IDSWorks Thumb Grip & Hand Grip initial thoughts

[AnakChan]

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I've dropped a PM to the admins asking what their thoughts are of me posting up a review here but they did not respond. So hopefully this will be allowed.

NOTE: I have no relationship to IDSWorks and I paid for these products in full. And despite having used Leicas since the M6 TTL in 2001, I've not used any other grips (except for the Match Technical for the Leica M9  14 yrs back), and therefore can't compare with other grips.

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My journey started when I picked up an M11 & Noct 0.95, and quickly realised that with the M11 at least, the Noct is quite front heavy for balance esp when compared to my former M Typ240 which felt a little more balanced. Looking around for thumb grips, I was not keen on the original Leica as it stuck out, such that the camera wouldn't sit flush when placed on its back (no I'm not worried about scratches on the display - have a screen protector). Whilst Hobby Japan makes a foldable thumb grip for the M10, it doesn't work too well with the M11  - which was where I came across IDSWorks.

When I ordered the IDSWorks Thumb Grip, I made the mistake of ordering 2, and IDSWorks was more than happy to oblige by taking it back for a refund - I thought I'd use the opportunity to upgrade the 2nd thumb grip for the IDSWorks hand grip too as it would protect the base of M11 (which interestingly does not have a protective film like the older Typ240, M9, M7, & M6 TTL). So I paid for the difference to get the hand grip too. As per IDSWork's recommendation, I went with a lighter grip, the African Black Wood which weighs at 11g whilst their aluminium ones are at 25g. They also have a fibreglass (??) which is a little lighter at 9 or 10g, but I wasn't keen on its texture.

Initial Thoughts

1. Thumb Grip

The product seems very well made with felt protecting areas where it may contact the M11 to prevent scratches. It is very well finished and the folding lever is firm but smooth. So far it hasn't loosen over time and using in the past 6+ weeks, it's retained its tension/smoothness. I did find that it swung a little too wide for my thumb so I put in a little plastic stopper that'll prevent it from swinging too wide. The stopper is around 2.5mm x 2mm x 1mm, and now it's perfect. With the Noct, it's pretty much a must with the M11, and with the lever collapsed, I can put the camera on its back flush onto the table. As mentioned above, I'm not so concerned of the display getting scratched as I have a protective shield for it.

Aesthetically, I do prefer the Hobby Japan thumb grip however Hobby Japan does not make it for the M11. You can put the Hobby Japan thumb grip on the M11 but when swinging the lever open, it blocks the Function button of the M11. As such the IDSWorks Thumb Grip works fine for the M11.



2. Hand Grip

As for the Hand Grip, I was actually more interested in its baseplate as a protector for the M11 base, and to raise the M11 a little to give room for the Noct. too. The IDSWorks baseplate is very light - aluminium I believe and it's very well crafted. The opening for the battery is machined with good tolerances for the battery to be pulled out/inserted without risk of scratching the battery shell. Similarly the lever for opening the battery door is well meshed. And the battery access door swings open smoothly but stays fastened/closed by magnets. The baseplate also has a cavity for a spare SD card.

The grip itself is also very well made giving the hand a decent grip on the camera.

With the whole combo of the hand and thumb grip, my Leica M11 looks like a beast especially with the Noct but not only has a well balanced look, it also handles well balanced too. Granted that if I were to put in a Summilux-M, then the whole combo would be an overkill but with the Noct, the whole setup works very well.


Service

My personal experience with IDSWorks has been great that they have been quick in responding to me on e-mails, willing to accept the return of the spare thumb grip I bought, etc. I have read elsewhere that another customer did not have such an experience but my personal experience has been very good.

I'm happy with these two IDSWorks products I've purchased and I'm happy to share my experience and give credit where it's due.

[Sgp]

Thanks a bunch for this review. I'm glad you went ahead and posted it because I'm also considering the thumb rest - and as you know they're not cheap!

 

I think it looks really cool on the camera. My M10-R is never without the thumb rest ergonomically (I currently have a Match Technical) - I think that this IDS one likely improves the user experience and the physical look of the camera. 

 

Interesting that you had to do a little mod of the lever's distance. I wonder how I'll feel about that too.

 

RE: The grip, I've never though grips feel right on M Bodies, but it's great to hear your thoughts on it. Looks like IDS are doing some high quality stuff and that's nice.

