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Review by ShutterFlash:

I purchased this three months ago and one of the three chambers already lost most of its fluid, rendering it useless along that axis. I'd avoid this manufacturer's product.

Review by Albert I. Reiner:

It really should be rated as a 0 star. Wide markings that really make it useless. Bad unfinished connector it is hard to attach and remove from the hot shoe. Avoid this company read my review for release cable it has been dumped. The level is on it's way to a land fill and will be replaced with a real unit.

Review by John Fastenow:

Get this if you do panoramics or inside shots that need to be level, good quality unit. Get this don't waste you money on other "cheaper" units (like I did) you will end up buying this one after the other one breaks or falls apart...like I did...

Review by Justin C. Vierra:

Seeing as the level is essentially a sealed chamber 3/4 full of liquid, it's not exactly a difficult function to perform. The unit fits snugly in my hot shoe without being overly tight, and the lexan/plastic is very clear. One thing a buyer should be aware of are ground "dimples" on one tip of each axis. Obviously this doesn't impede the function of the device, but it does make it look a little cheap (hence the -1 star).

Review by Alaeddin Mohseni:

At first glance, this looks like it can only be used for filming skate videos, although that is not the case. It's advertised as a great way to keep skate footage stable, but it also works great for stabilizing your every day shots. What I do is put my camcorder on (Any consumer camcorder size will fit, I use a Canon VIXIA HG20) and then I push the x-grip against my shoulder and hold the camcorder like you usually would. This way, you have full control over the zoom and record buttons, and you get a stable shot. It's like holding a professional camcorder (the ones that go over your shoulder)

Holding the x-grip the way it was meant to be held... well... it's alright. Still a bit shakiness here and there but it definitely is a lot better than just holding the cam itself. Since you're holding the grip, you dont have the option to zoom. I haven't used it for any skateboaring videos yet, but I plan on doing it in the near future, and I can imagine that it'll prove to be quite helpful.

One problem I'm currently have with the x-grip though is the fact that my mic is always getting into my shots (whenever the mic is connected to the hot shoe). I use an Azden SGM-2X. Great mic but it's quite long. I have a fuzzy windscreen on the mic to reduce wind, but it's hard holding the x-grip in a way that doesn't have my mic's windscreen creeping in from the top. If you have a long shotgun mic and plan on using it on the x-grip, keep that in mind. And I'm fully aware that the SGM-2X can be made shorter if you remove the long barrel, but then the mic's range wont be as good/it'll look sort of odd.

Overall, great product. Stabilizes my shots quite well. No real problems, I just need to spend more time working with it.

Review by HMMWV:

Today's AVCHD cameras are going pro. Pros realize that the advantage of inserting a memory card over reading hours of tape into a nonlinear editing system can mean the difference in making a deadline or just a wasted effort. As such, AVCHD cams are being used in production. I've used the Modosteady and this unit, and personally I like this better.

First off, shots from a a low angle with a medium zoom are dramatic. Using a lanc remote and this mount with a 14oz camera you can take some very nice shots on the move from a low angle making the subject appear taller and more a part of the framed shot.

Secondly, the new small form factor cameras LACK the normal (or what I would call normal) hot shoe. The canon series has gone to a very powerful mini-shoe that will NOT accept all of our old goodies for on camera lights, wireless receivers, and shotgun mics. This fixes the problem giving you one dead shoe to mount accessories close to the camera, almost where they would be on a normal camera. If your camera is fortunate enough to have a regular hot shoe, then this gives you mounting for those valuable accessories and keeps it neat. If you have a min-s shoe, you can put a shotgun mike on the camera and put a light on the grip, giving you two accessories where only one would have gone before.

My overall impressions using this were that I could be more artistic with it without breaking my back for the best angle. Tripods are great for podiums, but going mobile for baby steps or bicycle rides dictates a new way to hold your camera. With 1920x1080 AVCHD 24Mbps cameras weighing in at a comfortable 14 oz, this is an excellent tool. Both the camera and the accessory (if used) can be moved forward and rearward for optimal balance - you'll know when you it the sweet spot and trips through the garden will be effortless like a cat on the prowl. Of course, it's made to the high quality standards set by opteka which makes it doubtful anyone will be disappointed.

Review by Syl Arena:

SPOILER:

'Hot Shoe Diaries' is pure McNally and the best book I've ever read on flash photography. Two words: "buy it."

LONG VERSION:

Joe McNally's photo secrets were kicked out of the closet by the skeletons a long time ago. That's great news for those of us who have become infatuated (and infuriated) with the use of small flash units. Joe's latest book 'The Hot Shoe Diaries' is an exposé that tells all. There's never been a book on flash photography that covers the subject so thoroughly, so beautifully and so humorously. I'm certain that 'HSD' will reign as the undisputed champion on flash photography for a long time.

The first thing to know about 'HSD' is that even Joe has a hard time taking himself seriously. Joe repeatedly demonstrates his understanding of where he stands in the universe by filling 'HSD' with memorable photos - such as the self-portrait where he uses a chicken as a lightstand. Joe's humor is what sets 'HSD' apart from other photo books. It is what protects us from mind-numbing concepts, such as the "Inverse Square Law" (when did Congress pass that one anyway?).

