aero Posted January 10, 2008 Share #1 Posted January 10, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi All, I have a new Leica MP and was playing around with installing a Thumbs-Up model 3. I've found that it doesn't even come close to fitting the hotshoe as it's too thick to push in - has anyone successfully used one of these with an MP? ...note: I do know it's mostly intended for the M8, but I like the idea and it might make holding a little easier. Thanks for any info, -Dan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 10, 2008 Posted January 10, 2008 Hi aero, Take a look here Thumbs-Up on MP not fitting.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rob_x2004 Posted January 10, 2008 Share #2 Posted January 10, 2008 Hard one. Might be worth finding out how the camera goes out of the box. You have to focus and set aperture so your left hand cradles most of hte weight anyway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 10, 2008 Share #3 Posted January 10, 2008 Same question springs to mind as on a similar previous thread- why? Unless you have a winder or a Rapidwind/Leicavit on the base, what's the point? The Thumbs-up gives the M8 something it lacks, and apparently improves the handling as a result. What is the benefit on a real M? Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aero Posted January 10, 2008 Author Share #4 Posted January 10, 2008 Why: I like being able to support my thumb with it... My buddys M7 felt nice with one mounted... It's comfortable and makes the camera more stable in my hand. The thumb area has a nice flat section for me to rest my thumb while snapping. I'm pretty sure this particular unit needs to go back in any case - it's just too thick to fit the hotshoe. I was just wondering if anyone else out there had mounted one successfully or if it was just mine. Regards, -D Same question springs to mind as on a similar previous thread- why? Unless you have a winder or a Rapidwind/Leicavit on the base, what's the point? The Thumbs-up gives the M8 something it lacks, and apparently improves the handling as a result. What is the benefit on a real M? Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 10, 2008 Share #5 Posted January 10, 2008 Why: I like being able to support my thumb with it... Regards,-D But doesn't the actual film advance lever do this? It does on my M2. Doesn't the Thumbs Up just get in the way - I cant see how you can easily wind the film on in the normal manner. Just curious about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aero Posted January 10, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted January 10, 2008 The film advance is loose feeling and rather sharp edged to me - it's not comfortable to use as a support... especially with heavier lenses on. The Thumbs-Up has a wider area and is more stable. Winding didn't seem to be too obstructed on the M7 when I tried it. Can't comment on the MP at this point beyond that the one I have doesn't fit the hotshoe. If something changes, I'll let you know and post a more in-depth review. For now, this one is going back. Regards, -Dan But doesn't the actual film advance lever do this? It does on my M2. Doesn't the Thumbs Up just get in the way - I cant see how you can easily wind the film on in the normal manner. Just curious about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted January 11, 2008 Share #7 Posted January 11, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) ...on a real M? , I liked that one, Bill! Regards, Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent M10 Posted January 11, 2008 Share #8 Posted January 11, 2008 Dan, I'm interested in hearing your findings. Like you, I find the winder sharp with the way I shoot. I asked about anyone using the Thumbs Up on an M7 and just got heckled for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 11, 2008 Share #9 Posted January 11, 2008 Dan, I'm interested in hearing your findings. Like you, I find the winder sharp with the way I shoot. I asked about anyone using the Thumbs Up on an M7 and just got heckled for it. "Heckled" is probably a little strong, Peter. I, like a number of others, simply cannot see the point. What fascinates me is how generations of Leica M photographers all these years survived by hooking their thumb on the winder if it is truly so uncomfortable. Similarly, I'm just waiting for the first post from someone wanting to know when the Thumbs-Up will be brought out in an LTM-compatible version to make up for the "serious design flaw" inherent in all the Screwmount bodies... Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 11, 2008 Share #10 Posted January 11, 2008 Similarly, I'm just waiting for the first post from someone wanting to know when the Thumbs-Up will be brought out in an LTM-compatible version to make up for the "serious design flaw" inherent in all the Screwmount bodies... Regards, Bill Genius Bill! Why on earth haven't the Thumbs Up people done this already, that's what I'd like to know! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent M10 Posted January 11, 2008 Share #11 Posted January 11, 2008 Bill, "heckled" is not too strong a word. Apparently, Dan is thinking the same thing that I am about the Thumbs Up. It may be a product that improves film M photography though its primary intention is for the M8. My R9 has an impression for the thumb for bracing (in the same place as the Thumbs Up) that is a great design for me though you can use the winder as a brace (I guess the designers really missed it). Regarding your "fascination," I imagine that you also have problems with anyone wanting autofocus on a digital R9 because, well, generations of Leica users have gotten along so well with manual focus and film (indeed, why get an M7 when the M6 was used by so many photographers, yada yada yada). I appreciate the insights that I gain in the forum, but armchair punditry is trying. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjr Posted January 11, 2008 Share #12 Posted January 11, 2008 What is a ''thumbs-up'' ....device ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 11, 2008 Share #13 Posted January 11, 2008 Bill, "heckled" is not too strong a word. Apparently, Dan is thinking the same thing that I am about the Thumbs Up. It may be a product that improves film M photography though its primary intention is for the M8. My R9 has an impression for the thumb for bracing (in the same place as the Thumbs Up) that is a great design for me though you can use the winder as a brace (I guess the designers really missed it). Regarding your "fascination," I imagine that you also have problems with anyone wanting autofocus on a digital R9 because, well, generations of Leica users have gotten along so well with manual focus and film (indeed, why get an M7 when the M6 was used by so many photographers, yada yada yada). I appreciate the insights that I gain in the forum, but armchair punditry is trying. Sorry to be so trying to you Peter. I won't take offense because you don't know me. Perhaps I should have been a little clearer that my tongue was in my cheek. You can fit what you like to your camera; my M7 has a permanently attached Rapidgrip, and a SLING, for example. I defend to the end your right to do something differently to me, but I have yet to hear a sensible explanation as to WHY. My point was simple - the M8 was designed by Leica without a wind-on lever for sound reasons. Enough people don't like the handling of the M8 - including me - for Tim Issacs' brilliantly simple Thumbs-Up to be the success that it deserves. BUT. On any M prior to the 8, it just strikes me that it's as much use as a third nipple - worse, actually, because a third nipple wouldn't get in the way, or take up your hotshoe. Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aero Posted January 12, 2008 Author Share #14 Posted January 12, 2008 Today I broke out the Sherline Mini Mill and took down a small portion of the rails on the Thumb-Up model 3 to make it fit on my MP hotshoe. I enlarged the cap-hole as well. The fit is now perfect. I added some double-sided tape to the back in order to take some of the pressure off of the hotshoe (not that there was much to begin with) and to keep my MP body safe from being scratched. To my taste, the result is really quite nice. Holding my camera with the new-found leverage allows me to shoot one-handed. If I use two hands, my index finger is better positioned on the shutter release. It's more ergonomic. I'm an Industrial Designer and Human Factors/Ergo specialist at NASA Ames in Mountain View - this qualifies me to professionally attempt stupid things and screw up with complete authority. In this case though, it really worked well :-) Note: It doesn't interfere with the shutter advance lever in the least. Certainly this won't be everyone's preference or taste - but using it all day today, I can voice my own opinion: thumbs-up! Regards, -Dan --- --- Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 12, 2008 Share #15 Posted January 12, 2008 Dan, I'm grateful to you for taking the time to explain, and to illustrate, your point. I am happy if it works for you. There is one thing still bothering me though, if I may - is it not irritating to have to keep shifting your thumb? I can imagine you walking around with your thumb resting on the Thumbs-Up, then capturing an image as it presents itself. Immediately you have to shift your grip on the camera to wind on before you can shoot again. How do you get around this? Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted January 12, 2008 Share #16 Posted January 12, 2008 How do you change shutter speed holding an MP like that? Winding on? Still, guess if it works for you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aero Posted January 12, 2008 Author Share #17 Posted January 12, 2008 Bill: If shooting one-handed, I find I'm not shifting my thumb any more or less than before the unit was installed. My thumb clears the unit when winding naturally. Tilting the camera vertically momentarily allows me to wind one-handed, but I did that before as well since I tend to use a heavy lens. I tend not to shoot one-handed often due to using a heavy lens and shooting in darker conditions requiring more stability and slower shutter. On that same note, having something substantial to rest my thumb on helps moderately in keeping the camera steady. Rob: I change the shutter speed as usual - either with my index finger of the holding hand or with my other hand. The index finger method can be used one-handed if necessary but that's not how I worked it previous to installing the TU. Hope this helps a little. Not everyone out there is going to be able (or willing) to mill their TU to fit an MP/M7, so this whole procedure is, I suppose, for the curious or brave... or for the original inventor if such mods want to be undertaken. I'm digging it and consider myself very picky about ergonomics, but as Rob points out, it works for me and might not for others. Such is the nature of our human unique-ness. I once spent two weeks designing a hand grip for a radiation detector only to find out that our chosen test subjects were picked to "throw us a curve ball" - one of them had only three fingers. Not having taken that into account, it was back to the drawing board. Then there was the time I showed up to a meeting at a major computer company for a design review where a collegue had designed a mouse with finger-touch input. The famously finicky "acting" CEO of same showed up wearing gloves and proceeded to flip out. Time to go shoot - have a great weekend! -Dan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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