Cameradactyl Buttergrip on an F2?

[George Mann]

How many of you have used one of these? I am looking to put one on an F2s. Yay/nay?

 

[madNbad]

Not an F2 but a Nikkormat FS. Good product for the price but like all 3D printed items there are variances between individual items. I had one for a FT2 but the socket for a threaded tripod adapter was loose. This one would squeak a bit till I added some buffering between the grip handle and the body. Buy one without hesitation, the benefits far outweigh any minor glitches.

 

[Chan Tran]

Nay! I hate them grip.

 

[Paul Howell]

Get a motor drive.

 

[George Mann]

Get a motor drive.

Adding weight to this camera is not what I need.

 

[Paul Howell]

Nikon made a winder, they called it a motor drive, 3.5 FPS, took 8 AA batteries, no auto rewind. Not all that heavy, gives the grip, a nice feel.

 

[George Mann]

Nikon made a winder, they called it a motor drive, 3.5 FPS, took 8 AA batteries, no auto rewind. Not all that heavy, gives the grip, a nice feel.

How can a metal winder that takes 8 AA batteries not add noticeable weight?

Besides, I wouldn't be buying this camera if I wanted a motordrive.

 

[George Mann]

Not an F2 but a Nikkormat FS. Good product for the price but like all 3D printed items there are variances between individual items. I had one for a FT2 but the socket for a threaded tripod adapter was loose. This one would squeak a bit till I added some buffering between the grip handle and the body. Buy one without hesitation, the benefits far outweigh any minor glitches.

I just wonder how this stout grip will handle given my small hands.

 

[madNbad]

The grip only adds about an inch of depth to the front of the camera but increases stability and balance. The plastic weights very little, fits well and doesn’t add much bulk. At the price, it’s not a big investment.

 

[Chan Tran]

How can a metal winder that takes 8 AA batteries not add noticeable weight?

Besides, I wouldn't be buying this camera if I wanted a motordrive.

When I bought my Nikon F2AS back in 1977 I really wanted the motor drive but couldn't afford it. I later bought the F3HP and the MD-4 motor drive because the price for both were less than the the MD-2 motor drive and the MB-1 battery pack. But the F2 has a very short winding stroke so I could do a bit better than 1 fps winding by hand.

 

[George Mann]

The grip only adds about an inch of depth to the front of the camera but increases stability and balance. The plastic weights very little, fits well and doesn’t add much bulk. At the price, it’s not a big investment.

Sounds good.

 

[AgX]

I only know this grip from such photos. But the first question that comes up: Might the grip not brake off when used at a camera with long, heavy lens? Thus just the case when such grip would be most benefitial.

 

[George Mann]

I only know this grip from such photos. But the first question that comes up: Might the grip not brake off when used at a camera with long, heavy lens? Thus just the case when such grip would be most benefitial.

I thought about this at first. But it
should be unlikely to happen
given its thickness, and the way it grips (contours) the body.

 

[Huss]

I have the Buttergrip on my F2, as well as other cameras, and it is excellent. Weighs next to nothing, and very comfortable to use. It is also very sturdy, I'm not sure I understand how it could break using a heavy lens.
I also have a much more expensive 'custom' metal grip for the F2, which I bought before I knew of Cameradactyl. It is very uncomfortable to hold in comparison. But it looks cool...

 

[AgX]

I have the Buttergrip on my F2, ... It is also very sturdy, I'm not sure I understand how it could break using a heavy lens.

The concern was that if one held the whole body/lens combo with ones right hand, the right side of the body resting against ones palm, the fingers grasping around the grip, substantial torque is on the part where the grip extends into its bottom plate.

 

[Huss]

The concern was that if one held the whole body/lens combo with ones right hand, the right side of the body resting against ones palm, the fingers grasping around the grip, substantial torque is on the part where the grip extends into its bottom plate.

Who shoots a heavy lens on an F2 with one hand? It's not like an AF camera. And even if one does, the buttergrip is very sturdy.

 

[George Mann]

My one and only heavy lens would be used with my monopod.

 

[AgX]

Who shoots a heavy lens on an F2 with one hand? It's not like an AF camera. And even if one does, the buttergrip is very sturdy.

I do not use AF SLRs, but for instance a heavy 600mm non-tele lens often without tri- or mono-pod.

 

[Huss]

I do not use AF SLRs, but for instance a heavy 600mm non-tele lens often without tri- or mono-pod.

But who uses that with one hand? I don't even shoot a 40mm pancake lens with one hand! Right hand to hold the camera and push the shutter button. Left hand to support the lens , change the aperture, and focus it.

 

[George Mann]

I do not use AF SLRs, but for instance a heavy 600mm non-tele lens often without tri- or mono-pod.

How then do you hold such a lens steady enough to avoid blur?

 

[warden]

I do not use AF SLRs, but for instance a heavy 600mm non-tele lens often without tri- or mono-pod.

Also there is the issue of using the grip while carrying the camera with one hand, which I would do. I don't know what plastic material they use for their 3d print but I'd be careful with it and not use it for load bearing/carrying duty.

Edit: I see they make grips for Pentax 67 cameras too so the material must have some structure to it. I checked their site and didn't see any technical information on the process or resins used so it's hard to say. Their parts are crude with typical stair-stepping from prosumer 3d printers but you can't complain at these quite low prices (assuming the parts don't break).

 

[AgX]

But who uses that with one hand? I don't even shoot a 40mm pancake lens with one hand! Right hand to hold the camera and push the shutter button. Left hand to support the lens , change the aperture, and focus it.

The moment you re-grip for turning the focusing barrel (at long throw barrels) you already loose grip of the hand at the barrel.

 

[AgX]

How then do you hold such a lens steady enough to avoid blur?

With the classic 3-point support: right hand, left hand, forehead.

A good body control is benefitial, as is a shoulder-rest to substitute the forehead.

 

[CMoore]

How many of you have used one of these? I am looking to put one on an F2s. Yay/nay?

Good Grief...... i will just say you have gotten some odd responses and leave it right there.

Anyway.......I have one on my Minolta X-570.
I like it a lot.!
They seem to be very well made IMHO.
I think you will find it quite useful.

Good Luck

 

[AgX]

Good Grief...... i will just say you have gotten some odd responses and leave it right there.

I would not call them odd responses. For someone who knows that grip only from such photo, the question on its rigidity is not far fetched at all. We got the reply that the grip is more rigid than it looks.
So all is fine.