StanMac Loc: Tennessee

i recall a post from a Hogger a few days ago about the Pictar Smart Grip, inquiring about whether it was a useful phone accessory for your smartphone. I couldn't find that post in the Search function or scanning down the latest posts in the Main Photography discussion. After I read the post, I Googled for the Smart Grip and found it at Adorama discounted from $89 to $19. Since I do use my iPhone occasionally for snapshots or when I don't have a camera with me for an opportune moment, I thought it I'd try it.

At $89, the device is quite overpriced. At $19, it is a fun little accessory incorporating some features to change the character of the images your phone takes. The most aggravating thing I ran into in getting the device up and usable for me, is the lack of any sort of user manual. The device has a small card in the box with a QR code that was labeled "Connecting your Smart Grip to Your Phone". When scanned it gave me a "Page Not Found" error. I visited the pictarworld.com website to download the app for the phone and it would not download directly to my phone - it wanted me establish a dropbox account and download the app there. I don't want or need a dropbox account. I finally downloaded the app from the Apple app store.

I will probably keep the thing to play with, but I don't think it will make my iPhone my 'go to' solution for photo opportunities.

The deep discounting at Adorama indicates to me they are clearing their inventory of the device due to it being discontinued by the supplier or manufacturer, so any future support may be unavailable.

Stan

twowindsbear

How about posting a few pix of the device attached to your phone?

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Yeah, Adorama just wants to dump those things from their warehouse. I bought one of those things a while back, but it wasn't worth the aggravation of getting it to work for the poor results I got with it.

will

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Hi Stan,

I'm the OP of the post "Turn your smartphone into a real camera". https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-760961-1.html

Another UHH member posted on that thread that it didn't work, had no instructions, had to download from an app and overheated his phone. He sent an email to the company and will return the item to Adorama.

Thanks for letting us all know that it is not going to be a helpful item.

Dodie

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Common y'all gear snobs A cellphone is a REAL camera it just has certain limitations and some nifty advantages. Just like A Rolls -Royces and Lamborghinis are REAL CARS but technically, so are Ladas and Hugos. They all have wheels, engines, and all the essential stuff and the latter models may get you from one place to another- Maybe! or NOT- if at all, but in what condition?

Phone cameras are fun. I love mine for casual use so a made a grip out of a Selfi-Stick with a built-in Bluetooth button. This makes it easier to hold the camer/phone comfortably in various orientations and hoist it up high for aerial-like shots. 4 bucks at the dollar store!

I also made a cloth hood so I can see the screen in bright light.

If you can find a ready-made device at a reasonable price- why not?

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

No one on this thread is dissing cell phone cameras. It is the Pictar Smart Grip that is being discussed.
It was touted as being the next best accessory for cell phones. But it failed to live up to its hype.
The diy accessories you are using are probably 10 times better than the Pictar Smart Grip!

will

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

You can see the Smart Grip here:

https://www.pictarworld.com/products/pictar-smart-grip

There are still images and a video on the device.

Stan