Opteka X-GRIP Professional Camera / Camcorder Action Stabilizing Handle with Hot-shoe for Flash or Video Light

by Opteka

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• ASIN: B002R20X9M
• Item model number: X-GRIP
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #62 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Professional Video Accessories > Stabilizers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 30, 2009

Product Description

The Opteka X-GRIP handle can be used by both a professional or amateur user. This incredible support offers stability and control. The hot shoe attachment enables you to add a video light or flash. Extremely useful product for skateboarding and other extreme sports.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly useful., March 16, 2010

By 

Michael B. (CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka X-GRIP Professional Camera / Camcorder Action Stabilizing Handle with Hot-shoe for Flash or Video Light (Electronics)

The video description doesn't do it justice. This is useful for way more than just skateboarding/biking videos. Put it up to your chest or shoulder, it functions like a full-sized camera mount. Swap out external microphones and lights without fingering the camera itself. Put it on a mobile/rolling platform, interesting shots. I can even attach the entire thing to my tripod, and it is way easier to use the big over-sized grip to maneuver the camera than to use the tiny tripod handle.

The curved form of the grip makes it really fun/easy to manipulate in any direction. Over your head, upside down, at your shoetops, etc. With a compact microphone, nothing intruded into the shot. I completely did not understand how cumbersome and awkward it is to shoot with a camcorder hand-grip or with two hands on a DSLR until I tried this.

Plus, it's small enough that you don't feel like a complete and utter dork using it. Well ... maybe not quite that small. But it's fairly unobtrusive.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Relocates the center of gravity - and adds a real hotshoe, February 10, 2010

By 

HMMWV "God, Country, Corps" (santa clara, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Opteka X-GRIP Professional Camera / Camcorder Action Stabilizing Handle with Hot-shoe for Flash or Video Light (Electronics)

Today's AVCHD cameras are going pro. Pros realize that the advantage of inserting a memory card over reading hours of tape into a nonlinear editing system can mean the difference in making a deadline or just a wasted effort. As such, AVCHD cams are being used in production. I've used the Modosteady and this unit, and personally I like this better.

First off, shots from a a low angle with a medium zoom are dramatic. Using a lanc remote and this mount with a 14oz camera you can take some very nice shots on the move from a low angle making the subject appear taller and more a part of the framed shot.

Secondly, the new small form factor cameras LACK the normal (or what I would call normal) hot shoe. The canon series has gone to a very powerful mini-shoe that will NOT accept all of our old goodies for on camera lights, wireless receivers, and shotgun mics. This fixes the problem giving you one dead shoe to mount accessories close to the camera, almost where they would be on a normal camera. If your camera is fortunate enough to have a regular hot shoe, then this gives you mounting for those valuable accessories and keeps it neat. If you have a min-s shoe, you can put a shotgun mike on the camera and put a light on the grip, giving you two accessories where only one would have gone before.

My overall impressions using this were that I could be more artistic with it without breaking my back for the best angle. Tripods are great for podiums, but going mobile for baby steps or bicycle rides dictates a new way to hold your camera. With 1920x1080 AVCHD 24Mbps cameras weighing in at a comfortable 14 oz, this is an excellent tool. Both the camera and the accessory (if used) can be moved forward and rearward for optimal balance - you'll know when you it the sweet spot and trips through the garden will be effortless like a cat on the prowl. Of course, it's made to the high quality standards set by opteka which makes it doubtful anyone will be disappointed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than I expected, June 4, 2010

By 

CJC (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka X-GRIP Professional Camera / Camcorder Action Stabilizing Handle with Hot-shoe for Flash or Video Light (Electronics)

I am a film student and I needed to buy a decent stabilizer for a shoot. I used tripods, but I wanted something that I could use that would offer versatility and free movement. I took the chance and ordered this stabilizer and boy, was I ever so glad I did!!! This is not just for extreme sports or skateboarding, this is very durable and affordable for anyone to use.

I looked at several stabilizers and mostly all of them were easily over $100 or close to it. Also, many of them looked way too bulky. The first thing that caught my attention was the price. I knew that I would not really know what I thought about it until I bought it.

What I really like about this is that it isn't too big or awkward looking. It's lightweight and you can add lights or microphone to it. I have a LED high light mounted to mine and I love it! I was able to get excellent low angles and could easily flow around with little to no camera shake. I was so impressed!

And here's the HUGE plus...you can mount it to any tripod and you do not have to take your camera off the stabilizer!!! It's also great to use if you have a small space to shoot in.

The stabilizer isn't just for camcorders! You can also mount your DSLR to it as well.

If you aren't sure, at least try it out. It's a great piece of equipment, especially for film students, because it is affordable.


****[Side note] If you have a few more bucks to spend on an excellent stabilizer, try looking into the Hague Mini Motion-Cam at: [...].

This particular stabilizer will set you back only about $82 give or take and you can also check out the video on YouTube. I wish I would have known about this while I was in class...but, having the Opteka X-Grip served its purpose during that time.