Nikon announces pricing, availability for its MC-N10 Remote Grip for Z Series cameras

I am sure smallrig has already figured out a way to make this more safe proof.

3 days agopermalink

24Peter

Nice Nikon is thinking outside the bun. Now let the magnification buttons work as a power zoom (or even better add a proper power zoom rocker in the next iteration) and give us a power zoom lens and this is the perfect video accessory for our Z cameras.

5 days agopermalink

Biowizard

Silly question: doesn't requiring a USB connection mean you have to open the weatherproof flaps on the camera body, making the item susceptible to rain ingress?

5 days agopermalink

Yes, indeed.

Shooting in the rain with this set up would require a rain cover matching the setup.

Could be tricky with a Gimbal.

5 days agopermalink

jaberg

If I owned this set, and shooting in the rain was something I did regularly, I’d fabricate a boot to keep the rain out. Off the cuff, I’d probably use a small silicone funnel as a starting point.

5 days agopermalink

Hendrik_nl

You can always use a tent or cover. This is common practice in most production houses I have seen. But, I agree, something wireless would be nice. Unfortunately, my experience, wireless is not safe proof.

3 days agopermalink

dash2k8

I am a Canon user and would love to have a Canon equivalent of this grip.

6 days agopermalink

Just ordered mine.

6 days agopermalink

pahnson

Wow this looks crazy useful for any kind of rig or gimbal work. Thats the most annoying part about working with a gimbal or shoulder rig - I often have to change hands to adjust things.
I realy hope something like this will come to the Canon R5. I would buy it in a heartbeat!

6 days agopermalink

Yes, this really is a game changer for anyone mounting a mirrorless camera on support devices.

6 days agopermalink

h815L

cool cool cool

release some info on the new z6iii

6 days agopermalink

pshummer

This IS a great tool! I watched some youtube videos of MC-N10 and it works great. The USB-C cable doesn't get in the way during the use, and it looks like it works flawlessly with any gimbals and that you will get much better control from the MC-N10 than just from the gimbal.

I also like its grip. The grip looks to be comfortable to grip and you have all controls on the grip, makes it a lot easier to control the camera.

Good job, Nion!!

6 days agopermalink

This thing is a game changer for video shooting!

I used my Z9 on my DJI RS3 Pro last weekend and it’s a pain to modify any camera settings.

1 week agopermalink

Same. I've preordered this.

1 week agopermalink

ZZT231

Not a bad price, but the wired connection kills it. More ports to break. Why not Bluetooth?

1 week agopermalink

While Bluetooth is more convenient, cables connections are more reliable.
In a studio or a home environment BT is reliable enough these days, but In weddings, concerts, or sport events the 2.4ghz BT band is overcrowded with all the smartphones becoming unreliable.

Ideally, it should have both options, wired and wireless.

6 days ago*permalink

MrHollywood

BT is a pain and cables work perfectly in any situation, no lags or connection issues. Well designed robust ports last for the life of a product in most cases.

6 days agopermalink

dash2k8

The direction of the wire looks like it minimizes potential contact. I have a USB running from my gimbal to my camera body and it's not a problem, so I imagine this wouldn't be an issue for the N10, either.

6 days agopermalink

cosinaphile

this looks like contraption they used to parody in old timey newspaper funnies

,
known as rube goldburg devices......

1 week agopermalink

broodrooster

Nikon taking the video making more and more serious, thumbs up!

1 week agopermalink

CanonKen

It’s funny how things have changed that Nikon is making video gear like this. All a good thing.

1 week agopermalink

DrEvil

Brilliant.
Removes the headache of searching for compatible remotes that usually don't provide much control.

1 week agopermalink

WJMWJM

That USB-C connection looks a bit ugly/snaggy....
Not that a perpendicular/90-degree USB-C plug couldn't solve it *there* (even at the cost of failure-mode being a ripped cable or wrecked socket), but given such a plug, I would have placed the socket elsewhere, like to the side....or at least offer more than one socket.

NB: do rotating/swiveling sockets exist?....:))

(plugs do, same for failsafe magnetic couplings, of course)

1 week ago*permalink

I was thinking the same. Shame they couldn't design it with a submerged connection under a door, sort of like an AC pass through. That way te door takes the brunt of the huge vs the actual port. Guess they have to leave something on the table for version 2. :-)

1 week agopermalink

WJMWJM

In hindsight, USB-C plugs:
While the perpendicular *rotating* type exists (I think, IIRC), not sure whether I ever saw a swivel type (possibly never icw rotating; while the swivel itself obliviates the necessity of a (fixed) perpendicular/90-degree).

Not even sure whether the rotating kind (fixed or magnetic) allows all contacts to pass through, more than just 2? ( for charging))
(but fast charging, QC or PD (any other acronyms/protocols since?) possibly already requires more than 2 contacts?)

