MikeMyers Posted July 6, 2024 Share #1 Posted July 6, 2024 Advertisement (gone after registration) What is the most comfortable way to hold the Leica M10 such that my fingers stay clear of the rangefinder window. Thumb is on thumb rest (added to camera). Index finger is on shutter release. The next finger just naturally wants to touch the rangefinder window. I don't think I used to to this, but all I can think of now is to place that finger on top of the camera, resting against th shutter speed dial. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 6, 2024 Posted July 6, 2024 Hi MikeMyers, Take a look here How to grip the M10 such that none of my fingers wants to get the rangefinder window greasy.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
250swb Posted July 6, 2024 Share #2 Posted July 6, 2024 28 minutes ago, MikeMyers said: What is the most comfortable way to hold the Leica M10 such that my fingers stay clear of the rangefinder window. Thumb is on thumb rest (added to camera). Index finger is on shutter release. The next finger just naturally wants to touch the rangefinder window. I don't think I used to to this, but all I can think of now is to place that finger on top of the camera, resting against th shutter speed dial. Well traditionally you wouldn't want your finger over the front of the camera anyway because it will mask the rangefinder window, so I guess hundreds of thousands of photographers worked something out for themselves. Just tuck it in instead of splaying it out, or have it chopped off. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RexGig0 Posted July 6, 2024 Share #3 Posted July 6, 2024 If you did not used to do this, well, is it possible that the thumb rest introduced a difference, that somehow contributed to a shifting of the way that you used to grip the camera? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsawin Posted July 6, 2024 Share #4 Posted July 6, 2024 Watch this video. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted July 6, 2024 Share #5 Posted July 6, 2024 I can hardly remember a time this has been a problem, other than the first time I picked up a M3 (1981). The next finger just falls naturally somewhere down by the lens release button. But then I find add-on thumb rests a solution in search of a problem as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 6, 2024 Share #6 Posted July 6, 2024 A quick look at the FAQ will help... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMyers Posted July 6, 2024 Author Share #7 Posted July 6, 2024 Advertisement (gone after registration) My M10 remained "stock" for a long time, but I never felt I had a secure grip of it. The thumb rest cured that. Maybe my hands are an unusual shape, I dunno. Then I tried out the grip, and now the camera is locked in my hand just as well as my Nikons. I was constantly cleaning my rangefinder window. I put the M10 aside for over a year, concentrating on my new D780, but I had an "itch" that was constantly getting more annoying, that I needed to get out the M10 for a while Each camera has functions it's better at than the other. The Nikon with my 300 easily captures bird images that the rangefinder camera isn't made for, and the M10 feels like it becomes a part of me, rather than just a camera in my hands, as with the Nikon With the thumb rest, and the grip, and maybe with a Visoflex up on top, I need to find a place where my middle finger will get out of the way, and not feel uncomfortable. The video posted above - I saw it yesterday. The link from @jaapv - I will check that out tonight. By the way, a year ago, I didn't have this issue, but I always had a dirty rangefinder glass. One way or another, I'll work this out. I had a wonderful time shooting the M10 today, then editing the images in PhotoLab. I'll post one in a separate reply, so you can all laugh at me. 🙂 Photo: 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/397851-how-to-grip-the-m10-such-that-none-of-my-fingers-wants-to-get-the-rangefinder-window-greasy/?do=findComment&comment=5408387'>More sharing options...
MikeMyers Posted July 6, 2024 Author Share #8 Posted July 6, 2024 Photo from today, re-learning the M10, and trying to do something unusual in PhotoLab: 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/397851-how-to-grip-the-m10-such-that-none-of-my-fingers-wants-to-get-the-rangefinder-window-greasy/?do=findComment&comment=5408395'>More sharing options...
