Review: ShiftCam ProGrip & Accessories, TravelPod Pro & ProMic Shotgun
Today’s cellphones have the potential to be great cameras but, out-of-the-box from the manufacturers, they lack the ergonomics and accessories that dedicated cameras have for us that enable us to take our best photos and videos. I especially like the grips on the higher-end Nikon and Canon cameras, as opposed to the boxy ergonomics of cell phones.
Added to the superior ergonomics, a Bluetooth-enabled, physical shutter button that resides somewhere near your right-hand index finger is far more reliable for consistently and effortlessly taking pictures, shot after shot, and video after video, than the hit or miss nature of the virtual shutter button on the screen of a cellphone.
Furthermore, adding an actual camera-style, ergonomic grip to a cellphone provides room to add a built-in battery for convenient wireless charging — and optionally also wired charging, using the supplied cable.
The combination of all that is included in the ShiftCam ProGrip Starter Kit, as well as the ShiftCam ProMic Shotgun microphone and the ShiftCam TravelPod Pro travel tripod is a big improvement for taking pictures using just a cellphone.
Connecting the grip’s shutter button to the cellphone via Bluetooth is easy. The shutter worked every time that I tried it and, since it is right where my right index finger is, it is quick and easy to find. If recording video, just keep holding the button down.
The ShiftCam’s ergonomic ProGrip conforms to your hand, making it feel natural to securely and comfortably hold the cell phone while carrying it and while taking pictures — especially when using the included handstrap. There’s a comfortable, balanced heft to the ProGrip that makes it easy to hold and use, just like my Canon pro cameras.
No more will you have to guess where the virtual shutter release is and wonder if your cellphone actually took the pictures that you were trying to take — or have to look away from your subject because you cannot find the virtual shutter button. The ProGrip is indeed much like using a professional camera.
The ShiftCam ProGrip also can double as a weighted stand, to support your cellphone for viewing its screen.
A large 6400 mAh battery is built into the grip for wireless, MagSafe charging that significantly extends shooting time, so that you do not have to deal with the hassle of a separate battery.
A ProGrip pouch, cold shoe mount and adapter, a handstrap and a USB-C to USB-C charge cable round out the well-equipped kit.
To consistently record good, clean audio while you shoot video, a shotgun mic works better than the tiny, mic that must remain permanently inside the cellphone. I cannot tell you how many times I went to listen to audio that I recorded only to discover that my cellphone’s audio, which I’d recorded while the cellphone hung from a carabiner attached to my camera carrier, was constantly made unintelligible due to the mic rubbing on my clothing. I should have isolated it with a remote mic, like this shotgun mic.
The ShiftCam ProMic shotgun mic is described as high-sensitivity, high-fidelity. It includes two wind socks to control wind noise and to keep stuff from rubbing directly against the mic. It has a sturdy yet light-weight aluminum body, a shock absorbing mount, a universal cold shoe mount that attaches to the grip and a 3.5mm headphone output jack to connect to the cellphone’s adapter, as well as to a camera or a computer.
Compared to my iPhone’s built-in mic, the ShiftCam’s mic produces a little more treble (good for when I need to transcribe speech). They both have a little bit of hiss. The iPhone’s sounds a bit muffled. Both produce acceptable recordings for my needs.
The ShiftCam TravelPod Pro is a compact, multi-adjustable, light-weight (under two pounds) aluminum travel tripod that will steady your videos or help you precisely frame your still images. It includes a clamp mount for smartphones and a 1/4-inch screw-type mount for DSLRs, a 360-degree ball head and a carrying sling. It also converts into a detachable monopod.
It extends to just over 4.5-feet, and collapses down to approximately 8.5-inches for travel.
However, when I assembled everything and used it, I discovered some problems. To play back audio that I recorded using the ShiftCam ProMic Shotgun, it is necessary to first unplug the shotgun mic. Furthermore, until I disconnected the mic cord, I could not hear the shutter clicking when I pressed the button.
Also, I could not plug in the mic with either of my two different Lightning adapters (Apple’s own, which is discontinued, and an “Apple MFI Certified” adapter from Amazon), if I rotated my iPhone in Landscape orientation — which is how I usually shoot.
The problem is that my iPhone 14 Pro Max is long, and the grip prevents the adapters from fitting into the socket of my iPhone. I only have enough room to plug either one in if I slide my iPhone forward, which moves it away from where it needs to be for MagSafe charging. Hopefully ShiftCam will address these concerns in the future.
Also, my favorite iPhone case is a bit too big. When in the case, my cellphone still recharges via MagSafe, but it does not fit into the grip as securely as the cellphone alone does.
For information about the full range of ShiftCam photo products for smartphones, including these products, as well as lenses, lights and more, visit: https://www.shiftcam.com/.
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Copyright © 2025 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #898r1
Jan, I hate to admit it, but my photographic career peaked out years ago when I lived in South Africa and went on safari. At that time I owned a new analog Canon A1 with a tripod and super-telescopic lens. I took photos that to this day look professional.
I had a big black genuine leather gear bag, but got tired of carrying it around. When the digital age arrived, I went in the opposite direction…small compact cameras with optical zoom lenses— and no gear to carry.
I now use my latest iPhone as my one and only camera. This is a long winded way of saying that I love your new devices, but I travel light. David.
I hear you, David. I’m the same way when I am not carrying my pro cameras. My iPhone fits nicely into a small pouch on my belt, as does an external battery and a few short cables. I would have to carry a backpack or shoulder bag to bring along other, larger accessories.
Jan