Our camcorder outfitted with the entire ElipZ EssentialZ looks like a whole new device. It's quite a feat of vertical construction, with our camcorder being the patty of the EssentialZ sandwich! The EgripZ stabilizer is a welcome addition. It connects to the bottom of the ElipZ battery or to the bottom of any camcorder featuring a tripod mount. The EgripZ looks like an airplane propeller as shipped, but it easily bends into a few handy shapes. The rubber grips are soft like an old bicycle grip, and they stay firmly in place. Anton/Bauer suggests a few positions that show the EgripZ bent downward to provide stability. We found this to be a great start, but not ideal when you have to set the camcorder down. We bent the grips forward to make a steady rest for our tricked-out cam, and we bent them upward to aid in shooting low-angle situations. In certain configurations, the grips even protected our flip-out LCD display.

ElipZ
Type: Lithium ion, 7.2V
Capacity: 10,500mAh
Maximum output: 35 watts
Dimensions: 6.43" X 3.17" X 1.7"
Weight: 1.25 lbs.
Warranty: 1 year
ElightZ
Number of Lights: 1
Type: Halogen
Accessory: Shoe mount, 20-piece gel pack
Weight: 6.4 oz.
Dimensions: 4.5" x 2.4" x 2.3" (folded), 3.75" x 2.4" x 6.6" (extended)
Power Draw: 10 watts
Light Output: 30 foot-candles @ 5 feet
Warranty: 1 year
EgripZ
Weight: 12.8 oz.
Tripod Mount: Yes
Warranty: 90 days

• Overall construction
• Easy to assemble
• No cable mess

• Works only with Anton/Bauer
• Camcorder adapter is pricey

The Anton/Bauer ElipZ EssentialZ system offers a great improvement for a stock prosumer camcorder.

Andrew Burke is Videomaker's Community Engineer.

Anton/Bauer, Inc.
14 Progress Dr.
Shelton, CT 06484
www.antonbauer.com

$299 Elipz 10k battery/charger
$79 cable
$149 Elightz
$129 Egripz