EX handheld solution

Evan Donn · January 16th, 2008, 12:21 AM

Full credit for this goes to the B&H rep at their macworld booth (I didn't catch his name) who showed me this while I was checking out the camera - the Anton Bauer EgripZ completely eliminates the EX's balance problem and makes it much more manageable for handheld & one-handed work.

The trick is to attach the EgripZ and then bend the right handle down until it's pointing at the floor. Now when you grab the camera's grip with your right hand the EgripZ handle fits perfectly against your right wrist & forearm, completely eliminating the camera's tendency to roll to the left and taking the stress off your wrist. The second handle can be used to further stabilize the camera with your left hand but it isn't really necessary, so your left hand is free to operate focus and camera controls.

I have a Levelcam which I figured would help but only until I had to let go to focus - the EgripZ doesn't have that problem. For $60 I think it's a must-have if you plan to shoot handheld at all with the EX, and I'll definitely be adding one to my EX order at B&H.

Eric Pascarelli · January 16th, 2008, 12:26 AM

I had trouble picturing how it worked until I saw this picture:

http://www.antonbauer.com/egripz.htm

Looks like an interesting accessory. Seems unnecessarily heavy, though.

Evan Donn · January 16th, 2008, 12:18 PM

The picture is exactly what I'm describing - I actually think it's designed to be used this way; it's not really much use as a 2-handed grip unless you have a larger camera or an additional shoulder mount, but braced against your forearm it would make any small camera more stable.

It didn't seem very heavy in use, but it was hard to judge because the demo camera also had an anton bauer battery pack and light mounted on it which changed the overall weight significantly. Though the grip is rubber it does have a metal core that feels like a gooseneck or something - this is what makes it so flexible, but it also probably contributes most of the weight. However, for me the difference between holding the camera in one hand with and without the grip was so significant that the additional weight wasn't even noticeable.

Just thinking about it, if the weight is an issue you could achieve the same thing with a simple L-brace made of extruded aluminum. It would take all of about 10 minutes to make and cost just about nothing, but would also be less flexible (in terms of usage, as well as actual flexibility) than the EgripZ.

January 16th, 2008, 12:21 AM	#1
Evan Donn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 795	EX handheld solution - Anton Bauer EgripZ Full credit for this goes to the B&H rep at their macworld booth (I didn't catch his name) who showed me this while I was checking out the camera - the Anton Bauer EgripZ completely eliminates the EX's balance problem and makes it much more manageable for handheld & one-handed work. The trick is to attach the EgripZ and then bend the right handle down until it's pointing at the floor. Now when you grab the camera's grip with your right hand the EgripZ handle fits perfectly against your right wrist & forearm, completely eliminating the camera's tendency to roll to the left and taking the stress off your wrist. The second handle can be used to further stabilize the camera with your left hand but it isn't really necessary, so your left hand is free to operate focus and camera controls. I have a Levelcam which I figured would help but only until I had to let go to focus - the EgripZ doesn't have that problem. For $60 I think it's a must-have if you plan to shoot handheld at all with the EX, and I'll definitely be adding one to my EX order at B&H. __________________ My latest short documentary: "Four Pauls: Bring the Hat Back!"

January 16th, 2008, 12:18 PM	#3
Evan Donn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 795	The picture is exactly what I'm describing - I actually think it's designed to be used this way; it's not really much use as a 2-handed grip unless you have a larger camera or an additional shoulder mount, but braced against your forearm it would make any small camera more stable. It didn't seem very heavy in use, but it was hard to judge because the demo camera also had an anton bauer battery pack and light mounted on it which changed the overall weight significantly. Though the grip is rubber it does have a metal core that feels like a gooseneck or something - this is what makes it so flexible, but it also probably contributes most of the weight. However, for me the difference between holding the camera in one hand with and without the grip was so significant that the additional weight wasn't even noticeable. Just thinking about it, if the weight is an issue you could achieve the same thing with a simple L-brace made of extruded aluminum. It would take all of about 10 minutes to make and cost just about nothing, but would also be less flexible (in terms of usage, as well as actual flexibility) than the EgripZ. __________________ My latest short documentary: "Four Pauls: Bring the Hat Back!"

January 16th, 2008, 12:26 AM	#2
Eric Pascarelli Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 498	I had trouble picturing how it worked until I saw this picture: http://www.antonbauer.com/egripz.htm Looks like an interesting accessory. Seems unnecessarily heavy, though.