"MOBILGRIP" pistol-grip shutter release ... ever seen one before? (photo attached)

[pdeeh]

I've had this at the bottom of a box for a few years, came attached to a Minolta macro bellows I bought in a charity shop.

I'm guessing it was originally a movie-camera accessory?

Can't find any information online about the brand ... anyone here got any info about it?

(Its going to auction as I've no use for it, so it would be nice to know what I'm selling)

 

[pentaxuser]

Isn't it a standard tripod fitment with a standard shutter release so would fit most if not all cameras? If I am right then it might be of particular benefit to user of a 35mm camera with a big or biggish telephoto. The lens gets support from one hand under the lens and grip is pressed into the area between the shoulder and chest and fired with the other hand so effectively you can use it in a similar way to a photo-sniper camera

Just speculation on my part but if I am right then it would certainly be useful to wildlife and sports photographers with heavy tele-photos

pentaxuser

 

[pdeeh]

Oh yes, it's got a standard tripod stud on top so it can be used in a number of useful ways, but I just wondered if anybody had seen one before or knew how old etc. it might be.
It's "US made", apparently by the prolific Pat Pending

 

[pentaxuser]

It's "US made", apparently by the prolific Pat Pending

He is said to be the richest Irishman in America

pentaxuser

 

[John Koehrer]

Isn't it a standard tripod fitment with a standard shutter release so would fit most if not all cameras? If I am right then it might be of particular benefit to user of a 35mm camera with a big or biggish telephoto. The lens gets support from one hand under the lens and grip is pressed into the area between the shoulder and chest and fired with the other hand so effectively you can use it in a similar way to a photo-sniper camera

Just speculation on my part but if I am right then it would certainly be useful to wildlife and sports photographers with heavy tele-photos

pentaxuser

Just a bit of confirmation..
It's a pistol grip used exactly the way pentaxuser says. It's very handy with long lenses or motor drives.

 

[AgX]

Accessory pistol grips were common.

The way the cable release was fitted varied. some models had a rather standard cable release but with a thread at its shaft to screw into the grip. Thus the cable could be used seperately.