Which one? Franiec custom grip or Sony camera case?

Kung Pao Panda · Sep 19, 2012

Hello,

I recently received my Sony RX100. And, while I like the small form factor, it is as slippery as a wet bar of soap.

Right now I just have the wrist strap attached, but am thinking of either the Franiec Sony RX100 custom grip or the mucho expensive but lovely Sony carry case for better grip. Price not being a factor in my decision.

I'm not interested in 3rd party knock offs of the Sony brand case. Please do not suggest that. But might be interested in one of those generic neoprene cases from OP Tech, etc.

I usually carry my cameras (Canon G10, MFT camera(s), either in a small belt pouch i.e.. lowepro, or if carrying multiple MFT cameras, in a small shoulder type bag i.e.. domke f 5xb. Never in factory camera case(s).

For those who own either, which one did you decide on and why?

With the Sony carry case attached, is the camera still pocketable in something like cargo shorts or pant pocket? Either in full or just the bottom half case on.

Camera is for family and travel vacation snaps.

Thanks for any advice and your thoughts.

Liz Z. · Sep 19, 2012

Hi Len_Gee,

I tried the leather case in the Sony store and I liked it, but I ended up getting the Franiec grip, which I love. One factor that turned me away from the case is the necessity of removing it each time you want to take out the SC card or battery. A small effort, I guess, but there you go. Also I thought it would be easier to pocket the camera in a small case in my purse, but that is irrelevant for you, I imagine!

I find that the camera feels very "right" in my hand with the grip.

Len_Gee said:
Hello,

I recently received my Sony RX100. And, while I like the small form factor, it is as slippery as a wet bar of soap.

Right now I just have the wrist strap attached, but am thinking of either the Franiec Sony RX100 custom grip or the mucho expensive but lovely Sony carry case for better grip. Price not being a factor in my decision.

For those who own either, which one did you decide on and why?

--
Liz

Kung Pao Panda · Sep 19, 2012

Hello Liz,

Thanks for the feedback.

Is the Franiec grip easy to put on the camera?

I've got a bit of shake in my hands.

BTW: you carry the RX100 in what kind of case?

Regards.

JJJRRR768 · Sep 19, 2012

It is so small you can carry it easily in a Domkee pouch (medium)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/508244-REG/Domke_707_30N_F_903_Medium_Pouch.html

With this case you can carry an extra card and maybe a battery. I believe they are being discontinued but not sure, they have them if you can find them in black, olive, tan, etc.

I will put the grip on my camera, after handling it for a few minutes I can see that a grip to me would be more useful than a case, and what do you do with the top portion when you are shooting, it either hangs there or you have to make other arrangements. I am doing with the domkee or a lowepro leather case and the grip.

Walt Bilofsky · Sep 19, 2012

I used the textured stick-on described here: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1009&message=42241400 . I only used the bottom half but that's a cosmetic decision.

I find it totally secure (along with the wrist strap and my right middle finger under the lens) and I like the look. Just got back from a three week trip and took hundreds of photos, many one-handed. Carried the RX100 in my pocket and the stick-on hasn't lifted at all.

That said - a lot of people like the Franiec grip. My Canon S90 really needed it. But the large RX100 lens makes it a bit of a squeeze IMO.

Mike Brown · Sep 19, 2012

Hi,

If you like a belt pouch, the Tamrac 90 case is a perfect fit for the RX100 with the Franiec grip attached. The case has a full hood and no zipper that can scratch the camera. The belt loop is sewn in and not velcro It has a front compartment that can carry three batteries and an extra memory card. Thought about the Sony case but the $16 Tamrac was ideal since I use a wrist strap on my camera instead of a shoulder strap. On my last trip the case was rained on and bumped around and the camera was dry and ding-free. Personally. I don't like to advertise my R1 or my RX100 due to sticky fingers so Tamrac cases are great.

Mike B

gulffish · Sep 19, 2012

This is my third Franiec grip. They're well designed and well made and, importantly, they really enhance camera handling. The product works and the price is reasonable, can't ask for anything more.
--
Kirk

BillSprague · Sep 19, 2012

I've had an Sony HX9V for awhile and liked the Sony belt case for it. Sony calls it the "LCS-HH/B Carrying Case". My new RX100 fits it well. Amazon sells it for $20.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004P65UC8/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

It is well made out of leather. The stitching is good. There is a pocket for an extra SD card inside.

--
Bill Sprague

JJJRRR768 · Sep 19, 2012

Walt Bilofsky said:
I used the textured stick-on described here: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1009&message=42241400 . I only used the bottom half but that's a cosmetic decision.

I find it totally secure (along with the wrist strap and my right middle finger under the lens) and I like the look. Just got back from a three week trip and took hundreds of photos, many one-handed. Carried the RX100 in my pocket and the stick-on hasn't lifted at all.

That said - a lot of people like the Franiec grip. My Canon S90 really needed it. But the large RX100 lens makes it a bit of a squeeze IMO.

Good info as I was thinking about the skin. There are a few vendors that sell these on ebay, can you recommend one?

thanks

Catalin Stavaru · Sep 19, 2012

I have the official RX100 camera case and I love it. You really do not need a grip if you have this. It's very compact, basically it adds both grip and strong protection, there are no compromises.

Liz Z. · Sep 19, 2012

Someone posted here a method involving positioning the grip with masking tape along one side edge so that it is exactly where you want it on the camera, then removing the adhesive protector from the Franiec grip, pushing it down into place, and finally after that removing the masking tape. With that method I think your tremor won't be an issue, though "free hand" it might be, especially if you're perfectionistic about placement. I will see if I can locate the thread.

