I have smallrig grip, but keep thinking of buying that new Neewer CA079.
What I don't like in Smallrig grip is that material that makes my hands sweat, it doesnt feel nice.
Now, you guys commented on that Neewer CA079 that also has uncomfortable material.
phinix wrote:
I have smallrig grip, but keep thinking of buying that new Neewer CA079.
What I don't like in Smallrig grip is that material that makes my hands sweat, it doesnt feel nice.
Now, you guys commented on that Neewer CA079 that also has uncomfortable material.
Is it worse than Smallrig?
There are all sorts of detail difference though I would think the Neewer is less likely to make your hand sweat. Having used both grips when out shooting there are pros and cons for each.
The Smallrig is better if you want to carry the camera around using the grip. Also with a larger lens possibly 24 120 and bigger…then the more squashy and grippy Smallrig may be better.
The Neewer with its thumb rest is great with small lenses up to the 24 70 and just about the 24 120. I like the extra flange where my fingers wrapping around the grip do not wear the leatherette on the front of the camera.
My expectation from handling the Neewer at home was that it’s not cushioned but in actual use that’s not something I noticed.
Clivem2 wrote:
There are all sorts of detail difference though I would think the Neewer is less likely to make your hand sweat. Having used both grips when out shooting there are pros and cons for each.
The Smallrig is better if you want to carry the camera around using the grip. Also with a larger lens possibly 24 120 and bigger…then the more squashy and grippy Smallrig may be better.
The Neewer with its thumb rest is great with small lenses up to the 24 70 and just about the 24 120. I like the extra flange where my fingers wrapping around the grip do not wear the leatherette on the front of the camera.
My expectation from handling the Neewer at home was that it’s not cushioned but in actual use that’s not something I noticed.
Interesting, thanks.
I'm not planning to use bigger lens than my 24-70/4 zoom, so I may get that Neewer grip and compare it to Smallrig.
I used Smallrig grip with that zoom during my trip to Rome and this is why I said that my hand was sweating - it could be because of the temperature outside (>30C) but I felt like the actual grip material made my hand sweating while holding camera by the grip for more than 15 minutes.
phinix wrote:
Interesting, thanks.
I'm not planning to use bigger lens than my 24-70/4 zoom, so I may get that Neewer grip and compare it to Smallrig.
I used Smallrig grip with that zoom during my trip to Rome and this is why I said that my hand was sweating - it could be because of the temperature outside (>30C) but I felt like the actual grip material made my hand sweating while holding camera by the grip for more than 15 minutes.
I should add my context…I can’t comment on holding the Neewer grip for 15 mins as I usually hang the Zf around my neck to the front or across my shoulder so I’m only holding the camera for a very few minutes at a time.
the CA079 certainly feels a lot better than the silicone of the smallrig.
it's not soft, though.
Pretty hard leatherette material (like on every single one of my old SLR cameras).
It's not rubber, so it's what many would call: "slippery".
I for one don't need a rubber grip on that camera.
Using film SLRs with no grip, my Leica Q had the LIM's metal grip, the Q2 has a small bulge in the leather case.. all could be considered "slippery".. but they pose no issues, bc they don't have 1kg+ lenses on them.
sure, with heavy and long lenses on my large (D)SLRs (D850, but also the F5) I like a substantial grip.
But if I wanted heavy and long lenses on mirrorless, I would get the Z8.
The Zf was not made for that.
OK, today I received Neewer CA079 .
While the material is better than Smallgrip, the actual CA079 is kinda weird to hold - its like a bit too slim. Smallrig is thicker and you can feel its bigger under your fingers.
I have 45 days to return - I will try it for couple of minutes and see if I want to keep it. Need to mount my zoom to see I want it.
Tried Smallrig again and it feels more secure due to its thickness. Material is iffy, I dont like its rubbery feeling, feels and looks cheap on Zf, like someone just formed it in hands and splashed it on the camera.
phinix wrote:
OK, today I received Neewer CA079 .
While the material is better than Smallgrip, the actual CA079 is kinda weird to hold - its like a bit too slim. Smallrig is thicker and you can feel its bigger under your fingers.
I have 45 days to return - I will try it for couple of minutes and see if I want to keep it. Need to mount my zoom to see I want it.
Tried Smallrig again and it feels more secure due to its thickness. Material is iffy, I dont like its rubbery feeling, feels and looks cheap on Zf, like someone just formed it in hands and splashed it on the camera....Show more →
Almost total agreement here, I returned mine. Kept the smallrig.
I have both the Neewer 079 and the Smallrig (which I got for free here in Europe). The thumb rest makes the difference for me as it is easier to go out for a long walk and a hand strap, holding the camera with one hand. It was almost impossible doing the same using the Smallrig.
stavrosf wrote:
I have both the Neewer 079 and the Smallrig (which I got for free here in Europe). The thumb rest makes the difference for me as it is easier to go out for a long walk and a hand strap, holding the camera with one hand. It was almost impossible doing the same using the Smallrig.
I’ve switched between the Smallrig and Neewer 079 several times for extended periods. Ultimately it’s the Neewer that’s staying on the camera, the thumb rest is the game changer for long term use for me.
One feature that hasn't been mentioned and that makes the original Neewer Zf grip unique is the provision of a 1/4-20 thread on the grip that allows for portrait orientation mounting of the camera without use of an "L" bracket:
tetrode wrote:
One feature that hasn't been mentioned and that makes the original Neewer Zf grip unique is the provision of a 1/4-20 thread on the grip that allows for portrait orientation mounting of the camera without use of an "L" bracket:
You can remove the red stripe pretty easily. Just get something sharp and pry up the plastic at the base of the channel and once you get it pulled up a little you can pull it right out. Comes out quite clean. Can see it here:
Jman13 wrote:
You can remove the red stripe pretty easily. Just get something sharp and pry up the plastic at the base of the channel and once you get it pulled up a little you can pull it right out. Comes out quite clean. Can see it here:
Jordan, thanks for being the beta tester! I too did not care for the red plastic stripe, and had a bad feeling about long term looks of this plastic and underlying paint when the adhesive would dry out and lift. I used a metal dental pick from an over the counter dental kit and it worked a charm. I just gently pushed the sharp point under the plastic from the bottom of the groove and just slid the pick up the groove when it started to lift and it came out smoothly and cleanly. Looks great!
I just tried the Neewer CA079 and am sending it back. The thumb grip does not do anything for me. My hand is medium large. I prefer the extra grippiness of the Small Rig. It inspires a little more confidence if I am using a bigger lens. I do not like the slight interference with the front dial of the Small Rig but its not a show stopper. The Admiring Light review is thorough and I do not believe the Nikon version is worth it. I am staying with the small rig.
Whether the Smallrig or Neewer works better will be a very individual choice. The thumb rest works for me so the Neewer is good. Interestingly I also have a TP Original half leather case, although this adds little in the way of a grip, it does make holding the camera easier and more grippy with lenses up to mid sized zooms. I’m now alternating between the leather half case and the Neewer.
