Reading mode: Light Dark

Sony ergonomics - uncomfortable grip

Go to last post
J

Jamie87

Well-known member
Messages
168
Reaction score
51
Hello

As a new Sony user I'm blown away with this camera. I'm having lots of fun learnings its ins and outs. However, one thing that I quickly came to realise is how the ergonomics are impacted with bigger lenses.

I'm finding that with a bigger lens attached (Canon 24-70 wi sigma mc-11), the camera becomes front heavy. This isn't a problem when shooting, but when when im playing around with the menus, the front dial digs into my finger, creating a pressure point that becomes quite uncomfortable very quickly. The actual grip provides very little padding.

Does anyone else have a similar experience?
 
PWPhotography said:
BBQue said:
Jamie87 said:
Shooting wit the A7R III.

Agreed its probably just getting used to the smaller body (I'm coming from a 5D Mk III). Shooting doesn't seem to be a problem, as thats when I'm using both hands. It just seems to be when I'm shifting through the menus I have the front dial dig into my finger.

That being said. The image quality this thing produces is amazing! I've got a native lens on order (50mm 1.4) so will see how the ergonomics hold up after that!
Click to expand...
Something like this does wonders for ergonomics: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Premium-Ca...085971?hash=item3abf917c53:g:4b8AAOSw6~VZ3GUP

(I have the bamboo version of it on my camera, but don't see it for sale currently).
Click to expand...
Guess maybe to someone such wood or bamboo versions are more comfortable than metal L-bracket. But latter is L-bracket (that I feel very comfortable in hands) can be mounted on tripod and also extends grip similarly, also cheaper to get from eBay.
Click to expand...
I have both - the wooden one feels warm to the touch, metal feels cold. That's the only difference.
 
Martinka said:
Agreed.

Also with bigger lenses, there could be very little space between grip and lens barrel for those with beefier fingers...
Click to expand...
 
BBQue said:
sportyaccordy said:
Martinka said:
Agreed.

Also with bigger lenses, there could be very little space between grip and lens barrel for those with beefier fingers...

--
http://artofsport.cz/
http://www.martinkozak.com
Click to expand...
An admittedly very stupid design issue on Sony's part.

A9 should have been a good bit wider to deal with this potential issue.
Click to expand...
Not everyone has big hands - and those who do are better served by Canon or Nikon.
Click to expand...
For those cannot deal with Sony ergonomics, Canon and Nikon are your choices.
Member said:
Choice is good. Glad Sony does not make their cameras look and feel like the "big guns".
Click to expand...
The point is option and flexibility. I don't want an oversized and over weighted body in regular trips as A9 replaced A7 II is my 2nd camera to complement A7r II.

I just ordered bunch of beef-up items for A9 and they should arrive sometime next week.

Vertical power grip

Another battery for A9

Another Sony fastest SD II card

FE 100-400 GM

FE 1.4x TC

Great prices from the Greentoe. Never heard about one week's ago until saw a thread in this forum, all from Sony authorized dealers with full one year warranty, prices are even better than eBay grey-imported.

I am ready to take A9 into a serious spin :-)

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: osv
sportyaccordy said:
BBQue said:
sportyaccordy said:
Martinka said:
Agreed.

Also with bigger lenses, there could be very little space between grip and lens barrel for those with beefier fingers...

--
http://artofsport.cz/
http://www.martinkozak.com
Click to expand...
An admittedly very stupid design issue on Sony's part.

A9 should have been a good bit wider to deal with this potential issue.
Click to expand...
Not everyone has big hands - and those who do are better served by Canon or Nikon. Choice is good. Glad Sony does not make their cameras look and feel like the "big guns".
Click to expand...
An extra 10mm or so in width would hardly turn an A9 into a D5. I agree that Sony should keep things small but not so much that they make the cameras unusable.
Click to expand...
How about vertical power grip, still not long enough?

BTW, I don't even want D5 or 1Dx II. I own similar sized/weighted 1D III that is a pain to lug around. You are better to move to Nikon or Canon, why keep whining something not design for you. Move on.
sportyaccordy said:
--
Sometimes I take pictures with my gear- https://www.flickr.com/photos/41601371@N00/
Click to expand...
--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com
 
Last edited:
PWPhotography said:
How about vertical power grip, still not long enough?

