Ive been shooting with an M system for basically a decade now and I always hated the look of those thumb rests. I thought they ruined the lines of the camera but honestly my hands are killing me lately. I just picked up a 50mm f/1.2 Noctilux for some wedding work down here in Charleston and the weight is just too much for the standard grip. The humidity makes the leatherette slippery and I feel like I'm gonna drop my M11 every time I'm shooting one-handed. It's so frustrating because I used to be fine with just a strap but my thumb keeps slipping and I'm getting literal cramps after like twenty minutes of shooting. I tried one of those cheap plastic ones from Amazon just to see if it helped and it felt like it was gonna snap my hot shoe right off. I need something solid that actually matches the black chrome finish and wont wiggle around when I'm moving. I'm looking to spend maybe $150-200 if it means it actually stays put and doesn't scratch the body. Does everyone still go for the Match Technical Thumbs Up or has the official Leica one actually improved? What are the top recommended thumb grips for Leica M-series cameras that actually handle a heavy lens?
I totally get the struggle... that Noctilux is a beast and Charleston humidity is no joke. I used to be a purist too but your hands eventually give out. Since you are using an M11, you definitely want something that fits the specific geometry of that top plate perfectly so it does not move. Here is a breakdown of what works for heavy glass based on my experience:
Are you using a half case? Over the years I found the Lensmate Thumb Grip for Leica M11 Black is way more secure for heavy glass... the rubber bumper really helps with the slipping.
I love the Haoge THB-M11B Thumb Rest for Leica M11! It is seriously amazing and way cheaper than official gear tho.
Regarding what #3 said about "Are you using a half case? Over the years I found the Lensmate..." - honestly, I'm gonna go against the grain here and say be really careful with any thumb grip when you're rocking that Noctilux. The accessory shoe on the M11 is solid, but it really isnt meant to act as a primary leverage point for a lens that heavy. When you're out in the humidity and your hand is straining, you end up putting a ton of torque on the top plate. I've seen shoes get wobbly over time, which is a nasty repair bill you dont want. tbh you're probably better off looking at a dedicated hand grip that attaches to the baseplate. It shifts the weight to the tripod mount which is designed for that kind of stress. It might not be as pretty, but it's way more reliable for a long wedding day than putting all that pressure on the hot shoe.