Okay, so you’ve decided to buy a Thumb grip. The only way to really know for yourself is to simply try out the thumb grip and see if it fits for you. Many designs will use the camera’s hot shoe, which then is no longer accessible, obviating the opportunity for using flash units. Others will claim that using such a grip makes the digital M camera less appealing in appearance. Some claim that this provides easier hand holding, a firmer grip, more security, and the ability to shoot at slower shutter speeds (due to less hand shake). Using a thumb grip permits the thumb to once again rest comfortably against the body, effectively bracing it. For others, regularly holding the M without a thumb rest causes hand fatigue and makes the M experience ever so slightly deficient. For some of you, there is no issue, and you will be entirely pleased with operating your M’s without such an accessory. That feel is obviously lacking in digital M cameras, and Leica M bodies forgo the thumb rest in favor of a clean and uncluttered design. Using the cocked lever to rest the thumb, prior to pressing the trigger, is ergonomically very “M” feeling. For many years, I used the film advance lever as an effective thumb grip for my film M’s. Many of you may be wondering: Should I get a thumb grip? Let me try to answer by offering an analogy. Leica finally acknowledged this by releasing their “M10 Thumb Support.” However, many of you know that Match Technical has been devising just such a device for nearly a decade, and they are at it again, releasing the EP-MX (“Ergonomic Profile – M10”) Thumbs Up Grip for the Leica M10. We could easily go back and forth about the pros and cons of such an accessory, but Leica has settled on a body design without the advance lever, though this decision has left a gap in the ergonomic handling ease of the M system. Like all digital M bodies, and unlike any film bodies, the M10 lacks a film advance lever. The cameras have nearly identical dimensions, though the M10 is a tad heavier. The handling and feel of the M10 is very much like that of the Leica M7. The past few weeks have allowed me to recognize further what a wonderful camera Leica has created. Welcome to another edition of “Let’s Get Excited – The M10 is here”.
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