BTW, I don't even want D5 or 1Dx II. I own similar sized/weighted 1D III that is a pain to lug around. You are better to move to Nikon or Canon, why keep whining something not design for you. Move on.
Click to expand...
 
sportyaccordy said:
PWPhotography said:
How about vertical power grip, still not long enough?

BTW, I don't even want D5 or 1Dx II. I own similar sized/weighted 1D III that is a pain to lug around. You are better to move to Nikon or Canon, why keep whining something not design for you. Move on.
sportyaccordy said:
--
Sometimes I take pictures with my gear- https://www.flickr.com/photos/41601371@N00/
Click to expand...
--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com
Click to expand...
Again, the issue here is fingers getting pinched between the grip and fatter lenses. I don't know or think that a vertical grip would fix that, nor should one have to buy something to fix a design flaw.
Click to expand...
But now you can move fingers down to the base after the vertical power grip mounted, right? What's problem? Even person like Max Yuryev who has fatty fingers and big hands are satisfied with the grip.
sportyaccordy said:
Sony made the A9 to go up against the 1D and D5, which means it's going to use big telephotos. Seems pretty stupid to have designed the body in a way that would make using such lenses painful and potentially dangerous for much of the market. Not an issue for me as I have no use for such lenses, but still stupid.
Click to expand...
Not for you, so move to D5 or 1Dx II. Why sport camera must be big and heavy by default? Sony gives you option to mount a vertical power grip. How many D5 and 1Dx II owners actually want to lug cameras in vacation, weekend, family or wherever outside the sport fields? I don't see many. I don't want to buy expensive cameras only dedicated in specific areas. I can carry A9 into any places with short and compact lenses mounted. It calls FLEXIBILITY, VERSATILITY AND OPTIONS.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com
 
Last edited:
sportyaccordy said:
PWPhotography said:
sportyaccordy said:
PWPhotography said:
How about vertical power grip, still not long enough?

BTW, I don't even want D5 or 1Dx II. I own similar sized/weighted 1D III that is a pain to lug around. You are better to move to Nikon or Canon, why keep whining something not design for you. Move on.
sportyaccordy said:
--
Sometimes I take pictures with my gear- https://www.flickr.com/photos/41601371@N00/
Click to expand...
--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com
Click to expand...
Again, the issue here is fingers getting pinched between the grip and fatter lenses. I don't know or think that a vertical grip would fix that, nor should one have to buy something to fix a design flaw.
Click to expand...
But now you can move fingers down to the base after the vertical power grip mounted, right? What's problem? Even person like Max Yuryev who has fatty fingers and big hands are satisfied with the grip.
sportyaccordy said:
Sony made the A9 to go up against the 1D and D5, which means it's going to use big telephotos. Seems pretty stupid to have designed the body in a way that would make using such lenses painful and potentially dangerous for much of the market. Not an issue for me as I have no use for such lenses, but still stupid.
Click to expand...
Not for you, so move to D5 or 1Dx II. Why sport camera must be big and heavy by default? Sony gives you option to mount a vertical power grip. How many D5 and 1Dx II owners actually want to lug cameras in vacation, weekend, family or wherever outside the sport fields? I don't see many. I don't want to buy expensive cameras only dedicated in specific areas. I can carry A9 into any places with short and compact lenses mounted. It calls FLEXIBILITY, VERSATILITY AND OPTIONS.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com
Click to expand...
How is a camera that requires you to buy a grip to use certain lenses "versatile"? It's poor design. Again adding 10mm to the width of an A9 would not turn it into a 1D or D5, and wanting to be able to use a lens like the 100-400 comfortably without having to buy another grip does not mean one would be better served getting a 1D/D5. Why are you taking this so personally? It's a stupid design flaw, it's not your fault and has nothing to do with you, calm down.
Click to expand...
It is a design choice - a sensible one that I applaud.

Like many (perhaps most) design choices, it means the camera will please some groups of people while displeasing others.

Personally I would not have bought the camera if it were 10mm wider - it's already at about the upper limit of what I am now consider workable and desirable. I'm done with unnecessary bulk. I don't consider my hands particularly small (roughly average for a male, I suspect), yet I find there's no shortage of room for my fingers with larger lenses mounted.

