Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/10/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Greetings SLR LUGgers, I have been in contact with the company that made the now-discontinued R accessory grip. Some of you may have heard of them- GMP, now called PhotoEquip. For those of you who have never heard of such an accessory, the GMP R grip was designed to facilitate hand-holding of the diminutive post-R3/pre-R8 bodies without resorting to attaching a motor-winder/drive. A picture of a similar grip that is still in production for the Nikon F3, F2, F, FM/FE can be found at the company's website: http://www.nikonlinks.com/PhotoEquip/Default.htm The R grip also had an aluminum alloy base but the grip portion was hollowed-out aluminum (a la M version) rather than carbon-fiber composite. The main problem with the R grip was that for some unexplained reason, its baseplate stopped short about 3/4 the way across the camera's bottom, leaving the entire left edge and motor drive contacts exposed. You can see this on the Nikon version as well. I have asked the company to make a new, redesigned R grip with a FULL LENGTH baseplate with two drill-outs (one for the film rewind release button and the other for the battery cover), a "sink" (for the motor contacts), and of course a standard tripod bush. The baseplate will be aluminum alloy and the handgrip carbon fiber. This grip should work well with all post-R3/pre-R8 bodies. However, it will have to be taken off for battery change on the R7 owing to the flip-open plastic battery door. Initially I wanted PhotoEquip to custom-make two of these grips for me, and the company quoted me a whopping $270 EACH to cover new design, new dies, CNC reprogramming, etc. So I am wondering if there are any SLR users out there who would like one (or more) of these proposed "new" R-Grips. Perhaps if we make a mass order it can be cheaper for everyone. Any interested individuals, please contact me off-list at htsang@email.com so I can get a roster going. Thanks, Hoyen - ----------------------------------------------- FREE! The World's Best Email Address @email.com Reserve your name now at http://www.email.com