Gripe about grip, eh!
Apart from possible 3rd party solutions (as in your M6 alternative grip suppliers), you have 3 other solutions.
No. 1 - the bottom half of the (N)ever-ready case.
My rather battered case has protected the RTS II quite well. The case acts as a small "grip".
No. 2 - a proper grip - the W3 winder (Hmmmm - triple chocolate!)
Naturally, it has a suitable (N)ever-ready case.
No. 3 - the DIY solution
Contax made a small grip for the 137MD and 137MA.
The following shots show how someone has neatly(?) adapted the adapter to fit an RTS/RTSII.
Note 1: It does not foul the controls.
Note 2: It does not protrude beyond the baseplate.
The procedure seems to be:
Remove the flat rubber cover off top plate. Undo the screws holding the top plate to the bottom plate. Drill a 1/4" clearance hole, 15mm inboard of existing hole in the top plate. Drill a small (!) hole (seen here upper right, bare metal) to allow for foot(screw) on RTSII base plate. The mechanic here has rather overdone it!
File or cut a suitable curved clearance section out of the base extrusion. The original knurled screw can be used, but requires a larger curve to be cut. Using a smaller 1/4 knurled screw will allow you to remove less material. Paint exposed metal and re-assemble.
All in all, the DIY-jobber who did this, has made quite a nice RTS grip. It allows the grip to still be used on a (my beloved's) 137MA (don't tell her I've been fiddling with her gear to take these pics!)
Having just received a nice unadapted 137 grip attached to a very sad 137MD (sorry Paul
), it is possible that the above adapted grip may be available for sale/trade.
Now, I'd better hide all the evidence that I have been playing with my better half's gear .... still, she might get a nice newer grip out of it! Oh! If anyone is interested ..... larger images are available off-forum etc.
Cheers, Kyocera Kid.