How many of you are using an M-grip and why?

Just curious.

I had the grips on all my Ms for a while and then I took them off. I prefer the feel of the

naked camera best. When using a big lens like the Noctilux, 90AA or 135/2.8, I often add

a Rapidwinder as it provides all the extra grip I need. YMPWV

I use a Leica grip on my M6 to give me a secure hold when I carry it in my hand with the strap around my wrist. The M2 and M3 have the self-timer which gives me a finger hold when I carry the camera in my hand but the M6 doesn't have anything to grip onto. The grip is very satisfactory on the M6 but I wouldn't put one on the M2 or M3. I think it is something you have to try for yourself. Good luck.

Hi Wentong,

 

I did a 'blind' test holding two M6s with both the Leica grip and the GMP grip. No contest, for my hands, the GMP was easily better. The Leica grip looks much better--it fits well with the camera's styling, but it didn't give me as good a feel.

 

If you aspire to be like Jay, get the Leica grip. No piece of Leica jewelry looks complete without it... :D

 

Seriously, try both before you buy. Apparently there is a newer version of the GMP grip on the horizon, so you may want to wait a bit.

What is the GMP grip ... ?

 

Fred

I only use mine when I want to center a tripod socket on the camera - usually to use the camera in a stroboframe flash bracket.

I use the m-grip. It doesn't feel right to me without.

>>Fred B. , feb 19, 2004; 05:22 p.m. What is the GMP grip ... ?

 

Fred: It is a grip for M cameras made by a company other than Leica itself.

Grip when using 75lux and/or wrist strap.

I use the GMP grips, one plastic (I put bicycle handle bar tape for a better grip) and one metal (unmodified). They make grabbing the camera out of the bag easier. When I go caseless and still strapless, I can curl three finger tips under the plastic one; when I carry the body with the metal one, I extend the wind lever and curl my index finger around it and my middle finger on the grip part of the grip (looks reckless, isn't). Other benefits include: protection of the bottom plate (I set them down on most anything) and a centered monopod hole.

 

Who cares what it looks like? Function is what I care about.

 

Steve

I use the grip to get a better hold of the camera I carry in a bag. The camera around my neck goes grip-less. I like the additional handle when I'm shooting at low shutterspeeds, as the body of the M6TTL is covered with a leatherettish surface, not vulcanite, and does not provide a hold as firm as the rubber in my Contax G1.

 

I hope your curiosity has been satisfied!

I also use the Leica M-grip, mostly because of the additional gripping surface it provides. The fact that it also provides a centered tripod socket is a plus. Hand geometries and personal preferences vary, however.

Wentong, I use the grip on only one of my cameras--an M4

sporting the 21 SA attached to a wrist strap. The grip I've

modified by adding tennis racket handle tape to the grip. It

provides me with a positive hold.

m grip on both my m6 and 7. much easier to hold for me. i recently sent one to a good friend for his m3 that he has had since the early 70's, and he really likes it also.

I tried the M grip on my M6 , I just couldnt get used to the feel, I much prefer the feel

of the cameras without it.

I do not use a grip on my M's. Perhaps if I had arthritis or Parkinson's or an MP with its almost textureless covering I would need one to maintain a solid hold on the camera, but I don't find it necessary. I suspect the majority of those who purchase the grip are those who purchase every Leica-related gizmo that comes down the pike, and a small minority really do have an insurmountable difficulty hanging on to the camera. Those people would probably be best served by using a tripod anyway. I do have a couple of the GMT grips but I removed the grip part and use only the plate to center the tripod thread.

"I suspect the majority of those who purchase the grip are those who purchase every Leica-related gizmo that comes down the pike."

 

jay, i consider myself pretty tolerant, but sometimes you really do seem to go out or your way to make rude comments.

A grip of any kind is such a personal thing that you really need to try for yourself, to find out what suits you. I've never tried an M-Grip; however, I have found that the sturdy and ergonomically excellent tubular-shaped handle-cum-battery-holder of the Leica Motor-M serves as a very good grip indeed. <i>I daresay someone, somewhere, may disagree with this, stange as it may seem?</i>

Given that the rest of the camera manufacturers decided in the mid eighties to make their cameras ergonomic I am surprised Leica didn't follow suit. I love my M7 but lets face it is heavy solid metal and without a grip it is brick shaped.

 

I found that using it in portrait mode for an extended period of time was difficult. I had to hold so tight that I was inducing camera shake. I bought a Leica grip from a fellow forum member and things are much improved. I have relatively small hand and the M-Grip is fine for me. From comments on the board those with larger hands may find the GMP grips more comfortable.

 

Martin

>tom chandler Photo.net Patron, feb 20, 2004; 12:16 a.m.

 

>jay, i consider myself pretty tolerant, but sometimes you really do seem to go out or your way to make rude comments.

 

Be nice to Jay, Tom. He is just a little upset because the grip on his M7 necklace keeps knocking the buttons off his polo shirt. The guys down at the country club keep making fun of this, so he's a bit testy.

I chose the GMP grip over the Leica grip for two reasons. First is

that the all-metal GMP is head over heals sturdier than the plasic

Leica grip, and second is that my larger hands appreciate the

size and shape of purchase offered by the GMP.

 

But I do need to be careful, when using my VC-15mm lens, to

keep my grip-hand as flat as possible to keep my knuckles out of

the picture!

But I didn't answer the question! I like the grip for the nature of

the puchase it offers - particularly when doing verticals with my

90AA. Being able to curl my fingers around the grip (more of a

"hook"), as opposed to gripping the camera (more of a

"squeeze"), lets me go longer and steadier, with much less

muscle-fatigue. And I learned years ago, as both a

photographer and a competitive marksman (no, I DON"T belong

to the NRA!) that muscle fatigue equals unsteady results.

<<Be nice to Jay, Tom. He is just a little upset because the grip on his M7 necklace keeps knocking the buttons off his polo shirt. The guys down at the country club keep making fun of this, so he's a bit testy.>>

 

A verse from the Have-Nots' National Anthem.

Wentong, I bought a Leica grip for my MP, as I found the heaviness of the camera a bit risky to control with sweaty fingers. The grip definitely gives my fingers a more secure hold on the body. Since buying the grip, I located a used Leica ever ready case at a low price which has "humps" in the front and rear of the body at the same location as the hump on the grip. The case provides all the grip I need to safely handle the camera and to me it feels much better than the plastic grip. The grip is way over priced as are most Leica accessories, and if I had gotten the case first I would never have bought the grip. Best wishes, Bill

Thank you guys. You filled my curiousity quite well. I will look for a GMP grip to try out.