BrettWayne Posted January 19, 2023 Share #1 Posted January 19, 2023 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I didn’t like the Leica branded version because you have to remove it to change the battery or the memory card. And then, it only came in black at least at our shop. So I ordered the Haoge version from Amazon on a whim knowing I could return if needed. I am very very impressed. It’s definitely a keeper along with its thumb grip partner. The silver finish matches the body exactly. You can swap batteries & cards via an access port. It also has a .25” tripod connection in the base. The leatherette is so well fit I needed a loupe to discern if it was real or simply a machined or molded (it’s leatherette). The price of both grips was 1/3 that of the genuine Leica. Also the thumb grip is equipped with a rubber backing which is a very nice touch compared to other third parties brands . Best of all the ergonomics of the pair are much better than the Leica equivalent. They provide a very secure grip even in a portrait position. 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 January 19, 2023 by BrettWayne Forgot some stuff 1 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/362203-haoge-cl-grip-plate-and-thumb-grip/?do=findComment&comment=4649325'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 19, 2023 Posted January 19, 2023 Hi BrettWayne, Take a look here Haoge CL Grip plate and Thumb grip. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wda Posted January 19, 2023 Share #2 Posted January 19, 2023 How many times a day do you change a battery? Not more than once in my experience. Hardly an inconvenience if you have a coffee or meal-break. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettWayne Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share #3 Posted January 19, 2023 A battery swap is a bit predictable. A full memory card isn’t. Poor engineering on their part - they should’ve taken a cue from the protective case designer and included an access flap. A silver option would’ve been nice too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 19, 2023 Share #4 Posted January 19, 2023 From experience, you should be able to predict a day's needs and budget accordingly for a multi-day project. My cards are removed for backing-up nightly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettWayne Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share #5 Posted January 19, 2023 1 hour ago, wda said: From experience, you should be able to predict a day's needs and budget accordingly for a multi-day project. My cards are removed for backing-up nightly. Nah….I’m too chaotic and spontaneous for that kind of nonsense hahaha 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einst_Stein Posted January 19, 2023 Share #6 Posted January 19, 2023 (edited) I spend a few hundreds dollars to replace the L plate with ARCA tripod mount to the Leica multifunctional grip on my M 240. Because the L plate is hard to replace battery and SD card. I still need to remove the grip, but it is much easier, no need a coin or little screw driver or any tool. How often do I replace the battery or SD, not a lot, but that is not the point. Looking for a coin when I need it is a big pain. Also,, cosmetically it maintains the Leica look. The third party ARCA mount L plate makes it look like Fujifilm. Edited January 19, 2023 by Einst_Stein 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHPINLA Posted January 19, 2023 Share #7 Posted January 19, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) I agree with BrettWayne. The "Haoge HG-CLB Hand Grip Bracket Holder" I got last year from Amazon is excellent and provides much better access at a distinctly better price. Why pay more for an item that is poorer in function and has no effect on the image? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettWayne Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share #8 Posted January 19, 2023 The badass access port … 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! 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/362203-haoge-cl-grip-plate-and-thumb-grip/?do=findComment&comment=4650667'>More sharing options...
BrettWayne Posted January 20, 2023 Author Share #9 Posted January 20, 2023 Leatherette. Black Pangolin Belly. 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! 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/362203-haoge-cl-grip-plate-and-thumb-grip/?do=findComment&comment=4650669'>More sharing options...
BrettWayne Posted January 20, 2023 Author Share #10 Posted January 20, 2023 Finely machined and finished details. Innovative 1/4” “Luówén 螺纹” (threaded) tripod socket. 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! 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/362203-haoge-cl-grip-plate-and-thumb-grip/?do=findComment&comment=4650671'>More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 25, 2023 Share #11 Posted January 25, 2023 Just a question on the grip part itself - seems to be held on with an Allan key headed bolt. Is the grip plastic or metal and does it appear to be hollow? The reason I ask is because the batt/card access is excellent (often get caught with impromptu battery change particularly in cold weather) but in travel mode I use the finger loop heavily and was thinking if it is possible to mod the grip for a finger loop. Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettWayne Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share #12 Posted January 25, 2023 1 hour ago, Blatman said: Just a question on the grip part itself - seems to be held on with an Allan key headed bolt. Is the grip plastic or metal and does it appear to be hollow? The reason I ask is because the batt/card access is excellent (often get caught with impromptu battery change particularly in cold weather) but in travel mode I use the finger loop heavily and was thinking if it is possible to mod the grip for a finger loop. Cheers. That’s a dang good question!! Gimme an hour and I’ll get back with a photo! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettWayne Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share #13 Posted January 25, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, Blatman said: Just a question on the grip part itself - seems to be held on with an Allan key headed bolt. Is the grip plastic or metal and does it appear to be hollow? The reason I ask is because the batt/card access is excellent (often get caught with impromptu battery change particularly in cold weather) but in travel mode I use the finger loop heavily and was thinking if it is possible to mod the grip for a finger loop. Cheers. Ok. It’s solid aluminum block. Built like a brick 🧱 shithouse! Seems they’ve out-Germaned the Germans. Woe be in Wetzlar. Hexy key is 3mm. Nicely torqued too. Drill and tap is all you need. Practice a few times on something less obvious 😁. A few pics: 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 January 25, 2023 by BrettWayne 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/362203-haoge-cl-grip-plate-and-thumb-grip/?do=findComment&comment=4657563'>More sharing options...
