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What is the best thumb grip for Leica Q series cameras?

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I recently picked up a Leica Q2 and while I absolutely love the minimalist design, I’m finding it a bit tricky to get a secure one-handed grip during long walks. I’ve been looking into adding a thumb grip to help with ergonomics, but I'm torn between the official Leica thumb support and third-party options like Match Technical or Haoge. My main concerns are whether the third-party ones might block access to the rear dial or if they sit loosely in the hot shoe over time. Does the official one justify the high price tag in terms of build quality and fit? For those of you shooting with the Q series, which thumb grip provided the best comfort without getting in the way?


6 Answers
12

Had issues with official ones loosening...
1. Skip Leicas overpriced grip.
2. Get Haoge THB-QB Metal Thumb Grip.
3. Its tighter and doesnt block dials, tbh.


12

Basically, these grips act as a lever on your hot shoe, so a bad fit might cause damage. Seconding the recommendation above to skip the pricey Leica one! I'm a bit of a beginner, but I would suggest these instead:

- JJC TA-Q2 Thumbs Up Grip: Best budget option, but feels a bit thin.
- Bresson Aluminum Thumb Grip for Leica Q2: Better build and feels safer imo.

Make sure to check for wiggle! Peace.


5

Quick reply while I have a sec. Building on the earlier suggestion, I've been pretty disappointed with the machining tolerances on most of the mainstream options lately. I actually took some digital calipers to my Q2 last month and unfortunately, the lateral play on most of these is just not as good as expected for the price. It's frustrating when you're looking for a zero-tolerance fit and everything feels a bit loose.

  • Honestly, just get any grip from Lim's Design Thumb Grip and you'll probably be happy.
  • If you're feeling fancy, just grab whatever is available from Arte di Mano Leather Thumb Grip since their QC is generally better. I usually go the DIY route anyway to fix the wiggle. A tiny sliver of Kapton tape on the base of the grip foot works wonders... it creates enough friction to stop that annoying rattle and protects the hot shoe finish from getting chewed up by metal-on-metal contact. It's a quick fix that makes even the cheaper ones feel solid.


4

In my experience, you reallyyy need a grip on the Q2 if you’re doing any serious street work. I've spent way too much time obsessing over the tolerances of these things, so here's the lowdown on how they actually compare in the field.

Option A is the Leica Thumb Support Q2 (19543). It’s technically "perfect" because the paint matches the body’s finish 1:1. It slides into the hot shoe with zero play and doesn't interfere with the rear dial at all. But honestly, $200+ for a bit of machined aluminum is a lot to swallow lol. It's super sleek, but the value proposition is tough.

Option B is the Match Technical Thumbs Up EP-SQ2. This is my personal favorite. It’s solid brass, which feels denser and more premium than the OEM aluminum. It has a small rubber bumper that puts tension on the hot shoe so it stays tight. The ergonomics are actually slightly better because the curve sits more naturally for my hand. Ngl, it feels like it basically belongs there.

Option C is the Haoge THB-Q2B Thumb Rest. It's the budget pick. It works, but the machining isn't quite as precise... mine had a tiny bit of side-to-side play that kinda drove me crazy.

If you want the most seamless look, get the Leica one. But if you want the best tactile experience, highkey go for the Match Technical. It’s solid as a rock and hasn't loosened up on me once. gl!


4

TL;DR: Official is safer. Hmm, I've had a different experience... not sure but i think third-party ones might wobble?? I'd stick with the Leica one mentioned first cuz it's SAFER tbh


1

I totally agree with the sentiment that fitment is everything here, especially since any lateral play can eventually fatigue the hot shoe spring tension. In my years shooting with these bodies, Ive realized that even the most expensive machined parts can develop a bit of slop over time due to thermal expansion or just repetitive stress. Instead of just swapping gear, I usually take the DIY route to ensure a truly rock-solid interface. I had a situation a while back where my setup started to feel just a tiny bit loose during a cold weather trip. Rather than replacing it, I used a digital caliper to measure the gap and applied a microscopic layer of high-friction tape as a shim. It completely neutralized the wiggle and prevented any metal-on-metal wear on the rails. If youre worried about the cheaper ones, honestly, most fit issues can be solved with a little bit of technical patience. A tiny drop of low-strength threadlocker on the set screws or a custom shim works wonders. Basically, you gotta be ready to do a bit of your own maintenance to get that perfect, integrated feel without overthinking the price tag. Its all about managing those tolerances yourself!!!


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