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.

Battery Maintenance And Tips

One thing that is often overlooked when buying equipment for videography is your batteries. Practically everything you own takes some kind of battery these days. The camcorder itself, your shotgun mic, portable lights, etc.

Getting ready for a shoot usually means spending some time the day before charging batteries. For the average home video producer one battery for your camcorder is usually enough. That battery is probably the one that came with the camera. You should have plenty of time to shoot birthday highlights, your friends skating or your day-trip vacation. However if you are serious about video, or a pro, then you need at the very least three camcorder batteries per camera.

The battery that came with your camera is usually good but will shoot for about an hour or so. Larger batteries that hold more juice and will shoot longer becomes a must for important events. The last thing you want to happen is to run out of juice during a critical moment in a wedding ceremony or other event. So consider investing in a slew of back up batteries for your camera brand. A good place to buy batteries is Ebay, you can find some great deals there and if you don't mind waiting for them to ship from overseas, you can get more power for your buck.

Video Tip: After shooting never store your camcorder batteries drained. Always charge them fully, then store them.

I always keep a fresh pack of 9 volt, double A and triple A batteries in my camcorder bags. If it takes a battery then before a shoot I have an unopened pack ready if necessary and for every shoot a new battery goes into the device. You don't have to buy the most expensive batteries either. A quick trip to a one dollar store where you can stock up is usually fine. I consider these disposable, after a shoot I don't use them again.

However if you do not want to keep buying batteries then you may want to consider buying a battery charger and a set of rechargeable batteries for each device that takes them. This will save you money in the long run but the key here is not to forget to charge them.

Having a dead battery is like having none at all.

Design yourself a check list of all the components that take batteries and the day before a shoot go over the list and keep the chargers running. Make sure you have all the batteries charged and their backups. You may even want to set aside a shelf or area in your office that has your chargers plugged in and you can keep up with all the various different power packs. This will be your "Battery Charging Station" where every thing gets charged at once.

Another tip is to keep the power cord that came with your camera handy in the camera bag. Don't leave it at home! If all else fails then you can run the camera off a nearby outlet. This will limit your mobility but at least you will have a camera running.

On location it may or may not be convenient to charge batteries while there. If you are shooting outside you may not have access to a place to replenish batteries, however at a wedding or event you can usually find a place out of the way to have a charger plugged up in the event you need a quick charge. Check with the sound guy or some other event worker and ask if there is a place you can plug in a charger for a back up. When you drain a battery go put it on the charger at your earliest convenience.

You can get an inverter for your car too and charge batteries with the car running. The inverter will convert the energy from your car to run a charger. Many cars have an inverter built in or your device may have a "cigarette lighter" type charging cable. Use it if available.

Dedicate a box or place for batteries and tapes. You should never have to hunt for a battery. Keep one in your pocket if you can. As you see you are nearing the limit of a battery look for a pause in the action or a time you can quickly swap batteries and get a fresh one in the camera quickly. If you have an assistant, one of their duties will be to charge batteries on location and keep one ready if you ask for it.

Just before the bride says, "I Do" is a lousy time to run out of juice!

Batteries are designed to operate efficiently at normal room temperature. Extreme cold and heat will effect the batteries performance and can even kill a good battery. Take care where you are shooting and that your batteries don't stay back in your hot car, or out in the cold. If you are going to be shooting in extreme conditions, get an insulated container to store them in.

Be sure to store your camcorder batteries separate from the camera. This rule applies to all your device batteries. If you store the battery in the device it can explode or at the very least, drain down to empty. Charge them and keep them near the unit but not on it. Keep any used or drained batteries separate from the others, perhaps in another compartment of your storage box. This way you don't grab a drained battery at a critical moment.

When you swap batteries always test it. Turn the device on and make sure it is working. If the device has a battery power level or tester, check it. Even brand new store bought batteries could have died on the shelf. Never trust a battery you didn't charge yourself or are unsure of.

Good battery maintenance goes hand in hand with good equipment care. If you take care of it, it will last a long time. This is true with your equipment and your batteries. Have fun shooting and relax knowing you have the power to finish the job!
J.

Tricking Out Your Camera!

Cameras are getting smaller and smaller! Today you can get amazing HD video out of something not much bigger than a coffee cup. I remember the days of slinging a large camcorder over the shoulder and going out to shoot. Back then people were amazed to see a huge camera and camera man around. Today, cameras are small and light weight, but I miss the older and larger cameras.

There is something to be said about a large camera and the impression it makes on clients. Larger seems to convey a more professional look. It says, "Expensive". Some clients may not take you seriously if you shoot their production with a small hand-held camcorder.

The best way to explain this to clients is to mention that the smaller cameras are best for you because they are light weight, produce extremely good quality and you can get them into places you can't get a large camera. If you are asked, explain that smaller cameras are good for business. You have less to lug around and you, as a professional, know how to get the most out of the camera you carry.

After all, the talent, skill, quality and professionalism is not hiding inside your equipment. It's all in YOU. Clents are paying you for your expertise, your skill and creativity. Not your equipment. Anyone can buy a camcorder and shoot footage, but you have the knowledge to make it a movie!

Recently I came across a "Video Quick Tip" from Bill Mecca that addresses this issue. In this video Bill explains techniques to "bulk up" your small camcorder in ways that will enhance your videos and amaze onlookers when they see you shoot. I've included his video at the bottom of this article.

There are several ways you can build up your camera and take advantage of all its features.

(1) Lens hoods will extend the body of the camera somewhat and give the subject something larger to look at. This is not just an addition to make the camera look fancy, a good lens hood will shade the lens and prevent light reflections on the lens itself. It's good to have one anyway. Plus it affords you a lens cap you may not have already.





(2) Hand held grips will add shoe mounts to the camera for attaching extra equipment like Shotgun Microphones, Wireless Microphones, Lights and more. Plus they will help you stabilize the camera when shooting off the tripod. These grips are a great way to mount external monitors to the camera as well.


(3) Audio Mixers and XLR Adapters will bulk up the camera plus give you access to professional XLR connectors so you can use pro microphones as well as make your audio cleaner. Many come with grounding circuits that reduce hum and balance your audio. They are great for tapping into audio boards at concerts too.



(4) Rail systems will help hold external lenses such as wide angle and telephoto systems. Plus they give you more area to mount additional appliances and lenses.


You can do many things to enhance and build up the camera plus make your videos better in the process. Things that you are probably doing already. You may want to explore different configurations for all the various kinds of shooting you do. Consider a larger monitor for studio configurations and additional microphone systems. Shoulder mounts and grips for hand held.

Remember, your camera is just one component in a series of systems you may use depending on your shooting style and the demands of the production. Try different configurations and find the ones that work best for you.

There is no wrong way to configure your camera.

By the time you get all that stuff on it, it will not be small at all. You will get better video and better sound, and probably impress the heck out of anyone who eyes your contraption!

One thing to consider when putting all this together is the wiring. Wires can be a pain in the you-know-what! It's a good idea to try various different configurations and see how you are going to arrange the wires around your system. Then use Velcro, twist ties or zip ties to gather the wires together and get them out of the way.

You may also want to make wire assemblies or groups ready to use whenever you shoot for all the ways you can arrange components. This makes it easier to assemble and have all the wiring ready in a harness. Just assemble and jack it all in.

Just like souping up a car, you can trick out your camera with tons of accessories. It's fun, attractive, and practical. And in the end, you'll shoot better video and capture awesome audio with something that will make heads spin!



See all of Bill Mecca's high quality and informative Video Quick Tips on his Blog, BillMecca.com!