In this video I took my Fujifilm GFX100RF for a walk around Edinburgh to try out a new accessory — the Awesome Grips AG100RF.
If you’ve been following the channel for a while you’ll know I’ve been using the SmallRig grip since buying the camera. It works well, but I’ve never completely loved it. The wood finish isn’t really my style, and more importantly there’s no proper thumb rest on the back, which makes the camera feel a little insecure when shooting handheld.
So when Awesome Grips got in touch and asked if I’d like to try their AG100RF grip, I was curious to see whether it might make the camera more comfortable to use — especially when walking around with it in hand.
Watch the Video
First Impressions
Straight out of the box the AG100RF grip feels very premium. It’s finished entirely in black, which suits the look of the camera nicely, and the machining and finish are excellent.
Fitting it to the camera is straightforward. You simply remove the existing grip, slide this one into place, and tighten it down with the supplied tool.
One thing worth mentioning is that you do need the small tool to properly tighten or remove the grip. That’s not necessarily a problem — most people will likely leave it attached permanently — but it’s something to keep in mind.
Once fitted though, the grip really does feel like part of the camera.
A Nice Touch for Tripod Users
One feature I really like is the built-in Arca-Swiss plate.
As someone who often uses this camera on a tripod, that’s essential. What’s clever about the design is that the plate stops at either end rather than running continuously.
In practice this means that if your tripod head isn’t fully tightened, the camera can’t simply slide out of the clamp. It’s a small detail, but with an expensive camera it’s a reassuring one.
Walking Around Edinburgh
After taking a quick shot from Castle Hill overlooking the city, I packed the tripod away and headed out to walk around Edinburgh.
This is where the grip really started to make sense.
With the deeper front grip and the dedicated thumb rest on the back, the camera suddenly feels far more secure in the hand. Instead of treating it like a tripod-based medium format camera, I found myself using it much more casually — almost like an oversized Fujifilm X100.
Just walking around with the camera in my hand, photographing anything that caught my eye.
And I have to say… it was actually a really enjoyable way to use the camera.
The Only Minor Downsides
There are a couple of small things worth mentioning.
Because the thumb rest is quite large, it can slightly restrict access to the joystick when the camera is mounted on a tripod. It’s not a huge issue, but it does make changing the focus point a little more fiddly.
I also noticed the front edge of the grip pressing slightly into my finger. That said, it actually helps stabilise the camera when holding it, so it’s not necessarily a negative.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Awesome Grip AG100RF genuinely changes how the GFX100RF feels to use.
It makes the camera much more comfortable for handheld shooting and encourages a much more relaxed, walk-around style of photography.
It’s definitely a premium accessory — at around £250 it isn’t cheap for a camera grip. Personally I’m not entirely sure I would have bought it myself at that price.
But if you regularly shoot handheld with the GFX100RF — particularly for street or travel photography — it’s a beautifully made accessory and well worth considering.
Fujifilm GFX100RF Grip – Quick Thoughts
Does the Fujifilm GFX100RF need a grip?
In my experience, yes. The camera body is quite flat on the front and without a grip it can feel slightly uncomfortable to hold for long periods. A good grip makes handheld shooting much more secure.
Is the Awesome Grip AG100RF worth it?
It’s extremely well made and noticeably improves the handling of the camera when shooting handheld. The main downside is the price, as it’s a premium accessory.
Does the AG100RF grip work on a tripod?
Yes. It includes a built-in Arca-Swiss plate so it can mount directly onto most tripod heads without needing an additional plate.
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