I'm using an M6 with 35mm Summicron (non ASPH) and find myself wanting a grip. (Perhaps I am just too accustomed to modern SLRs with their built-in grips.) I'm wondering if anyone has experience with any of the following: the Abrahamsson Rapidgrip, the GMP grip, or Leica's own grip for the M. Any opinions?

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), September 06, 2001

Answers

I'm not fond of any of the grips for my own use, I find they make the camera feel bulky to me, but of the three the Abrahamsson RapidGrip is much nicer than the others and fits my hand well.

Godfrey

-- Godfrey DiGiorgi (ramarren@bayarea.net), September 06, 2001.

I vacillate between using the Leica grip and not using it. When I use it I think, "Ah, yes, this feels better." When I don't use it I think, "Ah, yes, this is closer to the essence of Leica qua Leica." Right now, after about a year of using it, I taken it off. My photos have remained the same, though, as far as I can tell.

-- Cosmo Genovese (cosmo@rome.com), September 07, 2001.

I vacillate between using the Leica grip and not using it. When I use it I think, "Ah, yes, this feels better." When I don't use it I think, "Ah, yes, this is closer to the essence of Leica qua Leica." Right now, after about a year of using it, I've taken it off. My photos have remained the same, though, as far as I can tell.

-- Cosmo Genovese (cosmo@rome.com), September 07, 2001.

I have never use a grip on my leicas, but an incedent presudes me not to; I once droped my M3 from my waist to a concret floor, the camera hitted on one of the bottom corners, actually the one where the grip goes, well this hit in one corner of the base plate made it open up, if you watch it carefuly it seems logic. Well since then nothing screws in the baseplate of my leicas, in my POV too risky; specialy if you hold your camera strongly. I have wrote this story before here, but I can´t deal with links yet.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), September 07, 2001.

A grip is necesary when I mount a Noctilux or a 75 'lux. I used both and a grip helps. When I used my light weight 35 'lux which is still heavier than your cron, then I leave the grip at home. I've tried another full alum grip made in Boston (maybe it is GMP grip) for two weeks but it was heavier and hurt my finger nails. Then I replaced it with the Leica M grip.

-- Damond Lam (damond_lam@hotmail.com), September 07, 2001.

I use the Leica grip and I like it very much. I find it feels better and gives me a positive grip. I have big hands, though.

-- Haim Toeg (haim_toeg@bmc.com), September 07, 2001.

The three M hand-grips compared

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), September 07, 2001.

Lucien et al.

Sorry, pals, my fingers are just itching to do this... Leica grip #4.

It was actually designed before Tom's and Leica's own, after a brief and dissapointing encounter with a handmade type from the States, similar to the GMP. It weights 5 gramms, costs 5$ and is perfect for both, landscape and portrait framing. You can even use it along with any other of the forementioned grips, if you really think you still need to.

I had a chance to grip Tom's yesterday for the first time. It is nicely designed and - helas! - offers the long-wanted place where to stuff your Softie so it won't trigger the shutter inadvertedly. But besides that, and as biased as I might be, it wouldn't give me a fraction of the comfort and confidence offered by a Sling.

BTW, thanx for your order, Cosmo! Cheers.

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), September 07, 2001.

Just in case you haven't already checked these out, see also:

"Leica M handgrip" (http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0038 oz) and "Leica M hand grip & filter" (http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004U K5)

Lots of luck

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), September 07, 2001.

I bought the GMP grip and then decided I didn't like it. It sat in a drawer for a year and then finally found it's way back back on to my camera. I use it with a wrist strap and it feels quite secure.

I live in Brooklyn and one day decided to find the least conspicuous way to carry an M6 on the street. I took a stroll down Myrtle (formerly Murder) Avenue, first with the camera on a strap around my kneck, then on a strap on my shoulder with the lens facing in towards my body, and finally with the grip/wrist strap combo. Throughout the experiment, I watched peoples' eyes as they approached me to see if they noticed my camera. The grip/wrist strap combo received the least attenton.

-- Steve Wiley (wiley@accesshub.net), September 07, 2001.

Should the new Motor-M be considered as a contender for the best Leica grip?

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), September 07, 2001.

