MiniMoke
Well-known
I don't know if you are like me, but I use the iPhone for the quick and handy snap (or eBay Pics) when no other camera is available.
BUT I ABSOLUTELY HATE MAKING PICTURES WITH IT! Not that the quality is too bad - for the intended results it's quite OK in good light, but I hate holding that flat thing, swiping and clicking with my fingers, missing the icons, fiddling with the onscreen shutter release or the volume buttons to click off a shot. And of course, as you have to hold that previous phone in both hands because your grip is so darn bad, you always got a finger or two in front of the lens.
In comes a good idea, launched on Kickstarter way back in january 2013 but only available now: The Snappgrip (www.http://snappgrip.com)
It's a simple iPhone case (also available for some Samsung models), just like any other hard case around, but with a twist. It's got grooves on the sides, allowing to attach the grip proper, transforming the phone to a point and shoot camera. The case and grip come in black or white with silver trim for the black model and gold trim for the white one. Quite good looking my white and gold grip!
The case allows you to attach different add-on lenses (wide, tele, macro...), available separately.
The grip connects with low power Bluetooth to the phone, using the free Snappgrip app (and one or two second party apps) and is charged by a micro USB cable.
It provides a handy shutter button with 2-stage action (set and hold focus and exposure and shoot), a zoom toggle and a mode selector on the top, and on-off button, USB plug and TRIPOD SOCKET underneath and a release button on the side, allowing yoou to slide the grip off and use the iPhone as intended. An attachment for a wriststrap-string is provided.
Now I have to mention that I have the iPhone 5C, so I can't speak for the 4s, 5 or 5s versions, which have different cases.
The case, while feeling sturdy is not fitting quite well, it had the phone moving about a millimeter lengthwise while and I had to add a very small strip of camera lightseal to prevent it from moving. I like the iPhone 5C, it's sleek polycarbonate shell, and the case does make it bigger, why I never used iPhone cases (I have been lucky and never dropped one...).
The grip fits my small hands well, and allows truly for one handed operation, though the mode dial is difficult to reach with the thumb (or any other finger) without using both hands.
The app is quite rudimentary, but does what it's supposed to do. Bluetooth connection worked flawlessly, but there's a very noticeable shutter delay - but that is inherent to the phone I think.
Build quality of the grip is OK, no more. It's very light, plasticky (hard plastic, even the fake leather looking parts) and the buttons and dials don't have the Leica feel
but that is OK regarding the price of 56 €
It comes nicely packed, with a cloth pouch for the grip and a wriststrap.
In my opinion, it really improves the handling of the phone as a camera, but I'm not convinced yet. The iPhone is NOT a camera, it's a hand-held computer and it will never be a proper camera
I have some more weeks to try it out and then I'll decide if it goes back to Amazon or if it's a keeper. For the moment it does not do enough to make me like the iPhone as a camera.
Does anyone have some experience with this contraption? I'd like to hear from you.
I'll keep you posted if and when the thing will go back to Amazon.....
BUT I ABSOLUTELY HATE MAKING PICTURES WITH IT! Not that the quality is too bad - for the intended results it's quite OK in good light, but I hate holding that flat thing, swiping and clicking with my fingers, missing the icons, fiddling with the onscreen shutter release or the volume buttons to click off a shot. And of course, as you have to hold that previous phone in both hands because your grip is so darn bad, you always got a finger or two in front of the lens.
In comes a good idea, launched on Kickstarter way back in january 2013 but only available now: The Snappgrip (www.http://snappgrip.com)
It's a simple iPhone case (also available for some Samsung models), just like any other hard case around, but with a twist. It's got grooves on the sides, allowing to attach the grip proper, transforming the phone to a point and shoot camera. The case and grip come in black or white with silver trim for the black model and gold trim for the white one. Quite good looking my white and gold grip!
The case allows you to attach different add-on lenses (wide, tele, macro...), available separately.
The grip connects with low power Bluetooth to the phone, using the free Snappgrip app (and one or two second party apps) and is charged by a micro USB cable.
It provides a handy shutter button with 2-stage action (set and hold focus and exposure and shoot), a zoom toggle and a mode selector on the top, and on-off button, USB plug and TRIPOD SOCKET underneath and a release button on the side, allowing yoou to slide the grip off and use the iPhone as intended. An attachment for a wriststrap-string is provided.
Now I have to mention that I have the iPhone 5C, so I can't speak for the 4s, 5 or 5s versions, which have different cases.
