The item this time is“Fjorden”A camera grip for the iPhone. I found out about its existence on the internet, and it looks good! I thought about it and ordered it with haste, but it took me 4 months to get it because I had problems, but I started using it in July.
The black plate-shaped one is “Fjorden”. With a camera grip that is used by connecting to an iPhone via Bluetooth, you can use the dedicated app「Fjorden Camera」With advanced control, you can shoot in a variety of ways. It is sold as a set with various accessories for iPhone installation, and the direct sales price starts from 21,000 yen. A display example of the “Fjorden Camera” app. By using it in combination with the Fjorden main unit, you can shoot while quickly controlling various functions like a digital single-lens camera.
Fjorden is a controller for finely adjusting the camera function of the iPhone with one hand.「Fjorden Camera」app. Combining this app with Fjorden allows you to shoot while controlling the iPhone’s camera function delicately and smoothly.
By the way, this app is a free app that can be used without the Fjorden itself, and it’s convenient because you can control each parameter with one hand, so if you’re interested, give it a try.
It should be noted that Fjorden can release the iOS standard camera shutter, but then Fjorden functions only as a simple Bluetooth shutter button. As an aside, Fjorden as a Bluetooth shutter button is a type that presses the “volume down button”.
Anyway, I used Fjorden on location alone in July, and to my surprise, it was very convenient. I like this type of “controller for using the iPhone camera more conveniently” and have used many of them, but Fjorden’s controller and app are very well made, very comfortable to use, and functionality It has been very satisfying.
The object is a thin and light plate device made of resin. The cheapest set starts at 21,000 yen, but it gives the impression that this is 20,000 yen. However, when I used it, it was a device that gave me a high sense of satisfaction, saying, “Oh, it’s convenient!”
I purchased Fjorden from an overseas mail order. I bought a complete bundle set called “Fjorden Ultimate” (currently not in the lineup), but the total cost was about 43,000 yen, including shipping and taxes.
Eh, does it cost that much? While a little nervous, she waited for Fjorden’s arrival while worrying, “If it’s not good enough for this price, it’s pretty bad.”
However, after using it, my anxiety disappeared. Fjorden, what a great iPhone camera grip! Hijjo rejoiced. So, from now on, I would like to review this amazing camera grip!!!
How does Fjorden fit into the iPhone?
Fjorden is a camera grip exclusively for iPhone, and it is used by connecting to iPhone via Bluetooth. And as mentioned above, when used in combination with a dedicated camera app, you can take more advanced shots with your iPhone.
So Fjorden, how do you set it up on your iPhone? This is a little unique.
Fjorden merges with the iPhone with a unique quick-release mechanism. The iPhone must have an adapter or case that supports the quick release. There is such a (well, alligator) peculiarity, but in reality it was combined with the iPhone quite smartly.
There is a button-type quick release mechanism at the end of the Fjorden body. Plates and cases that correspond to the quick release mechanism. From the left, a universal adapter that sticks to an iPhone or iPhone case with adhesive tape, an iPhone case for Fjorden, and a Fjorden MagSafe adapter. When you press the Fjorden button and press it against the plate or case, it clicks together. Inside the case there is a fitting like this. The same goes for the plate and the MagSafe adapter. It’s simple to make but holds together well. Also, on the opposite side of the mating part, the two bumps combine to prevent the Fjorden body from slipping. Example of use with MagSafe adapter. There is a hinge on the Fjorden body, and if you open it, it seems to function as an iPhone stand (same for cases and plates).
It coalesces with a feeling. Fjorden is the cheapest 21,000 yen「FJORDEN BASIC（NON-MAGSAFE）」but this bundle includes the Fjorden main unit and a universal adapter that attaches to the iPhone case.
There are also bundles with Fjorden compatible iPhone cases and Fjorden compatible MagSafe adapters. Adhesive adapters are included with all types of bundles. You can also purchase Fjorden-compatible cases and MagSafe adapters separately.
