Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/02/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>I just don't understand this thing about having to have a hand grip. If you >want a hand grip, buy a Nikon F5 or another representative of the new >motorized vunderplastick generation of cameras. Go all the way. In my >opinion, the M cameras are too big already. If only Leica would make an M >the size of a IIIf or, may be, IIIg. > >The best thing about this grip is that it may save your base plate from >damage due to tripod mounting. IMHO, this new grip looks and feels cheap. I know nothing of the new plastic grip that Leica is selling, but I purchased one of the alloy M-Grips while traveling in europe last summer. It immediately made my M4-P an easier camera for me to use in every way. I don't like using a neckstrap, it gets in my way, but the Leica M doesn't give me an adequate purchase on the camera to just carry it without any strap at all like I do my Nikons. I used a baseplate attached wrist strap with the M for a bit and that worked ok, but I still found that holding it steadily and securely was a challenge. The M-Grip worked wonders to make me feel secure about holding the camera. The Leica M is somewhat large and heavy compared to my compact 35s, I don't think the 40g of the M-Grip added all that much to it at all. For reasons that are mysterious to me, I find the chunky, smaller lump of my Rollei 35s and Contax TVS fit my hands better than the M without the M-Grip installed, and I have relatively large hands. Whatever makes the camera easier for you to use, go for it. I see no downside. Godfrey