As I age I find gripping my phone when taking photos challenging. I worry about dropping it ; and it is awkward for me to hold it in my right (dominate) hand and do the zooming and tapping with my left. Recently I switched to a Pixel 7 pro and I almost returned it because its larger size was a real challenge. I tried some phone grips but they didn’t solve the awkwardness problem and they covered important parts of my screen.
I purchased a camera grip handle (1 7/8" x 5 1/4"–130mmx32mm; wt 4.6 oz- 134g), a compact ball head (2.1 oz; 62g), and a phone clamp (4.6 oz; 78g). Total weight (without phone) is 9.4 oz - 274g.
Caption: This a photo of the 3 parts of my camera grip.
The phone clamp is aluminum and very secure and includes a hotshoe mount on the top.
Without the phone attached I can fit the rig in my back pocket (you do have to loosen the clamp a little to get it to fold flat. I can walk along with my phone securely and discreetly at my side and then easily grab a shot when I see one. This video shows how it looks assembled. The tripod is only attached so I could photograph the rig.
Caption: This is a video showing my camera grip assembled and various stages of use.
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Interesting, @Rednewt74
Thanks for sharing this.
Have you found a solution to easily press the trigger while using this setup. I have a Bluetooth remote trigger (worth 1 UDS) that I use when I want to take a shot from high above as seen below.
Cheers
Morten
PS: I think we are using the same grip.
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@MortenCopenhagen ,
I try and remember to bring a stylus with me when I’m shooting. After seeing your comment I went and dug up a blue-tooth remote trigger that came with a selfie stick, but I couldn’t find the software to make it work. Several of the “camera grips/clamps” that I looked at come with a blue-tooth trigger, some of which slip in and out of a hotshoe mount. I think for me, since I have a finger or stylus on the screen already, tapping is easier than holding a remote too. I suppose you could find a hotshoe mount to the 1/4" thread on the bottom of the camera handle.
I’m a pretty shaky guy with shoulder issues. I rarely try for high shots because I can’t see the framing, When I do a high shot I use a monopod with the bottom in a mount on my belt. Then I use the timer or usually shoot some video so I can move the camera around to make sure I get what I’m looking for and then export a frame to use.
Yes, I believe our clamp is the same (a Ulanzi??). I have Swiss Arca mounts on all my gear, so the one clamp does it all and I just love how rugged and secure the grip is.
Take Care,
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@Rednewt74
Thanks for your reply.
Most blue tooth buttons can be discovered and paired without any installation software. Long press to enter the pairing mode.
Cheers
Morten
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@AZ_2021 ,
Thank you for the compliment.
I was using it this weekend and noticed that I can tuck my left elbow against my side for more stability and after I tap record I add my right hand to the grip and pan by moving my shoulders and hips.
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@MortenCopenhagen ,
Back when we were discussing this you mentioned about the challenges of framing a shot and triggering the camera when you have it high up. If you have an old phone (it doesn’t have to be activated, just a working screen and Bluetooth) I’ve found a solution. In Google play I bought “Say Cheese” which let’s you see trigger the remote phone. It does control zooming, but can be difficult to get it just right.
You just mount a 2nd phone holder down low. I use a short magic arm and clamp.
Today I had my phone 18’ up on a light stand to photograph some stained glass. The app worked very nicely.
Hi @Rednewt74
Thanks a bunch for suggesting this.
Here is the link to the android app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.saychiz.remotecamera
I hope to find time to play with and test this.
Cheers
Morten
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That is the one. Please keep me posted.
@MortenCopenhagen ,
I just picked up a Benro Sidekick phone clamp. It is normally over $50 us, but B & H Photo had it on sale for $20. Mefoto makes a similar model for $30.
The reason why I got it is that it has an integral ball mount. This means you can put the phone in portrait mode for taking videos without an additional ball head on your handle. It’s not as rugged and it doesn’t fold as flat as the other clamp we have, but the convenience for shooting in portrait mode is great. It does feel quite secure. I also like that it keeps the phone over the handle instead of beside it.
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