Leica LUX Grip

[JCF]

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my grip arrived today. i'm really very happy with my experience of the app and grip together.

personally gravitating towards the model A + 50 noctilux combo. i find the B&W output really soulful and satisfying (and quite different from how Apple would do B&W).

while the app alone could probably deliver the same image, it's the grip that makes me want to take photos in a more creatively controlled manner. 

i do find myself inverting my phone when doing portrait, as you would on a normal camera with grip, instead of rotating and repositioning the grip like they showed on the marketing videos.

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[MikeD70]

I had pre-ordered the grip when Leica sent out the initial news release, and got it the day they went on sale.  I like it, and use it quit a bit for specific tasks.  I find it a bit finicky when it connects at times, the app is great, I had already purchased a one year trial, so I hope the free one year will add on when the time comes.  So far so good.  I noticed that initially the ad's showed the case being included, but, as you all know, it was not.

[Goon525]

I’m really positive about the combo of Grip and App - they have transformed my interest in using my phone to take pictures. I can happily carry the grip plus phone for hours. Big plusses - they have created the ability to change lens and aperture really quickly (and at all), plus exposure compensation. The way the buttons and dial on the grip interact with the app. The way the whole experience is so much more like using a camera. I will say that it takes a while to get the hang of how all the elements work and can be varied - but it’s worth the effort to get there. Negatives: reconnecting after the connection drops out still not as smooth as one would wish; and if, like me, you’ve increased the time before the connection switches off to reduce the impact of the first negative, it is still fiddly to reconnect, and eats battery life in the phone pretty quickly. But I like it a lot.

[TL3]

Wasn’t sure what niche this was going to fill in my photography workflow, but then I found it performs well when walking the dog.  I can get some interesting low shots one handed while holding a leash in the other hand.  Going to take the suggestion from earlier, and order a bolt to attach the peak design cuff to this so I don’t drop it chasing the dog.  Only issue is it drains the phone battery quite a bit which would be an issue if I was traveling further from home.

Edited May 11 by TL3

[mdrips]

I own the Leica Grip and I love it!

Using it inspired me to buy a new Leica camera, although I have to admit that shooting with the Leica Lux Grip and the app is faster.

I also bought the case, which took 90 days for delivery. It has a slot in it to hold an Apple AirTag.

I'm convinced it is made from Panda Bear leather due to the lengthy time it took to arrive. :}

[Goon525]

48 minutes ago, mdrips said:

I own the Leica Grip and I love it!

Using it inspired me to buy a new Leica camera, although I have to admit that shooting with the Leica Lux Grip and the app is faster.

I also bought the case, which took 90 days for delivery. It has a slot in it to hold an Apple AirTag.

I'm convinced it is made from Panda Bear leather due to the lengthy time it took to arrive. :}

Which new camera, out of curiosity?

[Peter H]

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I bought the Lux grip for next day delivery a week ago, and the case came today. (In the UK.)

I'm having great fun with it and it feels very secure indeed in the hand, far more so than a phone on its own. Certainly no need for any extra cases, straps or anything.The Leica case is nice but I'd only use it while travelling. No need for it when walking about. It slips easily into a pocket.

It's not an  alternative for the real thing of course, whichever Leica and lens combo you prefer, but if you don't absolutely always have your camera with you, it really helps to make the phone easier and more interesting to use in plenty of ways.

 

[mdrips]

I own the Leica Grip and I love it!

Using it inspired me to buy a new Leica camera, although I have to admit that shooting with the Leica Lux Grip and the app is faster.

I also bought the case, which took 90 days for delivery. It has a slot in it to hold an Apple AirTag.

I'm convinced it is made from Panda Bear leather due to the lengthy time it took to arrive. :}

[mdrips]

Goon525:

I bought the D Lux 8.

I have to admit I feel I get better results using the Leica grip because it offers more lenses and more Leica Look choices.

Plus it is faster to open up and take a shot.

The D Lux 8 is S-L-O-W. I'm torn between selling it even though I have only had it a couple of weeks or hanging on to it to see if I can become accustomed to it.

[Goon525]

32 minutes ago, mdrips said:

Goon525:

I bought the D Lux 8.

I have to admit I feel I get better results using the Leica grip because it offers more lenses and more Leica Look choices.

Plus it is faster to open up and take a shot.

The D Lux 8 is S-L-O-W. I'm torn between selling it even though I have only had it a couple of weeks or hanging on to it to see if I can become accustomed to it.

I own that camera in a prior Panasonic variation. It’s perfectly ok, but I’m not sure that it offers sufficient advantage over a modern iPhone plus grip to be that attractive a proposition. I suspect you need to go up to a Q series to be confident you’re capturing with something significantly better.

[mdrips]

3 hours ago, Goon525 said:

I own that camera in a prior Panasonic variation. It’s perfectly ok, but I’m not sure that it offers sufficient advantage over a modern iPhone plus grip to be that attractive a proposition. I suspect you need to go up to a Q series to be confident you’re capturing with something significantly better.

The Lux app captures photos on my iPhone using ProRes, which saves at 24 megapixels. The iPhone Pro 14 has a 48 megapixel sensor but only saves in jpeg at 14 megapixels.

This is a higher RAW file than I get on my Leica D Lux 8 which captures at 17 megapixels from a 21 megapixel sensor. In addition, you got many more Leica Looks with the Lux app.

[NigelG]

Does anyone have an opinion on the difference between the cameras on the 14 Pro vs 15 Pro?

I use 13 Minis as my phones but they only have 2 lenses and no RAW.