Fjorden physical button functionality
After pairing the Fjorden main unit (controller part) and iPhone with Bluetooth, open the dedicated application and start shooting.
The Fjorden itself has four buttons, all of which are useful. The Fjorden is thin as a grip, but it works well enough as a catch when holding the iPhone with one hand.
If you grip the iPhone with one hand and use the four convenient buttons, you will be able to “use the iPhone comfortably as a camera that uses it a little maniac” than expected.
Buttons on the top of the Fjorden main unit. There are four buttons for camera function control.
I’ve numbered the button diagrams above. While referring to this, I will briefly explain the function of each button.
Function of each button
① “Multi-function button”
By default, a short press switches between the out-camera and the in-camera, and a long press switches the shooting mode. However, you can change the function of short press / long press by setting the application. For example, a short press can be set to turn the flash on and off, and a long press can be set to switch between Auto/Manual shooting modes.
② “Control dial”
You can adjust the exposure, white balance, focus, etc. In still image auto shooting mode, only exposure compensation can be adjusted, and in still image shooting manual mode, exposure compensation / shutter speed / ISO sensitivity / white balance / focus adjustment can be performed. Short press the dial to change the adjustment target, and long press to reset the parameter.
③ “Shutter button”
A half press will focus and a full press will shoot.
④ “Zoom Lever”
The lens (magnification) used during shooting can be switched intermittently or continuously. For example, you can switch between 0.5x/1.0x/2.0x/3.0x with a short slide, and you can zoom in and out by continuously changing the magnification with a long slide.
From auto shooting with exposure compensation to manual shooting while adjusting various parameters, you can shoot smoothly while tweaking each item. The number of buttons is rather large, so it may be confusing to operate at first, but I think that it is a number of buttons and functions that you can quickly get used to.
Focusing by half-pressing the shutter button takes some getting used to because the half-press is a little deep, but being able to focus with the shutter button is comfortable! I feel keenly.
By the way, Fjorden’s power is turned on by pressing the shutter button. The power is turned off automatically (it turns off after 5 minutes of inactivity with the app closed).
It can be operated almost with one hand and is very comfortable ♪
As mentioned above, the Fjorden controller section is designed so that all buttons can be operated with the right hand. In addition, the dedicated “Fjorden Camera” app has almost all the controls on the right side, and is designed so that the main operations can be performed with just the right thumb.
The app is displayed correctly even in portrait orientation. However, judging from the position of the buttons on the Fjorden controller and the UI of the app, it seems that Fjorden assumes shooting with the iPhone held horizontally and with the right hand.
It looks like holding the iPhone with Fjorden attached. In this state, each button can be operated with the index finger or the middle finger. Most of the operation UI of the “Fjorden Camera” application is gathered on the right side. So you can operate it with just your right thumb.
With that feeling, you can operate the iPhone camera with just your right hand. Of course, you can tap with your left hand to operate, but once you get used to it, you’ll feel like, “It’s convenient to be able to control the iPhone camera so far with just your right hand.”
Well, whether it’s a compact digital camera or a mirrorless camera, most of the main operations can be done with the right hand.
If you use Fjorden, the iPhone will come closer to the operability of such a dedicated machine, but when that happens, the “inconvenience felt from the roundabout operation feeling” of the iPhone as a camera equipment will be wiped out, and the iPhone as a camera equipment Feeling that practicality is increasing Gui Gui.
Recent iPhones are also quite excellent in terms of image quality, and Fjorden adds good operability. Then, I feel like the value of the iPhone as a tool has been raised, or rather, I think it has actually been raised.
Fjorden that can be used with a feeling. Overall, I think it’s a very complete iPhone retrofit camera grip. The fusion of the controller body and the app is nice, and I feel that both of them have been made to the point.
Fjorden, highly recommended for those who shoot while adjusting the exposure with the iPhone camera and use the manual shooting function a lot. If you are interested, please check it carefully.
