How do you accessorize your M8 (or at all)?

[jaapv]

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I thought that this was a photography forum. The camera is a tool to take photographs with. It does not matter what type of strap, covering or case you have. Really.

In that case, why do photo threads get moved to the photoforums?

Just to rub it in :

My M8's have black dots as well....

[erl]

Thumbs up Model 1- Transforms the handling back to a film M

Leica 1.25x Mag- Transforms the focussing from 50 upwards

Y Strap (just acquired) Brilliant.

Case- No ! I want to fondle the camera not the case

Nose grease on the LCD and finger marks on the windows - always

Just added a HK soft release from Flea Bay (one with Leica on -sad) I think I like it for the feel but I do find it "protects" the on-off switch from getting caught by accident and moving to that dreaded self timer position so it may stay on just for that.

 

 

I used to wear my strap over one shoulder to avoid the counter hit in shops or the child decapitation on leaning forward but of course you can't easily bring the camera to the eye. I came across the y strap web hopping and saw the answer. A shoulder strap with a running link it just works.

Y STRAP The Figital Revolution

Stephen M. Schaub the maker was great to deal with and yes I paid full price plus UK shipping which was efficient.

 

AND

 

The Leica half case as a protection, and an extra shutter release. Absolutely happy with it, making the camera quite more stable for a left handed user when shooting. Some mat black tape here and around, to avoid both reflections and blingbling. Thinking about a simple extra belt around my chest, to secure the camera while doing something else, which happens almost everytime.

Never been found of "tuning", always looking at my M8 as a marvellous tool, doing as it is what it has been built for, by a quite clever company for now more than one century

 

DECLARATION: Self interest content follows.

You both may find the solution to your frustration in the StreetShooter. See the

link in my signature.

 

Also, read this thread.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...tml#post531413

 

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No obligation to enquire.

 

Re. how I 'dress' my M8. With a StreetShooter of course, but I also use bothe ther MegaPearls 1.35 Mag. for one body and the Leica 1.25 Mag. for the other. I prefer the Megapearls actually, but Find I need to attach a rubber 'O' ring from a tap seal around the adjustable dioptre to hold its setting, which also protects my glasses.

The idea of the 'Thumbs Up' seems a great solution to the poor ergonomic handling of the M8 for prolonged periods, but I have not yet acquired one. I probably will.

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[vikasmg]

My accessories: The Lecia case from Luigi (see Leicatime Luigi Crescenzi : leica cameras leica compur mp elmar 250 reporter leicavit ). I bought the full case with strap but find I only use the rear part of the case without the lens cover and without the reat LCD protector. Other than that just lenses. The case does help protect from scratches but I'm not sure that other stuff is needed.

- Vikas

[kameraguy]

I like to accessorize my M8 with gaffers tape. The uglier and lower key the camera looks, the better IMHO. Less people staring or asking questions, more time becoming a fly on the wall

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[kameraguy]

I use the Sling, which I like, although it might not be for everyone. My two criticisms are that I would've preferred it to be all black (without the yellow stripes) to make it less obtrusive, and I would prefer it to be another six inches longer because its length makes shooting in protrait awkward unless you turn the camera 'upsidedown'. (Rik at Leicagoodies *might* be able to make these adjustments if asked.)

Pete.

 

The strap is a climbing sling found in most outdoor retailers. I am using an all black climbing sling as you can see above (was not a fan of the colored strap too).

 

To be precise:

 

Materials all found at REI (Outdoor specialist in the USA):

(1) 60cm Climbing Sling

(1) sacrificial keychain for the Ring

 

I think the 60cm length perfect....not too long but long enough for the camera to be agile in your hands in different shooting positions. Also be sure to think about which side you place the sling. I find portraits no problem with the sling on the left side eyelet (if you are right-handed).

[kameraguy]

BTW - is there *any* way for us blokes in the USA to get that MegaPearls 1.35 Magnifier?? :/

[Fotomiguel]

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I use a standard Leica strap with rubber shoulder pad and a self-modified Thubs-up Model 1. I thought about replacing the body covering but, the Thumbs-up made all the difference in the handling of the camera.

 

As mentioned above, I am also not a great fan of the Softie releases and prefer to use the shutter release as is.

 

Best,

 

Jan

Hello Jan.

Where can I buy one of this thumbs-up modified? I thought they were going to produce one like yours already modified.

Thanks

[diogenis]

The Y-strap is indeed an ingenius solution,

However I will buy this: LFI International

Together with Leica's strap, measured a bit longer so that it let you walk. Human necks were never built for 1kg necklaces

And if you need it get a nice Billingham -or other- case: Use the camera as it was designed, why accessorize it with cases and all that ?

[pgk]

Well, I would use Leica's neoprene cover - but it fits my wife's Canon G5 rather well, and.....

