Leica has announced its latest product aimed at strengthening its participation in the world of smartphone photography. The Leica LUX Grip offers users an ergonomic experience more akin to that offered by a traditional camera, complete with shutter-release button. Is it the best of all worlds for photographers who want to travel light?
According to the press release, Leica Camera is launching the Leica LUX Grip for the iPhone. It’s a camera grip “that impresses with its intuitive operation and high-quality manufacturing while, at the same time, setting new standards for photographic precision using a smartphone”.
Ergonomics
“The Leica LUX Grip is similar to a classic Leica camera in terms of its handling and feel. Its clear design, sophisticated operating concept, and easy attachment – guaranteed by secure magnetic MagSafe technology – improve the ergonomics and functionality of smartphone photography, taking it to a new level. The LUX Grip and iPhone communicate via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and are perfectly complemented by the Leica LUX app.”
Regular Macfilos readers will recall a very popular article we posted in 2023, concerning a smart-phone camera grip from Fjorden. You will also recall we later reported that Fjorden had been acquired by Leica. That seemed a smart move, further strengthening Leica’s participation in the world of smartphone photography.
This had begun with Leica’s launch of the LUX iPhone app, which offered ‘the iconic Leica look’ using your smartphone camera. The new Leica LUX Grip and existing LUX app should now work seamlessly.
Leica design
The press release goes on to say that the LUX Grip’s physical controls “consistently express Leica’s design philosophy, conjuring the familiar experience of using a professional camera. Weighing just 130 grams, the Leica LUX Grip is comfortable to hold and equally suitable for left- and right-handed users”.
The two-stage shutter release focuses with light pressure and starts shooting when fully depressed. A button allows you to quickly switch between shooting modes. Two control elements can be individually assigned and customised via the Leica LUX app. While one button provides quick access to frequently used functions, the easy-to-grip control dial enables the precise selection of camera settings – such as zoom, aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation.
This means photographers have all the essential aspects of image composition in their hands, even when using a smartphone.
Leica v Fjorden
The Leica LUX Grip looks very different from the original Fjorden GRIP, which is still available. The latter has a much lower profile, ensuring that the smartphone remains pocketable even with the grip attached. The Leica grip looks much chunkier, and is therefore more likely to be attached only when owners want to move into photography-mode.
It will be interesting to see whether these two quite different designs remain available in the long haul. For photographers who own an iPhone, want to travel light, and aspire to owning some Leica gear, the Leica LUX Grip could hit the spot.
Modular
Because of its modular design, the Leica LUX Grip can be reused with all electronic components every time users change their iPhones. Only the MagSafe baseplate has to be replaced. Its powerful battery lets you take up to 1,000 shots and will be ready for use again quickly with a charging time of two hours via USB-C.
The Leica LUX Grip is now available in selected Leica Stores, in the Leica Online Store and from specialist retailers. The recommended retail price is £260.00 | €300.00 including VAT. The Leica LUX Grip Leather Case is also available for an additional £50.
What do you think? Will you be heading to your nearest Leica store to pick one up? Is an iPhone and a Leica Lux Grip all you’ll need to document that one-in-a-lifetime trip you’ve been planning? Please let us know in the comments below.
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Rather expensive, rather big and IMO somewhat ugly…
My wife says she wants one, so n that regard Leica is expanding their market, so it looks like I will be getting one to use, the only issue I have is I might need to find a new case to protect the phone so she can use it with her phone in a case. As she has a tendency to drop her phone and that could end up being very expensive replacing or repairing her iPhone.
An interesting development. I‘m currently using the Fjorden grip with the Lux App and it is a nice option when I don’t have a real camera with me. With the new design I‘m a bit sceptical, as it only relies on MagSafe. I prefer the original Fjorden design for now, as it doesn’t change the size too much. I would never walk with an iPhone and the grip as shown in the ads on the Leica site. But I will hav a look at it in a store.
Will stay with my Fjorden as it is pocketable.
Nice design and I think this is a good improvement for haptics if you happen to like using a phone to take pictures. I don’t. I’d still be stuck with no viewfinder and my iPhone’s inferior menu system compared to the Leica one. Room for development of this product though.It has some potential.I wouldn’t be keen on having to charge the grip and the phone.
I will stick to my real camera. I might have considered it if it was smaller. Just not for me