Leica Thumbie Thumb Grip – Leica M8/ M9
MatthewOsbornePhotography – Leica Photographer
Last weekend I had a wedding all day in Sussex on the Saturday then another full day shooting as a freelance photographer on the Sunday. Originally I had planned to use the Leica M cameras both days of photography. After a long day shooting on Saturday I woke up with sore hand, so much so that I change cameras and used the Nikon D800 on Sunday. THis actually worked out well but I wanted to try to make the Leica M9 camera handling somewhat more comfortable for future weddings. Leicas are easy to hold all day with a small lightweight 39mm thread pancake lens on. When however you start using fast prime lenses like the Leica Noctilux 50mm f1.0, Leica Summicron 90mm f2 and the Voigtlander 35mm f1.2 ASPH ii it starts being a bit heavier to hold in the hands after prolonged periods.
Options to make a Leica camera more comfortable to hold?
1) Leica Thumbs Up Grip
2) Leica M Camera Hand Grip
3) Leica Thumbie Thumb Grip
Here are my thoughts on each of the above –
1) Leica Thumbs Up Grip – Perhaps the most popular option of the three listed however it blocks the Leica M camera hotshoe so it isn’t suitable if you like to shoot with flash. I use Leica M cameras in my Coventry studio so this was definitely not an option for me.
2) Leica M Camera Hand Grip – the hand grips work well and the camera instantly feels more like a DSLR to hold. That said, to me it spoils the look of the camera and adds too much bulk especially if you are trying to travel light and use a compact camera bag.
3) Leica Thumbie Thumb Grip – A self adhesive solid brass thumb grip that can be attached to the back of your Leica M camera. It is small, light, subtle and by far the lowest price of the three options.
Conclusion
For this reason I ordered myself a Leica Thumbie thumb grip. I think it will improve the handling of the camera for every day use and really prove it’s worth during long days of shooting fast prime lenses during Leica weddings.
MatthewOsbornePhotography – Leica Wedding Photographer
http://www.matthewosbornephotography.co.uk/
My Thumbie arrived today and what a difference it makes! I want to keep my hotshoe free for my Visoflex and I read some reports that hotshoe mounted thumb grips have loosened the shoe and caused connectivity issues for EVFs and flashes and I didn’t want that.
I was concerned around the strength and appearance of the adhesive strip but after installing it, I have a greater degree of confidence that it will be reliable. While the adhesive strip is visible between the black painted brass grip, and the black body of my M10, it isn’t as unsightly as I thought it might be.
The M10 Thumbie is the same as the M (Type 240) and it fits very well. Just make sure to follow the instructions and use soapy water as the 3M adhesive is strong and you don’t want a wonky Thumbie.
Thanks James! Yes I used mine for a long time with 1 body. Really good with heavier lenses especially. (And like you I need my hotshoe!)