I used the Leica grip on my cameras for two years until one day I just took them off. The relief was wonderful! The cameras feel just fine to me the way they are. No grips please.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), September 07, 2001.

I really can't decide which is better for my M4-P: the Leica grip or the Leica half-case. The camera seems nicer to hold with the half- case, but it makes changing film a pain. The grip is less comfortable but it's better than nothing, and changing film is easier. Currently, the inconvenient half-case has won the day.

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), September 07, 2001.

Tried the M grip, didn't like it as it seemed it was in the way. Tried the new M motor, loved it and bought a second one for my other body. Have not taken them off since they were put on. I'll probably add one of Lutz's slings to both of them as soon as I figure out an acceptable quick-release system for the neckstrap. (Sorry Lutz, but I don't like the keychain thingie - too much metal too near the camera. I'm working on an alternative, and if I perfect it, I'll give it to you to market!)

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), September 07, 2001.

Thanx Jack, I appreciate that comment. Let's make a joint venture!

As for the "keychain thingie" I found a splendid sample here, made of anodized aluminum. They come in chrome, too... still too much metal? ;o)

Cheers

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), September 07, 2001.

I was on the verge of buying some sort of grip, and this thread certainly has put me into a spin. Any opinions on the best grip to use in combination with a Visoflex?

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), September 07, 2001.

I really can't decide which is better for my M4-P: the Leica grip or the Leica half-case. The camera seems nicer to hold with the half- case, but it makes changing film a pain. The grip is less comfortable but it's better than nothing, and changing film is easier. Currently, the inconvenient half-case has won the day.

I've been considering buying one of the half-cases as it would allow me an easy place to hold the baseplate and film while changing film and protect the body a little also. Is it just that you have to unscrew the retaining bolt to get the camera out of it that makes it inconvenient? It doesn't seem that would be so difficult, but perhaps I'm missing something.

Lutz:

Yes, I like the new anodized one much better -- it also appears smoother. Are you confident of its weight-holding abilities for an M6 + motor M?

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), September 07, 2001.

Jack

If you haven't taken the M motors off your bodies since they were first put on, you must be still shooting the same films!

Sorry, I couldn't resist this.

-- Nigel Bowley (nigel.bowley@btinternet.com), September 07, 2001.

Boy, this is such a personal thing. You really need to try them for yourself, as everyone has different reactions. Here are mine:

GMP - haven't tried it.

TA Rapidgrip - Too big, too heavy, didn't like the feel, with or without an RW attached.

Motor-M - Great when you want a motor. The round post isn't super- ergonomic, but it does a pretty good job. The motor adds noticeable bulk to the camera, though.

Leica M-Grip - perfection. For me it's ideal. I have them on all my bodies. I take them off long enough to say "Ick", then put them right back on. My M's feel naked and just plain wrong without them.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul_chefurka@pmc-sierra.com), September 07, 2001.

Jack

I'm confident in carrying my full street set-up (add a rapidwinder!) attached to the hook of that anodized thingie. I attach it to the left side lug, leaving the right side for the Sling - "best of both worlds"! ;o)

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), September 07, 2001.

Nigel: U got me there... Should'a seen it coming!

Lutz: Items on order under separate cover to try out - Thanks!

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), September 07, 2001.

OK Lutz, you got me convinced. I'll send off an order for a SLING, SLIDE, and SHADE. How much for the black key-chain thingy? Thanks...

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), September 07, 2001.

The small LeHook (aka Keychain Thingie) pictured costs USD 12 at the Swiss Army Knife shop, downtown Zürich. I can offer to send it along with one (or more...;o) of my own products at just that price. I've spotted them black, chrome, red(dish - like the Softie) and blue. I personally like the first two varieties best. Cheers.

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), September 08, 2001.

Douglas, I've used both the GMP and the Leica grips. I've liked both. It had been noted that there is less give with the GMP because of its all metal construction. However, I have not had a problem with the Leica which is the one I currently use. I use it on an M4 with a 21 SA held by way of a wrist strap. The grip secures the handling of the camera. One suggestion I would make, no matter which grip you decide on, is to wrap a layer of foam tape around the grip and cover it with some tennis racket grip tape. This cushions the grip making your hold of it more secure.

