For an introduction to our Thumbs Up grips and suggestions as to which model will suit you, see Thumbs Up - help.
Thumbs Up CSEP-4 has a double cold shoe. You can focus accurately using the camera's viewfinder, then move your eye quickly to a finder mounted on the left-hand shoe – unlike using a centrally mounted external viewfinder, the views will match, making composition much easier. Using the left-hand cold shoe for your finder allows ample room for photographers with long noses too! The right-hand shoe can be be used for a second accessory, for example another viewfinder, a "bubble" level, or Kenko's Rangefinder Polarizer.
Thumbs Up CSEP-4 is CNC machined from solid brass billet, and both cold shoes are integral parts of the complete assembly and cannot be removed – no screws, no joints and no glue ensure strength and longevity, and guarantee that your compositions will be accurate and repeatable every time.
Thumbs Up CSEP-4 can be locked securely into place on your camera – which prevents it from moving when using external viewfinders, ensuring consistent, repeatable framing. The locking mechanism is concealed beneath the leaf spring of the right-hand shoe, and is easily and quickly operated using the small Allen Hex wrench provided.
The left-hand shoe has a slight offset, to provide clearance for viewfinder-window accessories, such as our E-Clypse EyeCups or Leica diopters.
Thumbs Up CSEP-4 uses our new ergonomic "EP" thumb rest profile, which is described in detail on our Thumbs Up CSEP-1 page.
Thumbs Up CSEP-4 will fit the following Leica M models: M9, M8-2, M8, M8U, M7, M6, M6 TTL, M4, M3 and M2. Note: the cold shoe will not obscure the LCD on the top plate of the Leica M8 or M8-2.
Thumbs Up has been positively reviewed in Viewfinder (the journal of the Leica Historical Society of America) and Leica Fotografie International. Phil Askey of dpreview.com in his Leica M9 Hands-on Preview was also very impressed with Thumbs Up. The Luminous Landscape's Michael Reichmann describes Thumbs Up as "a purchase you won't regret for a second" in An M9 in Paris – A Field Review, and as "an invaluable and essential tool" on SteveHuff Photo. Our customers have also been enthusiastic (see our feedback page and RichCutler.co.uk).
Thumbs Up CSEP-4 on a Leica M9:
Thumbs Up CSEP-4 on a Leica M8:
The integrated locking mechanism provides a rigid connection between your Thumbs Up CSEP-4 and the camera body:
Thumbs Up CSEP-4 with accessories
Thumbs Up CSEP-4 with the Voigtlander 21 mm viewfinder and Voigtlander bubble level:
Thumbs Up CSEP-4 with the LP Micro LED lighting panel and the Voigtlander 35 mm viewfinder: