Accessories brand Fotodiox has introduced a cherry wood hand grip for the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III that it says is 'inspired' by the Hasselblad Stellar special edition cameras that were first launched in 2013. While Hasselblad allowed a choice of seven different handgrip materials for the original Stellar model, Fotodiox is offering only one – cherry wood. However, at $59.95 it makes a somewhat more affordable solution, even when you add the price of the camera, than the $1650 Hasselblad wanted for last year's Stellar II.
The original Stellar was a Sony RX100, while the Stellar II was an RX100 III. The Fotodiox Pro Wooden Camera Hand Grip is designed for the Sony RX100 III, but is also compatible with the RX100 and RX100 II models.
The wooden grip fits to the RX100 III using double sided tape and a security screw that attaches it to the camera. As the RX100 and RX100 II models have no screw hole, these models rely just on the tape. The grip attaches only to the side of the camera so users have uninhibited access to both memory card and battery compartments.
Since Hasselblad closed the factory that made its 'special editions' at the end of last year Fotodiox now offers the only option for those wanting a wooden-handled Sony RX100 camera – which is essentially what the Hasselblad Stellars were.
Rebranding a Sony camera as a Hasselblad was a horrible idea. It's like rebranding a Toyota as a Mercedes just by changing the steering wheel to a wooden one and replaceing Toyota logos with Mercedes logos. I wouldn't pay anything extra for that. I wouldn't pay anything for this grip either. A black grip would look much nicer than this.
The original (and amazing) hasselblads didn't have wood grips, so I don't get what this pays hommage to. The new ones that didn't do so well? Maybe their wood grip is one reason why they didn't.
people who buy a compact camera don't want a grip. people who want a grip, buy DSLR and attach many things to it. people like me that want both, just buy two cameras, one compact and one DSLR.
Unlike all the cynics here, I don't think it's bad at all. If I were an RX100 owner, it's something I'd definitely consider. I just think a lot of people are making fun of it because the Hassy Stellars had come before it. But if the Hassy Stellars had never existed, and Fotodiox had introduced this $60 wooded grip for the RX100 all on their own, I think people would look at it differently. I think it's a nice way to add some visual character to a bland-looking RX100, while also adding a nice grip to it! I happen to like the look of wood, and it's a striking contrast to the camera body. Aside from the look of wood, I just like how wood feels, so I think it would be a nice grip to hold. Ultimately, I think that would be something that would make the grip worth having: being able to have the feel of a contoured wood grip under your fingers.
No. It was pretty tacky when Hasselblad did it, it is still pretty tacky at a cheaper price. Quite frankly it looks horrible. Out of place. Mis-match. It sure it's a striking contrast to the camera body but not in a good way. Not even remotely so.
It's just a wooden grip, for crying out loud. LOL. What's all this non-sense about it being "tacky and "looks horrible" and "mis-match." I think some people just want cookie-cutter cameras that all look the same, and anything that remotely deviates from that stringent industrial aesthetic is deemed "tacky" and "horrible", LOL. God forbid anyone does anything to a camera that might add a bit of personality! "Wood on a camera! The horror!" Anything different seems downright offensive to you. Relax. It's just a harmless little wooden grip, and no one is going to force you to buy one.
I think it's fun. You'd probably start hyperventilating with anger. LOL. I guess I'm just a little more flexible and light-hearted when it comes to my cameras.
No. There's several cameras that do not look the same. And just because you look different doesn't mean the design is automatically appealing. If you want things that look better that are different, check out the Leica T, the original Pentax Q.
No, not anything seems downright offensive to me. Just because this design s*cks doesn't mean that everything different is bad. No, I am not hyperventilating in anger. I actually laugh at these things :-) It's not about being light-hearted or not. It's about recognizing a bad design when you see it :-)
But hey, if it works for you, more power to you :-)
If you want one, I presume you had better order fast before Hasselblad sue? I'm not a lawyer so would love to be corrected, however the fact that someone is admitting inspiration is like Samsung making an iphone clone and admitting they were copying Apple. Isn't this obvious intellectual property infringement?
I mean, would it not have been safer to claim ignorance of the Hasselblad model and just have created a wooden hand grip which is not a new thing? Or could Fotodiox have a reasonable defence anyway?
I just don't understand why they are referencing Hasselblad; is this brave, ignorant or something else?!
Considering the Hasselblad is a RX100 with a bit of a makeover it would be a bit hilarious for them to sue someone else for making 'makeover bits' for the RX100.
I seriously don't think they would be bothered, people don't buy the Hasselblad for the slightly better grip.
Well, I wonder if I was right after all, or perhaps they just made a few, because I can't see any on sale.
