Sony RX100.5A SmallRig 2248 accessory grip 15 June 2019

In my previous post about the Ricoh GR3 I commented that there is no aftermarket for accessory grips because the designer got it right from the start.

That is not the case for any of Sony’s RX100 series cameras all of which are sold with no handgrip at all.  Why Sony does not simply copy the essential shape and handle configuration of the GR cameras I have no idea.

Whatever the reason they don’t and this spawns a little industry providing various aftermarket gripping solutions for the RX100 models.

Sony does have the AGR2 stick-on grip which certainly improves holding. They should include this in the box with every camera. If it costs Sony as much as a dollar I would be surprised. But to buy it separately, retail in Australia costa $19. This is ridiculous on a camera costing AUD1049.

Anyway, moving on, the AGR2 and similar stick-ons from various makers  are better than nothing.

There is another type of accessory grip often referred to as L-style.  Various interpretations of this style come onto the market at different times. They generally utilise a larger handle attached to a baseplate to increase the height of the body, further improving grip security and comfort.

I have fitted my RX100.5A with the SmallRig 2248  L type grip as shown in the photos. This greatly improves carrying, holding and operating the camera.

Compact cameras usually place the shutter button on top of the main body of the camera.(as opposed to further forward on a projecting handle). Most of these cameras have a zoom lever around the shutter button.

The original or aftermarket handle designer has to ensure that the right index finger can access the shutter button and the zoom lever without having to shift grip with the rest of the hand. This means there must be a space between the index finger and the third finger when the index finger is on the shutter button. The index finger will move into this space when it needs to work the zoom lever.

This can be achieved either by moving the third finger downas with the AGR2 and similar grips or forward as with the Ricoh GR models and the SmallRig grip featured in this post.

The latter has the advantage that you can get the 4^thfinger firmly onto the camera  thus procuring a more secure grip.

You could argue that with such a lightweight  device this is no big deal and I would agree.

Nevertheless my personal preference is for a more secure grip which helps me feel better about using the device and maybe improves stability with long shutter speeds in low light.

The SmallRig 2248 cost me AUD100 delivered.

I modified the top section of the wooden handle to a rounded profile and filed  sharp edges off the metal at the bottom of the baseplate.

The battery and memory card can be accessed with the grip in place.

There are four tripod thread sockets in the baseplate of the grip.

There is zero clearance between the inside edge of the battery compartment cover and the edge of the baseplate mounting screw which needs to be bedded in carefully so the cover can open.

There is also zero clearance between the third and fourth fingers and the control ring on the lens. 

People with fat fingers may find they cannot fit into the restricted space available.

In this particular context it is fortunate that the lens control ring is sluggishly unresponsive to little nudges so bumping the ring all the time with the knuckles of my fingers has not yet caused an unintended change in aperture or shutter speed.