Leica launches S$450 camera grip for iPhones

If you really want people to know that you’re a Leica fan as much as you are an Apple fan, Leica Camera AG has a new iPhone camera grip that might be just what you need.

The new Leica LUX Grip is based on Leica’s classic camera handling and ergonomics. It distils the perks of using Leica cameras—like their intuitive usage, clear design, and refined operating concept—into a phone photography format. 

This way, you only have to wave one device to inform strangers you can afford two expensive hardware brands.

It’s clad in an aluminium housing, with two customisable control elements (assigned using its complementary Leica LUX app). The two-stage shutter on the grip has focusing when half-pressed, and snaps a photo with full ingress. Finishing it off is a control dial for camera settings, rounding off all the essential control functions like zoom, aperture, shutter speed, and exposure for shooters who need granularity.

The Leica LUX app itself offers a few perks beyond the standard iPhone Camera app. For example, the app’s bokeh effect simulates Leica’s Summilux-M or Noctilux-M lenses, on top of classic Leica filters like Vivid, Black&White, for users who want to lean further into the Leica aesthetic.

Note that the full Pro version of the app is free for one year with each Leica LUX Grip registered.

Thoughtful design perks include its MagSafe-compatible design for securing the grip onto your Apple smartphone, which is also modular (you only need to change the MagSafe base plate if you upgrade to a new and differently-sized iPhone, for example). 

The accessory weighs a mere 130g, including its battery, which can provide enough power for up to 1,000 shots. The module can be recharged with USB-C, and it takes two hours to charge. It communicates with the phone using Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth 5.0 BLE).

What’s most impressive is its ambidextrous design: the grip is shaped to work for both left- and right-handed users. 

Almost just as remarkable is the Leica logo on the grip, in case you worry that the unwashed masses will not be able to tell how refined you are.

The Leica LUX Grip has an official retail price of S$450, and it can be found on the official online Leica Store in Singapore, alongside select Leica stores. If you know your Leica, you’d know that’s a steal.

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