Manfrotto Twistgrip
A premium quality universal iPhone and Smartphone photography clamp. Made from machined aluminium, the Manfrotto Twistgrip is designed to be highly compact, durable and secure.
Featuring a standard thread for tripod attachment and a cold-shoe connector for lighting or microphones.
Features
- Sturdy aluminium body
- Fast and secure twist grip
- Flattens for storage
- Width adjustment – 50mm to 80mm
- Threaded base for support systems
- Cold-shoe top connector for lighting / mic
Manfrotto Twistgrip – Full review
When it comes to high-end DSLR camera support systems, Manfrotto are the undisputed leaders in the field. Considering the quality of camera technology inside Smartphones these days, it’s fitting for them to raise the bar with a premium-grade phone mount. The new Twistgrip is Manfrotto’s universal solution to take your smartphone photography to the next level.
The Twistgrip measures 107mm x 30mm x 10mm in its flat state and weights 80 grams. It’s machined from a solid piece of aluminium and has a dark grey anodized finished.
The Manfrotto Twistgrip has a unique design that allows the top and bottom to rotate into a clamp position for mounting a phone.
The mechanism inside clicks and retains the ends in place in both the straight and angled configuration.
The inside face of the Twistgrip has a tactile surface that makes contact with the smartphone. There’s contoured rubber pads on the top and bottom that grip the phone exceptionally well.
On the rear is single knurled thumb screw that applies pressure to a tensioning bracket which grips the inner adjustment bar.
I admire the engineering effort that has been made here. It speaks volumes about the lengths Manfrotto will go to, to ensure the best performance and longevity of their products.
The underside of the Manfrotto Twistgrip has a standard 1/4 inch threaded hole which will allow it to fix to just about any tripod or support system.
The mini-tripod pictured above, is the Manfrotto Pixi, a perfect partner to the Twistgrip. I tested this combination with a 30 minute landscape timelapse on a relatively windy day. The Twistgrip mounted on the Pixi provided a rock solid platform, even better than my DSLR tripod.
The final feature of the Manfrotto Twistgrip that really sets it apart from other phone holders is the cold-shoe connector on the top. I’m sure many people will make use of this for additional LED lighting. For me, however, it’s ridiculously handy for rigging up a shotgun mic connected to a smartphone.
Anyone that records audio with their DSLR will know how frustrating it can be when the microphone is more than an arm’s length away.
I recently grabbed a RODE cable that allows me to record directly to a Smartphone. The Manfrotto Twistgrip has proved to be absolutely perfect for this setup.
Verdict
The Manfrotto Twistgrip is an exceptionally well made iPhone / smartphone photography mount. I’m really struggling to think of anything I’d change or add to improve this product, perhaps the addition of a soft carry pouch would be a nice.
I’m sure there are many other phone mounts out there that cost less than the Twistgrip, but I doubt any come close in terms of quality or reliability. In my opinion, the engineering in this little device easily warrants its price tag and I can highly recommend this product.
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I just upgraded to an iPhone 7+ with an Otterbox “defender” case and thought the Manfrotto Twistgrip would be a perfect accessory with my tabletop tripod. The quality and design in the Twistgrip is stunning.
HOWEVER, with the Otterbox case protecting my iPhone 7+, Manfrotto’s Universal Twistgrip will not work at all.
The sliding extension rail needs to be lengthened and the rubberized clamping jaws that I had hoped would hold my iPhone need to be extended.