Jim, have you thought about making the center plate into the shape of a Manfrotto 200PL-14 in the future as well? It's a pretty common plate and probably more attractive to enthusiasts with standard Manfrotto/Bogen heads.
Please let me know when/where you are going to put this up for sale. I would love to buy one!
Due to the lack of something on the market I too have been trying to create something like this for the NEX-7. I have been using sculpteo.com to do 3d prints and have been modifying them as I go. On version 2 right now.
The cost per (3d) print is about $70-100 and delivery times are about a 5 working days. Both of which are dependent on the design.
Cool thing about this site is once you are done you can post it for sale (the print only, no screws).
I'd prefer an aluminum design like yours over a 3d printed. With 3d printing, its great in the prototyping phase to get something in hand quickly. The down side is that the material is not anywhere near the strength of solid/injection molded plastic. I've had issues with the ABS plastic prints in areas where the thickness is less than 3-4mm.
Interesting. The Nex system could use something like this.
Am I missing something, or does this grip look extremely uncomfortable (like a torture device )? There's no way I'd want to hold that in my hand longer than it took to put it on a tripod. Is that it's sole purpose?
From a usability perspective, what am I missing that has everyone so excited
jamesf99 wrote:
Interesting. The Nex system could use something like this.
Am I missing something, or does this grip look extremely uncomfortable (like a torture device )? There's no way I'd want to hold that in my hand longer than it took to put it on a tripod. Is that it's sole purpose?
From a usability perspective, what am I missing that has everyone so excited
From a usability perspective, I would give an arm and a leg to get some more real estate to grip the nex 7 with. Holding the camera with one hand with even a remotely heavy lens becomes extremely tiring/painful.
I've got big(ish) hands, but by no means huge. and the last two fingers just hang off the edge of the camera.
My only concern would be with compatibility with some of the lens mounts that come with tripod mounts built in.
vchowdhary wrote:
From a usability perspective, I would give an arm and a leg to get some more real estate to grip the nex 7 with. Holding the camera with one hand with even a remotely heavy lens becomes extremely tiring/painful.
I've got big(ish) hands, but by no means huge. and the last two fingers just hang off the edge of the camera.
My only concern would be with compatibility with some of the lens mounts that come with tripod mounts built in.
There are tons of great leather half-cases out there that will help your grip. I bought one, although I actually think it deters from the grip, and I don't use it, myself.
douglasf13 wrote:
There are tons of great leather half-cases out there that will help your grip. I bought one, although I actually think it deters from the grip, and I don't use it, myself.
I looked at some of these and none were really able to provide the amount I needed. Not saying the grip mentioned here would either, but it appears a bit more substantial.
Did you have any that worked out for you? I would appreciate any input in this regard.
vchowdhary wrote:
From a usability perspective, I would give an arm and a leg to get some more real estate to grip the nex 7 with. Holding the camera with one hand with even a remotely heavy lens becomes extremely tiring/painful.
I've got big(ish) hands, but by no means huge. and the last two fingers just hang off the edge of the camera.
My only concern would be with compatibility with some of the lens mounts that come with tripod mounts built in.
out of curiosity, when and how are you holding the camera with one hand and a heavy lens? i always wonder what people are doing that i'm not that gives them so much trouble with small cameras. i love the grip on the NEX-7, though i could stand a little extra space between the grip and the lens. definitely don't want it to be taller. when i shoot with any lens i hold the camera with two hands. when i'm carrying around the camera with somewhat large lenses not shooting (c/y 35/14, rokkor 58/1.2, rokkor 135/2.8, or samyang 85/14), the camera dangles from one or two fingers by the grip - no need to use a thumb, gravity does the work. i can carry it like that for hours and not get any kind of hand strain. when i have a real telephoto on the camera (leica R 350/4.8), i carry it by the lens with one hand.
A camera grip is certainly not for everyone. I never understood the big grips for Canon 5D or the crop cameras. Isn't the 5D big enough without?
Maybe the high adaptability and small size of the NEX cameras is causing a paradigm shift where a system is primarily held by the lens with the adapter having the tripod socket, and the camera hand is used more for the control function versus weight support.
The NEX 7 and other NEX models are so "control position dependent" for efficient operation that once I get my thumb and index fingers positioned, I'm holding the camera with just 2 fingers and thumb. Hardly a secure way to hold the camera. Ideally, if the battery door wasn't in the way, I'd like a 1/4-20 threaded socket right above the battery door and then use something like in the photo that can rest in the palm of the hand for a grip. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7250670708_df55febd6e.jpg
sebboh wrote:
...when i'm carrying around the camera with somewhat large lenses not shooting (c/y 35/14, rokkor 58/1.2, rokkor 135/2.8, or samyang 85/14), the camera dangles from one or two fingers by the grip - no need to use a thumb, gravity does the work. i can carry it like that for hours and not get any kind of hand strain. when i have a real telephoto on the camera (leica R 350/4.8), i carry it by the lens with one hand.
