Positives:
- Stable processing and good to very good connection to the camera. The underside blends seamlessly and by the additional pin on the handle (see detail photo) twists nothing. The front handle part has only a slight clearance (about 1 mm). This is in my view in order, as I have seen worse in other cameras.
- By the handle HG-XM1 is now the tripod mount in the center of the lens. Anyone who works with a tripod and / or panoramas will do with it, should be happy about it.
- The lock ring can be equipped or collapsed. In folded state there is nothing in front of the camera and in principle would thus not be moved on a flat surface. With the 16-50 kit lens, the camera lens is but heavy and tilts hence forward, because the case is not hard / solid enough to act as a sufficient counterweight.
- The screw cap has an opening of about 4 mm (see photo) and you can think about whether you want to attach a carabiner for possibly a strap here. However, this should be rotatably connected to the belt then, since otherwise, if necessary,
Neutral:
- Have the camera in silver, so I can unfortunately nothing to say to what extent the black of the handle is the same as a black version of the camera.
- It would have been a dream, when the handle would have an Arca-Swiss profile, but perhaps is the one day offered by a third party such as Really Right Stuff.
- The folding screen is only minimally restricted and that if you opened the display down, so if you want to hold the camera above your head / high. The limitation, however, is minimal.
Negatives:
- No cut / opening for the memory card slot and the battery compartment. So you have to unscrew the handle to move according to the battery or memory card.
Conclusion:
Let's make no mistake about it, the workmanship and fit is perfect, the price of such a purely mechanical accessory is however marginal. Yes, one gains something to grip, but this is the camera very small, the handling is better, but at least from my perspective, it could be more. A larger handle, both in terms of the front part as well as downwards, but probably to be as small and handy to the concept of camera. Therefore, I give three stars and keep under control because he still gives me a slightly better feel and grip. But it would not surprise me if one or other of the handle returned by and thinks "too little added value for the money".
