Modular grip for Leica M10 and M11 camera from IDS studios

[LeicaDen]

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My first post, so correct me if there are any issues. I tried to post under M10 but couldn't find a category for accessories.

LeicaRumors.com posted about a modular grip for the M10 line and another for the M11 from IDS (Initial Design Studios). The design looks appealing, especially since on the M10 line it appears to give access to the battery and memory card by substituting the base plate with theirs which has a fold-down door. It also has three choices of grip pads and a modular ARCA rail. The site looks legitimate. However there are no comments on the few YouTube videos and no references to reviews.

Has anyone had any experience ordering from them, and if so, how was it and what's your opinion of the grip system? I'm personally looking for one for an M10 Monochrom.

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[Sandokan]

thanks for the heads up. It looks interesting, but I wish there was more info - like on the M10, is there now a door with lever to access the battery? How easy is it to open (and keep closed)? For $330, I may wait for someone else to review first. 

[Gelatino]

According to what I know, IDS are a copy of Kamerakraft.com

I had one from Kamerakraft for my M10 and was quite happy with it. Sold it when I got the M11.

I would go for the original especially since it is less expensive (actually depends of money exchange)

 

Except being a former happy buyer I have no commercial relation with Kamerakraft

[Guest]

Not much cheaper than the Leica grip and I prefer the look of that. Yes I have to remove it to get to battery and SD card, but it’s a few seconds 

Edited September 19, 2022 by OThomas

[Herr Barnack]

I have the Leica grip #24018 on my M10 Monochrom.  To my eye, it has a more integrated look than the IDS M10 grip.

In looking at the photos of the IDS grip, the shape of the wooden part looks like it would provide a less secure grip on the camera than the #24018. 

The IDS grip may work well for some (or many), but between the two choices I would go with the Leica #24018 grip.  YMMV.

Edited September 19, 2022 by Herr Barnack

[LeicaDen]

Thanks so much to everyone for your very helpful feedback! Like Sandokan I'm waiting for someone to review it, hence my post. Gelatino, thanks for the heads up on Kamerakrat. I would actually prefer one of theirs as it appears to have an integrated ARCA plate and the latch for the battery and memory card door looks to be more secure. However, they don't appear to be accepting orders for the V2 or newer V3 until 2023.

Like you said OThomas doesn't take long to remove to replace chip or battery, I just like the idea of not having to remove the plate at all. Seems as though the M11 design would indicate Leica's come to this view as well. Thanks Herr Barnack for your experience with the Leica grip #24018. I almost always go with Leica accessories, though I have had a good experience with the Lim's case on the M10. Only shortcoming is the ARCA plate is a little too narrow for larger ball head clamps like the RRS lever release.

Many thanks for all the feedback. Any feedback on the IDS (Initial Design Studios) grip, or other suggestions would be most appreciated!

[Guest]

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6 hours ago, LeicaDen said:

Seems as though the M11 design would indicate Leica's come to this view as well

I think Leica bowed to customer pressure. 

[LeicaDen]

On 9/20/2022 at 3:56 AM, OThomas said:

I think Leica bowed to customer pressure. 

You're probably right

[John Ricard]

On 9/20/2022 at 2:56 AM, OThomas said:

I think Leica bowed to customer pressure. 

Phrasing like that makes it sound like a bad thing. If Leica removed the baseplate because they understood that many users (myself included) thought it was pointless, then that is a good thing.

[LeicaDen]

On 9/23/2022 at 7:33 PM, John Ricard said:

Phrasing like that makes it sound like a bad thing. If Leica removed the baseplate because they understood that many users (myself included) thought it was pointless, then that is a good thing.

I agree with you John. I think the change probably did come about from customer pressure, but that too is a good thing, shows they're listening. Seems to take a while... but, good it finally happens. One of the things has me interested in the grip in the original post is that it provides access to the battery and SD card for M10s.

[LeicaDen]

Has anybody used the Oberwerth Leica M10 Half Case (open version)? It appears to provide an elegant and practical solution in that it is a half case with grip and has a drop down hatch to access the battery and SD card. It doesn't state anywhere though how they get around the need for the bottom plate to be on for the camera to function, which at least on my M10 it will not until you put the bottom plate on. Any experience with this?

Grateful for all the feedback!