MikeMyers Posted July 6, 2024 Author Share #9 Posted July 6, 2024 2 hours ago, jaapv said: A quick look at the FAQ will help... Everything I needed, right here. THANK YOU! ......and it even feels comfortable, more so than ever before. 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! 2 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/397851-how-to-grip-the-m10-such-that-none-of-my-fingers-wants-to-get-the-rangefinder-window-greasy/?do=findComment&comment=5408423'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 7, 2024 Share #10 Posted July 7, 2024 It is the sheer beauty of the design that it still works like it did in 1954. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieter12 Posted July 7, 2024 Share #11 Posted July 7, 2024 Except there was no thumb rest, or anything remotely like it in that position. The film advance lever (when there was one) faced the other direction. 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/397851-how-to-grip-the-m10-such-that-none-of-my-fingers-wants-to-get-the-rangefinder-window-greasy/?do=findComment&comment=5408630'>More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted July 7, 2024 Share #12 Posted July 7, 2024 I realise that I don’t (always) hold my Q2 the same way as I do a M. I am as likely to hold it with my right hand thumb under the body and the fingers over the top, and press the shutter button with the middle finger. I think I did the same with my CL when I had it. The left hand supports the body and lens from underneath, as with all my cameras. I don’t expect anyone else to copy me, but it works for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almizilero Posted July 7, 2024 Share #13 Posted July 7, 2024 This thing made my life so much easier. absolute comfortable way to hold the M at the ready without getting a finger cramp. it also keeps the fingers away from the rangerfinder window, since they're tied up a bit. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
evikne Posted July 7, 2024 Share #14 Posted July 7, 2024 18 hours ago, MikeMyers said: How to grip the M10 such that none of my fingers wants to get the rangefinder window greasy... Don't ask me, because I constantly have to clean the rangefinder window myself. 😅 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMyers Posted July 8, 2024 Author Share #15 Posted July 8, 2024 I went walking around with my M10 with my fingers just like the photo posted by @jaapv No problem. My building had a fire alarm at 1:30am this morning - Mostly asleep, I took the Leica, and took a few snapshots of the fire truck in front of my building. - Again, no problem, once I figured out how to set the exposure I needed. All things considered, including me being mostly asleep from suddenly being awakened, I'm amazed it came out this good! ......and my rangefinder window is still clean. 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! 2 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/397851-how-to-grip-the-m10-such-that-none-of-my-fingers-wants-to-get-the-rangefinder-window-greasy/?do=findComment&comment=5410436'>More sharing options...
evikne Posted July 8, 2024 Share #16 Posted July 8, 2024 I'm sure I'm doing everything right, yet there are always finger marks on the rangefinder window afterwards. I think I'll have to ask someone to film me while I'm shooting to detect when my fingers go astray. 😅 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siriusone59 Posted July 8, 2024 Share #17 Posted July 8, 2024 I also get finger marks on my rangefinder glass, but it's not from when taking photos. My grip keeps my finger away from the window while in use. My problem is when picking up the camera or removing from bag or replacing it...fingers somehow seem attracted to the windows. I'm learning to live with my clumsiness and just wipe the prints away.🙂 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMyers Posted July 8, 2024 Author Share #18 Posted July 8, 2024 Think of that window as being a link to an explosive charge, and you don't dare touch it, or else!!!!! It's a habit. Habits can be broken - in time. Any time my fingers approach my M10, now I think of this discussion. After several days, my rangefinder now is ALMOST completely clean, so I'm better, but not good enough. Yet. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted July 8, 2024 Share #19 Posted July 8, 2024 1 hour ago, MikeMyers said: It's a habit. Habits can be broken - in time. Having used Leica M models since 1968 I don't think about this anymore, my hands are trained. I've never used grips or holding aids (until trying a thumb rest very recently), but learned early on that the left hand palm (& fingers) is the main "tripod" support for the camera, so the right hand doesn't need to grip it tightly - it's mainly for shutter release and film wind. Unless I let someone else use the camera I don't need to clean windows. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted July 8, 2024 Share #20 Posted July 8, 2024 Use latex gloves. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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