Ownuser Grip Review Discussion

[microcosm]

To those who turned up for the Kopi Session and had a preview of the Ownuser grips for the E-330 and E-510, please give your honest opinion on what you feel about the grips. Take into consideration of course, that Ownuser is making these vertical grips/battery "one size fits all" unlike the coming E-410 one that is designed specifically for the E-410 (mainly because of size). I cannot imagine the E-410 being fitted with the standard grip!!

Here are 3 quick and dirty images I shot on that day of the gathering and presentation. Hope you guys can share your view.







Here are my thoughts on the grips :

On the E-330 - I don't think the grip works well at all for the E-330 because it uses IR to trigger and you not only lose the half press functionality, but the IR angle is not optimum, therefore having a lot of misfires. But as an "extended battery" option for the camera, this is excellent. Come to think of it, have you guys realised that the battery door has always been removable since day one?

On the E-510, the story is totally different - The grip feels really good on the E-510, with the dual shutter, it feels and works great, except as mentioned, there is a lacking of dials on the grip which honestly, I don't think it is really possible to have on these "one for all" design and able to repeat the dials and yet keeping the cost down. So while it is do-able, I don't think the cost to make that happen justifies. (I believe the price of the grip should be around the region of US$100-150). The weight balance with 2 batteries fitted seems perfect for the E-510, and the overall weight is still lighter than the E-1 with the dedicated vertical grip.

What you guys think?? I shall leave it open for discussions.

I am meeting the distributor tonight, and once I get more information on prices and stuff like these, I will publish them in here. Price and availability. Cheers.

UPDATE!

The grip will be in Singapore next week. Price should be between S$130-180. Alan Photo will be taking orders for them. Limited numbers in this order. Probably between 50-100 units for the E-510.

[microcosm]

Forgot to add what I really really like about the grip is that it not only takes batteries from may brands of cameras, it also comes with a pair of AA battery holder which is great for situations when you run out of juice in the field and have no place to charge the batteries. All you need is your friendly 7-11.

The trigger buttons feels pretty nice and solid to the touch as well (looking from the perspective of how much this grip cost).

[tao]

This grip appears to be a fantastic choice for people who have different bodies within the same camp or from different makes, you just have to get the different mounting plates to use the grip across all the cameras you have and yet you can share batteries too. Excellent. I can't wait to see what can be conjured for the E-410, a winder that looks like the one on an OM? That will be sweet.

[SleepingIdol]

wah...the battery grip seems to look bigger than the camera size...
but its better to have than not to have...

Just wonder how it looks like with E-500 (maybe like the one attached to E-510 )

Sorry if this question sounds naive but with the battery grip, does it allow to attach the cable release for the e-500?

Thks.

[holidaydom]

Pros:
> Monster of a grip but is actually pretty comfortable to hold
> Very neat cable routing to the Camera Body
> Has an additional AC-in jack
> Has a wired remote-in jack
> Able to use a multitude of battery options
> Half-shutter works! (on the E510)
> Has a bottom loop to facilitate a "grip strap" or "hand harness" (whatever you call it)
> Has two shutter buttons for left or right handed vertical gripping
> Very well constricted, does not creek when squeezed or flexed
> Good fit with the camera body with no free play
> Relatively light
> Well priced and highly recommended for the E510!

Cons:
> When gripping vertically, your thumb tends to fall over the battery-bay latches, so be carefuly not to accidently open the battery-bays
> No half shutter on the E330 as it triggers using a little IR Diode (probably the case for the E500 as well)
> Triggering via the IR Diode is not consistant
> Very long lag when triggering via the IR Diode on the E330
> The model for the E510 does not have an IR Diode as it interfaces vis a cable to the Camera. But it would be a nice feature to have as it would mean that you can use the grip off camera as a IR Remote (A really BIG one!)
> Pinky finger does not sit very comfortable when holding normally (Camera in landscape)
> A little too "industrial looking" because of the design of the battery bays. Everywhere else the finish and design is acceptably good.

My design thoughts:
> The E510 Grip does not have an IR Diode as it interfaces vis a cable to the Camera. But it would be a nice feature to have as it would mean that you can use the grip off camera as a IR Remote (A really BIG one!)
> The E510 Grip interfaces via a cable connection. It'll be nice if they can also make and include an "extension cord" so that we can use the grip off-camera as a wired-remote!

[holidaydom]

Originally Posted by SleepingIdol wah...the battery grip seems to look bigger than the camera size... but its better to have than not to have... Just wonder how it looks like with E-500 (maybe like the one attached to E-510 ) Sorry if this question sounds naive but with the battery grip, does it allow to attach the cable release for the e-500? Thks.

The grip will look very similar to the one with the E510 in the photo but I suspect that it'll be triggered the same way as the grip on the E330 - via a little IR Diode on the Grip itself.

