Filmtools Gripper 115 XL at DVinfo.net

Subbu Vedula · February 5th, 2009, 10:25 AM

I am wondering if anyone used Gripper 115 XL inside and outside of the car? Filmtools claims it can be used outside as well but no photos. People used Gripper 3025 outside but no information on Gripper 115 XL at all. Appreciate any input on this or other alternatives (at the same price range)
Thanks

Subbu Vedula · June 4th, 2009, 11:18 AM

I got the Film tools gripper 116xl from film tools(Order shipped same day and arrived as per the schedule). I have mounted HVX200.
HVX200 is a bit heavy for the 116XL. I put the gripper with hvx200 on the wind shield (no tethers), on the passengers door (to capture the front-tire), and inside the car. The gripper held well most of the part (It is hvx and heavier). Once the red line almost became visible, and I am glad I spotted the red line just in time.
Suction cup works really well. Shots are smooth provided the road is smooth too. Got some good shots.
However the gripper is not very flexible in composing the frame. Adjusting the camera angle or balancing the frame is not easy. A lot of fiddling need to be done to get the right configuration and even then in some cases I could not get the shot/frame I wanted. I am not sure if a tripod head can be attached to the gripper to achieve flexibility.

Pros:
Attached securely to the surface
Can be used both inside the car and outside
Smooth as long as the surface is smooth
Sturdy (Supported HVX200 - but could not support HVX200 + Century Optics 0.75x WA converter)
Cons:
Less flexible to compose a frame.

Overall happy with the gripper.

February 5th, 2009, 10:25 AM	#1
Subbu Vedula Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 48	Filmtools Gripper 115 XL I am wondering if anyone used Gripper 115 XL inside and outside of the car? Filmtools claims it can be used outside as well but no photos. People used Gripper 3025 outside but no information on Gripper 115 XL at all. Appreciate any input on this or other alternatives (at the same price range) Thanks

June 4th, 2009, 11:18 AM	#2
Subbu Vedula Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 48	Film tools gripper 116xl review I got the Film tools gripper 116xl from film tools(Order shipped same day and arrived as per the schedule). I have mounted HVX200. HVX200 is a bit heavy for the 116XL. I put the gripper with hvx200 on the wind shield (no tethers), on the passengers door (to capture the front-tire), and inside the car. The gripper held well most of the part (It is hvx and heavier). Once the red line almost became visible, and I am glad I spotted the red line just in time. Suction cup works really well. Shots are smooth provided the road is smooth too. Got some good shots. However the gripper is not very flexible in composing the frame. Adjusting the camera angle or balancing the frame is not easy. A lot of fiddling need to be done to get the right configuration and even then in some cases I could not get the shot/frame I wanted. I am not sure if a tripod head can be attached to the gripper to achieve flexibility. Pros: Attached securely to the surface Can be used both inside the car and outside Smooth as long as the surface is smooth Sturdy (Supported HVX200 - but could not support HVX200 + Century Optics 0.75x WA converter) Cons: Less flexible to compose a frame. Overall happy with the gripper.