B-Grip Camera Belt Holder

I had been checking up on open camera holsters in the international market - and when this one arrived here, I snapped it up. And I haven't had the slightest cause to regret that decision. If I'm street-shooting, it's the fastest but perhaps not the ideal option, since the b-Grip WILL attract attention, notwithstanding how hard you try to hide this fairly macho device - and attention is the last thing you want during street photography, which is all about surreptitious shots. Having said that, it's still the easiest holster to unsnap your camera from: I've noticed the speed between my noticing a potential image and snapping it going up exponentially, and I'm sure I'll get faster in time as the action of releasing the camera from the b-Grip becomes more like reflex.

Also, the b-Grip is designed like a dream - these guys are Italians, after all, and they've been breathing design 24/7 since long before Michelangelo - and built like a tank. I can imagine scratching it, but never ever breaking it. But I would advise against going by the advertising visuals that show the b-Grip strapped to the side of the hip, which means that your (undoubtedly precious) camera will be sticking out of your side like a giant 19th-century Colt: hang the holster - and the camera, of course - somewhere between the side of your hip and the crotch. Since it'll be mostly in front - and the male brain is accustomed to protecting a certain kind of jewellery in that general region - you'll be bound to keep more notice of your camera and not slam it inadvertently against something your hip might happen to brush up against (trust me, these micro-collisions happen all the time, and you don't want the complicated lens arrangement in your zoom knocked even a half-millimetre out of the true). So, locate the b-Grip beside your family jewels. (I implore the ladies who're reading this to forgive me for seeming to make this an all-male affair but, being an accidental man, I find this analogy so much simpler to wrap my head round).

Furthermore, since the b-Grip has a certain amount of free play in its lower half, I always thread a 1.5" travel strap through it and tighten it around my thigh. The ensures that the camera's arc of movement remains parallel to the axis of the thigh, and prevents it from swinging and slapping against the leg, which can not only be physically irritating but can also keep your attention diverted from the surrounding world that you intend to photograph.

Second, macho device or not, the b-Grip yells like a child with colic for extra attention, and cautious use, in field situations such as treks. When I'm stumbling around and over rocks and streams and undulating, slippery grit-filled country, I make absolutely certain to keep my equipment (NOT the aforementioned jewels but the digital hardware) tucked safely in my Lowepro Slingshot. I keep the Slingshot in front for those quick shots - but forgo the many seductions of the b-Grip. In field situations, you WILL stumble, and more than just occasionally, you WILL fall hard: take that for granted. An unprotected camera WILL go 'SMASH!'

I absolutely adore the b-Grip, but what really helps is that it has been designed for personal customisation. I often hang my camera upside-down (that is, the lens facing up) to enable me to change lenses and/or filters rapidly. The b-Grip's quick-release plate has a folding handle which, in its open position, helps stabilise the body while I unlock the lens.

It will only help your case if you use lens cases along with the b-Grip (the whole idea here, after all, is speed of release and access to hardware). The belt is wonderfully sturdy, and can take the weight of two lens cases, along with the b-Grip - I usually carry three lenses with me, so in Quick Gun Murugan situations, I loop the Vanguard ICS 008-L4 and the ICS 008-L2 lens cases through it (one lens is on the camera body, anyway, and the filters, hoods, battery and SDHC cards are nestled in the Lowepro). Taken together, it all works out very well.

Frankly, just close your eyes (uh, not really: like any good photographer, keep them open) and buy the b-Grip. I don't know about other people, but it makes me look like a puffed-up, militaristic ass sometimes, and I've sometimes heard the fairer sex sniggering derisively - but the speed and access the b-Grip gives me makes this an acceptable trade-off (not the female sniggering, obviously, but looking like Colonel Bogey).

I was a bit skeptical when I ordered this. But once I received it and got a chance to use it, I'm more than happy. The belt is wide enough the retainers hold under good amount of stress. The lock mechanism to hold the camera is quite strong, yet easy to use. I spent one day of out door photography with a 70-300 zoom lens attached and I could easily walk around, climb steep sides, jump across trenches all with the heavy camera and lens haging on the belt at my side. The retainers, hooks and other plastic parts looks and feel flimsy, but they have proven to be strong. Happy with the purchase.
And as usual, excellent service by Flipkart. :)

I purchased this item when I saw it selling at Flipkart as I knew its going to be very useful for Street and outdoor photography. I have a neck strap (neopropane) and it gets very tiring after a days shooting on the neck.. so I normally hold it in my hand or hang it on my backpack rather than hanging it on the neck whole day. This accessory is very good solution to this "I hope" it will be practical as I have just tried at home and not in field yet.

The only problem I felt today when I tried it is - if you have a battery grip on the camera - it wasn't too comfortable and looked very unsafe - maybe 'coz of the weight with battery grip goes up. With the Battery grip - I did not like it as it gets very bulky and camera kind of hangs out a lot with a risk of bumping into something while walking. WITHOUT the battery grip, its a good one and well balanced.

One clarification though - in the videos on bgrip site it show that it comes with a safety lock - the string/thread with lock but when I received it, it wasn't there. Maybe its sold separate as its not mentioned anywhere which is causing the confusion. Without the thread lock it feels a bit unsafe but I'm sure its 100% safe.

Photography has a hidden dimension, a photo freezes a moment but photographer makes a journey in time. An innovation of its class, the product answers true ergonomic necessities of such a traveller. I wish a best of luck to the industrial designer and my friend, Andrea. God bless him.

B-grip is absolutely solid, comfortable, and safe.
His safety systems grants professional performance in any conditions.
Mr.Patel is spamming on the product, we invite him to contact CPtech sending proofs of any brackage occurred to the tool.
Since we are sure there is no possibility of such kind of damage we invite him to send us a full report or delete his spamming defamatory review.
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