The case, while feeling sturdy is not fitting quite well, it had the phone moving about a millimeter lengthwise while and I had to add a very small strip of camera lightseal to prevent it from moving. I like the iPhone 5C, it's sleek polycarbonate shell, and the case does make it bigger, why I never used iPhone cases (I have been lucky and never dropped one...).
The grip fits my small hands well, and allows truly for one handed operation, though the mode dial is difficult to reach with the thumb (or any other finger) without using both hands.
The app is quite rudimentary, but does what it's supposed to do. Bluetooth connection worked flawlessly, but there's a very noticeable shutter delay - but that is inherent to the phone I think.
Build quality of the grip is OK, no more. It's very light, plasticky (hard plastic, even the fake leather looking parts) and the buttons and dials don't have the Leica feel
but that is OK regarding the price of 56 €It comes nicely packed, with a cloth pouch for the grip and a wriststrap.
In my opinion, it really improves the handling of the phone as a camera, but I'm not convinced yet. The iPhone is NOT a camera, it's a hand-held computer and it will never be a proper camera
I have some more weeks to try it out and then I'll decide if it goes back to Amazon or if it's a keeper. For the moment it does not do enough to make me like the iPhone as a camera.
Does anyone have some experience with this contraption? I'd like to hear from you.
I'll keep you posted if and when the thing will go back to Amazon.....
Solinar
Analog Preferred
A nice Trip 35 in the avatar and a nice write up on the Snapgrip for the iPhone.
I went to the DP Review link below for images:
http://connect.dpreview.com/post/9412768202/snappgrip-smartphone
Best Regards,
I went to the DP Review link below for images:
http://connect.dpreview.com/post/9412768202/snappgrip-smartphone
Best Regards,
MiniMoke
Well-known
Those pictures on DPreview are a bit outdated, the layout of the buttons has changed in the final version.
And thanks for the compliment for my Trip and review
And thanks for the compliment for my Trip and review
Sejanus.Aelianus
Veteran
That's about as far from RF photography as I can imagine getting, short of building your own satellite camera system.
It'll never replace the full plate camera, I tell you.
It'll never replace the full plate camera, I tell you.
MiniMoke
Well-known
Yes, of course, but it´s stll some form of photography, you can't deny that. And there's a sub-forum for camera phones here!
Not to say that I like it, but a picture taken with a camera phone, a rangefinder or a large format camera is still a picture.
Not to say that I like it, but a picture taken with a camera phone, a rangefinder or a large format camera is still a picture.
Sejanus.Aelianus
Veteran
Quite right. :angel:
YYV_146
Well-known
Does the button trigger autofocus? I thought on the iPhone you need to select a focus point, and I'm not sure how this is done with the grip on.
MiniMoke
Well-known
Shutter button does trigger exposure and autofocus. Focus point can be selected by tapping on the screen
YYV_146
Well-known
I see. Thanks!
MiniMoke
Well-known
Ok, that´s it, I tried it and I found it not worthy!
No, really, I can understand that someone might use and enjoy the Snappgrip, but it's definitely not for me.
I'll send it back to Amazon tomorrow.
Please understand me right, it's not a bad device, it´s even quite good, but it´s just not for me.
I just hope I have not put you off this thing. If it works for you it´s OK , but you might as well get a compact digital camera (Ricoh, Sony) with much better quality that fits your pants pocket, albeit a lot more expensive.
Thanks for contributing and bearing with me
No, really, I can understand that someone might use and enjoy the Snappgrip, but it's definitely not for me.
I'll send it back to Amazon tomorrow.
Please understand me right, it's not a bad device, it´s even quite good, but it´s just not for me.
I just hope I have not put you off this thing. If it works for you it´s OK , but you might as well get a compact digital camera (Ricoh, Sony) with much better quality that fits your pants pocket, albeit a lot more expensive.
Thanks for contributing and bearing with me
DavidKKHansen
Well-known
Nice review, but have you seen any option for PC flash sync or a hot shoe? It doesn't seem as there is one...
That's what I'd like for the iPhone... an adaptor to be able to sync studio lights. Then I really wouldn't need a digital camera at all
(I currently use a Ricoh GR for product photography, only because it's got a hot shoe)
That's what I'd like for the iPhone... an adaptor to be able to sync studio lights. Then I really wouldn't need a digital camera at all
(I currently use a Ricoh GR for product photography, only because it's got a hot shoe)
MiniMoke
Well-known
Hey David, for what you want, you need a real camera! Just keep your Ricoh and enjoy it!
No hot shoe, no strobes, it´s a PHONE, man
No hot shoe, no strobes, it´s a PHONE, man