Top recommendations for external viewfinders and thumb grips for Leica cameras?

Question

So I finally bit the bullet and picked up a used M10 for my trip to Tokyo next month. Im super excited but quickly realized that shooting with my 21mm Elmarit is a bit of a guessing game without an external finder. I spent all night looking at options and now my head is spinning. I saw a lot of people swearing by the Voigtlander metal finders because they are bright but then I read a few forum threads saying they can fall out of the shoe pretty easily if you dont have the little locking screw version which sounds like a nightmare. Then there is the whole thumb grip situation... I feel like I need one because the M10 is a bit slippery compared to my old Fuji but I dont want to block the command dial or make it hard to change settings on the fly. I saw the Match Technical Thumbs Up is the one everyone recommends but honestly $150 for a piece of brass feels steep when I still need to buy the finder. My total budget for both is around $400 tops.

Are the cheap $20 thumb grips on Amazon actually junk or do they hold up for a couple weeks of heavy street shooting? And for the finder do you think the plastic Leica ones are worth the extra cash over the Voigtlander metal ones? I just want something that wont fall off while Im dodging crowds in Shinjuku...

ArcticShader · Accepted Answer

Are you using the ASPH version? The Zeiss 21mm ZM T* Viewfinder has lower distortion than plastic finders. Also, Lensmate Leica M10 Thumb Grip hinges are better for dial access than fixed grips.

TitanCipherX · Answer

TL;DR: Buy a Haoge THB-M10B Thumb Grip and the Voigtlander 21mm Metal Viewfinder. It saves cash and works great. I had the same dilemma when I first started shooting with an M10. I bought a cheap Haoge THB-M10R Thumb Rest off Amazon thinking it would just be a temporary fix until I could afford the Match Technical one. Truth is, I never replaced it. It fits the curve of the body perfectly and doesn't block the dial at all. It survived a two-week trip where I was constantly pulling the camera in and out of a tight bag. Its aluminum, so its light, but definitely not junk. Regarding the viewfinder, I actually prefer the Voigtlander 21mm Metal Viewfinder over the official plastic ones. The optics are incredibly crisp. To keep it from sliding out, I use a tiny sliver of gaffer tape on the mounting foot. It creates enough friction that it stays put even when Im moving through crowded subways. The Leica 21mm Plastic Finder is okay, but it feels a bit fragile for the price. If you go with the Haoge and the Voigtlander, youll spend maybe $250 total. That leaves you plenty of extra cash for some good ramen in Tokyo while still having a setup that feels secure.

bilker · Answer

To add to the point above: if youre heading to Shinjuku, you really want gear that stays put. I have been shooting M bodies for years and honestly, the cheap Amazon grips are a gamble... they often wiggle which gets annoying fast. I have been super satisfied with the IDS Works Leica M10 Thumb Rest. It is way cheaper than the Match Technical but the fit is perfect and it doesnt block the dial at all. For the finder, if you want something high quality without the Leica price tag, try to find a used Zeiss ZM 21mm 25mm Viewfinder. Its incredibly bright and has almost zero distortion. If thats too pricey, the Ricoh GV-1 External Viewfinder is a total sleeper hit. Its plastic but the optics are sharp and it fits the M10 shoe nice and snug. Youll definitely want that extra FOV for the narrow Tokyo alleys!