Anybody here like/use a pistol grip for their Nikons? (or other brands)

68degrees · Apr 9, 2018

I was leafing through an old Nikon system catalog and I recognized something from a recent flea market (that I did not recognize at the flea market). It is a Nikon pistol grip. It has either a cord or cable release that allows you to attach a pistol grip to the tripd socket on the camera and the trigger is linked via cord or cable to the motor drive or shutter button. I thought that might be kinda interesting. My concerns are that someone will mistake it for a gun (either on purpose, by phobia, or by mistake (cognitive failure) and then I will get shot by someone thinking they can justify it to a jury or someone actually afraid for their life ( due to phobia or cognitive failure). However it might be nice for nature shots when nobody is around. Has anyone ever used one of these lately in pubic and what was the reaction? Maybe Im being too careful but people are crazy now adays. Thanks.

Sirius Glass · Apr 9, 2018

I have one from a Mamiya C330. Never used it for that. I still have it, but I never used it on the Hasselblad and probably never will.

AgX · Apr 10, 2018

I have a variety of them, but am still trying out. With a classic SLR I need one hand at the focusing barrel, the other at the release. Such release may be relocated to the grip. But then one must still relocate one hand to the transport lever. Such only makes sense if the pistol grip yields more stability than the standard way of holding or holding with other means.
With an SLR with with automated transport of course this disadvantage of a pistol grip falls off.

In the 70s or so they seem to have been used.

A pistol grip as part of a tripod head
is something else. It gains fast control of camera orientation and locking. With a camera with automated transport and relese reloted to the pistol grip it is benefitial.

And then there are pistol grips at lenses (e.g. Photo Sniper (gun-stock type) or Noflexar)

Theo Sulphate · Apr 10, 2018

Is it really necessary, though? It seems to me a monopod would work just as well and be more convenient to carry.

I'm not hoplophobic, since I have plenty of guns, but the only camera I've ever felt I needed assistance in holding is a Linhof Technika V - it's unwieldy.

mrosenlof · Apr 10, 2018

I also have the Mania for pistol grip. rarely use it. only would use with the eye level prism.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 10, 2018

68degrees said:
I was leafing through an old Nikon system catalog and I recognized something from a recent flea market (that I did not recognize at the flea market). It is a Nikon pistol grip. It has either a cord or cable release that allows you to attach a pistol grip to the tripd socket on the camera and the trigger is linked via cord or cable to the motor drive or shutter button. I thought that might be kinda interesting. My concerns are that someone will mistake it for a gun (either on purpose, by phobia, or by mistake (cognitive failure) and then I will get shot by someone thinking they can justify it to a jury or someone actually afraid for their life ( due to phobia or cognitive failure). However it might be nice for nature shots when nobody is around. Has anyone ever used one of these lately in pubic and what was the reaction? Maybe Im being too careful but people are crazy now adays. Thanks.

I used a pistol grip once with a 35mm SLR. it was awkward and made no difference in image quality; never used it again.

narsuitus · Apr 10, 2018

When I used my Mamiya TLR with a prism finder, I found the Mamiya-Sekor pistol grip very useful.

I also had a Nikon pistol grip but never found it useful for shooting 35mm film.

On the other hand, I find the Nikon pistol grip very useful when shooting hand held video.

narsuitus · Apr 10, 2018

68degrees said:
My concerns are that someone will mistake it for a gun...

To avoid confusion with a hand gun, try a rifle stock instead.

Photographer by Narsuitus, on Flickr

68degrees · Apr 10, 2018

narsuitus said:
To avoid confusion with a hand gun, try a rifle stock instead.

Photographer by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Oh I see what you mean. That would certainly eliminate the confusion wouldnt it. ...... Now that I actually wouldnt blame someone for getting confused. LOL

John Koehrer · Apr 10, 2018

I used one in the late 60's, worked best with the motor drive. With no need to advance the film you were able to brace
the camera, focus and set aperture with the right or left hand. it uses a grooved mounting bolt and could be set at an angle for comfort.

ac12 · Apr 11, 2018

I used a few, and in general they worked fine. The reason was, your right hand was below the camera, not on the side, so it could support the camera easier than a side grip, when shooting with a long lens.
For me, the Nikon pistol grip worked the best, as it was angled where the bottom was more forward than the top, and the resulting grip angle made it easier to hold, close to your chin. See pix.
Although I would put the pistol grip under the body, and my left hand below and on the zoom ring, supporting the lens.

The problem was, you had to let go of the lens or the pistol grip to advance the shutter. So it was really single shot.
As John said, it worked better for the motor drives.

I would LOVE a similar pistol grip for my dslr, but with a decent electrical shutter release, ideally to allow a half press, if the remote cable supports a half press.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 11, 2018

68degrees said:
I was leafing through an old Nikon system catalog and I recognized something from a recent flea market (that I did not recognize at the flea market). It is a Nikon pistol grip. It has either a cord or cable release that allows you to attach a pistol grip to the tripd socket on the camera and the trigger is linked via cord or cable to the motor drive or shutter button. I thought that might be kinda interesting. My concerns are that someone will mistake it for a gun (either on purpose, by phobia, or by mistake (cognitive failure) and then I will get shot by someone thinking they can justify it to a jury or someone actually afraid for their life ( due to phobia or cognitive failure). However it might be nice for nature shots when nobody is around. Has anyone ever used one of these lately in pubic and what was the reaction? Maybe Im being too careful but people are crazy now adays. Thanks.

when bored, don't leaf through a catalog but go out and shoot instead.

68degrees · Apr 11, 2018

leafing is the root of all evil. Note to self, do not leaf!! Don't Leaf! Shoot!

Anybody here like/use a pistol grip for their Nikons? (or other brands)

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