When I use a wriststrap, I do the same thing, even with smaller lenses.
JimBuchanan wrote:
Maybe the high adaptability and small size of the NEX cameras is causing a paradigm shift where a system is primarily held by the lens with the adapter having the tripod socket, and the camera hand is used more for the control function versus weight support.
^^ this is the way i always held dslrs and before that slrs when actually shooting – by the lens. the right hand is just for working controls and steadying against rotation. it's what i was always taught was "proper technique" as well. perhaps this why i'm not bothered by the ergonomics of the transition to mirrorless cameras.
with regard to holding the nex-7 during shooting, i find that using my pinky finger as a platform for the base of camera is quite comfortable while holding the grip with my thumb, middle, and ring fingers. i'm sure lots of people have larger hands than me though and could benefit from the extended grip.
douglasf13 wrote:
When I use a wriststrap, I do the same thing, even with smaller lenses.
yeah, perhaps i'm a bit to cavalier with my gear. i should probably get a wrist strap, they tend to get in my way when i'm shooting though.
I've gone to using a very long Gordy's strap, most of the time, that I wear diagonally across my body. While I technically prefer a wrist-strap (or no strap,) walking around L.A. can get you in some interesting predicaments, and I like being able to instantly have both hands free by dropping the camera.
I had my camera on a wrist strap with no bag when downtown last summer, and a couple of guys jumped another guy across the block from me, and I nearly had to make the decision of dropping my camera to the ground to help, or keeping hold of my camera and being compromised (the little NEX cameras aren't much of a weapon.) Fortunately, the two guys ran off before I got close enough to make that decision. I then had to help drag the beat-up, knocked out guy out of the middle of the street, and not having a place to put my camera was a hassle. With a strap, I can just let go of the camera and not worry about it...not that I expect such things to happen very often.
douglasf13 wrote:
I've gone to using a very long Gordy's strap, most of the time, that I wear diagonally across my body. While I technically prefer a wrist-strap (or no strap,) walking around L.A. can get you in some interesting predicaments, and I like being able to instantly have both hands free by dropping the camera.
I had my camera on a wrist strap with no bag when downtown last summer, and a couple of guys jumped another guy across the block from me, and I nearly had to make the decision of dropping my camera to the ground to help, or keeping hold of my camera and being compromised (the little NEX cameras aren't much of a weapon.) Fortunately, the two guys ran off before I got close enough to make that decision. I then had to help drag the beat-up, knocked out guy out of the middle of the street, and not having a place to put my camera was a hassle. With a strap, I can just let go of the camera and not worry about it...not that I expect such things to happen very often. ...Show more →
ha, hopefully that doesn't come up much. in the city i carry the camera in my jacket pocket (it's never too hot for a jacket in SF), or my bag going to and from work.
sebboh wrote:
ha, hopefully that doesn't come up much. in the city i carry the camera in my jacket pocket (it's never too hot for a jacket in SF), or my bag going to and from work.
Man, I definitely prefer the weather up there. I'd love to move up there, but I work for the TV industry.
This is the latest redesign. In fact, except for a few more minutes in the
"tumbler" to smooth any last rough edges, this first production run is
going to be black anodized and ready to ship by the end of next week.
The availability of this item being of a commercial nature, will require
me to retreat to the appropriate websites. More to follow. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7564792516_c2d8fa6300.jpg
To repeat the core design goals of the first post, in part:
The one piece machined aluminum grip weighs 80 grams, bringing the
camera/grip combination to a total of 435 grams, or about the same weight
and height of the X-Pro1. The Grip extends the height of the camera into
the palm for a more secure grasp and positions the thumb and index fingers
for better control. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7564792818_e08a3dfbe5.jpg
The PalmGrip will allow access to the battery/SD door, without the need to
unscrew the grip. It uses an Arca Swiss compatible dovetail and 1/4-20
threaded hole when a Arca Swiss clamp is not available. A cutout provides
full downward and outward tilt of the LCD and there is a speaker hole in the base.
The NEX cameras are very thin and the tripod hole is not supported well,
and could allow flexing on a tripod 1/4-20 stud. The PalmGrip provides
additional contact area to the bottom of the camera for a more robust
build. It also acts as a ballast in hand held operation allowing more
stable slower shutter speeds. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/7564792998_8f0523a0fe.jpg
Just a thought.....there are some concerns about the edges being hard.
I handled an item some time ago that was metal but with a tactile coating......I can best describe it as rubber coating but without feeling like rubber if that makes sense. It definitely added comfort and grip.
)? There's no way I'd want to hold that in my hand longer than it took to put it on a tripod. Is that it's sole purpose?
