Thumbs up w/Hexar?

naren · 12-04-2010

Wondering if anyone's tried the thumbs up accessory w/the the Hexar RF? ...also how the do frame lines work out w/this camera? Thanks.

Arjay · 12-04-2010

Sorry, no experience with the Thumbs Up - I use a Zhou half-case that has a nice little bulge where my thumb rests, and that's good enough (beside protecting the fairly scratch-prone black paint on the Hexar's base plate).

Frame lines are ok - use the outer borders for precision (so I read somewhere else). I haven't specifically tested them, but I never had problems with them.

I scan my negatives (hardly ever use slide film) and do post-processing afterward. I usually leave a little space outside the actual picture to have some leeway for perspective correction and/or horizoin straightening. The framelines never got into my way, that's all I can say.

kzphoto · 12-04-2010

I use a Thumbs Up with my hexar works fine. Be aware that the spring clip in the hotshoe can flatten out and then fall out if you're using a thumbs up. I'd get the model with the cold shoe so that you can use the camera with a VF and a wide lens.

dh-photo · 12-04-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzphoto

I use a Thumbs Up with my hexar works fine. Be aware that the spring clip in the hotshoe can flatten out and then fall out if you're using a thumbs up. I'd get the model with the cold shoe so that you can use the camera with a VF and a wide lens.

Hello!

Does it interfere with changing the shutter speeds with your thumb?

Best,
David

kzphoto · 12-04-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by dh-photo

Hello!

Does it interfere with changing the shutter speeds with your thumb?

Best,
David

No there is enough clearance for me, however, I normally shoot aperture priority. I don't change the shutter speeds on the camera too often. I have the model 1, without a coldshoe.

naren · 12-05-2010

Thanks... I also was curious what the frameline combinations are... typical 28/90, 50/75, and 35/135?

I've been shooting w/ a 75mm and the Bessa T, along w/my F3 setup. I'm looking to lighten the load and also speed things up w/ the 75mm. I really like the Bessa most of the time but I hate losing shots from having to move my eye to the finder. I do think the magnified rangefinder is quite helpful in focusing on people's eyes or wherever, but maybe too much of a trade-off. I'm also looking foward to having 1 body w/ the auto wind and rewind.

I do have a Hexar AF, and 75mm and 90mm M lenses so I'd also like to go out sometimes with the AF and and M kit, after adding at least a 25mm and ideally the 21.35mm dual lens.. I'm just voicing my desires here for no particular reason! lol.

dh-photo · 12-05-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by naren

Thanks... I also was curious what the frameline combinations were... typical 28/90, 50/75, and 35/135?

I've been shooting w/ a 75mm and the Bessa T, along w/my F3 setup. I'm looking to lighten the load and also speed things up w/ the 75mm. I really like the Bessa most of the time but I hate losing shots from having to move my eye. I think the magnified rangefinder is quite helpful in focusing on people's eyes or wherever. I'm also looking foward to having 1 body w/ the auto wind and rewind.

I do have a Hexar AF, and 75mm and 90mm M lenses so I'd also like to go out sometimes with the AF and and M kit, after adding at least a 25mm and ideally the 21.35mm dual lens.. I just voicing my desires here for no particular reason! lol.

Yes, the Hexar RF's viewfinder is also 35/135, 50/75 and 28/90, just like standard Leica's. Though, if you're not aware of it, the Hexar viewfinder only has a magnification of 0.6x There are no other options.

Best,
David

viramati · 12-12-2010

Just tried out my thumbs up on the hexar and I can only say that it really doesn't make the handling any better as it does on my M9 and in fact really gets in the way if you shot in manual and want ready access to the shutter speed wheel

kzphoto · 12-12-2010

I don't really have any trouble with my thumbs up. I like the handling of the hexar much better, actually. Are you using just your thumb to change shutter speeds or do you bring the camera down from your eye?

viramati · 12-12-2010

I would usually change shutter speed with the camera held up to my eye and in which case I would have to move my thumb from one side of the thumbs-up to the other. that being said I only just tried it out for a few minute and haven't tried it out in real world shooting. I also found it really hard to get on and off the hot shoe even with the grub screw fully slackened off. That being said all these things are to personal taste.

dh-photo · 12-13-2010

Hey guys!

