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What are the essential must-have accessories for any new Leica M owner?

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honestly im so annoyed right now because I just spent five grand on an M10 and it feels like a bar of soap in my hand. I was out in London today trying to get some street shots and I almost dropped it twice because the body is so slick and that stock strap is a total joke. its way too thin and hurts my neck after like twenty minutes. I feel like I need a grip or a thumb rest but i dont want to spend another five hundred bucks on leica branded bits if there are better options. what are the absolute must-have accessories for a new owner so I can actually enjoy this thing without a panic attack?...

6 Answers
12

Unfortunately, the M10 ergonomics are pretty weak for the price point. I had issues with the slick body until I added some leverage. Leica branded bits are a total ripoff, so dont even bother with those.

10

I felt the same way when I first took mine out. It really felt like a bar of soap. I ended up getting these and im super happy with the handling now:




3

Building on the earlier suggestion about lens weight, you really have to be careful with the center of gravity on an M10. If you add heavy external metal grips, you might actually stress the baseplate mounting point over time. I would suggest looking into more minimalist, non-invasive solutions before committing to heavy hardware.

  • You might want to consider a DIY approach using a small strip of high-friction grip tape from a brand like Gaffer Power. It provides the necessary tactile feedback without the excessive mass of a brass handle.
  • For the strap issue, I would suggest any of the silk cord options from Artisan and Artist. Silk has a much higher tensile strength-to-weight ratio and is significantly gentler on the neck during long street sessions.
  • If you want a more refined ergonomic profile, go with a half-case from Arte di Mano. You cant go wrong with their leather quality.
  • Make sure to be cautious with third-party thumb rests as the tolerances can vary, potentially risking the hot shoe contacts... dont want to fry the electronics on a five grand body.

2

@Reply #2 - good point! Honestly i learned the hard way that adding too much bulk ruins the whole M experience. I remember my first trip to Berlin with a heavy brass grip... by day three my wrist was totally shot. Before i share my current setup, what lenses are you shooting with tho? The weight of the glass changes the balance. Be careful not to over-accessorize too fast or youll just trade one problem for another.

2

Totally agree with RadiantStack about not overdoing the bulk! A bloated Leica is a sad Leica lol. Honestly, I've seen so many people turn their sleek M into a Frankenstein monster with way too many bits and pieces. Before I dump a list of suggestions here, I really need to know what you're actually after style-wise:

  • Are you into the classic leather and silk aesthetic or do you want something modern and tactical?
  • Do you mostly shoot one-handed or do you keep both hands on the body? The difference between the boutique artisan brands and the cheap mass-produced stuff is night and day. Some third-party gear is actually way better quality than the official Leica accessories, but the vibe is totally different depending on the brand!




1

Bump - same question here




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