I was thinking about getting a separate phone to use with the grip in lieu of my Ricoh GR/ TL2 /Q options which would be a “camera” rather than a phone so no other apps/personal data etc. Apple refurb phones aren’t cheap but are less than a new GR…

[TL3]

3 hours ago, NigelG said:

Does anyone have an opinion on the difference between the cameras on the 14 Pro vs 15 Pro?

I use 13 Minis as my phones but they only have 2 lenses and no RAW.

I was thinking about getting a separate phone to use with the grip in lieu of my Ricoh GR/ TL2 /Q options which would be a “camera” rather than a phone so no other apps/personal data etc. Apple refurb phones aren’t cheap but are less than a new GR…

I think just from the cameras alone, the differences are small.  The lenses are practically the same besides the 15 pro max getting 120 mm (and I think also that means you get the Apo-Telyt 135 mm simulation in Leica Lux).  The 15 pro main sensor also outputs at 24 MP by default on the regular camera app as opposed to the 14 pro.  Other camera differences include the automatic portrait mode (can add blur and change focus after the fact) and extra “lenses” (ability to shoot in 24, 28, or 35 mm as your default, but i think this is was thought to be just cropping, I personally use 35 mm as my default).

I think the bigger reason to go with the 15 pro is the USB-C charging.  There is also the action button which you can set up to launch the camera instead of going from the Home Screen.  It is also lighter.  Apple Intelligence is also only enabled on 15 pro and up which won’t be relevant if you are using it solely as a camera.

Edited May 14 by TL3

[NigelG]

@TL3 Thanks for the info.

Apple tech specs list the differences but it’s hard to get a sense of the practical differences when used with Leica Lux etc as the lens specifications are a bit nebulous when you’re used to M lenses…

I guess I need to look at the cost difference between the 15 + 14 : probably a replacement lens hood for my 35 Lux 😉

 

Edited May 14 by NigelG

[mdrips]

4 hours ago, NigelG said:

Does anyone have an opinion on the difference between the cameras on the 14 Pro vs 15 Pro?

I use 13 Minis as my phones but they only have 2 lenses and no RAW.

I was thinking about getting a separate phone to use with the grip in lieu of my Ricoh GR/ TL2 /Q options which would be a “camera” rather than a phone so no other apps/personal data etc. Apple refurb phones aren’t cheap but are less than a new GR…

If you read the documentation on the Lux, you will find that additional lenses are added for newer iPhones.

Depending on the user’s iPhone model, Leica LUX can emulate a (growing) set of Leica Lenses:

On all supported iPhones:

Leica Summilux-M 28 f/1.4 ASPH.

Leica Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH.

Leica Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH.

Leica I Model A 50 f/3.5

 

On iPhones with a 2.5× or 3× tele lens (iPhone 12 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 14 Pro, 15 Pro):

Leica Noctilux-M 75 f/1.25 ASPH.

Leica Summilux-M 90 f/1.5 ASPH.

Leica Thambar-M 90 f/2.2

 

On iPhones with a 5× tele lens (iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max):

Leica i-Summilux-M 120 f/2.0 ASPH.

Leica i-Thambar-M 120 f/2.8

Leica APO-Telyt-M 135 f/3.4

[EnglishmanInLatvia]

7 hours ago, mdrips said:

The Lux app captures photos on my iPhone using ProRes, which saves at 24 megapixels. The iPhone Pro 14 has a 48 megapixel sensor but only saves in jpeg at 14 megapixels.

This is a higher RAW file than I get on my Leica D Lux 8 which captures at 17 megapixels from a 21 megapixel sensor. In addition, you got many more Leica Looks with the Lux app.

 

[EnglishmanInLatvia]

Interesting discussion. I own a Leice d-lux5 but stopped using it in favour of my iPhone 14. Now with the Lux grip and app on my iPhone I have really got back into photography. I spent a lot of time researching what camera to buy. Just bought a secondhand Leica Q2. It has so many features that are similar to the Lux app on the iPhone. Just higher quality images. I intend to use both the Q2 and the Lux app and grip on my iPhone. Different situations. But back into photography!

Edited May 14 by EnglishmanInLatvia

[TL3]

9 hours ago, mdrips said:

If you read the documentation on the Lux, you will find that additional lenses are added for newer iPhones.

Depending on the user’s iPhone model, Leica LUX can emulate a (growing) set of Leica Lenses:

On all supported iPhones:

Leica Summilux-M 28 f/1.4 ASPH.

Leica Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH.

Leica Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH.

Leica I Model A 50 f/3.5

 

On iPhones with a 2.5× or 3× tele lens (iPhone 12 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 14 Pro, 15 Pro):

Leica Noctilux-M 75 f/1.25 ASPH.

Leica Summilux-M 90 f/1.5 ASPH.

Leica Thambar-M 90 f/2.2

 

On iPhones with a 5× tele lens (iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max):

Leica i-Summilux-M 120 f/2.0 ASPH.

Leica i-Thambar-M 120 f/2.8

Leica APO-Telyt-M 135 f/3.4

Interesting, I didn’t know there ever was a Summilux M 120, or is that just an app exclusive?

[IkarusJohn]

1 hour ago, TL3 said:

Interesting, I didn’t know there ever was a Summilux M 120, or is that just an app exclusive?

Summicron - it’s a typo

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[mdrips]

1 hour ago, IkarusJohn said:

Summicron - it’s a typo

I don't know but I have read that Leica intends to keep adding lenses and Leica Looks to the Lux app.