The fact is the market is overflowing with larger offerings that may be well adapted for people with massive hands (but not so much for anyone else). The more compact form factor of the Sony models is in stark contrast and suits a significant (and hitherto under-served) sector of the market.

I suspect Sony calculated (accurately) that they stood to alienate more users than they would win over, if they arbitrarily joined the throng of other FF camera makes offering more generously proportioned camera bodies.

--
Former Canon, Nikon and Pentax user.
Online Gallery: https://500px.com/raycologon
 
Last edited:
sportyaccordy said:
PWPhotography said:
sportyaccordy said:
PWPhotography said:
How about vertical power grip, still not long enough?

BTW, I don't even want D5 or 1Dx II. I own similar sized/weighted 1D III that is a pain to lug around. You are better to move to Nikon or Canon, why keep whining something not design for you. Move on.
sportyaccordy said:
--
Sometimes I take pictures with my gear- https://www.flickr.com/photos/41601371@N00/
Click to expand...
--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com
Click to expand...
Again, the issue here is fingers getting pinched between the grip and fatter lenses. I don't know or think that a vertical grip would fix that, nor should one have to buy something to fix a design flaw.
Click to expand...
But now you can move fingers down to the base after the vertical power grip mounted, right? What's problem? Even person like Max Yuryev who has fatty fingers and big hands are satisfied with the grip.
sportyaccordy said:
Sony made the A9 to go up against the 1D and D5, which means it's going to use big telephotos. Seems pretty stupid to have designed the body in a way that would make using such lenses painful and potentially dangerous for much of the market. Not an issue for me as I have no use for such lenses, but still stupid.
Click to expand...
Not for you, so move to D5 or 1Dx II. Why sport camera must be big and heavy by default? Sony gives you option to mount a vertical power grip. How many D5 and 1Dx II owners actually want to lug cameras in vacation, weekend, family or wherever outside the sport fields? I don't see many. I don't want to buy expensive cameras only dedicated in specific areas. I can carry A9 into any places with short and compact lenses mounted. It calls FLEXIBILITY, VERSATILITY AND OPTIONS.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com
Click to expand...
How is a camera that requires you to buy a grip to use certain lenses "versatile"?
Click to expand...
Only optional but not physical required. Have options better than no options.
sportyaccordy said:
It's poor design.
Click to expand...
Not in my opinion. D5 and 1Dx II are 'poorly' designed as they cannot be as small and light as A9 ;-) But A9 can be basically the same size although still lighter (which is only an advantage) once out vertical grip on.
sportyaccordy said:
Again adding 10mm to the width of an A9 would not turn it into a 1D or D5,
Click to expand...
I don't want width of 1D and D5, period! How many want to lug 1Dx II and D5 into vacation and hiking?
sportyaccordy said:
and wanting to be able to use a lens like the 100-400 comfortably without having to buy another grip does not mean one would be better served getting a 1D/D5.
Click to expand...
I was comfortably shot 6 hours in a zoo with EF 100-400L IS II (almost 200g heavier than FE 100-400 and plus an adapter) on A7r II without grip but L-bracket that permanently attached. And then I have an option to mount a grip if I want and then has an option to unmount the grip into vacation and hiking. Can you do that with D5 and 1Dx II? Guess not ;-)

BTW, I am getting a vertical grip is just for a better balance, mainly these days I am shooting lots of portrait in portrait orientation so more comfortably with a vertical bar and button layout instead of twisting 90 degree constantly.
sportyaccordy said:
Why are you taking this so personally? It's a stupid design flaw, it's not your fault and has nothing to do with you, calm down.
Click to expand...
You're trolling here. Sony will not design bodies to 1D and D5 size/weight. So why not you move there and enjoy instead of meaningless whining? If it's not for you, just move on to something else. There are lots of choices these days.
sportyaccordy said:
--
Sometimes I take pictures with my gear- https://www.flickr.com/photos/41601371@N00/
Click to expand...
--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com
 
Last edited:
Agreed, it is all about personal preferences. However, I seriously doubt that Sony spent any amount of time thinking about that. Their marketing folks wanted to get the FF camera with the smallest footprint out there. There are other design "descisons" that indicate that the camera design is marketing driven. Placement of the C3 review button, e.g. Better than on the a7, still not good. At least if you, like me, would use your left eye and wear glasses.
 
sportyaccordy said:
Again, the issue here is fingers getting pinched between the grip and fatter lenses. I don't know or think that a vertical grip would fix that, nor should one have to buy something to fix a design flaw.
Click to expand...
Except it is not a "design flow". There is no "one size fits all perfectly". Some like big cameras, some like small cameras. Some like a Porsche, others would not ste into something smaller than a 6-seat SUV.

