Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, Video, Odds and ends, iPhone
ZGrip iPhone Jr. available August 15th
Dave Caolo tempted TUAW readers in early July with news about Zacuto's ZGrip iPhone Pro, a handy (no pun intended) articulated grip for taking steadier video with the iPhone 3GS. While the US$295 price tag was a bit out of the realm of possibility for all but well-heeled iPhone geeks, there was a tantalizing bit of news at the end of the post stating that a "low-cost consumer version" would soon be released.That news was very accurate, as you'll be able to buy the US$69 ZGrip iPhone Jr. starting this Saturday, August 15th. While it doesn't offer all of the features of the Pro model such as the rotating grip head, it holds an iPhone 3GS securely in a set of fingers, has a handle grip to steady your hold on the device, features an accessory mount on top for a light, and even has a standard mount on the bottom of the handle for attaching your iPhone to a tripod. Check out the video in the 2nd half of the post for details and a look at an early production model of the ZGrip iPhone Jr.
If you pre-order the ZGrip iPhone Jr. before Saturday, you can take another US$10 off of the purchase price. If you're still not tempted to buy one, what's your favorite way of keeping your iPhone 3GS steady while you're shooting video? Leave a comment below.
Here's the video:
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mentalsticks said 3:07PM on 8-13-2009
Sure, why don't spend money if you just as well can?
Steve, I think you deserve the Ultimate Consumer Award.
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franktinsley said 3:10PM on 8-13-2009
So it's essentially an iPhone gripping hand... With a handle on it. If only Billy Mays was still around, this might have had a chance.
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Ryan Trevisol said 4:58PM on 8-13-2009
NOW YOU CAN CREATE SMOOTHER, MORE PROFESSIONAL NOT-QUITE-HIGH-DEFINITION VIDEOS WITH EASE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Byrdman said 1:02AM on 8-14-2009
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!! CALL IN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES AND WE'LL DOUBLE THE ORDER!!! THATS RIGHT, YOU GET 2 FOR ONLY $19.95!!
Binja said 3:22PM on 8-13-2009
That is the stupidest fucking thing I have ever seen.
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BeyondtheTech said 3:54PM on 8-13-2009
Hey, don't be afraid to express your thoughts!
Actually, there is a use for this if you want to be able to mount it on a tripod, then be able to take it off for steady shooting by hand. I'm really digging the video recording quality on the 3GS. At first, I thought it would be better to just get a small adapter that would be tripod mountable, but considering the fact that if you're holding the iPhone 3GS with one or two hands, you do have three axes of rotation that could mess up an otherwise decent recording.
I'm surprised that a Chinese knockoff for $20 hasn't come around yet. Yet.
David Elfanbaum said 3:36PM on 8-13-2009
As one who has been having a blast making iPhone videos (http://vimeo.com/5999522) I'm going to grab that sucker.
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kanebake said 3:41PM on 8-13-2009
anyone that actually does shoot video does want soem sort of steadycam, seems like this may work
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Benny said 3:41PM on 8-13-2009
I use my hands like the millions of other video phone users do. Even at $69 this just seems like a pointless accessory.
Usually i only shoot a video on my iPhone on a spur of the moment I don't plan it, how the hell can you carry this in your pocket?
If you hands are very shaky when shooting video then I can't see how this will help much since you are still having to use your hands.
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kanebake said 3:46PM on 8-13-2009
point is with a steady cam your video won't look like the stuff that millions of other video phones shoot
I work in advertising here, and from experience and a steady cam rig with a 5 k camera will give you nicer footage than a more expensive camera without one
Not sure how well this rig works, it's really small, but if it stabilizes the shake it will be well worth it.
Think Adrian said 3:48PM on 8-13-2009
5 k?! What currency are we talking about?
kanebake said 3:59PM on 8-13-2009
USD
Think Adrian said 4:15PM on 8-13-2009
$5k is pretty much already for a handycam...
Kev orng said 4:21PM on 8-13-2009
@ Think Adrian, I don't think he's talking about a consumer handicam.
If you're doing advertising work for paying clients, your video camera options will start around $5000 and go up from there.
kanebake said 4:29PM on 8-13-2009
Our main shoting system is the RED One which sells for 17,000 USD and is considered a bargain.
The point making, that a prosumer camera around 5,000 will get you better moving shots than the red would on it's own.
This applies to smaller cameras as well, the red without a heavy duty steady cam would give a jerky mess. We only use it on dolly system and rails, so I onlu have a smaller harness for lighter prosumer cameras.
Lastly from what i am seeing this iphone rig will do little to stabilize the footage that any pistol grip shaped device wouldn't.
Rich said 6:42PM on 8-13-2009
Yes kanebake. You're talking about cameras that cost $5k to $25k. TFA is talking about a glorified iPod with a camera in it!
I can't think of a bigger waste of money. If you shoot video, you'll already have a handycam with image stabilization in it. No need for a steadycam mount. If you have room for this piece of trash and you can afford it, you'll have a camera about the same size as it. No comparison to the iPhone with a stick on the side.
Utterly senseless beyond belief.
smak said 8:10PM on 8-13-2009
THIS IS NOT A STEADYCAM. IT'S A HANDLE.
Look up what a steadycam system does, then look at the picture. This is a $69 waste of money.
kanebake said 9:34AM on 8-14-2009
I'll agre with you that it's senseless.
But only because of what it doesn't do.
Also a steady cam has nothing to do wit ha camera stabilization system.
A working steady cam would be worht something even for an iphone if someone chose to shoot with it.
I roll a steady cam on my personal $500 lumix LX3 at home, and guess what. A 5k sony won't be able to match the shots i get with it.
Lee said 3:52PM on 8-13-2009
I present to you 30 seconds work with a tripod head grip, super high tech attachment. Cost me nothing as i has it all in the house but to buy a tripod head with an iphone holder $20 total max.
http://twitpic.com/drfly
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kanebake said 4:03PM on 8-13-2009
From what i'm finding about the Z grip, it doesn't actually do any stabilization. So it's kind of pointless to me. I was hoping it stabilized.
I use this for my Lumix GH1 and Canon 5D
http://www.glidecam.com/product-x-10.php
Mind you you can use the system without a vest, but it gets heavy quickly. The footage is definitely something I couldn't get anywhere close to without the rig.