Several weeks ago I added a grip to the diminutive X-T20. I liked the improved handling so much I thought I'd add a grip to my new (used) X-Pro2. However, as with the X-T20 grip, I could not justify paying full price for the Fujifim OEM grip, so I looked at the less expensive alternatives available for the X-Pro2.
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| X-Pro2 Hand Grips: Left Meike, Right Powerextra |
Because I liked the Meike grip on the X-T20 so much, I ordered from Amazon the Meike MK-XPro2G Handle Metal Hand Grip for Fuji XPro2. It arrived, I put it on, and damn! it made for a big camera. The fit and finish was good, but the grip was pretty large even for my long fingers.
I considered returning it and going grip-less when I saw on Amazon the competing Powerextra MHG-XPRO2 Handle Metal Hand Grip for Fuji XPro2. I ordered it. It arrived, I put it on, and damn! while it was a smaller size felt good in hand, the fit on the camera was not as good as the Meike.
In my research I could not find large photos comparing the two grips and their fit on the X-Pro2. Now that I currently have both, here is a comparison:
![Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison]( "Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison")
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![Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison]( "Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison")
![Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison]( "Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison")
![Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison]( "Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison")
![Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison]( "Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison")
![Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison]( "Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison")
![Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison]( "Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison")
![Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison]( "Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison")
![Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison]( "Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison")
![Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison]( "Powerextra and Meike Fujifilm X-Pro2 Hand Grip Comparison")
Both grips add an extra degree of comfort especially when shooting with larger lenses, and they both offer the convenience of tripod guide rails.
The Meike is, in my opinion, the better quality grip. It offers tighter alignment to the camera body. It has a hinged lift handle on the tripod screw which allows me to attach and detaching the grip with my fingers as well as a key or coin.
The Powerextra is, as of this writing, $10 cheaper. The hand grip is smaller, and based on photos looks to be similar in size and shape to the Fuji OEM grip. In hand it subjectively feels slightly more comfortable than the Meike, however its alignment is a bit off leaving a gap between the hand grip and the X-Pro2 body which, again subjectively, I find distracting.
I considered returning it and going grip-less when I saw on Amazon the competing Powerextra MHG-XPRO2 Handle Metal Hand Grip for Fuji XPro2. I ordered it. It arrived, I put it on, and damn! while it was a smaller size felt good in hand, the fit on the camera was not as good as the Meike.
In my research I could not find large photos comparing the two grips and their fit on the X-Pro2. Now that I currently have both, here is a comparison:
Front View: Powerextra Top, Meike Bottom
Front Angle View: Powerextra Top, Meike Bottom
Side View: Powerextra Top, Meike Bottom
Top View: Powerextra Top, Meike Bottom
Back Views: Powerextra Top, Meike Bottom
Bottom View: Powerextra Top, Meike Bottom
Conclusion
So which one do I keep and which to I return? To be honest, I really do not know.Both grips add an extra degree of comfort especially when shooting with larger lenses, and they both offer the convenience of tripod guide rails.
The Meike is, in my opinion, the better quality grip. It offers tighter alignment to the camera body. It has a hinged lift handle on the tripod screw which allows me to attach and detaching the grip with my fingers as well as a key or coin.
The Powerextra is, as of this writing, $10 cheaper. The hand grip is smaller, and based on photos looks to be similar in size and shape to the Fuji OEM grip. In hand it subjectively feels slightly more comfortable than the Meike, however its alignment is a bit off leaving a gap between the hand grip and the X-Pro2 body which, again subjectively, I find distracting.
So the options are to go with the Meike grip, which is better built but on bit on the large side, or go with the Powerextra which is a bit smaller, less expensive, but not as well aligned. Or I could stop being so cheap and go straight to the Fujifilm MHG-XPRO2 Metal Hand Grip. Or even go grip-less as the X-Pro2 is a large(ish) camera to begin with.
Another possibility is to keep one of the grips and detach the plastic hand grip from the base plate and fashion a wooden grip to reattach to the base. All that is required is small block of hardwood, a Dremel, sandpapers, and finish, along with a lot of patience and time. One of my earliest camera obsessions was over the Pentax LX which had a wooden hand grip attachment designed to be personally sanded and shaped by the photographer.
Hmmmm....More over-thinky thoughts are in order.
Product links for the obsessive:
- Powerextra MHG-XPRO2 Handle Metal Hand Grip for Fujifilm X-Pro2 Mirrorless Camera
- MEKE Meike MK-XPro2G Handle Metal Hand grip for Fuji XPro2 Digital Mirrorless Camera
- Fujifilm MHG-XPRO2 Metal Hand Grip (Black)