OM Camera grip 1 (the mythical beast) alternative for only $12.

[Paolo Bonello]

As some of you owners of OM2s, OM3, OM4 would have noticed the Camera grip 1 accessory, if you don't already own one, has become virtually untouchable on the open market. And OM1 / OM 2 owners don't even get the option at all.

I started looking over a year ago for one. I remember balking at $60 once thinking it was too pricey considering it was just a little piece and then I watched them climb to over $100 recently. Once you factor exchange rates and international shipping it's almost as costly as the damn camera. Kinda sucks if you really want one to use instead of ogling it in a glass case stuck on dormant unicorn (OM3 ti).

Anyhow, I searched for some kind of alternative and found a mountain of these stick-on ones for the current crop of point and shoot cameras. It took a few hours researching sizes but I finally narrowed it down to the Flip Bac G3 model. That's it. Nothing else came close. A small modification is all that's needed. Cost was about $8 plus shipping. I bought two for fun!

Pics tell the story.

My naked beauty OM2s preparing for some silicon surgery.
Om stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr
Om stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr
Mark it with White out. Use a 19mm hole punch or a steady hand with a scissors or hobby knife.
Om stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr
And a small one for the corner but I used a hobby knife on the second one.
Om stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr
Voila!!!!
Om stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr
Om stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr

Even Easier on my OM2n. Just nip the corner and stay 3mm away from the center of the self timer lever.
Om stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr
The lever swings around nicely so don't worry.
Om stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr
Try to stay right on the edge so the grip sticks nice and flat but not giving away any distance from the edge or the timer lever (OM1/2) won't swing around.
Om stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr
OM2s - Make sure you turn that little timer ring/lever to the Timer-on position slightly to the left of center to make sure you give it enough room to move.
Om stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr

 

[Paolo Bonello]

In case you were wondering, the half case still works if you want the option however I stopped using them a while back because film change is a pain. Black is original, brown is aftermarket.

OM stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr

OM stick on grip. by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr

 

[F6Roger]

Thanks for that Paolo, very interesting and useful. After a long stint of using modern cameras, I always find going back to one of my OM1/2/2n 'wonders' , feels a bit loose in the hand. Will have to try this soon. 🙂

 

[Paolo Bonello]

If you do decide to try it let me know if you like it.
I find it definitely gives a little more grip but have yet to road test it. It removes some of that loose feeling but it might take a little getting used-to since there's a slightly different feel to right middle finger position. I don't think it'll be a problem though.

 

[Keith]

I use those flipbacs on my Merrills and they are very good. Never thought of using one on my Oly! Great idea for any camera really! 🙂

 

[Keith]

I'm now thinking one of those may improve the handling of my Leica M. 🙂

 

[Paolo Bonello]

Pretty cheap to test I thought. I got mine on eBay.
Keith, the Leica might offer a little more space so you might have more options. Some models have a smoother bump and might feel a bit less rigid for the middle finger position so definitely check out your options but with the OM I measured just about every model out there and found the g3 model was the only one suitable.

 

[BillBingham2]

Excellent combination of artistry, engineering, and frugality.

Thanks for doing and sharing!

B2

 

[dtcls100]

Wow, a $100 for an OM Grip 1? I recall getting two of those about 20 yrs ago, but never used them much, as I generally use my OM cameras with the MD1 or MD2. I guess I should dig mine up out of my photo odds and ends box!!!

 

[Paolo Bonello]

I guess that confirms why they're pretty scarce now. Good luck finding them. I would have offered you some real money (maybe even 40 bucks) before I found the flipbacs but now you have my blessing to sell them to an OM collector for 4 times what they're worth. 😉

PS: Thanks Bill B2. Just trying to live within my means. I've spent far too much on gear over the years so I drew a line in the sand over the camera grip inflated cost due to scarcity.

 

[David Murphy]

very creative - nice

 

[adresaba]

Nice idea for grip. Does anyone ever try to take it off? I wonder what about glue leftovers on camera surface?
p.s. sorry for my English

 

[Keith]

I removed one from my DPM and it came off cleanly leaving nothing behind.

 

[adresaba]

Great,thanks. Then this is perfect grip solution for my 0m2

 

[Paolo Bonello]

After having played with it a little while now if I had to make a criticism I'd say the ridge down the middle of the bump could be a little larger radius making it less pronounced. That's all. I'm sure I'll get used to it but would have been perfect if it had a smoother transition in that ridge however it does look good the way it is. I'll get used to it.

 

[plummerl]

This sounds like a perfect job for a 3D printer.

(I just did a count of my OMs and it appears that I've got six of the Grip 1, obviously from a cheaper time, long, long ago. 😱)

 

[Paolo Bonello]

In case anyone was wondering, the motor grip still fits if you fancy shooting pics with a screaming banshee in your face. It's a squeeze but it fits. You can see the bump stop which usually touched the neckstrap eyelet is now about 1-2mm away. Motor grip still works fine though. You just need to be a little more careful locating the guide pins underneath.

Untitled by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr

 

[Paolo Bonello]

Reporting that I used the OM2s with the grip the other day and found it to be pretty good once you get used to it. It does however highlight another problem area in the lack of thumb grip. Since I'm focused on the ergonomics of it (Knowing it will never be perfect) I would like to address the lack of thumb grip. I think it would improve the handling further.
I just order the G2 grips (slightly wider than the G3 I installed on the front) and want to install it upside down on the rear near the right edge. FYI: I improvised with a stick-on rubber pad that you use under appliances and such just to see if I would like a rear thumb grip and can confirm it's worth thinking about if you're going to install the front grip.
I then checked out an old broken Pentax Super A I had lying around and inspected the grips on that camera. It's actually a rather comfy camera to use and it has both front and rear finger grip on a camera body that is almost the exactly the same size and weight as the OM series cameras.

The pic below are just a temporary thing but I won't take it off until I get another G3 grip to try out. I tested three configurations and found that using stopper in the top right corner to be the best for me since I shoot left eye on the viewfinder and found the other positions (more centered) to be too cramped for me.

I will fill you in once I get the rear grips.

Untitled by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr

Here are the sizes. You can see that in the image above the square stopper I tested is 17mm wide so I think the G2 (below pic) should be perfect installed upside down.

Untitled by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr

 

[Paolo Bonello]

I received the G2 model and promptly stuck it on. I bought an alternate brand with the same spec probably because it was free shipping but the finish is a little smoother and more rubber like. I think the flipbac ones with their lightly stippled finish looks a little better to be honest. Anyhow it works well and definitely compliments the front grip mod. The rear gripper seems to improve it to a level where you can grip it single handed depending on the weight of your lens. Say with a 50 1.8 you'd be fine but the 50 1.4 is a tad heavy to do this comfortably. Anyhow, hope that helps anyone if they were considering some ergonomic modification.

Overall if I were to give an honest critique I'd say (as I mentioned previously ) the highly defined ridge-line down the middle of both grips could be rounded down a tad to make them a little smoother under your fingers so that it takes no getting-used-to. Also if you want to get picky then I would say it lacks the texture of camera leather so it changes the look of the camera considerably. Regardless, I find these things not to be significant enough for me to want to revert it back to original, especially on my user camera. Also for about $25 I managed to achieve a level of grip I could not have done otherwise.

Untitled by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr

Untitled by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr

Untitled by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr

 

[Paolo Bonello]

Here's another variation on the rear grip. This one I cut in two with a hobby knife and filed the edges with an nail file / emery board. The slightly raised position is a fraction more natural.
Untitled by Paolo Bonello, on Flickr