ShiftCam ProGrip Starter Kit - DSLR style mobile battery grip Wireless Shutter Button Built in Powerbank Qi Charging Freestanding Dock Tripod Mount Works with Android and iPhone, Black

With smartphone cameras improving all the time, and in some cases rivaling normal cameras, then you probably need something like the Progrip to literally get a "grip" on your phone. Otherwise, the shape of the phone and its slippiness make it a difficult little beast to control to get decent pictures and videos. The Progrip is a serious piece of kit in this regard, with the quality, ergonomics, and functions being top draw; turning your phone into a very smart piece of photography and video recording equipment.I purchased it to go with my Pixel 6 Pro, which it accommodates easily (length and width), with the phone sliding effortlessly between the spring-loaded jaws. I even managed to achieve it with a Spigen case fitted but it would not accommodate a Caseology case due to the slightly bigger width. If you have a smaller phone the Grip includes extra rubber bumper bars and stoppers, which can be inserted into the grip jaws to provide the required clamping load. My phone felt incredibly secure and free of movement and wobble, even when waving the attached phone & grip about.Set-up is straightforward and very clearly explained in the accompanying "Getting Started" User Guide booklet. The only disappointment is that on page 1 of the Guide it gives you the opportunity to scan a QR code to access an online User Manual “to learn how to shoot the best footage with your gear”. Scanning the code takes you to a ‘COMING SOON’ page, which is very disappointing considering how long the grip has been out and how much it costs.In terms of setup, I charged mine first using the provided USB-C cable and via the connector on the base. Having done so, I inserted the phone as directed in the guide ensuring that it was properly aligned in the centre of the wireless charging plate for optimal charging. There are clear instructions on the alignment process. To activate Bluetooth is very simple, just press the shutter button, wait for the blue light to appear on the grip, and select “ShiftCam ProGrip” on your phone’s list of available Bluetooth connections. That was it. Go to your camera app and the grip is instantly recognised, with a single click of the grip shutter button taking a picture and a long press and HOLD taking video footage. There is no lag between pressing the shutter button and the phone camera responding. NOTE…other than the shutter release, all other camera settings still have to be controlled and set on the phone.If you want to use the grip to wirelessly charge your phone it's just a case of pressing the Qi Charging Button on the back of the grip and inserting your phone. Both picture/video taking and charging can take place simultaneously.To summarise, if you want to make more of your smartphone camera you probably need a grip. The question is do you really need to spend £129 to achieve this? The short answer is no as there are other grips on the market for a fraction of the price, some of which also include a wireless Qi charging capability The advantages of the Progrip are;• Sturdy build, excellent ergonomics, and firm hold on the phone, especially beneficial for larger phones and hands.• Gives you a much better grip on your slippery and not particularly ergonomic smartphone.• Charges your phone whilst shooting allowing you to shoot for longer• The built-in tripod and accessory sockets allow you to expand your photography and video• The phone can easily be rotated in the adjustable grip to provide both landscape and portrait shooting.• It turns your smartphone into something resembling and functioning as a real DSLR camera.One final, final point. It comes with a leather handgrip, which makes it easier to hold but I found it rather difficult to get my hands into. It's fine for taking a few snaps but if you are using the camera for longer periods I recommend the Camkix neck strap, which securely attaches to the tripod mount on the Grip and allows you to keep your smartphone close to hand, secure, and hands-free when not snapping.All in all a great bit of kit.

I like photography and have a DSLR camera, but it's too bulky to carry around all the time - so mostly I end up taking pictures with my phone. The Shiftcam Progrip just made taking photos on my phone a whole lot better! It transforms the way I take pictures with my phone - Progrip feels like I'm holding a camera, it's a natural and comfortable grip and it makes it much more stable when I'm taking a photo.The Bluetooth shutter button (exactly where my trigger finger would expect it) makes it easier to take pictures than prodding at my phone screen - pairing it in my bluetooth settings was simple. Fortunately I can take advantage of the wireless charging built into the Progrip as well - I have a large screen Oppo mobile which the grip easily holds, but also means I can charge my phone when I'm out and about as well.The Progrip also allows me to take portrait as well as landscape pictures, as it rotates through 90 degrees whilst holding the phone. Oh, and then I discovered that I can put it down and use it as a stand for video calls or watching videos (see the pictures, difficult to explain!).If you like a bit of photography but find you have your phone with you rather than your camera, this is a great bit of kit for enhancing your phone photography!

There's been a number of similar products on the market but, ultimately, this is the one I chose.Makes mobile phone photography & videography much easier in either landscape or portrait mode.Better too as the bluetooth shutter ensures no vibration from tapping the phone screen to take a shot.There's also the added convenience of wireless charging but that's it really function wise.However, the grip can easily be attached to a standard tripod or monopod.and enables the addition of a shoe for lighting systems.Shiftcam also sell a wide range of accessories. This includes lenses although with the capability of modern mobiles these are becoming less neededBuild quality is excellent and caters for a wide range of mobile phone sizes.The photos I've added are examples of shots I've taken with my Pixel phone using the grip. Best demonstrated by the moon shot which was taken handheld on full zoom.I used the Shiftcam ProGrip on a photo shoot last night and it did exactly what I wanted.The only reason I've knocked off a star is that the lovely included carrying case would be improved by providing more space. The current layout means it will only hold the grip. There's not even space for the charging cable.Also, I'd like to see the grip capable of adjusting some basic camera phone settings as some others do.In view of my slightly negative comments, I'd say that the product is a bit on the high price too.Having said all that, as a professional photographer, I would recommend the ProGrip to any level of photographer.

Sturdy enough if your camera is paper thick. Any thicker and you're risking a catastrophe as it falls to the ground.Simply put, why would one go to lengths of designing something expensive to fit to something 100x more expensive that doesn't hold said object like it's very existence depended on it.The concept is very clever, however it needs finessing.... HUGELY. It needs lefty/righty proofing. It needs more functionality on the grip. The spring loaded phone grips need to be far deeper so that it can hold not only the phone but also a bulky bash proof case. If you've just forked out for an expensive phone, you're not gonna get cheap with the armoured cases available. Without my armour case fitted it still felt floppy within the grips provided. Also, it generally just didnt feel mechanically sturdy. Such a shame. I am now repacking mine and returning it.