Add-on grip for GX9

[Sterkoff]

I am considering getting an add-on grip for my GX9 and I don't have anywhere local to try one out. So I have two main questions:

1. Which grip did you get?

and

2. Was it worth the effort?

I see that there are a few 3rd party options as well as a Panasonic grip to choose from so I am leaning towards the Panasonic, but perhaps someone has actual experience with either?? I see that this one (as an example) has the option to access bottom door when attached and the Panasonic seems to not have this feature.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...&linkId=1c771ce7d0d8c38a2483263d651a5c97&th=1

I could always buy both and return one, but I would prefer to make an educated guess to begin with and avoid the hassle for both the seller and myself.

Thanks!

 

[Isola Verde]

I found that the grip overly compromised the camera s handling, so it sits unused!

Peter

 

[marvinvee]

Save your money. not worth it. Small camera, unless you have large hands. Maybe you need the grip to hold on. I have a side loop strap that I have on all my cameras it's nice to have the camera wrist held. I have added a small plastic bar next to the right side of the buttons on back. my thumb kept turning on the post focus. No problems any more.

 

[Milkyfilkins]

I just bought a Gx9 in the last week and bought the JJC DMW-HGR2 grip. Not had much chance to use it yet but from photos the grip seems to be similar to the Panasonic, it does have the advantage of not having to be removed to access the battery compartment and it is also designed to be arca Swiss compatible.

 

[jalywol]

Got the Panasonic.

Improves handling a lot for big lenses (use mine with the PL 100-400mm).

Advantages to the JJC: Battery and card access without removing the grip, and it has an Arca mount . Unfortunately, I found the Arca mount protrusions on the bottom made it uncomfortable to hold, for me.

Panasonic grip, much more comfortable. But a PITA if you change cards or batteries frequently.

Six of one, half dozen of the other.....Both good, pick the one that fits your hand the best.

-J

 

[scphoto]

Sterkoff -

I have the Panny grip for the GX9. It's only really useful (for me personally) with a big lens like the PL100-400mm.

 

[Pete_W]

I am considering getting an add-on grip for my GX9 and I don't have anywhere local to try one out. So I have two main questions:

1. Which grip did you get?

and

2. Was it worth the effort?

I purchased the Panasonic GX9 grip for my GX85 and it fits just the same.

I put it on when I am going to have the camera in my hands while walking around for longer periods. It makes the camera much more comfortable to hold in this type of situation.

However I leave it off if I am only using the camera for short periods of time and then walking or driving between locations, just to keep the weight down.

I find it is a nice option to have when I want it. It is quick to put on and remove so no big deal if you need to swap a battery.

 

[SteveY80]

I'd recommend the 3D printed grips you can get on eBay, e.g. https://www.ebay.com/itm/114207405712

They're cheaper, lighter, and in my opinion better shaped ergonomically than the Panasonic or JJC ones.

To me it's laughable that you have to remove the Panasonic grip just to change the battery. That's not something I'd put up with even if they gave the grip away free with the camera.

 

[MiguelATF]

Got the Panasonic factory grip. Here is what it looks like, mounted--


This is what the Panasonic grip looks like, mounted

Biggest benefit: it is incredibly comfortable, and somehow makes the camera feel more secure and solid, no matter what lens one is using it with.

Biggest downside: to change battery or remove the SD card, you have to remove the entire grip (and then, if you choose, replace it afterwards).

But, all things considered, removing the grip is honestly not that big of a deal. And, did I mention how comfortable it makes the whole camera feel 'in hand'?


it doesn't protrude all that much from the body, but the improvement in handling is immense

I would recommend it wholeheartedly, in spite of the minor irritation of having to remove the grip to access the card or the battery.

--
"I photograph to find out what something will look like photographed."
~Garry Winogrand~

MIGUEL TEJADA-FLORES. PHOTOS.

"I photograph to find out what something will look like photographed." (Garry Winogrand)

migueltejadafloresphotos.wordpress.com

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/migueltejadaflores/
Blog: http://migueltejadaflores.wordpress.com

 

[richj20]

If you can't find the hand grip you like, consider a thumb grip that mounts into the hot shoe. I use a Fotodiox grip on my GX7



--
Richard
http://www.rsjphoto.net/sierra

 

[Snapsh0t]

I fitted the JJC grip when I bought my GX9 two years ago and haven't removed it since. It makes extracting the SD card a little fiddly but that's the only downside.

 

[MaxAMS]

I have the JJC grip for the GX85 / GX9 and found that for larger and/or heavier lenses it greatly improves ergonomics. For me the Pana 100-300 is not usable on the GX9 without the grip. The 12-35 f2.8, not large but front-heavy, also benefits.

For smaller and lighter lenses such as primes, the small 12-32 or larger but lightweight 14-140 the grip does not add much.

 

[Trolleyman]

I had the Panasonic grip, blocks the battery/card door and didn't really make much of a difference for me.

Returned it for a refund, extended eyecup is another story, worth every penny and a huge improvement.

 

[anonyMFT]

Got the Panasonic.

Improves handling a lot for big lenses (use mine with the PL 100-400mm).

Advantages to the JJC: Battery and card access without removing the grip, and it has an Arca mount . Unfortunately, I found the Arca mount protrusions on the bottom made it uncomfortable to hold, for me.

Panasonic grip, much more comfortable. But a PITA if you change cards or batteries frequently.

Six of one, half dozen of the other.....Both good, pick the one that fits your hand the best.

-J

I'd second this. I had the opportunity to use a GX9 and both of these grips last summer. I would pick the JJC if you are often going to have an arca swiss plate on anyways, and/or change batteries/mem. cards very frequently. Otherwise, the Panasonic feels better to hold for long periods, is easier to get in and out of bags, and for me at least, wasn't too much of a hassle to take on and off for battery changes.

 

[glassoholic]

I am considering getting an add-on grip for my GX9 and I don't have anywhere local to try one out. So I have two main questions:

1. Which grip did you get?

and

2. Was it worth the effort?

I see that there are a few 3rd party options as well as a Panasonic grip to choose from so I am leaning towards the Panasonic, but perhaps someone has actual experience with either?? I see that this one (as an example) has the option to access bottom door when attached and the Panasonic seems to not have this feature.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...&linkId=1c771ce7d0d8c38a2483263d651a5c97&th=1

I could always buy both and return one, but I would prefer to make an educated guess to begin with and avoid the hassle for both the seller and myself.

Thanks!

I got this 3D Printed Grip and was very happy with it. It has a better contoured and larger finger grip section.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[larsbc]

I am considering getting an add-on grip for my GX9 and I don't have anywhere local to try one out. So I have two main questions:

1. Which grip did you get?

and

2. Was it worth the effort?

I see that there are a few 3rd party options as well as a Panasonic grip to choose from so I am leaning towards the Panasonic, but perhaps someone has actual experience with either?? I see that this one (as an example) has the option to access bottom door when attached and the Panasonic seems to not have this feature.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...&linkId=1c771ce7d0d8c38a2483263d651a5c97&th=1

I could always buy both and return one, but I would prefer to make an educated guess to begin with and avoid the hassle for both the seller and myself.

Thanks!

I'm generally ok with no grip but when I'm using my GX9 as my primary street camera, I hold it for literally 1 or 2 hours in my hand. And while the biggest lens I'd be using in that scenario is the 25/1.4, my hand gets numb from gripping the camera for so long. I opted for the JJC grip over the Panasonic one because I dislike the idea of having to remove the grip to access the card and battery. The JJC grip doesn't look as good big as the Panasonic one (JJC is smaller) but it makes enough of a difference that holding my camera in hand for long periods is more comfortable.

 

[Sterkoff]

Some good feedback here folks, so thanks! When I think about it, on vacation (and otherwise) I tend to carry my camera by the grip all day long as opposed to moving it to/from the bag. No good reason, just what I do so I think I will give one a shot and see how I like it.

 

[Mark Thornton]

The arca bit is far better than the Manfrotto rc2 qr plate I previously used. That was annoying and an impediment to using my tripod. The feel of the JJC doesn't bother me at all and I like being able to leave it on all the time.

Mark

 

[DH007]

Panasonic grip - yes and no

I'd much rather just pick up my G9. The grip on the GX9 makes it slightly more useable but I'd only choose the GX9 when I wanted the smaller form factor so I removed the eyecup and grip attachments in the end. As a single camera solution I felt it was worth the upgrade for $60.