IDSworks grip for Leica Q2
IDSworks grip for Leica Q2
Leica Q series no doubt is a popular camera line in the Leica line of IDSworks products.
Not only it serves as an entry level (debatable) for new Leica users but also a very popular back up camera for the legendary M series as it preserves the form factor of the M series while adding new features to the camera without the burden of the Leica M series such as auto focus, IBIS... etc.
Making an IDSworks accessory grip for this product line was in my agenda for sometime already but I only started late because it is until recently that I acquire Q2M. It is becoming my go to camera for street shooting very quickly due to the high pixel count and quick start up response. The Leica Q series 28mm is indeed magnificent.
Cosmetically I am not fully satisfied with the exposing bottom screws and I wish to cover them while retaining the tactile feeling on the bottom. We also want to minimized the weight for the grip as a great potion of Q2 users are ladies.
In our design we have patented on the openings (cutout) for the battery access, battery release access as well as the SD card access. Some makers of third party grip have simply make cut out with simple straight openings, which is not very friendly on your fingers. We make the starting point of the openings different from the end point of the openings with smooth transitional curvature. Such design not only fully covers up all the exposing screws but also creating a much pleasing looks and feels on operation. Also all contacting surfaces are paded so that no metal to metal contacts with your camera.
Q2 is an entry level camera to the Leica world therefore we have simplified the design to the point that it’s much more acceptable for new Leica users. It requires much less part to make that my other products.
The bottom of the grip plate is only 4.5mm thick visually but the overall grip feels the sames as my other products for M series. In fact they share the same grip pads.
The base of this Q2 grip mainly comes in black (we have a few made in silver for HODINKEE edition)
During our development, we perfected our anodizing process to achieve this matte finish by carefully selecting materials, controlling temperatures, and using specific chemical mix in production. The result is a finish that resembles the iconic look of a modern Leica M camera finish. Our anodizing factory charge us by sets, unlike other that charges on total kilogram of products to be anodized.
Grip pad selections
To match your style we have the following 6 grip pad for your selection
Bottom Left: Glass fiber composite (G10)
This is a new material we created for two purpose. Many customers likes black but before we only have African black wood and black aluminum. Some found wood rather “old school" and forced to select black matt aluminum but aluminum grip pad is heavy (25g) so we have now this Fiber glass composite for your selection at only 11 grams. It is light, sturdy and have a grid patten on it. This material is commonly use on knife handles.
Top Left: Walnut (5g)
This wood is very light (5g) but it is indeed softer because of its density.
Top Middle: Desert iron wood from Africa (11g)
This wood has better color then Walnut and almost the same density as the African black wood.
Bottom Middle: African Black wood (11g)
This wood has a high density and also beautiful wood grain.
Top Right: Metallic gray aluminum (25g)
Milled on 3 axial CNC and anodized with a metallic gray finish
Bottom right: black aluminum (25g)
Milled on 3 axial CNC and anodized with a matt black finish
Note:The screw hole you see on the bottom is NOT for standard 1/4-20 tripod thread that usually comes with old style tripod ( (If your tripod do not support ARCA system there are adaptors you can buy an adaptor the market to quickly solve this (Look for 1/4 thread to ARCA connection plate in our product category).
There isn't enough depth for old style tripod (usually require a depth of 6-7mm of screw height), we want to minimize the height in the design plus as 80% of the time a Leica user don't use tripod, by attaching an adaptor to the old style tripod makes much more sense instead of carring extra weight on your neck. For tripod user you can use the on grip ARCA rails (38mm standard) for your ARCA style ball head. The screw hole there is M5-8 which is designed to be used along with our LENS DOWN bracket.
If you are mixing maker of accessories from different brands please read the following:
It explains the potential problem you may encounter and how to solve them.