Camera "Grips": In most camera reviews these days, the reviewer mentions the grip that the camera has - you know, that bulge that's provided for those who are right-handed. I see how...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

In most camera reviews these days, the reviewer mentions the grip that the camera has - you know, that bulge that's provided for those who are right-handed. I see how the grip is handy, but it's a relatively new feature. I've had Nikons and other brands of film cameras that had no grip at all. I don't recall reviews saying that they were difficult to hold, and I never dropped a camera because it was "bulge-less."

Maybe someone can find the first camera that had the grip/bulge, but my thumb and fingers are able to hold onto most things without enhancements. I suspect part of the reason for the grip is to provide the manufacturer with room for internal components. The "grip" is an accidental bonus.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

jerryc41 wrote:

In most camera reviews these days, the reviewer me... (show quote)

I don't know if it was the first, but the first camera I had with a grip was a Canon T90.

BebuLamar

jerryc41 wrote:

In most camera reviews these days, the reviewer me... (show quote)

Because back then you're supposed to hold and support the camera with your left hand at the bottom of the camera not the right hand with the grip. If you still have one of those cameras without the grip try holding it only with the right hand.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

jerryc41 wrote:

In most camera reviews these days, the reviewer me... (show quote)

I cannot find documentation right now, but at about the same time as the OM3 or OM4, I remember that they introduced a "one-sided" 35mm SLR. There was just enough on the left side for the film cassette to fit closely against the pressure plate. Everything else was biased to the right side, but the whole thing was much more compact than their traditional SLRs, which were themselves quite noticeably more compacr than similar cameras of the time. That would have most likely been in the 1980s. I believe that it had a "grip" on the right side. They also had the Centurion APS camera, but I don’t know about them...

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

terryMc wrote:

I don't know if it was the first, but the first camera I had with a grip was a Canon T90.

The Canon T90 was designed by an industrial designer who did come up with a supposedly ergonomic design, and soon each label came up with their own variation. I believe the modern “retro”’ designs are intended to go back to ‘the time before’.

BebuLamar

rehess wrote:

The Canon T90 was designed by an industrial designer who did come up with a supposedly ergonomic design, and soon each label came up with their own variation. I believe the modern “retro”’ designs are intended to go back to ‘the time before’.

It was designed by Luigi Colani and the lowly Nikon EM (Nikon first plastic body) was designed by Giorgetto Giugiano.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

BebuLamar wrote:

Because back then you're supposed to hold and support the camera with your left hand at the bottom of the camera not the right hand with the grip. If you still have one of those cameras without the grip try holding it only with the right hand.

I was told to support the lens with my left hand {it was already there in the days of manual focus} and the camera body with my right hand, with the viewfinder braced against my eye-socket - a way I still photograph today. I have a hard time with those who wave a camera around with their right hand and complain about “bajance”.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

jerryc41 wrote:

In most camera reviews these days, the reviewer me... (show quote)

My film OM-1 did not get a "bulge" until I added a moter drive (they called it a "winder" because it was under 5 frames a second). The "grip" was where the motor was.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

BebuLamar wrote:

Because back then you're supposed to hold and support the camera with your left hand at the bottom of the camera not the right hand with the grip. If you still have one of those cameras without the grip try holding it only with the right hand.

I have both a Pentax {mine) and a Canon {one I inherited from my Mother} from the 1980's, Both had a subtle grip; not a "handle" such as is typical today {on the far left is a Pentax "Spotmatic" - before grips}.

BebuLamar

wdross wrote:

My film OM-1 did not get a "bulge" until I added a moter drive (they called it a "winder" because it was under 5 frames a second). The "grip" was where the motor was.

The grip was needed because the motor drive at the bottom of the camera make the lens higher and makes it's harder to cradle the camera with just the left hand and thus right hand support is needed. If you remove the drive you can easily hold your OM-1 with just the left hand. When you attach the drive it's significantly more difficult to hold it with just the left hand and thus you need to support it with the right hand with the grip.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rehess wrote:

I was told to support the lens with my left hand {it was already there in the days of manual focus} and the camera body with my right hand, with the viewfinder braced against my eye-socket - a way I still photograph today. I have a hard time with those who wave a camera around with their right hand and complain about “bajance”.

Yes!

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

jerryc41 wrote:

In most camera reviews these days, the reviewer me... (show quote)

Just how new, I had one for an old canon AE1 film camera if I remember correctly. I don't have one on my newest, as without, I have a firm hold. I have held other brands witch left the grip wanting. Today the grip also comes with additional battery power which can be very necessary for many making the extra weight worth it.

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

jerryc41 wrote:

In most camera reviews these days, the reviewer me... (show quote)

Hi Jerry…your observation about the “bulge” on the front of some cameras brings back fond memories. My first experience with a “grip” was on a film camera (Canon F-1) with an “Auto-Winder” accessory attached. Now that was a real grip, it was more like a "handle"! If I recall correctly, the auto-winder required four AA batteries, and the total configuration was relatively heavy. This auto grip design made holding the camera much more comfortable…it was more than a bonus, it was a necessity (for your right hand)! Moving forward to present day, I guess I've developed a personal preference for the built-in grip/handle design and have purchased “grip” accessories for my digital cameras that have inadequate bulges. I find that handle/grips, along with a thumb rest allows me to hold the camera longer with some comfort.

therwol Loc: USA

jerryc41 wrote:

In most camera reviews these days, the reviewer me... (show quote)

I had two of this 1980s camera. The little grip on the right was removeable.

(Download)

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

therwol wrote:

The little grip on the right was removeable.

Both I have from that time were too - I guess they were a convenience only. Only later did the manufacturers use the space.