I have to admit, I’m a big fan of the retro camera – not only does my camera bag have two retro-looking Fujifilm mirrorless cameras inside, but I collect and even shoot with real film cameras too. But if there’s one feature I really can’t stand about a true retro camera, it’s the lack of a grip.
Vintage film SLRs from the 1980s and earlier, like the Canon AE-1 and the Pentax K1000 don’t really have much of a grip. After all, many classic cameras came before the word ergonomics was even a widespread concept. The SLRs that launched in the 1990s have beefier grips much like DSLRs, but this style isn’t trending like that old silver-and-black retro look.
Many of the modern digital cameras that mimic this popular retro style similarly don’t give photographers much to rest their fingers on. The OM System OM-3 doesn’t have a true grip and neither does the Fujifilm X-E4, just to name a few. The gorgeous Nikon Zf and affordable Fujifilm X-M5 have slight speed bumps that, by retro standards, passes for a grip, but just barely.
Now, I love a modern camera that stays true to that old school style, but while the lack of a grip is true to that inspiration, I don’t think it’s the best fit in the digital era. Retro film cameras arguably spent less time in the hands. After all, you only had 36 shots on a roll in many cases. But a digital camera has almost unlimited shots and, as such, tends to spend more time actually in the hands. A good camera grip not only helps prevent my hands and wrists from actually getting fatigued, but also encourages better handholding techniques for less camera shake.
Now I understand that, as a wedding photographer, I probably have more 10 hour stretches with a camera in my hand than most. But even when I spent an hour or two photographing a Renaissance fair with the gripless Panasonic S9, my hand was already tiring.
I’m just not a fan of the no-grip rectangular box of a camera. These cameras are all meant to marry both the retro and compact trends. I understand wanting something compact enough to slip into any bag, but I personally need to have something for my fingers to grip. It doesn't have to be huge, but it needs to be there. A grip is worth taking up a little extra space in a camera bag.
There are some vintage-looking cameras that still have some sort of a grip. I was worried about moving from the beefy Nikon D850 to the more half grip style of the Fujifilm X-T4, but the lower weight made the transition a bit more seamless than I expected.
Thankfully, I love that I can always get a better grip with a battery grip, or even a lightweight add-on like those from SmallRig. If you really want a retro-style camera like the Nikon Zf but also need a good grip, you can at least add one with accessories.
I know some photographers will put more importance on the compact size – and that’s fine (you do you!) And I own point-and-shoots like the Olympus TG-6 that are largely gripless, but these cameras are meant to only stay in my hands for a short time. But a mirrorless camera without a grip? It isn’t for me.
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