the body is not centered.

                                                           #3 not cheap though good quality.

 

Before you ask where to get the Thumbie:  barnet@globalnet.co.uk .

 

 

Edited January 11, 2020 by Gelatino

[Photon42]

When I had my sliver chrome M10, I actually either the thump thing or both. Grip plus rhumb rest give ultimate grippability

On my M10D, which replaced the M10, I have recently acquired a matching grip and I think it will stay on. No finger loop attached so far.

 

[Knipsknecht]

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I am using the MatchTechnical thumbrests on my M10 as well as on my M9. They are slightly curved and fit the natural positioning of the right hand thumb on the camera much better than the original one from Leica with its rather sharp 90 degree angle. 
Concerning an additional grip: Recently I could handle a M10-P with attached grip plus Leica thumbrest. For me this combination felt rather uncomfortable and not really ergonomic. But the owner of this specific camera is a woman with rather small hands, so for her it might feel much better than for me.

I wouldn’t put a grip on this beautiful camera unless I would shoot with something like the 75mm Noctilux on a regular base.

Edited January 11, 2020 by Knipsknecht

[Tom Johnston]

I just outfitted my new M10 (black) with the Leica grip and a Thumbs Up after comparing with the Leica thumbsup... subtle difference is a slight angle where your thumb rests, compared to a more right angle on the Leica version. Slight difference in pricing as well.

Now the strap dilemma - I prefer the adjustable Leica straps from M6-7 days as I prefer the camera to ride a little higher, but fear the plastic securing components will mar the finish...so for the time being I'm using the leather strap that is standard for the M10... elegant it is.

On past bodies I've always used Luigi half cases...but may not use a half case at all. time will tell. Recommendations?

[elmars]

I had a thumb rest and a grip. And I thought they are useful - each for itself as well as together. But the camera got bigger and heavier. So I put them away and regarded: Without them is as good as with them. 

[Harvard Kiwi]

+1 for the Thumbie grip. I use it with the Leica protective half case and it works well. 

[Dennis]

I always used grip in all my cameras? Cause I have big hands. My primary DSLR is a Nikon D5; it has it built-in. So, in my first ever Leica purchase, I bought the M10, the ThumbsUp, and the Leica battery grip. Of course! But you know what? Besides my big hands, I feel my handle better w/o the grip. I used it for a while, then I decided that it was better in many aspects w/o. Actually, now that you remembered me, I will put it on sale in the LUF classifieds. Thank you!

I also looking to try out the Thumbie, more intelligent, cause the hot shoe is accessible now for an external VF, for example.

[Herr Barnack]

I have the Match Technical EP-MX-F Thumbs Up Grip and the (extremely unpleasantly priced) #24018 M10 Hand Grip on my M10 Monochrom. 

With these upgrades two added to the camera, I can finally get a good solid grip on the M10 Mono. 

Edited April 30, 2021 by Herr Barnack

[LeicaS2]

When I got the M10M I ordered the thumb rest from Leica. I like it, but not really necessary. If I used a EVF I would not miss  the thumb rest.

I considered the Leica hand grip but didn't get it. I chose instead to order a half case that gave me the grip and had ready access to the battery and SD card. I like it a lot and as expensive as it was, it is about as expensive as the Leica grip. I also have a RRS base with a grip which is nice but heavy and really just for tripod work where a grip is not used.

Subsequently I got a M10-P Reporter. I have no grip or thumb rest because there is none in olive available and the Kevlar has an excellent grip. Works fine.

My MP has a film winder so that is the thumb rest. I do not have a grip.

All have wrist straps which I recommend.

Net, I have no simple conclusion and go camera by camera, but if you want a grip, consider a half case where you can get easy access to the battery and card without taking the case off.

Jack

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[CosmoM3]

22 minutes ago, LeicaS2 said:

Subsequently I got a M10-P Reporter. I have no grip or thumb rest because there is none in olive available

 

 

The regular black one works fine and matches very well

[EddieCheddar]

Some pictures of the “thumbie” thumb thing, with the Visifkex as well, in case this idea helps anyone. 
 

 

[Pixeleater]

I started with the Match Technical thumb support on the M10-R but it didn’t fit my thumb that well. I subsequently switched to Leica Thumb Support because it has a more pronounced curve but did not feel that it was for me so I abandoned the thumb support for the Leica Grip. The grip fits my hand well.

[rramesh]

A grip is best as you can hold it with 3-4 fingers freeing your thumb to operate the scroll wheel or the directional arrows. you can either use the Leica grip or get a case with a built in grip.

I kind of like the RRS grip base plate, but can't seem to find it anywhere.

[Jeff S]

On 5/4/2021 at 3:15 AM, rramesh said:

I kind of like the RRS grip base plate, but can't seem to find it anywhere.

Backordered at RRS and B&H..

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1337705-REG/really_right_stuff_bm10_base_plate_grip_base_plate_grip_for.html/?ap=y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxrb94_qy8AIVFPjICh12UAHHEAQYASABEgJ6RfD_BwE&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=y
 

Jeff

Edited May 5, 2021 by Jeff S

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Tailwagger]

RRS AFAIC. Beyond the obvious benefit of grip and the Arca mount, with the L-plate the camera has a sturdy exoskeleton which can save your camera... it did for my old 240... in the event  of a slip or fall. Cheap as well when compared to a thumbie + Leica grip. 

[Harvard Kiwi]

The Leica half case helps improve the grip a bit and helps protect half the body. The case doesn't provide easy access to the battery or sd card and also does not have a tripod screw mount if you need to do some long exposures.

On the plus side, with the extra rear flap, it almost feels like I have an M10-D which is good for a chimp like me.