The Grip - a Smartphone 'Rig' (Page 2): Looking forward to your review.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Wingpilot wrote:

The phone grip got here today, but I’m not sure it’s going to work out. A year ago I had the end joint of my right index finger fused due to deterioring from arthritis and now it doesn’t bend. As a result I have a lot of difficulty reaching the shutter release button. I’ll try it out tomorrow and see how it works.

Looking forward to your review.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Ok, here is a review of this cellphone camera grip. My assessment is pretty much the same as it was last evening. For me, with the fused index finger joint, it’s a bit on the clumsy side, although I can reach and press the shutter release button. For those with all their joints working, it should be just like it is with a regular camera. Ordinarily a cellphone, and in my case, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, is fairly light and carries nicely in a pants or shirt pocket. This grip effectively doubles the weight and is on the bulky side when the phone is mounted on it. So what are the benefits? It does offer a degree of stability that the phone doesn’t quite have on its own. And it has a built in light for, I suppose, those close up shots in low light, sort of like using a ring light. I’ve taken a couple shots of an African violet, the first being with the light and the second without, relying on ambient light. Personally, while it’s a bid darker, the color is truer. The grip’s built in light is on the cool side, so I don’t know how much one would want to use it. Judge for yourselves in this case. The flowers are to the purplish side of blue, whereas with the light it renders them to a much lighter blue. On the other hand, it brings out some detail on the leaves not seen without the light. You can no longer put your phone in your pocket, however there is a small loop on top that you can thread the tether cord on a neck strap to carry it on your neck. Or a wrist strap. Ultimately, for me, the jury is still out on this grip.

Here are some random shots I took with it this morning.

Post Script: While this grip allows one to use the phone camera more like a regular camera, the convenience of the phone itself is lost. Personally, I think I find it more convenient to carry my Sony RX100VII as it goes in a pocket and is almost as convenient as the iPhone to use. I just have to download the images on the card to my iPad. YMMV.

(Download)

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

Wingpilot wrote:

Ok, here is a review of this cellphone camera grip... (show quote)

Very helpful. Thanks

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Bazbo wrote:

Very helpful. Thanks

You’re welcome. In the end I was disappointed in it. It seems well made and all, but just wasn’t what I was looking for I guess. It’s packaged back up and I’ll take it to the UPS store this afternoon. On the other hand, you might find something like this to be just what you’re looking for. It just didn’t work for me.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Wingpilot wrote:

Ok, here is a review of this cellphone camera grip... (show quote)

What are the two small buttons on top of the Grip. I am assuming the large button is the shutter button.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Fstop12 wrote:

What are the two small buttons on top of the Grip. I am assuming the large button is the shutter button.

Zoom in/out. They don’t work with the iPhone, though.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Wingpilot wrote:

Zoom in/out. They don’t work with the iPhone, though.

Thanks, from the looks of that grip, I know it's something that I wouldn't have. It looks too bulky. Thanks for giving us the real world review.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Fstop12 wrote:

Thanks, from the looks of that grip, I know it's something that I wouldn't have. It looks too bulky. Thanks for giving us the real world review.

I dropped it off at the UPS Store yesterday afternoon. I returned it for the very reason you stated. I get the idea of it, but it just doesn’t carry it off well. It doesn’t feel like a regular camera. Oh well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Of course, these thoughts are just my opinion, lest the manufacturer think I’m recommending against their product. It just didn’t work for me.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Wingpilot wrote:

I dropped it off at the UPS Store yesterday afternoon. I returned it for the very reason you stated. I get the idea of it, but it just doesn’t carry it off well. It doesn’t feel like a regular camera. Oh well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Of course, these thoughts are just my opinion, lest the manufacturer think I’m recommending against their product. It just didn’t work for me.

I use a Peak Design Case along with the Peak Design Lease strap when I know I'm going to be out and walking long distances. Love the strap, it allows the phone to hand at whatever height I want and it's easily availalbe for when I want to use it. I use to use it alone with a Black Rapid strap on my DSLR. I could easily switch between using whatever camera I wanted to use. I pretty much no longer do that these days for I have found that the IPhone meets my photographic needs.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Fstop12 wrote:

I use a Peak Design Case along with the Peak Design Lease strap when I know I'm going to be out and walking long distances. Love the strap, it allows the phone to hand at whatever height I want and it's easily availalbe for when I want to use it. I use to use it alone with a Black Rapid strap on my DSLR. I could easily switch between using whatever camera I wanted to use. I pretty much no longer do that these days for I have found that the IPhone meets my photographic needs.

I just keep the phone in my shirt pocket and that works for me. Like you, my iPhone meets most of my photographic needs, as well. My regular cameras rarely get used anymore.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky