Get a grip

pentee · 03-06-2013, 04:57 PM

I couldn't resist picking up a K-01 /44mm kit a couple months ago. I really want to like it but find the grip to be extremely annoying. Who knows, maybe my hand is just too big for it. I just can't seem to find a good way to hold is comfortably.

Has anyone else found the grip to be annoying? Anyone figured out how to make it less annoying? Maybe adding some sort of additional grip? A Thumbs up, like the one available for the Fuji x-series cameras? Anything?

**THoog** · 03-06-2013, 05:12 PM - **2 Likes**

I think one K-01'er mod'ed his with a custom thumb rest in the upper right rear corner. I have large hands, and the fit is just about perfect for me (but it took a week to get used to it). Have you tried the thumb-on-shutter-button grip (AKA "gangsta grip" or "the Hendriks Hold")?

Here are some (tongue-in-cheek) shots of various ways to grip it:

Julie · 03-06-2013, 05:31 PM

Originally posted by THoog

I think one K-01'er mod'ed his with a custom thumb rest in the upper right rear corner. I have large hands, and the fit is just about perfect for me (but it took a week to get used to it). Have you tried the thumb-on-shutter-button grip (AKA "gangsta grip" or "the Hendriks Hold")?

Here are some (tongue-in-cheek) shots of various ways to grip it:

Wow, you've really got this K-01-holding thing worked out.

I like your "gangsta" grip.

I find that one-handed with a hand strap or wrist strap works best for me, since just holding it alone is a little awkward and I feel that I may drop it.

**THoog** · 03-06-2013, 07:39 PM

I also like to have a strap, just for security. I use a simple lanyard-type strap from a point-n-shoot - it's the kind with an elastic wrist band and a slider to secure it. Five bucks from a US source, or four for $5 from Hong Kong. If I'm feeling especially insecure, I use a pair of them. One nice thing about such a simple strap is if I am using a manual-focus lens, I can move the strap over to the left hand, since that hand will be holding on to the lens anyhow.

Back to grips - for two-handed holds, PF member Monochrome prefers to cup the camera with the left hand - I like that for manual focusing, but I also like to brace the camera in the L of my thumb and forefinger for AF. With the right hand doing finger-on-shutter and thumb-on-shutter, there's at least four ways to hold the camera. Lessee if this works - I haven't made an animated GIF in years...

chromo · 03-06-2013, 08:48 PM

I just knew the K-01 would be awkward to handle.

**THoog** · 03-06-2013, 09:24 PM

Not so much awkward as just... different. Especially if you are only used to a dSLR with a thick grip. The K-01 feels about as thick as my film P30T, without sculpted front and rear pieces. An older SLR or rangefinder is just as slab-sided, but with less to hold on to. Some members have said it's easier to use with thick gloves than a dSLR. After shooting the K-01 for over six months, it feels perfectly natural to pick it up and carry in one hand. It all depends on what you are used to.

I'm sure there are people who would tell me that taking pictures with an iPad isn't awkward, but I have to fight the urge to laugh out loud every time I see someone shooting with one in a museum.

littledrawe · 03-07-2013, 02:55 AM

Originally posted by THoog

How to hold the K-01 #4: Gangsta style by THoog, on Flickr

"Kill Shot, thats a kill shot!!"

pentee · 03-07-2013, 05:11 AM

Gangsta is where it's at!

digital029art · 03-07-2013, 08:30 AM

The brick is funky but not ergonomic by today's standards, and using my thumb for the shutter hurts my hand after a short time, so I'd like to see a lightweight grip similar to these:

The Photo Village :: Photo Equip MD Grip for Leica M8, M8.2, or M9 -- Black

Alternative grip for Leica M/R series | Leica News & Rumors

.. combine that with a "thumbie" like this one:

"The Thumbie" is a cheaper alternative to Thumbs Up | Leica News & Rumors

will equal a happy camper..

Of course at a non-Leica price !!

awo425 · 03-07-2013, 10:09 PM

"grip" is laughable.After 3 days of using this camera, I think that the only comfortable way for a person with small hands is to keep left hand under the camera and lens, and have the whole weight of camera on this hand.
I am not using it with 40mm lens

pentee · 03-09-2013, 06:59 PM

Newson should turn his Industrial Design card in. No good industrial designer would ignore the feel and usability of a product for form. Industrial designers are paid to create products that are as easy to use as they are to look at.

Shame Newson, shame!

Maybe he's a Nikon user.

**THoog** · 03-09-2013, 07:16 PM

Originally posted by pentee

Newson should turn his Industrial Design card in. No good industrial designer would ignore the feel and usability of a product for form. Industrial designers are paid to create products that are as easy to use as they are to look at.

Shame Newson, shame!

Maybe he's a Nikon user.

Gotta disagree - I've got a busted finger, and I can use the K-01 all day without it getting sore. It's a pleasant surprise. With any of my dSLRs, the joint is red and swollen at the end of the day. Maybe I'm the one in a billion that the K-01 is right for. If so, I'm really grateful they made it for me...

pentee · 03-09-2013, 07:18 PM

Hmmm, maybe I should try breaking my finger.

**THoog** · 03-09-2013, 07:45 PM

If that doesn't work, a week of banging the Brick into your forehead trying to look through the nonexistent viewfinder usually does the trick.

**monochrome** · 03-09-2013, 08:32 PM

I hold my K-01 like this, from I think the KX manual, but obviously about 6" in front of my face so I can see the LCD. I wear glasses (lined tri-focals) and it is actually easier to shoot this way than through the viewfinder. With my elbows in I get a stable platform for the camera body.

In fact it is a gripped camera such as my K10D or SF1n that is uncomfortable to me.

03-06-2013, 04:57 PM	#1
pentee Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 54	Get a grip I couldn't resist picking up a K-01 /44mm kit a couple months ago. I really want to like it but find the grip to be extremely annoying. Who knows, maybe my hand is just too big for it. I just can't seem to find a good way to hold is comfortably. Has anyone else found the grip to be annoying? Anyone figured out how to make it less annoying? Maybe adding some sort of additional grip? A Thumbs up, like the one available for the Fuji x-series cameras? Anything?

03-06-2013, 05:12 PM - 2 Likes	#2
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	I think one K-01'er mod'ed his with a custom thumb rest in the upper right rear corner. I have large hands, and the fit is just about perfect for me (but it took a week to get used to it). Have you tried the thumb-on-shutter-button grip (AKA "gangsta grip" or "the Hendriks Hold")? Here are some (tongue-in-cheek) shots of various ways to grip it: Last edited by THoog; 03-06-2013 at 05:17 PM. Reason: Added pix

03-07-2013, 05:11 AM	#8
pentee Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 54 Original Poster	Gangsta Gangsta is where it's at!

03-09-2013, 08:32 PM	#15
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I hold my K-01 like this, from I think the KX manual, but obviously about 6" in front of my face so I can see the LCD. I wear glasses (lined tri-focals) and it is actually easier to shoot this way than through the viewfinder. With my elbows in I get a stable platform for the camera body. In fact it is a gripped camera such as my K10D or SF1n that is uncomfortable to me. Last edited by monochrome; 03-09-2013 at 08:50 PM.

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03-06-2013, 05:31 PM	#3
Julie Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,069	Originally posted by THoog I think one K-01'er mod'ed his with a custom thumb rest in the upper right rear corner. I have large hands, and the fit is just about perfect for me (but it took a week to get used to it). Have you tried the thumb-on-shutter-button grip (AKA "gangsta grip" or "the Hendriks Hold")? Here are some (tongue-in-cheek) shots of various ways to grip it: Wow, you've really got this K-01-holding thing worked out. I like your "gangsta" grip. I find that one-handed with a hand strap or wrist strap works best for me, since just holding it alone is a little awkward and I feel that I may drop it.

03-06-2013, 07:39 PM	#4
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	I also like to have a strap, just for security. I use a simple lanyard-type strap from a point-n-shoot - it's the kind with an elastic wrist band and a slider to secure it. Five bucks from a US source, or four for $5 from Hong Kong. If I'm feeling especially insecure, I use a pair of them. One nice thing about such a simple strap is if I am using a manual-focus lens, I can move the strap over to the left hand, since that hand will be holding on to the lens anyhow. Back to grips - for two-handed holds, PF member Monochrome prefers to cup the camera with the left hand - I like that for manual focusing, but I also like to brace the camera in the L of my thumb and forefinger for AF. With the right hand doing finger-on-shutter and thumb-on-shutter, there's at least four ways to hold the camera. Lessee if this works - I haven't made an animated GIF in years...

03-06-2013, 08:48 PM	#5
chromo Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Coast NSW Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 581	I just knew the K-01 would be awkward to handle.

03-06-2013, 09:24 PM	#6
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Not so much awkward as just... different. Especially if you are only used to a dSLR with a thick grip. The K-01 feels about as thick as my film P30T, without sculpted front and rear pieces. An older SLR or rangefinder is just as slab-sided, but with less to hold on to. Some members have said it's easier to use with thick gloves than a dSLR. After shooting the K-01 for over six months, it feels perfectly natural to pick it up and carry in one hand. It all depends on what you are used to. I'm sure there are people who would tell me that taking pictures with an iPad isn't awkward, but I have to fight the urge to laugh out loud every time I see someone shooting with one in a museum.

03-07-2013, 02:55 AM	#7
littledrawe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Red Rock Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,514	Originally posted by THoog How to hold the K-01 #4: Gangsta style by THoog, on Flickr "Kill Shot, thats a kill shot!!"

03-07-2013, 08:30 AM	#9
digital029art Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 440	The brick is funky but not ergonomic by today's standards, and using my thumb for the shutter hurts my hand after a short time, so I'd like to see a lightweight grip similar to these: The Photo Village :: Photo Equip MD Grip for Leica M8, M8.2, or M9 -- Black Alternative grip for Leica M/R series \| Leica News & Rumors .. combine that with a "thumbie" like this one: "The Thumbie" is a cheaper alternative to Thumbs Up \| Leica News & Rumors will equal a happy camper.. Of course at a non-Leica price !!

03-07-2013, 10:09 PM	#10
awo425 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC, USA Posts: 481	"grip" is laughable.After 3 days of using this camera, I think that the only comfortable way for a person with small hands is to keep left hand under the camera and lens, and have the whole weight of camera on this hand. I am not using it with 40mm lens

03-09-2013, 06:59 PM	#11
pentee Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 54 Original Poster	Newson should turn his Industrial Design card in. No good industrial designer would ignore the feel and usability of a product for form. Industrial designers are paid to create products that are as easy to use as they are to look at. Shame Newson, shame! Maybe he's a Nikon user.

03-09-2013, 07:16 PM	#12
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by pentee Newson should turn his Industrial Design card in. No good industrial designer would ignore the feel and usability of a product for form. Industrial designers are paid to create products that are as easy to use as they are to look at. Shame Newson, shame! Maybe he's a Nikon user. Gotta disagree - I've got a busted finger, and I can use the K-01 all day without it getting sore. It's a pleasant surprise. With any of my dSLRs, the joint is red and swollen at the end of the day. Maybe I'm the one in a billion that the K-01 is right for. If so, I'm really grateful they made it for me...

03-09-2013, 07:18 PM	#13
pentee Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 54 Original Poster	Hmmm, maybe I should try breaking my finger.

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03-09-2013, 07:45 PM	#14
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	If that doesn't work, a week of banging the Brick into your forehead trying to look through the nonexistent viewfinder usually does the trick.