[AnakChan]

23 hours ago, Sgp said:

Thanks a bunch for this review. I'm glad you went ahead and posted it because I'm also considering the thumb rest - and as you know they're not cheap!

I think it looks really cool on the camera. My M10-R is never without the thumb rest ergonomically (I currently have a Match Technical) - I think that this IDS one likely improves the user experience and the physical look of the camera. 

Interesting that you had to do a little mod of the lever's distance. I wonder how I'll feel about that too.

RE: The grip, I've never though grips feel right on M Bodies, but it's great to hear your thoughts on it. Looks like IDS are doing some high quality stuff and that's nice.

Here is the difference with my little stopper mod vs the stock full swing. Maybe for some folks, the wider swing suits them better, but for me, just a slightly tighter swing suits me better.

In the last pic, you'll see that the small black tab that I put into the slot which limits the swing.

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[Sgp]

Really helpful, thanks for doing that. Your stopper looks closer to that of the M6 and I reckon you've nailed the sweet spot.

 

I've ordered mine, should come next weeks so I'll see how I feel and I might ask you some more about that stopper if I find it bothers me.

[EddieCheddar]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this gear.

[AnakChan]

After a week's worth of use of the IDS Grip, I do feel I have to mention that I think that CNC machining has been extremely precise, possibly a little too precise. The edges of the baseplate can be rather sharp. If you're wearing watches or rings and you worry about scratches, you may want to handle the setup catiously.

[kivis]

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Foldable Thumb Grip for Leica M from IDSworks

Thanks for this review. I just ordered a copy for my M10.

[ChangshaNotes]

I picked up the IDSworks grip for my M11-P in glass fibre composite. It is well machined and fits perfectly. The grip is shallower than the Leica version which I prefer. I think the composite looks great and It's very light. Access to the battery and SD card works flawlessly. I leave it on the camera all the time, even with tiny lenses as I like the protection it gives to the bottom and I find it makes shooting in portrait much easier.

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I also picked up the foldable thumb grip in what they call dark gray aged brass colour. I had a silver one on my M10 and prefer the folding style to the more common one to keep it from digging into my body as I carry the camera. This thing starts brass-ing as soon as you look at it. Again, its well machined and you can feel the quality as you hold it.

[AnakChan]

How do you like how wide the thumb lever opens up? Personally for my thumb it’s a little too wide so I put in a stopper. What about for you?

[ChangshaNotes]

4 hours ago, AnakChan said:

How do you like how wide the thumb lever opens up? Personally for my thumb it’s a little too wide so I put in a stopper. What about for you?

On my M10, I blocked it from opening fully wide, but I haven't done anything to the M11 version and find it very good. I'm not sure if it opens less now, as I sold M10 and all the accessories to help fund the M11-P, or if I just got used to it.

[AnakChan]

20 hours ago, ChangshaNotes said:

On my M10, I blocked it from opening fully wide, but I haven't done anything to the M11 version and find it very good. I'm not sure if it opens less now, as I sold M10 and all the accessories to help fund the M11-P, or if I just got used to it.

Thx for sharing. For the M10, I think I actually prefer the Hobby Japan version over the IDS Works version, but sadly Hobby Works never made one for the M11. The Hobby Japan M10 version could be put on the M11, however with the lever open, it'll actually block t he custom button on the M11.

How do you find the IDS Works base? I like the fact that it protects the Leica baseplate, but the edging on the IDS Works a little too sharp. I'm actually concerned of it cutting my fingers :D. I asked Henry about a slightly more rounded edging and whilst it'll work around most of edges, but not around the battery portion which is already quite thin.

[ChangshaNotes]

15 hours ago, AnakChan said:

How do you find the IDS Works base? I like the fact that it protects the Leica baseplate, but the edging on the IDS Works a little too sharp. I'm actually concerned of it cutting my fingers :D. I asked Henry about a slightly more rounded edging and whilst it'll work around most of edges, but not around the battery portion which is already quite thin.

I see what you mean by how sharp the edges are, but for me, in use, it doesn't effect me. I hold my camera with my ring and pinky finger on the hand grip, my middle finger slightly over it and my forefinger on or near the shutter button, of course. So the sharpish edges rest more on my palm and don't dig into me at all. This is different than how I held the M10. I think it's because the M11 handgrip adds more height to the M11 and perhaps because I have the black M11-P which is lighter than the M10. I have average sized hands but thinnish fingers.

 

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[kivis]

she's here

[hdmesa]

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Edited October 29, 2024 by hdmesa