Custom (wooden) grip for Sony mirrorless

I really like mirrorless cams save for its energy management, especially so when having to use small batteries like the NP-FW50. I also dislike the size to be honest, as to me the cam must atleast counterbalance the attached lens somewhat as well as have a good firm grip to it making the combo substantial and solid.

At first I tried to add a Meike grip and though its grip wasnt a bad fit it messed up the cam's settings with every move, perhaps a bad connection somewhere within the grip but it wasnt usable. Besides the energy management of that particular grip wasnt great neither, expanding the 1000mah to 2000mah.

After posting about it, getting advice from the members, I got a Smallrig 1661 grip, which I really like a lot, so I added a small piece of beechwood for a frontgrip and enjoyed it as it gave substance and provided a better balance between cam and (long) lens. However nice though it provides a grip for three fingers only, with the pinky remaining 'workless'.

So now I'm left with two more problems to solve, having to augment the grip further and having to provide more energy.

I considered a few different combinations in the energy department, ranging from AA batteries to Sony(compatible) NP-F550 batteries to 18650 batteries (the latter of which the NP-Fxxx series of batteries are composed of) but finally I decided on 21700 batteries (its form factor and specification created by Tesla specifically to augment and enhance its vehicles batterypacks). As its type suggests the battery's dimensions are 21.7±0.2mm in diameter and 70.9±0.2mm for length, with the following voltage specification:

• Nominal Voltage: 3.65V @0.2C
• Charge Voltage: 4.2V±0.03V
• Discharge Cut off Voltage: 2.75V

Which is pretty much identical to the voltage specs of the Sony batteries if you would combine two of these batteries (connected in series). The big difference however is the amount of power these batteries offer, ranging from 3000 to 5000mah. I settled for the latter, which will provide the equivalent of 5 NP-FW50 batteries (5000mah) and also sport a PCB protection circuit (which prevent overcharging, over-discharging and total batterydrainage).

I build a grip from scrapped plywood to support the batteries, used a NP-FW50 dummy for a medium, and finished it off with a few coats of spraypaint.

All in all it isnt the prettiest of grips but I have choosen function over form and which is exactly what it was supposed to be as it enhances the combo substantially, adding true comfort and grip. Another advantage is the fact that it doesnt need to auto-poweroff to save the battery anymore as with this much power I have it comfortably set to 30 minutes and it just runs all day. It does come with some weight though as these batteries weigh about 65gr (a piece) and the entire grip adds about 240gr but in contrast to popular opinion I actually like the extra weight as it all balances out perfectly.

Total cost was 22 EUR for the two batteries, 28 EUR for a compatible (and safe) Li-ion charger (which also charges AA/AAA/18650 and more btw), 10 EUR for the dummy battery and 6 EUR for the silicon wires and the XT30 connectors (the wood was free as I found it next to a trashbin).

Hope you enjoy.

Regards

The plywood

The plastic box in which the batteries were send to me, providing for a battery compartment

Making room for the battery compartment

Modding and fitting the battery box with springs of an old broken toy

The 21700 batteries

The finished battery compartment, fitted with a male XT30 connector

The grip comprised of the wood, dummy battery and female XT30 connector

Grip frontview

The grip added to the Smallgrip cage frontview

Camera and grip upside down (back and bottomview)

Thanks NP, appreciate it!

I couldnt add these pictures to the openingpost anymore but they provide another view at the dimensions, however this is not the same camera as shown in the openingpost as this is a a6300 which fits the grip just the same.

Wow, congrats, very nice work and quite an achievement!

Only one question: What is the rationale behind the XT30 connector? Would a direct connection from the battery box to the fp50 dummy be possible, eliminating the need for the connector?

Again: Kudos for your imagination and abilities!

Philipp

philzucker wrote:

Wow, congrats, very nice work and quite an achievement!

Only one question: What is the rationale behind the XT30 connector? Would a direct connection from the battery box to the fp50 dummy be possible, eliminating the need for the connector?

Again: Kudos for your imagination and abilities!

Philipp

Thanks Phil, appreciated!

A direct connection is possible indeed and was what I originally intended but after some consideration I decided to go this route first and to keep the permanent integration of the battery box optional for a (possible) next version of the grip. The idea behind the current version is having the ability to swap batteries fast and easy as two batteries make up for a single 'pack', which is easily swapped out for another if needed, instead of having to replace two batteries for two batteries. I have four of these batteries now, ordered another pair, but I have to give it some more use out in the field to decide if this is the final version or not.

The shape and the size of this version are final anyway, as the combo now has a really luxurious feel to it and is very nice to handle, while the thing you mention about the box is in fact the only thing I'm still unsure about

Entropy512 wrote:

The 21700 spec was not created by Tesla. It was created by Samsung and LG Chem

Yes it seems so, thanks for the correction.