Anyway, a real engineer might even have (also) redesigned that mechanical 'rosette mount' (hadn't heard that term before; is that size- & branche-typical, or industry-wide?), the (magnetic) connection running on the inside, way out of harms way)

(my favorite samples, of these serrated tooth-joints, thusfar, were adjustable military trailer-side couplings/beams, and adjustable windscreen supports on vehicles like the Dodge W52 Power Wagon and Volvo C3-series in Malaysian/tropical trim....:))

6 days ago*permalink

catlyn

Great idea! Just that it's expensive as ***k for what it is. But after you pay $6500 for a body, it's actually very cheap.

1 week agopermalink

James Stirling

It is compatible with the $1900 z6ii as well :-)

1 week agopermalink

mandm

It's compatible with all 'Z' cameras.
From the title: "Remote Grip for Z Series cameras"

1 week agopermalink

Actually, it's a fair price considering that add on battery grips are $500 for much less functionality.

1 week agopermalink

Julian

From Nikon's site "the MC-N10 Remote Grip is compatible with the Z 9, Z 7II, and Z 6II" so as I read this not compatible with the original Z6 and Z7 (or perhaps they just don't mention the older bodies...).

1 week ago*permalink

mandm

It looks like it doesn't work with the Z 7, Z 6, Z 5, Z 50, Z fc or Z 30

5 days agopermalink

In theory, most recent cameras with Bluetooth could be operated like this, but wirelessly with cheap game controllers by mapping most buttons to them. Just a firmware upgrade away.

1 week ago*permalink

TheUnblinkingEye

Go for it dude!

1 week agopermalink

ZZT231

Sony even has a Bluetooth camera remote already:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1540293-REG/sony_gp_vpt2bt_wireless_bluetooth_shooting.html/

Of course, it's more limited in scope since it's made for vloggers, but it shows that something more in-depth like Nikon's controller is absolutely possible to do via Bluetooth.

1 week ago*permalink

Yes, I think this trend is becoming a standard the same way articulated monitors are considered an essential feature today.

6 days agopermalink

vFunct

I'm wondering if they're going to make actual power zoom lenses available to match the zoom control here. I know they have one coming for DX, but that's only for small vloggers, not the Z9 system.

Also I could use a left-handed version..

BTW the rig they have on the top pic is unusable, as the shoulder mount is directly under the camera axis. it needs to be offset so you can look through the viewfinder.

Actually Nikon should introduce a separate offset viewfinder for the Z9...

1 week ago*permalink

The timing of te high resolution zoom feature in the recent Z9 firmware is not a coincidence. You can likely program buttons on the handle to digitally zoom, in lieu of a power zoom lens.

1 week agopermalink

User4286416121

I think a left-handed control wiuld ve used constantly by ..m left handed people. So many people would be customers for life.

1 week agopermalink

Agreed about left hand. I often have a SmallRig handle on the side and it would be great to be able to start stop and alter functions from that side handle.

1 week agopermalink

zakk9

Excellent device if it works as advertised. This is a piece of gear that I would use a lot.

1 week agopermalink

Cool, but at this point in 2022, most cameras should have this capability via Bluetooth using standard game controllers when mounted on tripods.
Already doing this myself with a DJI motorized gimbal and Is super useful and fun. It just works.

Strangely, many smartphone photo apps have not embraced this concept of game controllers yet for better ergonomics.

1 week ago*permalink

NickZ2016

Game controllers? How weather sealed are those?

1 week agopermalink

Djehuty

There's a reason why cinecams/videocams are in the shape they are.

1 week agopermalink

Dude game controllers are made to take some beating and then more.
Most have incredible ergonomics and designed for fast action.
They might not be whether sealed, but at $30 a pop who cares.

1 week ago*permalink

NickZ2016

Dude when it stops working in the middle of a work job you'll care.

1 week agopermalink

Ok, sure just get a backup copy if it is mission critical same as people do with dual memory cards.
These Nikon controllers can fall accidentally and whoops, no back up copy coming to the rescue.

1 week agopermalink

Yveske

@Photato If it starts working intermittently or stops working all together half way through your shoot you will start to care...

1 week agopermalink

Yes I get that, but in my experience this is mature technology tried and tested by millions of users world wide. Reliable enough.

Don’t get me wrong, I think what Nikon did here is really cool specially if it has the same button layout as the camera body.
For high end professional use, would be worth paying for.

1 week ago*permalink

Arek Halusko

Some manufacturer should just make a controller like DJI drones ones, plug in your phone and control the camera from a distance with buttons not just phone touch control

1 week agopermalink

Artak Hambarian

Totally agree! I would suggest that remote to have its own larger hi res touchscreen along with all controls.

1 week ago*permalink

The industry is already halfway there by controlling most cameras via WiFi with smartphones, But the other half of proper ergonomics with real buttons is missing.
A reliable, low latency video transmission system is needed too.

You can enjoy this setup today using one of the latest DJI gimbals paired with their Raveneye Video transmitter and a Bluetooth game controller.

1 week ago*permalink

witzgall

The concept is nice, but mimicking the same controls form the camera is a mistake. Rather, they should have worked with studio camera operators to work out better controls. If they are coming up with power zoom, buttons are not the way to go, a would be more useful.

1 week agopermalink