ShiftCam ProGrip Starter Kit – DSLR Style Mobile Battery Grip – Wireless Shutter Button – Built in Powerbank – Qi Wireless Charging – Freestanding Dock – Tripod Mount – Android and iPhone Camera Grip

Clearly a superior product, but pricey
Before purchasing the ShiftCam ProGrip I tried two other phone camera grips with bluetooth shutters available on Amazon – one for about $30 and one for about $40. I have concluded that when it comes to these devices, you get what you pay for.I’ve had the ShiftCam ProGrip for a week and today I was able to spend an entire afternoon using it to shoot photos and video with my iPhone 13 Pro. The ProGrip holds the phone securely – I was holding it down by my side when I wasn’t shooting and walking around and I had no concerns about the phone falling out.When shooting, the grip is comfortable and the shutter button is well placed. After a little adjustment (loosening), the hand strap provides a secure means of holding the grip and the phone. I debated getting a wrist strap, just in case I dropped the phone while shooting, but with a properly adjusted hand strap I don’t think I’ll need a wrist strap.The shutter release worked EVERY time. With the less expensive grips the shutter release only worked 50% to 75% of the time and changed the phone’s volume the rest of the time, rendering those less expensive grips unusable for serious photography and frustrating even for casual snapshots.The ShiftCam ProGrip easily rotates between landscape and portrait shooting without changing your grip, a nice feature. The less expensive grips require you to contort yourself to change orientation, as you would with a digital SLR, but doing that with a phone and a small grip is much more awkward than with an SLR.The wireless charging feature of the ProGrip worked well (my iPhone 13 Pro is in an Apple Mag Safe case). Just press the charge button on the ShiftCam ProGrip with the phone mounted in the grip and the phone immediately begins charging. You can download a template for lining up your phone for charging but I didn’t need it with the Mag Safe case (just align the circle on the case with the circle on the ProGrip). You can charge and shoot at the same time and the ProGrip appears to have good battery life.My only complaint about the ProGrip is the price, but I’ve decided I’d rather spend the money for something that works very well. After investing $1,300 in a phone with an excellent camera, I had to ask myself what it’s worth to be able to comfortably and securely use that phone to take pictures. I’ve decided the ShiftCam ProGrip is worth the money.

Works Right Out Of The Box
I got this for iPhone 15 Pro Max. Right out of the box it has worked perfectly. Bluetooth setup couldn’t be easier and within about a minute, I was taking pictures with it. My phone, still in its normal protective case snapped right in. Shutter lag is no worse than the shutter lag you get while using just the phone. No more problems with cold hands or moving the camera as I would when depressing the volume controls to trigger the shutter. The grip gives me the same sort of feeling that one of my pro Nikon cameras offer as it feels much more secure in my hand than ever before. It seems to be well made and only time and use will tell. For now, this is just what I have been looking for. Here are a couple of photos that I took last night while eating dinner. I put the phone in the Pro Grip as I was walking out to my deck and shot several photos. It’s that easy…

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.

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.

Given the price this item needed to meet if not exceed my expectations, sadly it didn’t. I have an Iphone 14 Pro and it simply doesn’t fit well. Its too small for the grip without no ‘rubber grips’ added, and those are far too big to be confident the phone isn’t going to simply be pushed out.The build is not great, it looks good but it feels cheap, there’s a reason for that, it is. It’s very plastic.I didn’t exhaustively test it. As soon as I knew it wasn’t fit for purpose I re-boxed it so I can’t give any info on battery life or the Bluetooth element.It’s presented well and I think the concept is strong but it would need to be improved for me to consider giving it another go.Also, if you are like me, a ‘true’ left-handed person, this will not be for you. It’s a solidly ‘Righty’ device.