KateStarr Posted April 3, 2021 Share #1 Posted April 3, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm looking to add something to make holding my Q2 more secure and am trying to decide between the Thumbs Up and the Leica handgrip. Does anyone here have experience with both and/or strong feelings about either one? From what I've been able to find so far, it seems the Thumbs up can make accessing the digital zoom button (and maybe the right dial?) a pain, but that the handgrip makes accessing the battery/SD card a pain. Is that pretty much it? I like the smaller thumbs up better in theory, but worry that it'll get in the way. I don't use the framline button too much, but do use that right dial for exposure comp quite a bit. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 3, 2021 Posted April 3, 2021 Hi KateStarr, Take a look here Q2 - Thumbs up or Leica Handgrip?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
gteague Posted April 3, 2021 Share #2 Posted April 3, 2021 i bought both and regret both purchases. the leica handgrip requires you remove it to access the sd card and the battery. i knew this and thought i could live with it, but i couldn't. i have a lim's half-case for my cl2 and love it and ended up buying another one for the q2 and i should have done that right away. the lims cases have nearly unbelievable tolerances so that the ports at bottom can be accessed and they also incorporate an arca-swiss plate and a very nice handgrip built right into the case. i initially bought a thumbs-up and it worked well, but the /zoom/ button is just underneath the bottom edge of it and you really have to cram your thumb in there to press it. it also sticks up to far over the top mostly blocking access to the shutter speed dial. i ended up having to buy the leica one which is nearly twice as expensive but doesn't block the ss dial and interferes less with your access to the top right dial. but best of all it sits lower and incorporates a mechanism to press the /zoom/ button on the thumb grip itself which works a treat. as far as helping steady the camera there's not much to choose between them. i've made some bad choices for q2 accessories including straps and that cost me $$$ as well. /guy 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc B-C Posted April 3, 2021 Share #3 Posted April 3, 2021 Have a look at the JJC Handgrip for the Q2. It not only allows access to both battery and card slot but also is a lot cheaper. It looks pretty close to the Leica handgrip too but also has the advantage of having a groove for an Arca type tripod mount. Very useful I got mine from Amazon UK. PS I have subsequently bought the Leica version just to stay loyal to Leica. It comes on and off easily. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leica28 Posted April 3, 2021 Share #4 Posted April 3, 2021 (edited) I use the Leica L grip and love it. It really improves the overall handling and comfort of using the Q2. When I am out shooting, there is no need to access the memory card. If I run out of juice (which I have yet to do in a full day of shooting), it takes just seconds to remove the grip, pop in another battery, replace the grip, and continue shooting. If you purchase the OEM Leica thumb grip, it does not interfere with the dial or zoom functions. Edited April 3, 2021 by Leica28 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianforber Posted April 3, 2021 Share #5 Posted April 3, 2021 +1 for the Lim’s case. Gives secure handgrip and easy access to SD card and battery Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankA Posted April 4, 2021 Share #6 Posted April 4, 2021 Really Right Stuff. L bracket with arca Swiss and grip. Card and battery access. Light and works great. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoCruiser Posted April 4, 2021 Share #7 Posted April 4, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) Certainly is unscrewing the bottom plate to extract the card or the battery not very practical but not a too big issue as well. I use the Leica Grip with the finger Loop and that makes me holding the camera failsafe, and that interest me. Chris 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Michael Posted April 4, 2021 Share #8 Posted April 4, 2021 I have large hands and absolutely love the Thumbs Up. I dislike using the camera without. I used to use it with the Leica grip and once considered both items as essential. I did not like having to take it off for access but dealt with it. I have since sold the grip and replaced it with a Arte De Mano case with battery/card access. Very happy. I prefer a strap as well so a Harry Benz strap is attached and I’m where I want to be. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravinj Posted April 4, 2021 Share #9 Posted April 4, 2021 (edited) Another vote for the Thumbs Up. I was skeptical about it until I got the Match Technical Thumbs Up and rubber cap as a gift from my dealer. Now I consider both indispensable. Match Technical is very well made - no wiggle and solid build quality. The rubber lens cap too is excellent and I don't have to worry about losing it. Though you didn't ask for it, the leather case in the photo is from "Mega Gear", a brand I never heard about before. At US $35 I found it totally worth it and you don't have to take it off to access SD card or battery. Finally, the blue strap is a Leica strap for compact cameras that I got for 20 Euros - very soft leather and I like it better than the original Q2 strap. EDIT: I don't find accessing the digital zoom button hard with the Thumbs Up attached. YMMV. I don't use this feature anyway as it just shows a crop overlay. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited April 4, 2021 by ravinj 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/319544-q2-thumbs-up-or-leica-handgrip/?do=findComment&comment=4174379'>More sharing options...
