The TwistGrip is an excellent device for attaching your smartphone to a tripod!
After trying out Manfrotto’s PIXI Mini Tripod I was delighted to also try out the new TwistGrip Universal Smartphone Clamp. Manfrotto are a world leader in camera accessories.
The TwistGrip is a small clamp for use with a ¼” screw thread tripod (I was using the Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod, you can read my review of this here) which allows you to have your smartphone on a tripod.
The TwistGrip is dark grey, made of high-quality aluminium and measures approx. 4.25” in length (when flat) and the body is approx. 0.5” thin (excluding the twisting lock mechanism, measures approx. 0.75” with twist knob).
To use it is very simple; all you have to do is twist each end so you are turning it from a flat device into a c-clamp, loosen the locking knob and pull one end to extend until you get the size that fits your phone. Once fully opened you have over 3” of space to fit your phone into (my phone measures at 2.5” so plenty of room). Once you have placed your phone in the TwistGrip, lock it in place by turning the locking knob to tighten the grip. The TwistGrip has rubber grips on each end so will not damage your phone. Once locked into place you can screw a tripod onto it (I was using the Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod as mentioned earlier).
The TwistGrip also has a removable plastic cover for a cold-shoe lighting connection where you can attach a lighting rig such as the Manfrotto Lumimuse Series LED Light, just slide out the cover and slide in the light attachment.
Overall I found the TwistGrip to be excellent and easy to use. It is well made, small, light and portable and transforms your smartphone into a much better still or video camera. As most people in this day and age own a smartphone of some description using them to take lots more photographs and videos having the TwistGrip with a tripod are camera accessories that you must have to take that perfect shot. Small and portable, easy to fit and use – I was using with an Android Smartphone but is also suitable for iPhone’s.
The only issue I had but I must stress that it wasn’t an issue with the clamp but more my phone setup is that I had to remove my phone case to be able to use properly. Depending on what type of phone case you may be using you may need to remove it to secure your phone in the clamp properly. To begin with I did leave my case on and although I could clamp it in I felt that it wasn’t fully secure leaving me with the feeling that any slight knock would either move the phone distorting the angle or knock the phone out of the clamp. But as I said this is an issue with my phone case and not the clamp, my phone case is a leather flip case but other cases may work perfectly (I did try with my older phone that has a silicone shell case and this worked perfectly).
I would highly recommend the TwistGrip and it makes taking photos with your phone fun and easier. It is small enough to fit in your pocket of camera case and so light you wouldn’t even know it was there.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £64.95
Available to buy from Manfrotto here.
Disclosure: I was provided with a free sample for the purposes of writing an honest and impartial review.