BrettWayne Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share #14 Posted January 25, 2023 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! 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/362203-haoge-cl-grip-plate-and-thumb-grip/?do=findComment&comment=4657569'>More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 25, 2023 Share #15 Posted January 25, 2023 Excellent - thanks for that I will now look at getting a grip and trying a mod because the finger loop is a brilliant way of handling the CL when mobile - no neck strap getting in the way and you can walk a long way with the camera just hanging on the end of the arm. I used to use an XVario with grip and it was rock solid (even though still plastic) but the CL one is slightly thinner on the base so when using the finger loop there is a small almost imperceptible flexing of the grip handle and the base. I haven't been confident that it won't break on a longish walk so the Haoge aluminium one looks good as well as having a tripod connection along with batt/card access. Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted February 6, 2023 Share #16 Posted February 6, 2023 OK update - have managed to use a drill/tap to modify the Haoge grip and works perfectly. Obtained a loan of a tap/drill set from my friendly local metal engineer - Dormer L000E500M4NO3XA002 E500M4N03-A0023.3 tap and drill set. The thread is definitely M4. Basically the hole needs to be placed at about the same height and angle as the Leica grip. I drilled the hole to c. 8mm depth which allows the tapered tap to thread fully (the loop thread is only 3 or 4 mm), just need to start the drill slow to avoid ripping the pangolin/leather facing. The thread will be aluminium and the fingerloop thread steel but if kept tight should be OK (Leica one is steel/steel) - since I don't really need to take the loop off I may try a bit of Loctite to ensure tightness. The base of the Haoge is a bit thicker than the CL grip (more akin to the XVario grip) and this will affect the loop height position a little compared to the CL grip but absolutely no flexing possible so all in all now have a quality German grip made in Japan with a good 'ol Kiwi number 8 fencing wire mod! 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! Cheers 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Cheers ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/362203-haoge-cl-grip-plate-and-thumb-grip/?do=findComment&comment=4674309'>More sharing options...
BrettWayne Posted February 6, 2023 Author Share #17 Posted February 6, 2023 50 minutes ago, Blatman said: OK update - have managed to use a drill/tap to modify the Haoge grip and works perfectly. Obtained a loan of a tap/drill set from my friendly local metal engineer - Dormer L000E500M4NO3XA002 E500M4N03-A0023.3 tap and drill set. The thread is definitely M4. Basically the hole needs to be placed at about the same height and angle as the Leica grip. I drilled the hole to c. 8mm depth which allows the tapered tap to thread fully (the loop thread is only 3 or 4 mm), just need to start the drill slow to avoid ripping the pangolin/leather facing. The thread will be aluminium and the fingerloop thread steel but if kept tight should be OK (Leica one is steel/steel) - since I don't really need to take the loop off I may try a bit of Loctite to ensure tightness. The base of the Haoge is a bit thicker than the CL grip (more akin to the XVario grip) and this will affect the loop height position a little compared to the CL grip but absolutely no flexing possible so all in all now have a quality German grip made in Japan with a good 'ol Kiwi number 8 fencing wire mod! Beautiful! Tapping is fun stuff hehe! Another option could be foregoing threads and counterbore on the opposite side to accept a nut and washer. That requires a bit more tooling and unknowns though. Loctite is a great idea for that. Nice work 👍🏻 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill S Posted February 10, 2023 Share #18 Posted February 10, 2023 The Haoge grip is excellent, but (small hands) I found the thumb grip tiring after more than a few minutes e.g. walking with the camera at my side - wrist strap of course. My solution has been a 3M rubber dimple-spacer on the back just before the curve (or with a sliver of backing under the start of the curve). Has stayed securely in place for more than a year. In any case a replacement can be peeled off the plentiful minimum sized sheets! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidrc Posted October 21, 2023 Share #19 Posted October 21, 2023 You’ve missed the most important point…….the leica grip version does NOT have a tripod connection. i have this grip and agree, it is ace….H products are. 👍 Includes the tripod bush. the connection does make the camera slightly off centre to the tripod, but I haven’t found that an issue. Use the best of anything….not to do so, just because it doesn’t have a red dot on it, that’s just snobbery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidrc Posted October 30, 2023 Share #20 Posted October 30, 2023 See my post about a simple thumb rest being made. 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! 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/362203-haoge-cl-grip-plate-and-thumb-grip/?do=findComment&comment=4885730'>More sharing options...
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