Leica MP grip

[Mahesh]

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Hi, what do people use to hold the MP? Is there a grip of some kind?

I suppose the thumbie grip may not work well with the film advance lever?

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[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Mahesh,

Welcome to the Forum.

Film "M" cameras are primarily designed for right handed people in terms of focusing lenses, releasing the shutter & winding film. Altho either eye can be used at the range/viewfinder window in the back of the camera.

Left handed people have to "improvise" somewhat in terms of focusing lenses, winding the film & releasing the shutter.

Film "M cameras (Including the M5.) are often held by resting the camera & lens combination on a person's left hand at the point of balance. Cradling the lens barrel between the left thumb & the left index finger. And making sure that any various fingers are not blocking any of the 3 windows in the front of the camera.

With the right hand (Fingers also not blocking any of the 3 windows in the front of the camera.) holding the right side of the camera body & the right index finger placed over the shutter release. And the right thumb operating the film winding lever. Which can be advanced in a series of smaller gentle "pushes" of the right thumb until the lever comes to a stop. Or in a single, also gentle, push until the lever comes to a stop.

There is no need to continue pushing the winding lever after it "clicks" & stops.

When focusing the lens: The other hand can hold part, or all, of the weight of the camera/lens combination. When winding the film or releasing the shutter: The other hand can support some, or all, of the camera/lens combination.

With a heavy, or a bulky, lens the balance point may be at a place where: The person is holding the lens in their left hand with the camera behind part or all of their left hand.

Adjusting the aperture can be done with whichever hand is more convenient in a given situation. With the other hand supporting the camera/lens combination.

Happy photos.

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited July 20, 2024 by Michael Geschlecht

[250swb]

For the back of the camera the film advance lever is the thumb grip, for fingers use the Leica grip 14405. Generally I'd only use the advance lever to brace the camera while composing a picture or carrying it at the ready, but despite the added bulk I do use the 14405 grip sometimes because it centres the tripod socket on the lens axis.

[TomB_tx]

10 hours ago, Michael Geschlecht said:

Film "M cameras (Including the M5.) are often held by resting the camera & lens combination on a person's left hand at the point of balance. Cradling the lens barrel between the left thumb & the left index finger. And making sure that any various fingers are not blocking any of the 3 windows in the front of the camera.

That's the key: the palm of the left hand (i curl my little finger under the camera) forms the steady support of the camera like a tripod, usually with the left elbow pulled close to the body so the forearm is a vertical post. The right hand is then free to operate the shutter and wind without needing to grip tight. Works great with short lenses where thumb and finger can work the lens controls.

The Right Hand Main grip came more from SLRs with long lenses, where the left hand moved forward on ling lenses to zoom and focus, and needed to be free to shift positions. 

I've used Ms for over 50 years, so that just feels natural to me.

[Mahesh]

Thank you all.. I think I pretty much used both the hands as you suggested when I hired an M6 (MP wasn't available for hire, which is what I am after) from Leica last week. They are now doing free weekend hires which is very good.

My question was mainly when carrying the camera around before taking the shot. I've noticed on YouTube etc everyone carries with a neck strap. I think the Leica camera grips are a bit chunky and when I've tried that before with an M10, I didn't find it grippy for me. 

[TomB_tx]

I primarily carry with my left hand - palm on the bottom and fingers wrapped around the lens as they would to focus, etc. Thin camera strap wrapped around left wrist. This was the camera is held ready to use by lifting it to position, and my right hand is free to do the usual right-handed actions.

[Mahesh]

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2 hours ago, TomB_tx said:

I primarily carry with my left hand - palm on the bottom and fingers wrapped around the lens as they would to focus, etc. Thin camera strap wrapped around left wrist. This was the camera is held ready to use by lifting it to position, and my right hand is free to do the usual right-handed actions.

Makes sense... I was holding in the right hand 

[Dan Nelson]

I really like the Arte di Mano half case for my MP. It has a thumb bump which works really well for my hand. It reminds me of the right thumb bump near the rear dial of my M10.

[Esleepy]

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[burchyk]

I use 14405 in combination with wrapping the neck strap around my right wrist so it functions as a "wrist strap", plus the cocked film advance as a "thumb grip". Feels very secure that way.