gteague Posted April 4, 2021 Share #10 Posted April 4, 2021 your first image illustrates what irritated me about it. the /zoom/ button is in a corner and you have to squish your thumb in there to press it down. the angle of the image doesn't show it well, but it pretty well means you can only turn the shutter speed dial from the front and the top right dial from 90 degrees right of the top. the leica version has its own /zoom/ plunger button and only obstructs the dials a slight amount. the thumbs up does have a tiny bit larger 'thumb' though. /guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
T25UFO Posted April 4, 2021 Share #11 Posted April 4, 2021 I use the Leica Thumbs Up and the Handgrip together with a Harry Benz wrist strap for my Q2M. All works fine. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllanC Posted April 5, 2021 Share #12 Posted April 5, 2021 I use the Leica handgrip on my Q2. Fits perfectly, provides a great grip, and it only takes a few seconds to unscrew it, swap out the battery and screw it back on. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leica Guy Posted April 5, 2021 Share #13 Posted April 5, 2021 8 hours ago, _Michael said: I have large hands and absolutely love the Thumbs Up. I dislike using the camera without. I used to use it with the Leica grip and once considered both items as essential. I did not like having to take it off for access but dealt with it. I have since sold the grip and replaced it with a Arte De Mano case with battery/card access. Very happy. I prefer a strap as well so a Harry Benz strap is attached and I’m where I want to be. Another vote for Thumbs Up combined with an Arte de mano case allowing easy access to the battery and SD card. A real winner!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted April 5, 2021 Share #14 Posted April 5, 2021 On 4/3/2021 at 5:11 PM, gteague said: i bought both and regret both purchases. the leica handgrip requires you remove it to access the sd card and the battery. ...../guy While I understand this argument, l put it to you: what proportion of operating time is devoted to battery and card removal, compared with the hours of carrying the camera, and time actually framing and taking pictures? For me, the comfort and security provided by the fitted Leica handgrip far exceeds the time accessing memory card or battery. The latter is normally managed to coincide with a leisure or meal break, anyway. So it is no hindrance whatsoever. My 100% recommendation is to buy the Leica handgrip. 11 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateStarr Posted April 5, 2021 Author Share #15 Posted April 5, 2021 Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful replies. At this point I think I've ruled the match technical thumbs up out, just because of how it limits access to several controls that I use frequently (shutter speed and exposure comp). I might be convinced to try the Leica thumbs up (more expensive, but better access to dials), but we'll see. I like the idea of the Lim's case, mostly because it includes an arca swiss mount, which could be really useful. The con I see to the Lim's case are that it's more bulk than I need. I'm not interested in a leather half case, and from what I can see it looks like it adds .5" - .75" to the bottom of the camera. Another con is that it looks difficult to access the memory card because of this added depth.@FrankA I love Really Right Stuff L-plates and have used them on my other cameras, but the one for the Q2 seems like it would add too much bulk. I wish the L (vertical) portion of the plate were removable. Right now I'm sorta leaning towards the Leica handgrip, which surprises me, actually. It seems to add the most utility with the least amount of bulk and interference with the controls. Removing it seems easy enough, and as many have mentioned here, I won't be changing the battery and memory card very often throughout the day. With the Leica handgrip, I assume I can just attach a small arca swiss plate to the grip if need be, is that correct? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateStarr Posted April 5, 2021 Author Share #16 Posted April 5, 2021 @Marc B-C I'm intrigued by the JJC handgrip you mentioned, but can't find it on Amazon. Do you have a link, by chance? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gteague Posted April 5, 2021 Share #17 Posted April 5, 2021 you seem to have done a very logical analysis given the information from users of the products. i'd like to just list two minor points about the lim's case although if you don't want or like a half case, that's understandable. first, i use sony 'tough' cards which are notoriously tight in sd card readers as they are just a tiny bit thicker than normal cards. i have like average sized hands i think and i have next-to-no problem removing these cards from my cl and the q2 which both have the lim's case but i won't say it's as easy as if the slot were more open. the tolerance is very impressively calculated for both the memory card and battery. the other thing is that the arca swiss is built in to the lim's case whereas if you put an actual plate into the tripod socket of the leica grip it's going to add about as much depth as the lim's case. i use a peak arca swiss plate on my s1 and it's a pain because the camera will no longer sit flat as it rocks on the plate. this isn't an issue with the lim's case. but again, you seem to have taken your needs into account and it's hard to go very far wrong given the options presented. /guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted April 5, 2021 Share #18 Posted April 5, 2021 26 minutes ago, KateStarr said: Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful replies. ...With the Leica handgrip, I assume I can just attach a small arca swiss plate to the grip if need be, is that correct? Yes, or I sometimes use an Ellie Short by 3 Legged Thing Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc B-C Posted April 5, 2021 Share #19 Posted April 5, 2021 1 hour ago, KateStarr said: @Marc B-C I'm intrigued by the JJC handgrip you mentioned, but can't find it on Amazon. Do you have a link, by chance? https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B087N9QKWS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Hopefully that works. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leica28 Posted April 5, 2021 Share #20 Posted April 5, 2021 Another thought, KateStarr, you can rent the Leica handgrip from lensrentals.com. Try it for a week and see what you think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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