Batteris for a DSLR instead of a grip: Hi, there. There are many flashguns with an additional/ external battery pack. I think if in a future we would be able to to have such packs for...

MishaB Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Hi, there.
There are many flashguns with an additional/ external battery pack. I think if in a future we would be able to to have such packs for our cameras both mirrors or mirrorless. It will substantially lower their weight.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Hi, great grammar, and, external power packs for many DSLR'S have been around for years. There purpose isn't to make the camera lighter as batteries don't weigh all that much, it's to help them operate longer without the need to change the battery.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

However, there seems to be many photographers who add a grip onto their DSLR primarily to increase size and weight, with the purpose of increasing stabilization. But for me, the lighter, the better; I'd rather keep an extra battery or two in my pocket rather than use a grip.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

MishaB wrote:

Hi, there.
There are many flashguns with an additional/ external battery pack. I think if in a future we would be able to to have such packs for our cameras both mirrors or mirrorless. It will substantially lower their weight.

Many yrs ago I built my own external battery pack for my Pentax flash, I used a gel cell and made an adapter to replace the 4 "AA" cells, while the flash did not recycle as fast as it would have with a Quantum Pack, it did operate over a year without changing or recharging the battery. And it only cost me $17.00 + 1 hour to build.
The main draw back was the hassle of the connecting cord, it was always getting caught on something so I never made one for the Pentax SF1n.
I am betting if such a pack were to be made for a DSLR the cost would be prohibitive, since there is more to the battery than just powering the camera.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Manglesphoto wrote:

Many yrs ago I built my own external battery pack ... (show quote)

It kind of depends my old 1D mkII i have a mains powered adapter that replaces the battery it kinda fits the same way as the grip for my K5. I think i've seen some grips that just open the battery door and mate up with the battery terminals it seems to be up to the manufacturer what way they do things. As for flash I recently picked up a cobra d650 dedicated flash for pentax (i think it does ttl via its own sensor) that comes with a flash bracket and an upright to mount the flash to the side and that upright includes a battery compartment for a spare set of batteries. Not sure how dedicated the flash bracket is though it might be able to mount other flash units.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

blackest wrote:

It kind of depends my old 1D mkII i have a mains p... (show quote)

All the options you talk about are battery grips in one form or another, not wired remote packs.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

MishaB wrote:

Hi, there.
There are many flashguns with an additional/ external battery pack. I think if in a future we would be able to to have such packs for our cameras both mirrors or mirrorless. It will substantially lower their weight.

Definitely. All it would require on the camera is an electrical connection. Or, you could insert a dummy battery, as in the offering from Sony. I can't find it now, but it costs $400, so that will slow down sales a bit.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Manglesphoto wrote:

All the options you talk about are battery grips in one form or another, not wired remote packs.

http://www.profilmdirect.co.uk/ekmps/shops/howardt/images/canon-dc-coupler-dr-e4-mains-adapter-for-eos-1d-mark-iii-1ds-mark-iii-1d-mark-4-[2]-2700-p.jpg

Like this you mean? It's for the canon 1D mkII

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

rmorrison1116 wrote:

Hi, great grammar, and, external power packs for many DSLR'S have been around for years. There purpose isn't to make the camera lighter as batteries don't weigh all that much, it's to help them operate longer without the need to change the battery.

Cute...

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

DaveO wrote:

Cute...

I must apologize for being terse but, insomnia lowers my ability to ignore the bad spelling, grammar and punctuation of posts I read that obviously the poster didn't read before pressing send.

Granted I'm not always the most eloquent poster here but, I do believe that reading what one wrote before sending, is a good thing.

Also, either the subject was meant to elicit silly responses or the OP hasn't been around photography gear very long. A simple BING or Google query would have answered the question, if indeed there was a question, before it was asked.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

rmorrison1116 wrote:

I must apologize for being terse but, insomnia low... (show quote)

I feel your pain and I frequently check my efforts,but sometimes....lol! Dave.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

It seems to me that there are 2 reasons to attach a battery grip. 1-extended battery life for a long shoot. This can be overcome by carrying extra batterys. 2 easier handling in "portrait" position. As less than 1 or 2% of my pics are done in this position I don't need a battery grip. As far as a separate battery pak is concerned, carry extra batteries. As I am not a pro, and do not shoot 2 or 3 thousand shots at one time ( at a sports event), 2 extra batteries are far more than enough for a 7 day vacation, plus how many places in the world do not have electricity for recharging. Maybe thats the reason why battery packs for camera use are not made.

cthahn

You are worrying about a few ounces. What you want is a camera with a battery cable dangling from it to a battery pack somewhere on you body. Think about that before you write.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

Every camera company offers a external power source, like a 120v to a value used by the particular camera. As far as using a grip, a grip will allow you to easily change from landscape, to portrait mode and not have to assume a awkward shooting position with your hands. If you had ever used a grip for typical shoot with models you would appreciate how this system works. The shutter release, and f stop can be easily be adjusted without moving your hand around the camera. Many grips also have a direct copy of the buttons and joy sticks easily adjusted.

B

blackest Loc: Ireland

cthahn wrote:

You are worrying about a few ounces. What you want is a camera with a battery cable dangling from it to a battery pack somewhere on you body. Think about that before you write.

Finally a reply worth reading