So you're basically attaching a "IR Remote control Vertical Grip"

But sad to say the shutter triggering on the E330 does not work well at all.

Hopefully they'll work something out and interface via a cable connection so as to enable a true shutter function with half-pressing.

[cater]

Im just wondering if the model for E510 can be mod to use on the E500 for half shuttle function as E500 also have a usb 2.0 connector by the side.

[drakon09]

All the above comments can be fed back to the Ownuser people in Taiwan.

I think they'll appreciate it.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by cater Im just wondering if the model for E510 can be mod to use on the E500 for half shuttle function as E500 also have a usb 2.0 connector by the side.

They have a separate grip adapter plate for the E-500 and the E-510.

[MarcusK]

Extra battery pack and additional AA battery holder for backup definitely attracts me. For me, isn't that ergonomic due to my little fingers for such "big" grip. But some with slightly bigger hand than mine mention is comfortable with that size.
If it can be a bit rounded on the back of the grip, I believe it will be more comfortable.
Perhaps some simple locking device to prevent any mishap for the battery holder will be a plus point.
Weight is still acceptable for me.

[microcosm]

UPDATE!

The grip will be in Singapore next week. Price should be between S$130-180. Alan Photo will be taking orders for them. Limited numbers in this order. Probably between 50-100 units for the E-510.

[marky]

Originally Posted by microcosm UPDATE! The grip will be in Singapore next week. Price should be between S$130-180. Alan Photo will be taking orders for them. Limited numbers in this order. Probably between 50-100 units for the E-510.

Wow.. thats fast..

Back on the grips, cos i'm using the E330 and it really does not work well with it (maybe something is missing to connect to the camera). but its really good as an additional batt pack for my camera. Somehow there is a slight sharp edge at the end of the grip where ur last finger will be and it feels alittle uncomfortable to me. Since it does not work well with the E330 i'm gonna give it a miss first.

[spidey89]

ha ha ha,overall design is great for the E510,good size and weight,could do with the dials,but then again,i seldom use a vertical grip to take potrait shots,since i have a really really bad habit of holding the orignal body and turning it on it's side to take potrait shots,but as someone pointed out,could do with a wired in to use with a remote control for wired release,overall body design,size and weight are great for me,having giant hands for hands,lol!!

[spidey89]

ha ha ha,overall design is great for the E510,good size and weight,could do with the dials,but then again,i seldom use a vertical grip to take potrait shots,since i have a really really bad habit of holding the orignal body and turning it on it's side to take potrait shots,but well,whether or not i have a bad habit,at least i can use it to kapok other ppl
's batt,especially my friend's Nikon,MUA HA HA HA HA HAbut then need 12 AA batt rite?ha ha ha,abit too many batts to get,hopefully i need not do that ,as someone pointed out,could do with a wired in to use with a remote control for wired release,overall body design,size and weight are great for me,having giant hands for hands,lol!!

[henqe]

The grip looks like a WW2 tank

Isn't it uncomfortable to hold the camera vertical, your hand will be on the back of the battery compartments?

Is the connector to the camera in the way/easy to get caught in stuff?

Will probably buy one anyway

[wrx_sti_22b]

Originally Posted by microcosm UPDATE! The grip will be in Singapore next week. Price should be between S$130-180. Alan Photo will be taking orders for them. Limited numbers in this order. Probably between 50-100 units for the E-510.

If there is a 100 units being brought in, i'm sure it's enough for us here... i dun think first time round they will bring in this much... unless we gives our names to see how many ppl roughly... Do you think we should start doing that now?...

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by wrx_sti_22b If there is a 100 units being brought in, i'm sure it's enough for us here... i dun think first time round they will bring in this much... unless we gives our names to see how many ppl roughly... Do you think we should start doing that now?...

There are more than 500 units of E-510 floating around... so if 20% of them buys the grip, just nice... I don't think that many are in Four Thirds... considering that there is still Mytikas community.

[wrx_sti_22b]

Wow, from launched to now, abt 500 ppl bought E-510? Tat is quite a lot for Olympus right?...

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by wrx_sti_22b Wow, from launched to now, abt 500 ppl bought E-510? Tat is quite a lot for Olympus right?...

Not really... this is only a fraction of what is sold for Canon400D. But fortunately, the E-510 is going to catch up with the D40 sales... as according to sales folks whom I have spoken to... there are no actual figures for C/N though... for Singapore that is...

But you have to take into consideration many of these units are also snapped up by tourists. Countries like Taiwan, China has import taxes for electronics, and their prices can be higher than Singapore. The E-510 is $50 more in Taipei for example. So someone from Taiwan happen to be in Singapore might just pick up one on holiday. So the actual local use figure might be smaller. I might be wrong though... I know one reseller sold more than 30 units thus far.

[microcosm]

A moment for humor...

"Resistance is futile"
Model : Cannot be named. A "Thai" friend.
(Really guys, don't name him or his nick, as requested by him)