Battery grips for D800 and others: Noticed in one of my photo magazines a distributor company called Omega Brandess. Among other items, the D-800 and Canon Mk 3 as well as other camera...

Jamers Loc: Michigan

Noticed in one of my photo magazines a distributor company called Omega Brandess. Among other items, the D-800 and Canon Mk 3 as well as other camera models battery grips were advertised. The D-800 and Canon MK 3 grip was $129.99, D-7000, $92.95, D-200, $136.95 (premium series). The ad states two EN-EL type batteries, with vertical buttons like the Nikon/Canon grips have. Nikon's vertical D-800 grip is $450.00. Any suggestions as to quality, and performance with these grips?

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Jamers wrote:

Noticed in one of my photo magazines a distributor company called Omega Brandess. Among other items, the D-800 and Canon Mk 3 as well as other camera models battery grips were advertised. The D-800 and Canon MK 3 grip was $129.99, D-7000, $92.95, D-200, $136.95 (premium series). The ad states two EN-EL type batteries, with vertical buttons like the Nikon/Canon grips have. Nikon's vertical D-800 grip is $450.00. Any suggestions as to quality, and performance with these grips?

The Nikon mb d12 (D800) battery grips at B&H is $399
The Nikon mb d11 (D7000) Battery grips at B&H is $219
ELN 15 batteries are $70
The Nikon mb d200 (D200) battery grips at B&H is $171 (out of stock) $44 for the battery
The Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip is $309 at B&H
Prices checked at 2000, 9/6/12

Personally, I'd stick with Nikon or Canon grips for my equipment.

For me, I have small hands and the grips feel a little uncomfortable. I don't need the extra batteries for the D7000 I have, I get a thousand shots from one battery. Can't speak for the other cameras.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Jamers wrote:

Noticed in one of my photo magazines a distributor company called Omega Brandess. Among other items, the D-800 and Canon Mk 3 as well as other camera models battery grips were advertised. The D-800 and Canon MK 3 grip was $129.99, D-7000, $92.95, D-200, $136.95 (premium series). The ad states two EN-EL type batteries, with vertical buttons like the Nikon/Canon grips have. Nikon's vertical D-800 grip is $450.00. Any suggestions as to quality, and performance with these grips?

I've seen these on Amazon for similar prices. Most of the reviews are decent, but there is one common flaw with the knock-off D7000 grip: the rotating knob that locks it to the camera breaks off easily. The grip is still usable, but it's more difficult to put it on and off.

Another complaint is a loose fit, which is cured by the addition of a small O-ring. Basically, these knock-offs are a fraction of the factory units, so you have to expect less.

Let's see if any owners comment on their experiences. I'd like to have a grip, but I don't want to pay factory prices, and I don't want to buy junk.

madcapmagishion

Does the knock off grip have a cable that runs from the grip to the side of the camera to enable the grips shutter release?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

madcapmagishion wrote:

Does the knock off grip have a cable that runs from the grip to the side of the camera to enable the grips shutter release?

I've never seen one like that. You mean the secondary button that comes with the grip, right? That probably works the same as the button on the factory grip.

madcapmagishion

jerryc41 wrote:

madcapmagishion wrote:

Does the knock off grip have a cable that runs from the grip to the side of the camera to enable the grips shutter release?

I've never seen one like that. You mean the secondary button that comes with the grip, right? That probably works the same as the button on the factory grip.

I have a D3100 and have looked for a Nikon battery grip for awhile now, and off brands for the D3100 seem to all have the same cable that connects the cvamera to the grip to enable the grips shutter release to work. See Photo below

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

FWIW: Nikon didn't design all of thier DSLR's to use a grip. The D3100 is one of those left out. That's why there no contacts for a grip on the bottom of the camera. You have to use a cable to connect. Very capable camera though.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

GoofyNewfie wrote:

FWIW: Nikon didn't design all of thier DSLR's to use a grip. The D3100 is one of those left out. That's why there no contacts for a grip on the bottom of the camera. You have to use a cable to connect. Very capable camera though.

Interesting.

donnz Loc: Auckland, New Zealand

I bought a knock off unit , for my d7000 I have big hands I never take it off my camera and attached a tripod mount that also stays on, I use live view a lot when the cam is on the telescope, the battery gets very low very quickly, there is a 2nd button for the grip, but I use remote on the cam on the scope there's too much shake . I have never had an issue with it. the revenues where all good so I bought it

donnz Loc: Auckland, New Zealand

I bought it from dx deal extreme online with excellent service, I bought memory cards there as well

DEBJENROB Loc: DELRAY BEACH FL

Jamers wrote:

Noticed in one of my photo magazines a distributor company called Omega Brandess. Among other items, the D-800 and Canon Mk 3 as well as other camera models battery grips were advertised. The D-800 and Canon MK 3 grip was $129.99, D-7000, $92.95, D-200, $136.95 (premium series). The ad states two EN-EL type batteries, with vertical buttons like the Nikon/Canon grips have. Nikon's vertical D-800 grip is $450.00. Any suggestions as to quality, and performance with these grips?

Adding a battery pack will add a lot of weight to your camera .... I use a Nikon pack on a 300s ... it is heavy ... and since I am so used to the horizontial shooting ... most of the time I forget to use the shutter on the battery pack ....

Lenf Loc: Strasburg,PA

I am getting ready to order a d-11 Nikon grip for my d-7000 from b&h this weekend and I researched the off brand grips and the comments have come back that some off rands do not attached tightly and can create a problem using a tripod, also the broken wheel which was mention.. Hey it's Nikon for me.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

I purchased a Flashpoint D12 Professional Battery Grip for my Nikon D800 on August 23rd. It fits very well and so far no problems. I don't know if other brands (Nikon) are like this Flashpoint, but you leave one battery in the D800 body and the grip holds one EN-EL15 or an included accessory can accommodate 8 AA batteries. The D800 uses up the battery in the grip first and then uses the EN-EL15 battery in the camera body secondly. The order can actually be changed by going into the option in Group d of the camera Custom setting menu. the link for where I purchased my D800S Multi-Power Battery Pack for $79.95 with free shipping is:

http://www.adorama.com/INKMBD12A.html?utm_source=ET&utm_medium=TransactionalEmail&utm_campaign=2point0Product1.

Tom

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I bought Nikon's grip for my D800 - got it at the BH, Adorama price from my dealer - Service Photo rather than Nikon's price. TRC's price certainly better than mine, however I'm one of those "brand name" freaks...
That said - I see advantages and disadvantages:
..I don't have to carry a spare battery in my pocket, just install both; I can use 6 AAA batteries (in DX mode this increases the frame rate by 1 per sec) in the grip and the camera battery in the camera - with the "two" batteries the power time is doubled; more convenient to shoot portrait and, as TRC said, I can choose the order of use. It adds no more bulk than I had with the D3.
...Disadvantage - it has to be removed to get to the camera's battery compartment, no big deal except when wanting to use the AC adaptor, which I do. I remove it also when shooting panoramas because of the bulk it adds to my pano head.
...I've spent the money and am on the fence as to whether I spent wisely.

kayautho Loc: Boynton Beach, FL

I bought a Zeikos 'Professional multi-power Battery Pack' thru Amazon for a D700 (will fit D300 and D300s also). No problems. It appears to be very well constructed. I don't remember exactly what I paid - around $60 I think.