16Nov Exclusive New PNC Camera Handle Grips
(BTW: The video (below) was shot on the Fuji X10. Notice all the aliasing? I think the Sony HX9V shoots better video, but the X10 does way better Photos)
Even though small cameras don’t share the same video quality as the DSLRs, I still love to shoot with them. Especially for little reviews like this on the blog, i’m not overly concerned with quality. Heck most of my videos are uploaded in 480 SD. When shooting videos with small cameras, I like using grips. I wasn’t too happy with the current small handle grips on the market, so it was about time to make something new.
(left to right – Barska, Opteka, PNC Grip)
The Barska is a great handle, but you’ll need to grind down the threads a bit. The narrow platform overflows a small and wide camera base, but is suffice for light gear. The Opteka is mostly plastic and has a mini-quick release. This is not suitable at all for anything more than say a FlipHD. I wanted a handle that would fit my needs when it came to the cameras I was working with. I felt that most people who shoot with small cameras like me could benefit with an updated handle design.
These new handle grips from PhotographyandCinema.com have a wide base compared to the narrow ones available today. The new PNC Grip is much larger than the Barska, and has the rubberized coating which has a professional feel to it. The wide platform carries the weight better and ensures less twisting with a heavier load. Great for all the new small cameras like Canon S100, Panasonic GX1, Fuji X10, Sony NEX-5n, etc. A simple idea that makes a lot sense with the current trend in pocket video cameras (at least for me). It’s on the last leg of completion and should be available soon. Target retail price?? Trying to get it around $20 bucks. Follow me on Twitter to stay up to date on new products like this http://twitter.com/Cheesycam.
[Note: PhotographyandCinema.com is a website I design products for.]
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November 16th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Hey Emm,
thanks for the info. The new grips look great. I also had an Opteka handle I really liked the built in quick release but like you i found the support a little weak for anything but the lightest of cameras. So when can we expect the grips to come out and for how much?
November 16th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
@JSS – I’ll have more updates on this possibly next week. Fun little accessory for sure.
November 16th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
The s100 is pretty thin, will this handle work and still allow access to the click wheel?
November 16th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Buying it! looks amazing.
November 16th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
@J hanna – Ill test on mine later tonight.
November 16th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Do you already know the price range that this will be available for?
November 16th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Looks interesting for sure, but would you post some videos showing the grip in action? I always wondered how do one use these grips, are they really more efficient than just grabbing a DSLR by it’s side grip area and having the other hand at the bottom of the lens.
But of course, I guess these are really more suitable for the smaller cameras as you say. (:
November 16th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
Oh wait nevermind… I see it now…
November 16th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Looks good!
November 16th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
In perfect time Emm, I just ordered the Barska today… great. It’s been in my wish list cart for the past few months.
November 16th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
awesome! Thanks Emm for once again thinking of us broke filmmakers! lol…but seriously thanks!
November 16th, 2011 at 11:42 pm
It would be cool if you had a premium model that included a built in shutter trigger. Looks interesting though. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Video-Hand-ST-Grip-Kit-Panasonic-GH2-GH1-GF2-GF1-G1-/120713829034?pt=US_Camera_Battery_Grips&hash=item1c1b1adaaa#ht_1931wt_970
November 17th, 2011 at 4:36 am
awesome! i need this for when i’m shooting the d7000 run and gun on family adventures . when will I be able to pick on one from ya?
November 17th, 2011 at 7:54 am
Cool, I’ve been holding off on Barska and Opteka and I’m glad I did
Again, hopefully international shipping won’t be expensive. Or if you let Amazon carry it, we can still go ahead with the mail-forwarding method for the lot of us.
At $20, it’ll be popular. At $15, it’ll be a major sell-out.
November 17th, 2011 at 9:57 am
This looks really great for a simple run-n-gun setup. My spark plug clamp shoulder mount (from right here on cheesycam) provides great stability but I find myself now wanting something smaller and less obtrusive for my t2i. Not sure how much stability this will provide.
I’ve been considering making your monopod stabilizer or some type of shooter style rig with a shoulder brace. Something like the Cinevate Simplis Dual here: http://www.cinevate.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=261 Hey! There’s a project for you, Emm. Something adjustable in the $100 – $200 range. Or maybe Gini coming up with a shooter style rig.
November 17th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Hey Em!
Great work on the grip! I have the Zacuto model which the Opteka looks suspiciously like (the quick release is exactly the same but Zacuto red on mine).
I shot this BTS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CwVKBGPYT8) video with the following setup: GH2, Nikkor 50mm, 28mm primes, LCDVF, Zacuto handgrip. All that was mounted into a rapid fire shoulder strap. I was overly careful with the setup for exactly the reasons you outline. Your grip would have erased my concern with the stability of the setup.
Looking forward to getting this in my kit!
November 17th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@Josef – The video for Foster the People? Is that the correct link? Looks good.
November 17th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Yeah that’s the one.
Thanks Em!!
November 25th, 2011 at 6:33 am
I can see a good handle being useful with the Sony NEX-7 when it comes out, sort of making it like an old 8mm camera in feel.
November 30th, 2011 at 12:12 am
So siked about this!! when will it be available… I wanna snag one before I leave for Africa next month…
December 16th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
Any new news on this?
December 24th, 2011 at 10:12 am
I want to get one. When it will be available?
March 8th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
jesus christ pecx did you even read the article he put up a link to where you can buy it.
http://photographyandcinema.com/