Just got a Thumbs Up model 3 (TU3) from a fellow RFF member (Thanks Rob!). Here are my initial impressions:

I've mounted it on the Konica Hexar RF, and unfortunately, because of the hot shoe placement, the TU3 isn't much help. It does get in the way a bit to change the shutter speeds with your thumb, but since I shoot AE all the time, this isn't a concern for me.

Is the TU3 "longer" than other TU's? I feel on the Hexar RF that it doesn't do squat to help on ergonomics. But, it could be due to the shape of my hand.

I don't have a digital M, but tried the TU3 on an M3 for kicks, and here I'm also disappointed on how little it helps on ergonomics. The advance lever stops much closer to the hot shoe when cocked than the Thumbs Up does. If this would be the same situation on an M8/9, then the TU3 wouldn't help me here either. Wish the curved part of the TU would have started much earlier.

Well, here's the really good news: I've tried it on the Konica Hexar AF (fixed lens) and because the hot shoe is waaay further to the left, it works PERFECTLY!! I can confidently shoot the AF with one hand now! It really does complement the ergonomics, and I can imagine this is the same feeling M8/9 owners have with the other TU models.

Your millage may vary, but for me the TU3 and the Hexar AF is a match made in heaven!!

Best,
David

robklurfield · 12-13-2010

David, glad it arrived and that it fits. Use it in good health. Check TU's website (I think it's matchtechnical.com) for the length of this one relative to the others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dh-photo

Hey guys!

Just got a Thumbs Up model 3 (TU3) from a fellow RFF member (Thanks Rob!). Here are my initial impressions:

I've mounted it on the Konica Hexar RF, and unfortunately, because of the hot shoe placement, the TU3 isn't much help. It does get in the way a bit to change the shutter speeds with your thumb, but since I shoot AE all the time, this isn't a concern for me.

Is the TU3 "longer" than other TU's? I feel on the Hexar RF that it doesn't do squat to help on ergonomics. But, it could be due to the shape of my hand.

I don't have a digital M, but tried the TU3 on an M3 for kicks, and here I'm also disappointed on how little it helps on ergonomics. The advance lever stops much closer to the hot shoe when cocked than the Thumbs Up does. If this would be the same situation on an M8/9, then the TU3 wouldn't help me here either. Wish the curved part of the TU would have started much earlier.

Well, here's the really good news: I've tried it on the Konica Hexar AF (fixed lens) and because the hot shoe is waaay further to the left, it works PERFECTLY!! I can confidently shoot the AF with one hand now! It really does complement the ergonomics, and I can imagine this is the same feeling M8/9 owners have with the other TU models.

Your millage may vary, but for me the TU3 and the Hexar AF is a match made in heaven!!

Best,
David

hlockwood · 01-04-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzphoto

I use a Thumbs Up with my hexar works fine. Be aware that the spring clip in the hotshoe can flatten out and then fall out if you're using a thumbs up. I'd get the model with the cold shoe so that you can use the camera with a VF and a wide lens.

Evidently, not all TUs are equal. I use the EP mod 1 on my M7 where it works very well but does slow down advancing the film.

I tried to mount it on the HRF in response to the OP"s question. I found it would take major force to get it into the hot shoe, if it would go in at all. I wasn't willing to risk forcing it in. Maybe not all HRFs are equal?

Harry

kzphoto · 01-19-2011

@Harry: Possibly. Since the spring in mine has flattened out a bit, the Thumbs Up sits well, and slides out if I so desire. The hotshoe on the HRF still holds an external VF with no slippage.

Oddly enough, we both have the same cameras: M7 .85X and the HRF. Go figure.

hlockwood · 02-03-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzphoto

@Harry: Possibly. Since the spring in mine has flattened out a bit, the Thumbs Up sits well, and slides out if I so desire. The hotshoe on the HRF still holds an external VF with no slippage.

Oddly enough, we both have the same cameras: M7 .85X and the HRF. Go figure.

Interesting. But do we have the same TU?

Harry