Re: New Leica Grip/New M7 From Leitz

[Steven Blutter <sblutter@worldnet.att.net>]

Richard Clompus wrote:
> 
> Dear Fellow LugNuts,
> 
> I just received my new Leica M grip from Tamarkin this morning.  Great
> service from Eric Bohman. That fellow knows his Leicas and comes through
> when you need something special.
> 
> The grip is a very interesting attachment for the M Leica.  It securely
> screws into the tripod socket creating a different handhold for the right
> hand.  It also creates a new centered tripod socket with a metal bushing.
> Although the grip is black plastic, it is very well made with a rubber
> botton lining that pushes up against the bottom plate of the Leica.  The
> front of the grip has the same texture as the surface of the black M6.
> 
> If these grips are popular, and I have every reason to believe they will
> be, it may send a signal to Leica in Solms that a built-in grip may be
> acceptable to Leica users that will eventually hold one or two Lithium
> batteries and some electronics.  The Leica M7 could have an electronically
> controlled shutter, aperture preferred auto exposure system that would work
> with all current Leica lenses and still have the feel of the current M6.
> If the electronic shutter and circuitry could be installed within the basic
> M6 body along with a built-in grip to provide a little more space, it may
> be a very popular design.
> 
> I will always be fond of the mechanical rangefinder Leicas but would
> certainly purchase an electonic version if possible.  I guess if I owned an
> Ur-Leica, I would not put a grip on one.  However, electonics seem to offer
> some advantages for those that want it.  Those that own Minolta CLE cameras
> don't seem very willing to part with them.  I often see used Leica CL's or
> Leitz/Minolta CL's for sale in journals but only rarely the Minolta CLE.
> I'm not a collector but my wife is not convinced.
> 
> Maybe that Leitz is done with all of the development work on the R8, they
> can get down to business and put together a new M7 so that I can have the
> same choice they give to SLR users - such as R6.2 vs. R8.
> 
> Richard
> -----------------------------------
> Richard Clompus, OD
> West Chester, Pennsylvania, USArichard, does the grip weigh much?  does it interfere with the camera's 
hanging angle, i.e., pull it forward or to the side as its hanging on 
neck or shoulder? I saw one at Classic in london, but didn't like on the 
M-3...added bulk where the configuration of the M is already so hand 
friendly...
sblutter