Henry

-- Henry Chu (heninden@yahoo.com), September 08, 2001.

I've been considering buying one of the half-cases as it would allow me an easy place to hold the baseplate and film while changing film and protect the body a little also. Is it just that you have to unscrew the retaining bolt to get the camera out of it that makes it inconvenient? It doesn't seem that would be so difficult, but perhaps I'm missing something.

Godfrey, the Leica half case (it's actually the half case for the M6) is not attached to the camera by screwing a retaining bolt to the camera's tripod socket on the base-plate--that would have been easier to remove. Instead, it is held on to the camera by two loops with snaps at the end, which go around the neckstrap near the eyelets. Maybe it's just me, but I find it rather inconvenient. However, the case looks good on the camera, and the softness of the leather makes the camera nicer to hold. I'd advise bringing your camera to the shop and trying the half case out before buying.

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), September 09, 2001.

Had the expensive Italian-leather half-case with the loops that Hoyin describes. Got rid of it. Looked good on the camera -- especially at haughty events. Even provided a little extra grip with its bump for the fingers too. But in the end, it was a pain to deal with while changing film; "Here, hold this..." was an expression my wife heard often while I stuffed a baseplate in my mouth. Now she holds the motor M :^)

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), September 09, 2001.

Will the half case wears out the camera like the holster doing to a gun?

Chris Lee

-- Chris (Rangefinders@yahoo.com), September 10, 2001.

I've got an on/off relationship with the rapidgrip, it's very functional but uncomfortable because of the way the fingers have to go over the top of it. Maybe TA has big hands, I don't and I don't find the grip suits me 100%. I may take a file to it one of these days.

It does give a very secure grip, although I would never use the camera (any camera) without a neckstrap anyway.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), September 10, 2001.

Purchased my M6 with the grip.Love it.Easy to grab the camera.I carry it in a small,really small canvas bag.Inside is the 135mm and a little pocket for a few Xtra rolls.Place for 2 filters and a small notepad and pen.I can drop the M6 inside and its easier to pluck it out and also hold for shooting.I mostly cayy it wrapped around my wrist.I find very little difference though inusing my M3 without grip.Also provides a base that doesnt matter if it gets scratched and worn.

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001.

A very cheap way to get a half-case for an M is to buy an old brown leather M2, M3 or M4 case and simply remove the top section. Personally I use the whole of an old M case for my M6 because it is small but big enough for the M6 with 50 F2 Summicron-M or for the pre- Asph 35 mm with the lens hood on; and also it looks old, a bit tatty, and not valuable.

-- James Harper (drjh@btinternet.com), September 11, 2001.

To close this thread: I ordered an Abrahamsson Rapidgrip. It is extremely well made, has a neat compartment for holding an extra battery, and does not make the camera feel bulkier nor heavier, at least to me. However, I found it somewhat ackward in use, since the lower three fingers of my right hand wrap around the grip and then the index finger must stretch all the way back to the shutter release button. Using this grip made me realize that a built-in grip with shutter release on top, such as an my Nikon motor drives, works for me, but a grip without the built-in release makes it a bit harder to reach the shutter release. Tom very graciously agreed to take the Grip back for refund.

Of course, this may just be my idiosyncracy -- plenty of folks love the Rapidgrip, and I'll bet that I would like it, too, if I used larger & heavier lenses and needed the extra stability, and/or if I had a Rapidwinder (and I want to get one when I have an extra $425). And Tom's Softies are the bargain of the century at $10 each -- a small price to pay for an extra stop of hand-holdability.

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), November 09, 2001.

O.K. does anyone have a solution for a ready-style leather case when the motor drive is attached? Love the drive, want a case.

-- john guidon (john@2ksounds.com), November 30, 2001.

Just saw a case on eBay for an M6 with motordrive made by the guy from Italy who is always offering the pricey custom-half cases. Don't recall the price, but it had to have been at least $160.

-- Peter B. Goldstein (peter.goldstein@us.cgeyc.com), December 01, 2001.

This may be what you're seeking:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1304519619

-- Peter B. Goldstein (peter.goldstein@us.cgeyc.com), December 01, 2001.