[jaapv]

BTW - is there *any* way for us blokes in the USA to get that MegaPearls 1.35 Magnifier?? :/

You can order it from Megaperls if you need it to fit to another camera, or microscope, or whatever, anything but Leica

[farnz]

Thanks, Kameraguy, I'll look for a Climbing Sling.

 

I think Daniel Ortego was looking to part with a Megaperls 1.35 magnifier a little while ago so it may still be available if you PM him.

 

Pete.

[guy]

So far...

 

Leica grip

Luigi half-case in black, with back flap, to fit over the Leica grip

Bit of gaffer tape over the M8

Self-customised black dot (using the matchstick / black enamel / nail file method)

1.25x eyepiece magnifier from eBay

And a National Geographic earth explorer medium backpack, which carries the camera, laptop etc but after a cycle through the washing machine has crumpled up nicely and now looks like a scruffy-nothing-bag full of old socks and packs of Compeed. FWIW I can really recommend these (though if you have a MacBook or another widescreen 15" laptop, you'll find it won't fit in through the zippered side aperture but it will go in through the top compartment after a bit of DIY surgery with a craft-knife – if you're really interested, PM me for more details.)

 

My general approach is towards anti-bling / inverted bling, in that the whole effect is an attempt to downplay the camera and scruff it up. The red dot was initially covered with gaffer tape too, but then I became nostalgic for it and worried that my M8 was pining – at which point I decided that a black dot was a good compromise between stealth and allowing the M8 a healthy sense of identity

[brill64]

I thought that this was a photography forum. The camera is a tool to take photographs with. It does not matter what type of strap, covering or case you have. Really.

 

It doesn't matter? Are you mad?

[ptruman]

I like to accessorize my M8 with gaffers tape. The uglier and lower key the camera looks, the better IMHO. Less people staring or asking questions, more time becoming a fly on the wall

I agree and the more battered it looks, the less notice it will get. Anyone care to offer a "designer dents and scratches service"?

[Daniel Ortego]

Thanks, Kameraguy, I'll look for a Climbing Sling.

 

I think Daniel Ortego was looking to part with a Megaperls 1.35 magnifier a little while ago so it may still be available if you PM him.

 

Pete.

 

Yes, I still have it, and I sent "Kamerguy" a PM so thanks.

Regards,

[Arif]

I thought the same thing so I guess it's been tucked away in his shop as new, and I have no reason to suspect otherwise. I purchased my M8, 28-cron and 50-lux from him and there wasn't any issues with those. ~ go figure.

Regards,

 

I had a similar experience when I bought the 75 Lux at the Tokyo Leica shop recently. They had the lens in stock but needed it to be coded (unfortunately, they charged extra for the coding ;( but the lens was brand new.

 

Bets regards,

Arif

[calvinboy24]

I thought that this was a photography forum. The camera is a tool to take photographs with. It does not matter what type of strap, covering or case you have. Really.

 

In many respects, accessories assist the photographer, either through comfort or assistance. If it helps the user take a better photograph, then its very fitting.

 

My original post was not to see how folks make their Leica's superficial with non-functioning gadgets here and there. Looking at the list that everyone's provided so far, they all seem to help the user in one way or another. Even using gaffer's tape assists the photographer by making the Leica more obscure to the subject, and thus potentially capturing that moment better.

[fotografr]

In many respects, accessories assist the photographer, either through comfort or assistance. If it helps the user take a better photograph, then its very fitting.

 

My original post was not to see how folks make their Leica's superficial with non-functioning gadgets here and there. Looking at the list that everyone's provided so far, they all seem to help the user in one way or another. Even using gaffer's tape assists the photographer by making the Leica more obscure to the subject, and thus potentially capturing that moment better.

 

I would agree. Using a grip or Thumbs Up on the M8 is hardly akin to violating the purity of the camera design, as some imply. They are simply tools that make holding the camera steady much easier. Whatever works.

[Daniel Ortego]

I had a similar experience when I bought the 75 Lux at the Tokyo Leica shop recently. They had the lens in stock but needed it to be coded (unfortunately, they charged extra for the coding ;( but the lens was brand new.

 

Bets regards,

Arif

 

Apparently, some shop owner’s had some left over stock from before the M8 hit the streets. Maybe back then, it was too costly or too time consuming to have them coded. Anyway, I don’t really mind waiting since I don’t have to pay for it until I receive and test it. Likewise, I'm not paying for the coding.

Regards,

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[jaapv]

In many respects, accessories assist the photographer, either through comfort or assistance. If it helps the user take a better photograph, then its very fitting.

 

My original post was not to see how folks make their Leica's superficial with non-functioning gadgets here and there. Looking at the list that everyone's provided so far, they all seem to help the user in one way or another. Even using gaffer's tape assists the photographer by making the Leica more obscure to the subject, and thus potentially capturing that moment better.

 

I caught some flak over my fancy leather But I hate the original plastic cover, it is not grippy enough. The camera is better to hold with leather covering. A bonus was that the leather even dampened the shutter sound a bit.

For the colours I take full responsibility though:D