best way to hold Leica M for vertical shot?

<p>Hello,<br>

my intuitiv way to hold the camera for vertical shot is this <a href="../photo/10388970"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/10388970-sm.jpg" alt="" /> </a> but in the Leica MP users guide I see a strangely folded left hand (see below). what's the point, please?<br>

Thanks!<br>

Happy holidays to everybody! g.</p><div></div>

<p>Why should the user guide be the definitive guide on how to hold the camera? Do you also keep both eyes wide open :) If you consider the heritage of the Leica M, its a journalistic/documentary tool, which should imply that the hand positions in the manual image lack the ability to focus rapidly. Its a tool, it fits the human hand exceptionally well. Work out what suites you and your style and go with that.</p>

<p>In reality, the image is most likely "only" indicating that you should rotate the camera anti-clockwise to shoot a vertical - keeps it away from your nose. Even then, many people successfully rotate it the other way. You might be over thinking this one a little...</p>

<p>I believe the story goes that the woman demonstrating in the user guide lost her left thumb in a bizarre Visoflex accident and out of sympathy they selected her to handle the camera in the guide photos.<br>

The pose became so popular that Leica later offered a thumb removal device listed in the catalogue as a THUMZY so that devout followers could emulate this true MP user form. Needless to say collectors covet the item as it is usually in Mint/mint- condition as it was often used only once.<br>

It can be found on the big auction site, though often with rather cryptic descriptions as it's difficult to type sans thumbs. It would make great stocking stuffer for that Leica addict in the house.</p>

<p>Nice one Bob!</p>

<p>Hi G Dii, note also that in the Leica pamphlet pic the camera is not equipped with a soft case, kimono belt, not to mention neither with a flash with a heavy Madonna-attachment. How do you keep all that stuff out of the way when shooting?! That's arty! 8-)</p>

<p>Knut - I didn't yet notice that the statue de la vièrge Marie is standing on the flash! :)<br>

p.s.: The "kimono belt" is a just a woolen bandeau (do you call it Stirnband? - to keep the head warm - the photo was taken in February in a so-called cave-chapell (Grottenkapelle) located in the mountains, the outside rocks were covered with ice.</p>

<p>Page 13 of <a href="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/pdf/leica_m3_manual.pdf">the M3 owner's manual</a> (that's a pdf and will take a minute to load) has a side view showing what happened to the thumb in the lady's posture above. Sort of, anyway (thumb is still hidden and may be missing). The text on that page also describes flipping the camera the other way and using the thumb to press the shutter, which would feel odd to me.</p>

<p>I've always held my cameras, M or otherwise and whether vertically or horizontally, with my left hand fingers under the lens barrel so that I can adjust the focus.</p>

<p>@ Ralph: Page 13 of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/pdf/leica_m3_manual.pdf" target="_blank">the M3 owner's manual</a><br>

interesting. Thank you! that's close to how I hold it.</p>

I tuck my elbows in, left eye on viewfinder, right thumb in the shutter release , and left fingers to focus and hold the lens,

except for a tabbed lens in which case I use the fingers of my right hand: this gives better support for slower shutter

speeds and a smaller photog profile-- I hate sticking my elbow out.

<p>It also depends on whether you are left-eyed or right-eyed. Being left-eyed (a disadvantage for almost any camera), I always do vertical shots with the finder in front of my left eye, and the top of the camera facing the right. Thus I avoid camera-crushing-nose problem. I'm right-handed, so I always want to use the right hand for the shutter, so the right hand holds the bottom of the camera. For the Leica or Canon 7s, the right index finger is on the shutter button, for the Topcon Super D (front shutter button), it's as likely to be the right middle finger on the shutter button.</p>

<p>The best way is with both elbows anchored against the chest.</p>

<p>Really, the most importnat point is missed here; it is critical whether you inhale or exhale as the shutter is pressed, the wrong move will produce camera shake. All magnum photographers have talked about this as being the most important move in taking a photo.</p>

<p>When using on-camera flash, one should think about where it will cast it's shadows, and not so much about camera shake? </p>

<p>What Jordan G. said. Shutter button end down, not up. Thumb on shutter release. And what Bruce said. Keep the elbows against your body for stability. And what Bill said: breathing is important. I exhale half way and then press the button. Feet planted a little apart for stability.</p>

<p>When deciding on which way to hold the camera, I wonder if I would like to have the lens look at the scene a bit more from the left or right. That settles the question in each case differently.</p>

<p>I even flip my camera over occasionally if I needed the lens higher up than my cheek, even with SLRs.</p>

<p>Use all you have got to vary and do not give in to routine: always such and such is bad practice!</p>

<p>Almost always shutter button end of the camera lowermost with index finger on shutter, stabilized by middle finger nearby. Tried thumb a few times but feels too brute, and I can't time it as well as with the familiar right index finger. I use the left eye. There have been previous threads on this here and in RFF. Focussing is almost always best horizontal and then turn, unless the subject fits vertical focussing, and only if focussing actually matters with the particular shot.</p>

<p>shoot in the manner that feels most comfortable.</p>

<p>I wish the shutter release button on the Leica M cameras was to the left of the hot shoe. That way shooting left-eyed and right-handed (shutter release up) you could rest your right forefinger across the top deck of the body and get your right elbow closer to your right side. Maybe in the film M10? Would not work well if you have an acessory viewfinder in the hot shoe. As I've posted before, I'd also like the M10 to imprint the date in between the film frames--the way my 1994 Contax RX did.</p>