This is part 2 of customizing the Olympus PEN E-PL3. In this post, we add a bit more function to little PEN thanks to a simple add-on from Flipbac. The one thing that the E-PL3 is missing in my opinion is a functional finger grip. Without a grip, holding the E-PL3 can get a bit tiresome and there are times where I don’t feel very comfortable holding it with one hand. That’s where the Flipback Camera Grip comes into play. The Flipbac unit is a simple addition that is easily installed to any camera that lacks a grip. This review does focus on the Olmpus PEN E-PL3 which is what I’m testing the Flipbac Camera Grip on but it will work for almost any camera that you want a grip for.
I contacted Flipbac to see if it would be possible to check out their camera grips and they agreed to send me some to try out. They sent me their G1, G2, G3, and G4 styled camera grips. The differences between the designs are the way the grips are shaped. This allows anyone to choose the type of grip that they feel most comfortable using with their cameras.
 
The Flipback Camera Grip is made of 100% silicone which makes them very flexible and able to flex to the contours of your camera. On the back of each grip is a layer of 3M adhesive that allows for a strong, secure hold. Just peel off the paper backing and stick the grip to the surface of your camera. In my case, I stuck the camera grip to the top of the Aki-Asahi camera covering and it still adhered to it quite well.
 
The camera grip I chose to use on the Olympus PEN E-PL3 was the newly released G4 style grip. Unlike the G1, G2, and G3 grips, the G4 has a textured pattern to it that mimics the look of leather grain. That made it perfect for my E-PL3 project seeing as the camera covering I just added to the camera is leatherette and has almost the same type of texture on it. As you can see, it matches up quite well and the color is fairly close to each other. Not only does it look good, it also works really well and the Olympus feels much more secure now in my hand, especially when using it one-handed.
 
I definitely recommend a Flipbac Camera Grip if you are using a camera that doesn’t already have a grip and you want something that will make you camera feel more secure and comfortable in your hands. In my case, the grip made the E-PL3 that much more comfortable to hold and I feel much better now knowing that my fingers have a good grip around my camera now.
You can pick up the Flipbac Camera Grip G1, G2, and G3 for $9.99 or the G4 for $10.99 on the Flipbac website here. In my opinion, they are well worth the money.
