I love my Fujifilm X-Pro 1, but I don't love that the camera's minimal hand grip makes it awkward to hold securely. And I'm always hitting the camera's exposure compensation dial or the Q button with my thumb by mistake.
Fujifilm does make an accessory hand grip. But I didn't like the idea of having to remove it each time I wanted to swap out the battery or SD card. Researching other options I ran across Match Technical Services (
www.matchtechnical.com).
Match Technical has come up with an elegant solution to my situation with their Thumbs Up accessory thumb rests. Each one is custom designed and is available for the Leica M models and, more recently, Fujifilm X series cameras.
As you can see below, the Thumbs Up slides into the camera's hot shoe. Silicon inserts give a snug fit while protecting the camera body's finish.
PROS
• Definitely works as advertised
• Beautifully designed and manufactured
• Looks and feels like an integral, original part of the camera
• Fits snugly in the camera's hot shoe with no torquing, sloppiness or wiggling
I can now easily shoot with the camera one-handed - as I recently proved at a party while balancing a plate of food with the other hand. Its design also has the advantage of preventing one from accidentally moving the exposure compensation dial or Q button.
CONS
• May cause issues for some eyeglass wearers
• Attaches using the camera's hot shoe
• High cost
The Thumbs Up changes the way one holds the camera, moving the thumb about one inch in-board (to the left). If you are left-eyed and wear glasses, your thumb will probably brush against your glasses lens or frame. This may or may not be a deal-breaker. If you use your right eye for viewing, there is no issue.
The Thumbs Up attaches using the X-Pro 1's hot shoe and must be removed to attach a speedlight or flash remote.
Price matters. At US$129.88 list, this costs too much to be an impulse buy. As a point of comparison, Fujifilm's accessory grip is US$94.99.
The Bottom Line
I really like how the Thumbs Up has improved my X-Pro 1's handling, but I realize it is not a universal solution. Some may not think it is worth the price; and, for others, the X-Pro 1 handles fine as-is.
If possible, I recommend you try it before buying. If that is not possible, make sure that the return policy of Match Technical or their resellers is acceptable to you.
The End
