New Leica Grip/New Leica Camera

[Richard Clompus <rclompus@voicenet.com>]

Dear fellow LugNuts,

I know this topic has come up before but I want to clarify it to satisfy my
own curiosity.  Dell camera in California has offered for sometime a black
or red aluminum anodized grip for a Leica M camera.  Now Leica is offering
a ?plastic grip that works with the M Leica.  

Has anyone seen both to compare them?  I have not handled either.

I mainly use my M6 and M3 on a strap but I also like to carry them without
the strap and a grip may just be what I'm looking for as long as it is
small and doesn't make the M camera seem like an SLR.  I guess it will be
one of those accessories that you either love or hate but I'm certainly
curious.  

Think about this...
There has been a lot of discussion about the next M camera.  Remember Leitz
had to take out the self-timer in the M4 to put in a meter with batteries
for the M6.  And everyone seemed to love the camera and still do.  The M5
being too large just didn't have widespread acceptance.  When analysing the
new SLRs and Leica's own R8, there is usually an enlarged grip on the right
that helps to hold the camera and internal batteries and probably some
curcuitry as well.  I am mentioning this because I think Leitz has offered
this new M grip to see how popular it is.  If they are considering a new
Leica M7, it would probably have an electronic shutter, maybe focus
confirmation and the need for one or two lithium batteries, they will need
additional space.  A slightly enlarged grip being part of the body would
solve this space issue  -  leaving the other well loved M dimensions
intact. The left side of the camera would have the same dimensions.

I've never been a prophet and haven't used a crystal ball in years (never
could get it to work) but I think if I were Leitz, I'd release a grip for
the M camera, see if it went over well and then put together an M body with
an slightly enlarged right side for the electronics that some people really
want.  I would be inclined to keep my M6 and buy a new electronic M7 to
supplement my photography needs.  In fact, since I already have a number of
M lenses, I would be more apt to buy a new electronic Leica M7 as described
rather than get started with an R series camera.  I'll bet a lot of M leica
users feel the same.  Kind of like R6.2 and R8's will have markets
appealing to two different types of people.

What do you think???  I think I'm onto something.  Maybe Leitz will send me
a prototype to work with for a while.


Sincerely,

Richard
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Richard Clompus, OD
West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA