Opteka X-Grip Nightmare

With a popular blog like In The Viewfinder I realize I have a voice on the net that many subscribe to and follow my recommendations on video related products. This is one occasion where I will use this voice and tell you about the issues I have had with Opteka.

Recently I wrote a post recommending the Opteka X-Grip. First I'd like to say I love the product. In fact I loved it so much I decided to purchase another so both my Canon HV30 & HV40 would have these useful handles. However, after posting that blog and ordering another X-Grip I found myself in a nightmare of problems with the Opteka company.

I ordered the second Opteka X-Grip from the 47th st. Photo eBay store. When it arrived I was surprised to find that the knob on the bottom of the unit, which has a threaded screw that allows the unit to mount on a tripod, did not have the necessary threads for a tripod screw. The screw was solid. This was one of the major reasons I needed the X-Grip, so it would mount on a tripod. This unit was defective and didn't conform to their advertising that it will mount to a tripod.

I took photos of the unit and its underside so the people at 47street Photo could see the differences and would know that this unit was faulty.

I emailed them the photos and explanation about the unit.

Then I contacted the company and requested a replacement, and I explained the issue using the photos.

The company gave me an RMA number and with it I returned the product and waited. They replaced the unit and in a couple of weeks I had a new X-Grip. When I opened the new X-Grip I discovered that the replacement was also missing the threaded screw!

Again I contacted 47street Photo and complained. I mean, really?? It's as if they just sent back the unit I sent to them! I was given the choice to keep it or get my money back. I was also told that they had received a batch of units that had this issue and no one checked them. So, I'm probably not the only one with a defective unit. Finally after going around with them I got my money

back. After all I had no other options. The X-grip is not available in stores near me.

At this point I decided I'd be smart and order one directly from the Opteka web site, which I did. I spoke to someone at the company that talked so fast he was hard to understand. His attitude was not caring at all and he was rude. However, I ordered the unit anyway. This was probably a big mistake!

After ordering the unit I checked my email and I was surprised again to find out that the unit was being shipped from 47 street Photo, not Opteka! This put me off guard and I was afraid I would get another unit without the threads to attach it to a tripod. The unit arrived in about two weeks and I cautiously opened it...

The unit does have the threaded screw for a tripod. However, the base plate is missing the four little screws that hold it in place!

Yet another set back and this one supposedly came from Opteka themselves. The four little screws are not in the box and apparently were never installed.

It is at this point that I figured 47street Photo and Opteka must be the same place. My contact at Opteka was Ryan, my contact at 47street Photo was also Ryan. Hmmmm....

I cannot in good conscience recommend Opteka

So, after all of the above I cannot in good conscience recommend Opteka to anyone wanting to buy video products. The first X-Grip is a good unit and I use it often. However, the company is not on my list of great vendors. In fact I encourage you to shop elsewhere. I usually recommend products that are inexpensive because I know you, as a videographer need to stretch your video budget, and get the best quality for your dollar. You also want products that are constructed well and will not give you problems. I hope my experience will help you decide where you want to spend your money.

If you do decide to shop at Opteka or 47st. Photo I hope your experience is better than mine. Frankly I no longer trust this company and will not purchase from them again. Ever.

VO Equipment for Video

You've heard those amazing voices on documentaries and movie trailers, the guys that sound like they carry their lungs around in a wheel barrow? Voice over talent is something not many can teach you, you either have it or you don't.
But you can get inexpensive equipment that will make the voice you have sound even better.

When laying down tracks for a documentary or production you may want your narration to sound rich and bold. Using just any old microphone, especially little mics for computers will not give you a professional sound. For under $100.00 you can create a sound system that will bring you the crisp vocals you're looking for. Without breaking the bank.

Check out the Behringer 802 Microphone Mixer {$49.99} , it has EQ, FX and trim controls that will give your voice a true, resonance sound. Couple the mixer with a Behringer C-1 {$35.00} Microphone and you can have a truly awesome audio setup.

The Behringer 802 features "British EQ", a very warm tone that brings out the sizzle in your voice. 130 dB dynamic range for plenty of headroom and with up to 60 dB of gain and a +48 volt phantom power supply. Its EQ circuitry is made in Britain, which are renowned throughout the world for their warm and musical sound character. Even with extreme gain settings, these equalizers provide outstanding audio.

It's best not to mix brands, Behringer has made these compatible

The Behringer C-1 Condenser mic is an affordable, high-quality, durable transducer type microphone. Thanks to its cardioid (heart-shaped) pattern, the C-1 microphone picks up your source signal while rejecting off-axis sounds that can ruin an otherwise perfect recording. With its pressure-gradient, shock-mounted transducer and gold-plated XLR output, the C-1 is very neutral sounding and truly delivers on the promise of noise-free transmission.

Put the two together, add a cable from the mixer to your computer sound card, a microphone stand and throw in some basic sound proofing and you have a great VO setup.
One idea I had for sound proofing is to place foam on a tri-folding science project board and set it up with the mic and a copy stand to deflect outside sounds. Even some old carpet will help deafen unwanted sounds.

This set up would also be good for pod-casts and any recording needs, even singing or vocal tracks you can add to music in your video production.

Plus if you are broadcasting a netcast or program over the internet, either live or recorded, having a good microphone and mixer setup will add more depth to the sound quality of your show.

The Voice Of God

Get good at voice overs and you may find clients will pay you for your talent and skill. Everyone can talk, but not everyone can talk and sound like a pro. Who knows, you could be the next Don LaFontaine!

But seriously, a good mic and mixer set up can bring extra quality to your productions and for about $100 plus some cables and ingenuity you can build a nice VO booth. If that is still too steep then consider Behringers small mixer, the 502, 5 channel mixer at $37.91. Same sound, just fewer inputs.
Either way with an approach to good sound and a little vocal coaching you can have pro narration for your productions!

Opteka X-Grip Review

For a while now I have been wanting to design a way to add accessories to my Canon HV 30 & 40 camcorders. I mulled over DIY solutions and could not find a suitable way to attach things without it being cumbersome or it just looked ridiculous.

This led me to study two camera cradles. The first unit I looked at was the Cam-Caddie. It appears to be professional and has several accessories you can purchase to beef it up and attach more components to the system. But I noticed one major disadvantage with this unit, you cannot attach it to a tripod. I understand they are working on a plate to allow this but I could not find it. The next thing I was not happy with was the fact that the base unit does not have a cold shoe. You have to pay extra for the cold shoe bracket.

Though the Cam-Caddie was nice I directed my attention to the Opteka X-Grip. It's sale price was $34.00 and it had a cold shoe. It also can be attached to a tripod. These were the two factors that sold me on this unit. The cam caddie has additional things you can purchase which will work well in attaching extra accessories but by the time you buy all of them, you've spent way more then the X-Grip out of the box.
So, I decided to go with Opteka.

The unit arrived a day earlier than I expected and out of the box it's ready to use.

I made a 20 minute video (below) to show you it's features and attach components to it so you can see how they work.

In the video I recommend getting an inexpensive video bar adapter off Ebay from a Chinese seller. I received it in about three weeks. The bar is shorter than the one for the cam-caddie but honestly I think this may be a good thing as it will wobble less. The bar cost $13.85 with free shipping, much less than the $21.00 + shipping price tag of the caddie version. Though the caddie's version may be more versatile.

I noticed on a YouTube comparison video of the Cam Caddie and the X-Grip that the caddie appears to wobble more when components are attached. The X-Grip wobbles too but appears to be much less in comparison. And though the top handle may wobble, if the system is secure to a tripod or sitting on a flat surface you should not see the wobble in the footage. This wobble could affect attached microphones or lights.

The unit is plastic. If you do not prefer plastic items then you may want to spend more and look for an all metal construction unit of equal construction. For most videographers I doubt the plastic will be much of an issue unless you are aggressive with the system.

I did not purchase this for it's "steady camera" feature, but for the ability to have a system whereby I can attach accessories. I do not know if this unit would be any more stable than simply holding the camera and shooting. I suspect it will offer some stability when shooting but my preference was to have a system where I can attach microphones, lights and such without it becoming a monster impossible to handle.

So far I'm impressed with the X-Grip.

Watch the video below for more info and even discoveries along the way as I opened and tried out the unit. I discuss pros and cons. And I show you the unit with components attached. Some will be consistent with both the Cam-Caddie and the X-Grip. However if you are using a small camcorder and you need the extras, or just to beef up your system, either would be a good purchase.