Incidentally, regarding budget for legal action, last time I checked just receiving a letter of warning with a legal threat is enough to make most people feel sick with worry and is not expensive. In fact, some people would only need to be asked nicely and they might stop.
I actually like the aesthetic contrast that the wood adds. Love the visibility of the wood grain on the grip. Plus, I don't care for the feel of hard aluminum for grips. It just feels dull, cold, and dead. Wood feels nicer. I think this wooden Fotodiox grip would be more comfortable to hold than aluminum. More of an organic feel to it.
First, colored cameras from Pentax, followed by various color schemes from all the rest, culminating in a red, white and blue homage to the French by Leica to add to their olive drab Safari models. Now comes the ultimate insult to our intelligence. A very bad idea by Hassleblad is copied by Fotodiox, an otherwise sensible accessory company to turn a slick and pocketable camera by Sony into a hopeless lump guaranteed to rip the seams out of any pants pocket you are silly enough to attempt to put it in.
Attention Fotodiox: the Sony RX100 doesn't have a grip for a reason. It's pocketable unlike most of its competition. I don't own one, but it's small profile has me very tempted; but without the lovely looking cherry wood lump.
No different from spending a little extra money on a nice camera strap. A camera strap won't make you a better photographer either. But that doesn't mean that it's still not worth having.
I don't understand why Sony chose not to add a grip to the housing in production, after all this is a premium priced camera, yet Sony's cheaper models nearly all have a grip/anti slip area. I own a HX9V, which is beautifully built complete with rubberized grip.
Why did Sony leave such an important yet cheap (for them) to add grip feature on the RX100's ???
If you have not seen the RX100 in person and I did own the mark ii it is VERY small, literally palm size. Yes, they should have place a better grip but I bet you their would be a camp of complainers still. That camera for me was unusable without a grip. I had the richard franiec grip. I then discovered the JB camera grip which is a good product. Sony's OEM grip is cheap and did not help. that said Sony knew the camera needed something or why even produce that as an accessory.
This is like asking why the camera doesn't come with a memory card. The RX100 is supposed to fit in a pocket. It doesn't, but making the grip separate lets people choose size vs. ergonomics.
I know that the RX100 was designed for smallness, but then again so are all compacts, my HX5V and HX9V are not that much different in size, yet they are perfectly pocket size and have anti slit grips on their caseing, even the rear has a rubber thumb grip on the HX9V, and i'm sure the entire HX range have grips too, yet they are cheaper cameras for obvious reasons i.e smaller sensors. We are now at the 3rd generation of the RX100 and still no anti slip finger grips as standard?
I'd like a 'derringer' type sleeve holster. It would be perfect for winter street photography.
We've all seen those things in old Western movies where the cowboy confronts the gambler for cheating and a derringer pistol leaps out of the gambler's sleeve and he gets the drop on the cowboy.
In the winter we could keep the camera and battery warm yet when we come upon a scene of nondescript people picking their nose on the street, a little movement is required by us and the camera pops out into your hand.
You get the photo in mid pick! How great would that be?
The RX100s have never ever been called "slightly slippery" or "a little bit hard to hold"? Ever? Hah. This makes it easier to hold with one hand.
I think it looks stylish. It doesn't protrude all that much either but then I wouldn't keep it in my jeans pants so the camera would likely still be portable for me.
I bought a leather case for my rx100 mk I from China. It provides all the grip you'll ever need for a dimunitive camera like this. About 10 USD on eBay.
I remember when that shill Steve Huff was promoting the Hasselblad Stellar and calling it good value! Now this is much more affordable and practical... If you want to stick a big grip on your pocket camera that is.
I don't think he was promoting it; he raves about most things. It's a good strategy because people will send you stuff, knowing in advance you will really, really like it.
AND Hasselblad was making their own SONY RX 100 II, the Stellar, with a grip, made of wood or other materials. $2,395 ..... Sony's camera sells for $650 so the Hasselblad grip and H logo name added $1750 to the price. **Apparently, it has been discontinued** .... lack of sales perhaps?
Sounded like a bargain: The Hasselblad Stellar (RX100 II) features a titanium finish rather than a black one, a big "H" logo on the front, and a deep, contoured handgrip that's missing from Sony's version of the camera. The grip is available in your choice of carbon fiber or wood. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2472739,00.asp
"Inspired by Hasselblad?" No ... COPIED by Fotodiox. But I'm going to assume that the fit and finish of the Hasselblad grip is superior. Ought to be at the price. Anyway, the Fotodiox grip is, to my way of thinking, a helpful addition to an RX100 III. Why so many of these types of cameras don't come already designed with proper grips is beyond me.
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