Joe starts with the basics: gear, the fundamentals of digital photography and simple flash. He moves on to talk about one light shots. And two light shots. And lots-a-lights shots. He talks about where to put the lights and what to put between the lights and the subject. He shares a lifetime of stories. He inspires and encourages. Like I said, "pure McNally."

As with his first book, 'The Moment It Clicks', Joe fills the covers of 'HSD' with amazing and beautiful photos. These are the heart of 'HSD.' It's one thing to talk about flash photography. It's entirely another to demonstrate it again and again with stunning images. [Thanks also to the book designer who ran a good number of photos as double-trucks, aka: two-page spreads.]

'HSD' is for photographers of all levels - novice to expert. If you read 'Clicks' and were among the few disappointed because it wasn't a "how-to" book with lighting diagrams and such, 'HSD' is the book you were looking for. Plan on reading it again and again. I guarantee that every time you do, you'll pick up something new.

SPECIAL NOTE To Non-Nikon Shooters - 'HSD' Is Non-Denominational

It's no secret that Joe is a Nikon guy. Nikon terminology is used throughout the book. If you shoot something other than Nikon, think of it like an American talking to a Brit [if "elevator" = "lift", then "Auto FP" = "High-Speed Sync" and "Rear Curtain" = "2nd Curtain"]. Does this mean that 'HSD' is Nikon-specific? Absolutely not. As a lifelong Canon shooter, I've no hesitation in recommending this book to shooters of all denominations. The ideas and illustrations are universal.

Review by Mark Gurfinkel:

Pros:

1. If you are photography junkie, the book fun to read - feels like you are having a couple of cold ones with a pro, and he is kind enough to tell you about his work.

2. If you already have a solid understanding of flash photography, the book will help you to get to the next level. [...]

3. This book is extra helpful for Nikon shooters.

Cons:

1. If you are a newbie, phrases like "so I just dialed up the shutter speed to kill off the extra ambient light I didn't want in the shot" may not mean much. (not quoting here, just relaying what is sounds like)

The book does not contain many specific instructions a la Scott Kelby "the shutter speed controls the ambient light, and therefore when you reduce the shutter speed you are letting in additional ambient light which works great in certain applications for dimly lit scenes" right next to picture showing the difference. (Scott Kelby obviously sounds better than this)

Newbies want specific instructions with detailed settings information, and before and after samples! Most likely the book wasn't written for newbies (like myself) so can't really complain about it (I guess).

2. I love Nikon products just like any other loyal Nikonian, but sometimes the book sounds a bit like infomercial for Nikon products we may not need to get. For example, yes, SU-800 the wireless off-camera flash commander is great because it makes it very easy to control multiple flashes in multiple groups. Can't my D90 do the same thing (albeit for fewer groups)? Yes, one can take the SU-800 off-camera and put it in direct line of sight with flashes while I can't do that with D90 - ok, but then wouldn't Pocket Wizards / Radio Poppers do a better job anyway? So isn't the true reason Joe is constantly using the SU-800 is because his D3 can't control the flashes wirelessly unlike D80, D90, D200, D300, and D700 models? So why don't we see "if you are using D80, D90 etc. you may not need to drop 0 for SU-800 because of the reasons X,Y, and Z?"

3. I noticed many people left comments that Joe's type of humor is similar to Scott Kelby's in a bad way. That's not true, the difference is huge. Scott Kelby is funny (not rolling on the floor funny, but he makes you smile consistently, and occasionally you can't help but let out a giggle. Joe, with all due respect to his story telling abilities, is not funny.

Furthermore, Joe often sounds like a drunken sailor who recently went through company-mandated sensitivity training. Tolerable (frequent) uses of curse word replacements like "friggginnnnnnn", but in my opinion neither cute nor cool.

In summary, if you basically know what you are doing and want to take your flash photography to the next level - get the book, it's worth every penny. If you are a complete newbie like me - it's a toss up.

Review by Dustin M. Sprague:

unit works great with my canon flashes and has a really good range. I'm shooting with a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and Canon 550ex & 430ex speedlite Flashes and it works Great! I used it up to about 30 feet from my flash and it still worked great. I haven't gotten far enough away from it for it to not work. it also has a PC cord but but i haven't been able to test that yet because the "ear phone" jack side of the cord is too small to fit into my studio flashes, but i'm sure it will work with an adapter. Over all i'm Very Happy with this investment. oh and the battery life is pretty good too it uses 2 AAAs

Review by BooYaa:

2 stars because they do work... for a while. They will allow you to take your first step in off camera flash. However they are not reliable so if your photos are time critical, like a wedding etc. don't buy these. You will never use these if a client is paying you money, they can't be relied upon. Both sets I bought have since stopped working. One set died rather quickly. I've heard other people over at the strobist forums love them and they plod on for years. That was not my experience.

I bought 2 sets of these before investing in Pocket Wizards. PW's were the only choice at the time. Now there are Radio Poppers (I've not used them but I hear they are good) and while they cost twice the price, they will last more than twice as long. I'm tied to the PW system which is fine. They are pricey but awesome.

If you've only got to spend and you really want to experiment with off camera flash than get these. Otherwise save your pennies get something more reliable.