Vertical Grips - which grabs you?

[Mark Hinwood]

I've been looking at getting a vertical grip for my wonderful camera but can't afford the MB-D10.

I have seen a few aftermarket grips but for the majority they all look really cheap apart from this one,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3801706456...

It looks like an exact replica, even has the lock function around the shutter release and the mottled paint effect.

I know the MB-D10 has a magnesium frame and this is plastic, but is the extra weight worth it or is it a nuisance?

Your recommendations on other units or advice on whether I should save my money and get the original will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Mark

[Mark Hinwood]

Oh yeah, sorry about the pun in the title :)

[Lea]

Mark I had one of these knock offs and it malfunctioned, battery got super hot and it melted the housing. Don't recommend these knockoffs! Personally I'm afraid of affecting my camera, I was lucky this time.~ Lea

[Mark O'Hanlon]

Hi Mark I use the MB-D10 (Nikon) and as you say its a bit expensive for what it is, but you have to think of the cost of your camera if a non Nikon grip has a problem and damages you camera.
It makes a big difference having the two batteries and the increased frame rate. It takes a bit of getting use to having the other shutter release, I sometimes still turn the camera on its side and take the photo with the main release forgetting about the portrait one. Obviously the camera becomes heavier and more bulky.
When I sit my camera down I now sit it on its side to take any strain of the lens since the camera body is now taller with the grip. When it tilts forward it has a greater angle, which looks more of a strain from lens to body.
It also requires more bag room
But for me personally I would go with the Nikon just in case you have any problems, better safe than not having a camera….
But whatever way you go it’s a benefit having the extra battery power.


Mark O’

[Zak Saenz]

I have the Nikon MB-D10 and love it.

Zak

[Lea]

How much shooting time do you fellow shooters get from your non-MB-D10 setup vs with your MB-D10 installed. I want to purchase it especially after having the bad results with the "wannabe" unit but haven't as of yet. I have some large shoots coming in December and January and want to know if it would behoove me to invest in one or get a second battery instead.
Thanx~ Lea

[Mark O'Hanlon]

Hi Lea, with regards to the duration of time you have using the MB-D10.
If you know roughly what you get using the single in camera battery, then you can pretty well double that time.
I have not yet reached the point where the MB-D10 battery runs out and has to fall back on to the main camera battery during the course of a day, but then this will be dependant on how you manage your batteries during the course of a day’s shooting.
I have started to swap the batteries around between the MB-D10 and the camera, that way both batteries get used and charged over a period of time.
I imagine you would easily get through a day with the two batteries.
Mark

[Lea]

Thanks Mark you are always so helpful. I appreciate it.. ~ Lea

[Mark Hinwood]

Hi All,

Thanks for your comments, I'm thinking that I'm going to hold out and save for the original MB-D10. I've been reading different reports about the plastic housing not being very sturdy on the tripod and that in some cases, genuine batteries don't operate in the grips, also to get the maximum fps you need to use AA batteries!!

Thanks again

Mark

[Mark O'Hanlon]

Hi Mark, the grip housing is made from the same materials as the camera body and has the same rubber hand grip areas, it doesn’t feel flimsy when handled.
With regards to how sturdy it is on a tripod, I think this may be more of a tripod issue than a MB-D10 issue. I have my camera mounted on a Manfrotto tripod with the Manfrotto 322 RC2 heavy-duty grip ball head and it is absolutely rock solid with no play what so ever.

On the matter of batteries, the Nikon EN-EL3a / EN-EL3 are not compatible with the grip, these are an older generation battery I have the EN-EL3a In my old D70 where as the D300 comes with the correct battery for the grip. Compatible batteries are EN-EL3e, EN-EL4a, EN-EL4 or eight AA batteries.
Shutter speed with EN-EL4a /EN-EL4 and AA batteries support quicker frame rate than the EN-EL3e, something to watch for when you buy the battery for the grip.

Mark