The case I am currently using is a small neoprene pouch I got on eBay:

Len_Gee said:
Hello Liz,

Thanks for the feedback.

Is the Franiec grip easy to put on the camera?

I've got a bit of shake in my hands.

BTW: you carry the RX100 in what kind of case?

Regards.

--
Liz

Liz Z. · Sep 19, 2012

Here is the thread:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=42312394

Liz Z. said:
Someone posted here a method involving positioning the grip with masking tape along one side edge so that it is exactly where you want it on the camera, then removing the adhesive protector from the Franiec grip, pushing it down into place, and finally after that removing the masking tape. With that method I think your tremor won't be an issue, though "free hand" it might be, especially if you're perfectionistic about placement. I will see if I can locate the thread.

The case I am currently using is a small neoprene pouch I got on eBay:

Len_Gee said:

Hello Liz,

Thanks for the feedback.

Is the Franiec grip easy to put on the camera?

I've got a bit of shake in my hands.

BTW: you carry the RX100 in what kind of case?

Regards.

Click to expand...

--
Liz

--
Liz

kage · Sep 19, 2012

I use the Sony case and think it's great. The fit and finish is quite good and while it does add a little bit of bulk I can still fit the whole package (including a wrist strap) into the pockets of most of my pants (either in a cargo pocket or in a front pocket depending on the pants). Result being that I literally have my camera on me all the time. Well, when I am wearing pants anyway.

As for the inconvenience of attaching and detaching the case every time you need to access the battery or memory card. While it is admittedly less convenient than not having a case, something I do to minimize this is to actually utilize the USB port for battery charging and file transfer (which can be done with the case attached), unless I absolutely have to swap either one or the other or both.

k

Kirwin · Sep 19, 2012

Had the custom fitted case for my Panny Lx3. While it was nice, and did fit into my cargo pockets... I found the two piece design a pain.

I have the Franiec grip. It vastly improved the ergonomics of the RX100. Easy to use single handed if I so desire. Well made, and does not look like an add-on. I'm currently using Sony's LCS-CSW/B soft case. Works great on the belt, and is small enough to fit in my cargo pockets.

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666066730

Good luck with your search.

--

Regards,
Kirwin
http://timebandit.smugmug.com

lawrence lee · Sep 19, 2012

I bought the Sony leather case and use it with a wrist strap so I can still pocket the camera. Big advantage over just adding a grip is that the case is made of a tough grade of leather and will definitely protect the camera if dropped.

Kirwin · Sep 19, 2012

lawrence lee said:
I bought the Sony leather case and use it with a wrist strap so I can still pocket the camera. Big advantage over just adding a grip is that the case is made of a tough grade of leather and will definitely protect the camera if dropped.

It's made out of polyurethane... Not leather.

--

Regards,
Kirwin
http://timebandit.smugmug.com

Catalin Stavaru · Sep 19, 2012

It's made of leather where it counts.

On the inside of the case, it is written: 25% genuine leather, 75% polyester. All the outside area is leather, and the hard, protective parts inside are from polyester.

Kirwin said:
lawrence lee said:

I bought the Sony leather case and use it with a wrist strap so I can still pocket the camera. Big advantage over just adding a grip is that the case is made of a tough grade of leather and will definitely protect the camera if dropped.

Click to expand...

It's made out of polyurethane... Not leather.

--

Regards,
Kirwin
http://timebandit.smugmug.com

Kirwin · Sep 19, 2012

Was not aware it had any leather.

Could you share a link where this percentage of materials is specified?

Catalin Stavaru said:
On the inside of the case, it is written: 25% genuine leather, 75% polyester. All the outside area is leather, and the hard, protective parts inside are from polyester.

Kirwin said:

lawrence lee said:

I bought the Sony leather case and use it with a wrist strap so I can still pocket the camera. Big advantage over just adding a grip is that the case is made of a tough grade of leather and will definitely protect the camera if dropped.

Click to expand...

It's made out of polyurethane... Not leather.

Click to expand...

--

Regards,
Kirwin
http://timebandit.smugmug.com

Catalin Stavaru · Sep 19, 2012

Kirwin said:
Could you share a link where this percentage of materials is specified?

Catalin Stavaru said:

On the inside of the case, it is written: 25% genuine leather, 75% polyester. All the outside area is leather, and the hard, protective parts inside are from polyester.

Kirwin said:

lawrence lee said:

I bought the Sony leather case and use it with a wrist strap so I can still pocket the camera. Big advantage over just adding a grip is that the case is made of a tough grade of leather and will definitely protect the camera if dropped.

Click to expand...

It's made out of polyurethane... Not leather.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--

Regards,
Kirwin
http://timebandit.smugmug.com

keven v · Sep 19, 2012

Catalin Stavaru said:
Kirwin said:

Could you share a link where this percentage of materials is specified?

Catalin Stavaru said:

It's made of leather where it counts.

On the inside of the case, it is written: 25% genuine leather, 75% polyester. All the outside area is leather, and the hard, protective parts inside are from polyester.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

That tag actually says 25% cow hide, 75% polyurethane, Lining 100% polyester (that would be the soft interior, not the hard protection). Hard to see how the entire outside is real leather with those percentages. More than likely it is a quasi real/synthetic blend (google blended leather) with the unseen rigid part being stiff cow hide, the outer "leatherette" being polyurethane and the soft interior made of polyester.

Which one? Franiec custom grip or Sony camera case?

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