Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This camera stabilizer is truly fantastic. Super simple design, and easy to use. Feels very natural when using it with a camcorder. My son uses this to create cool skateboarding videos, and the results are professional. The product is built very sturdy, and suitable for professional use. Plus you look really cool when using it!

Item received is not the same as the picture. Even though the grip is pictured with 'feet'... the one that arrived has the rails at the bottom. You can not grip under the camera easily with this. I ordered this one specifically because of the feet!

This thing made life so much easier. I didn't have to worry so much about where I set the camera down, the feet held it in place, even on slippery rock. I used it to film an RC rock crawling competition, and the handle of the X-Grip allowed me to get some great angles and low shots. It makes the footage so much more dynamic. It takes a little to get used to when you are trying to zoom in and out, getting a good angle on the camera controls while holding it is a little tricky at first. But you will get used to it pretty quickly and it's not an issue after that. It held the camera securely, I never felt it was going to fall off, and the different placement options was perfect to find the best balancing point for my camcorder. One of the best purchases I will ever make for my camcorder.

i bought the Opteka X-GRIP just for the stability and hand grip options... i don't even shoot skate videos!

verdict: i love it! it's got a nicely padded and contoured hand-grip. AND it's MUCH cheaper than similar stabilizing hand grips for your camcorder.

it's been noted before in the reviews for this item, but it's great for resting the grip against your shoulder for a much more stabilized shot. this technique allows you to pan and zoom with more control of the camera.

the X-GRIP also has a very useful hot shoe located right above your camcorder (once you have it attached)... a great spot for a light or maybe a mic (if you use it in conjunction with a good shock mount).

CONLUSION: there are no tricks here. it's exactly what it looks like: a nice, padded, c-shaped grip from Opteka with a hotshoe. so it's either useful for you, or it's not. i love mine.

Just what you need for capturing a event that needs lots of movement of fastphase action like extreme sport etc...

I purchased this product to mount my T2i (Canon DSLR) for extra stabilization. The build quality is superb, it has a really comfortable grip and the handle is really stable. I also like the extra mount on the top for a microphone or light (I use mine for a video rodemic). Overall this product is great, especially for the price, but there was definitely a couple things that bothered me about it. The biggest problem being that the stabilization bar on the top is slanted down and too short to fit my t2i with a battery grip on the bottom.

Pros:
-comfortable, light weight build
-extra mount for light/microphone
-stable when resting on the ground
-slideable mount for the camera to balance weight where you want it, this is especially helpful for turning the camera 90 degrees if you want to hold it like a stabilization mount instead of a low angle mount.

Cons:
- low clearence overhead handle. It wont fit my Canon T2i with a battery grip
-because of the 4 stabilization legs on the bottom, I can not mount this on my video tripod head

So overall the product works perfectly, it just takes a little extra time for me to unscrew the camera from the mount when I want to put it on my tripod and to remove the battery grip when I want to put it on this mount.

I use a Sanyo Xacti CG10. It barely fits on this device..... probably the same problem with other vertical grip models - the top of the camera makes contact with the upper bar at the adjustment knob. It fits if the camera is extended all they way out on the base. You will be filming the upper aspect of the bar if placed back.... and do not try make the bar bigger - it is plastic and will only break.
Filming - We have a chihuahua and got the idea of filming her during walks. The X-Grip brought the view down and close with smoother video. You can also plant the X-Grip to your shoulder while holding the camcorder normally. It delivers a significant reduction in shake. X-Grip works with tripods - you can use the bar on tripod for smoother pans.
I recommend it though I wish it were one inch taller to accommodate vertical grip cams.