Get the camera or that fits you best :)
 
BBQue said:
sportyaccordy said:
Again, the issue here is fingers getting pinched between the grip and fatter lenses. I don't know or think that a vertical grip would fix that, nor should one have to buy something to fix a design flaw.
Click to expand...
Except it is not a "design flaw". There is no one size fits all perfectly. Some like big cameras, some like small cameras. Some like a Porsche, others would not step into anything smaller than a 6-seat SUV.

Get the camera or that fits you best :)
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
mcslsk said:
Agreed, it is all about personal preferences. However, I seriously doubt that Sony spent any amount of time thinking about that. Their marketing folks wanted to get the FF camera with the smallest footprint out there. There are other design "descisons" that indicate that the camera design is marketing driven. Placement of the C3 review button, e.g. Better than on the a7, still not good. At least if you, like me, would use your left eye and wear glasses.
Click to expand...
For using left eye and wearing glasses, how about such product? That should give you enough gap to access buttons/switches on body such as the new AF-ON button on A7r III and A9.

 
PWPhotography said:
mcslsk said:
Agreed, it is all about personal preferences. However, I seriously doubt that Sony spent any amount of time thinking about that. Their marketing folks wanted to get the FF camera with the smallest footprint out there. There are other design "descisons" that indicate that the camera design is marketing driven. Placement of the C3 review button, e.g. Better than on the a7, still not good. At least if you, like me, would use your left eye and wear glasses.
Click to expand...
For using left eye and wearing glasses, how about such product? That should give you enough gap to access buttons/switches on body such as the new AF-ON button on A7r III and A9.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...g0QEAQYASABEgLWvfD_BwE&is=REG&m=Y&sku=1165087
Click to expand...
That Hoodman is excellent, especially for glass wearers. There are actually two different sizes of that, one a bit smaller. Must try, which works better. Can be rotated 180 degrees, so usable for both right or left eye viewing.

Good luck.

PS: As for button location: you will never ever find one, where EVERYONE is satisfied. See how many times Sony moved that video recording button around on their cameras, and never found 100% satisfied customers.
 
Last edited:
Unfortunately: no. Not even after cutting it to size. It pushes my glasses against my face, which is uncomfortable.
 
You don't have to have "big" hands to feel the lack of space. Designing a product to "feel good" needs a bit of creativity, but does not neccessarilly add weight or much size. The a7 follows pretty much the design of old film cameras. My PRACTICA B200 looks very similar. Remember the Minolate DiMAGE? Interesting desing. Or how about design options? Grip extensions. May be even a grip that can be switched to one that holds a larger battery (without adding the large battery grip now available)?
 
Member said:
PS: As for button location: you will never ever find one, where EVERYONE is satisfied. See how many times Sony moved that video recording button around on their cameras, and never found 100% satisfied customers.
Click to expand...
Look at how this is solved on the a6500: The button on the AEL/AF/MF switch can serve as both, a magnification button for MF and image review. Haven't heard people complain about that. Now, let's say the current C3 location pleases you and others, but not me and others. What keeps Sony from making that function assignable to the very same button there is on the a7r2 (AEL/AF/MF)?
 
PWPhotography said:
How many D5 and 1Dx II owners actually want to lug cameras in vacation, weekend, family or wherever outside the sport fields? I don't see many.
Click to expand...
That is because they all rent their equipment or get it from their agencies and take their private a6500 for outings with their familes :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
A7cr ergonomics are letting me down
2
Replies
22
Views
9K
dmanthree
D
ibbz
  • User review User review
Very fast, excellent output - very poor to handle and use
Replies
11
Views
6K
tbcass
tbcass
MrHollywood
Z Ergonomic Ranking
Replies
4
Views
11K
sirhawkeye64
S
D
Back to the Future - Initial Impressions on the A7CR
Replies
12
Views
38K
Rod McD
R
photofan1986
  • User review User review
From A9 to A7Cii? A first impressions review
2
Replies
32
Views
101K
Peak freak
P

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top