Thumb rest for film M?

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I find that using a leather half-case provides some welcome texture and bulk to hold the camera with a single hand.

[pippy]

Have you considered carrying / supporting the camera in your left hand instead of your right?

I use a short wrist-strap cradling the body/lens in my left hand (which will, of course, do the aperture & focus bits as usual) and only bring the right in to control shutter speed and release. Effectively the whole of the body-mass is supported by the left which allows the right to ensure rock-steadyness and gentle tripping of the shutter.

As it it on the left wrist the strap can never be 'in the way' when shooting.

Why don't you try it out? You might be surprised to discover how comfortable and convenient this way of carrying / using your Leica can be!

Philip.

Edited July 21, 2023 by pippy

[Topsy]

On 7/20/2023 at 1:09 PM, Warton said:

I have been using the M-A for a few days with the first roll almost finished. I found my right hand is really struggling while shooting especially with the smooth brass top.

I’m accustomed to grip and/or thumb test with my other digital Ms. I’m wondering if a thumb rest option is even available for analog Ms? I’m concerning the protruding winding knob and the sync cable hole might be in the way?

I don’t want to use a grip with film Ms because I don’t want to add or replace the baseplate. So that leaves me with thumb rest

Is this the type of thing you are thinking of?

https://www.macfilos.com/2013/06/04/2013-6-4-leica-mp-new-baby-joins-camera-family/

[hansvons]

I use velcro straps that I cut to fit. Nothing beautiful but highly practical. 

 

 

 

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[Bart D]

6 hours ago, pippy said:

Have you considered carrying / supporting the camera in your left hand instead of your right?

I use a short wrist-strap cradling the body/lens in my left hand (which will, of course, do the aperture & focus bits as usual) and only bring the right in to control shutter speed and release. Effectively the whole of the body-mass is supported by the left which allows the right to ensure rock-steadyness and gentle tripping of the shutter.

As it it on the left wrist the strap can never be 'in the way' when shooting.

Why don't you try it out? You might be surprised to discover how comfortable and convenient this way of carrying / using your Leica can be!

Philip.

and any other camera I've ever handled 👍

[dpitt]

I really love my half case with wooden grip insert + wrist strap to carry my M8 or M9. It feels great for my hands for touch as well as stable grip without needing much force to hold the camera. (and I like the look as well)

https://www.luigicases.com/a000.GALLERYnewCasesLeathers.htm

 

Edited July 21, 2023 by dpitt

[Warton]

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13 hours ago, pippy said:

Have you considered carrying / supporting the camera in your left hand instead of your right?

I use a short wrist-strap cradling the body/lens in my left hand (which will, of course, do the aperture & focus bits as usual) and only bring the right in to control shutter speed and release. Effectively the whole of the body-mass is supported by the left which allows the right to ensure rock-steadyness and gentle tripping of the shutter.

As it it on the left wrist the strap can never be 'in the way' when shooting.

Why don't you try it out? You might be surprised to discover how comfortable and convenient this way of carrying / using your Leica can be!

Philip.

I did try with left hand wrist this afternoon when walking at the community. It did help when shooting because the nothing in the way of right hand. Though I found the left hand having a camera dangling around is a bit weird. I just need to get used to it.

[rtai]

The Thumbs Up for M9 will also fit the film bodies. Advancing the film might be a little awkward.

[250swb]

44 minutes ago, rtai said:

The Thumbs Up for M9 will also fit the film bodies. Advancing the film might be a little awkward.

I’ll say it again, if you have a film advance lever you’ve already got a Thumbs Up, can you not see the similarity?

[Warton]

17 minutes ago, 250swb said:

I’ll say it again, if you have a film advance lever you’ve already got a Thumbs Up, can you not see the similarity?

I don't see the similarity. Thumb rest sits on the right side while the thumb rests when index finger pressing the shutter.

The advance lever goes back close to the shutter speed wheel. These are two totally different positions, how can they be similar? Besides, I don't want to rest my thumb on the advance lever which may accidentally advancing the film partially.

Educate me please how you use the film advance lever to rest your thumb. I am genuinely curious.

 

[250swb]

39 minutes ago, Warton said:

I don't see the similarity. Thumb rest sits on the right side while the thumb rests when index finger pressing the shutter.

The advance lever goes back close to the shutter speed wheel. These are two totally different positions, how can they be similar? Besides, I don't want to rest my thumb on the advance lever which may accidentally advancing the film partially.

Educate me please how you use the film advance lever to rest your thumb. I am genuinely curious.

 

Here is a basic tip for novices, you don’t need to put the film advance lever back into its ‘rest’ position to take a photograph, leave it out in the ‘ready’ position after you’ve advanced the film and use it in exactly the same way as a Thumbs Up works by bracing your thumb against it. If you did ever advance the film partially (only possible after taking a photo) you still can’t take an accidental photograph, the film needs to be fully advanced. Keep in mind the film can also be advanced using multiple small strokes and not limited to one sweeping stroke. And leaving the film advance lever in the ‘ready’ position means you can also advance the film immediately, not having to move it from the ‘rest’ position fully retracted.

[Andy_Shields]

I'd typically have my thumb tucked under the advance but I wanted you to see the difference in positioning of my index finger. I will at times keep my thumb where it is in the photos just to change it up on longer shooting days.

I'm strongly in the camp of 'your camera your choice' but people shot film M's just like these for half a century before thumbs up style accessories existed. They're an impediment to accessing the advance which seems like the last thing you'd want to do.

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