Nikon Batteries (Page 3): D700 used an EN-EL 3a battery, and those should not even fit the Z8 battery compartment! The EN-EL 15b works perfect, but will not charge in the Z8 body. The...

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Rainman wrote:

Just upgraded to a Nikon Z8. I thought I would be all set with 4 or 5 batteries, but batteries for my D700 give me an error. Does anyone have a recommendation for an aftermarket version that works well? I’m also looking for a vertical grip, the Nikon version is a bit much, anyone have a recommendation? Amazon has one from Bitubol, but there’s zero reviews.

I have some EN-EL15As or 15Bs if anyone is interested. I think the Z8 requires EN-EL15C.

D700 used an EN-EL 3a battery, and those should not even fit the Z8 battery compartment!
The EN-EL 15b works perfect, but will not charge in the Z8 body. The 15a should work as well, they do in my Zf just fine and it is an even newer body.

Vladimir200 Loc: Beaumont, Ca.

Orphoto wrote:

my recollection is that the earliest version of the en-el15 does not work on the Z-8. look on the back of the battery. about 10 years or so ago they came out with a version labelled Li-Ion 20. At the time no one understood what difference that made. now it turns out that if it is older than that it won't work. newer is fine.

see thom hogan's statement on this at:
https://www.zsystemuser.com/nikon-z-system-news-and/z8-batteries.html

rainman -- keep your A & B versions

I couldn't say it any better than Orphoto just did. 100% on the mark. The "15" does not work but the a, b, and c versions do. I'm using the "a" from my D850 which works fine. Plus, I'm using the "c" version that came with my Z8. Not only does Thom Hogan agree (I also downloaded his Z8 manual), but Nikon says so also.

Vladimir200 Loc: Beaumont, Ca.

mwsilvers wrote:

I always get confused when I see posts like this. The grip is an integral part of the Z8. You have already spent $3700 plus tax on a new Z8 but it seems you are willing to forego Nikon's high quality $346 grip for someone else's plastic version to save around $250 rather then getting the real thing. If you are broke and have no choice then maybe it makes sense.

Totally agree with mwsilvers. You spent the money for the fabulous Z8 (I just purchased also) so, if you can afford it, spend the extra few dollars for the OEM Nikon grip for "maximum" performance. The 3rd party versions never quite measure up and simply not worth it on your great Z8.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Rainman wrote:

Just upgraded to a Nikon Z8. I thought I would be all set with 4 or 5 batteries, but batteries for my D700 give me an error. Does anyone have a recommendation for an aftermarket version that works well? I’m also looking for a vertical grip, the Nikon version is a bit much, anyone have a recommendation? Amazon has one from Bitubol, but there’s zero reviews.

I have some EN-EL15As or 15Bs if anyone is interested. I think the Z8 requires EN-EL15C.

You will get more mileage from a ENEL-15c battery, but my Z8s work well on the "b" version. I finally sold off all my "a" versions at a cut rate price ($5 each) as they were also well used and getting long in the tooth although they still tested good.

Vladimir200 Loc: Beaumont, Ca.

BobHartung wrote:

You will get more mileage from a ENEL-15c battery, but my Z8s work well on the "b" version. I finally sold off all my "a" versions at a cut rate price ($5 each) as they were also well used and getting long in the tooth although they still tested good.

I think I read that even though you can use the "a" version (I have one), you can't use it to charge your camera via USB directly to your PC.........which I never do anyhow. I use a Nikon battery charger. I also have the "c" battery that came with my Z8 plus a few days ago, I ordered another "c". That gives me a total of 3 batteries, one "a" and two "c" batteries which is not too many since this wonderful Z8 does go through batteries rather fast.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

rcarol wrote:

I think that how he chooses to spend his money is his business and his alone. He asked for recommendations on equipment, not advice on how to spend his money>

It is absolutely his choice and he should spend his money anyway he sees fit. However, he did ask for advice on a grip and I gave him my opinion.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

It seems as though “Rainman has left the building”. Three pages of suggestions and not one reply from Rainman since the OP.

Rainman

Thanks for the advice, getting in a couple days of skiing so not checking in Dailey

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Rainman wrote:

Thanks for the advice, getting in a couple days of skiing so not checking in Dailey

So what do you do if the aftermarket battery or grip causes damage to your Z8?

Rainman

OK, the Nikon grip is probably perfect, but I had a Vivitar grip on my last Nikon DLSR and it functioned flawlessly despite the fact that it was half the price. It had a shutter release and sub-selector and held an extra battery. It aligned perfectly with the camera body and was securely attached. Not that I care, but you would be hard pressed to tell it was not a Nikon grip. The main reason I wanted this was for the extra battery on board. The status was visible in the control panel and it was really nice to have the extra mAH when shooting video. Yes, it’s a little more ergonomic to shoot vertically with the grip, but that’s just an added bonus in my case. Before I spend anything on an aftermarket solution it would be nice to know if anyone else has any experience or recommendations. I thought that was the point of a forum.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Rainman wrote:

OK, the Nikon grip is probably perfect, but I had ... (show quote)

All good, but the Z8/Z9 cameras are 'chip' intensive and are you willing to assume the full responsibility for using these 3rd party batteries and grips? Nikon will not honor a warranty if problems caused by their use.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

After spending $$$ for a Z8, I am not going to worry about the minimal cost of a battery….Almost all 3rd party batteries are made/owned in foreign countries If u were to have issues & wanted to legally persue…good luck

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Rainman wrote:

Just upgraded to a Nikon Z8. I thought I would be all set with 4 or 5 batteries, but batteries for my D700 give me an error. Does anyone have a recommendation for an aftermarket version that works well? I’m also looking for a vertical grip, the Nikon version is a bit much, anyone have a recommendation? Amazon has one from Bitubol, but there’s zero reviews.

I have some EN-EL15As or 15Bs if anyone is interested. I think the Z8 requires EN-EL15C.

I have had good luck with Wasabi, Kastar, and Neewer. Just make sure you order the EN-EL 15C. One respondent said they used the b version with no problems but when I tried a b in my z7ii it gave an error warning. Even if the 15b does work there is still one difference which may or may not be important to someone -- the 15c will recharge in the camera while 15 and 15b will not. This could come in handy if someone is doing an all-day shoot and needs to recharge a battery using a USB cable in the car or using an external battery pack.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

foathog wrote:

I couldn't agree more. I have an R5 Canon. If I'm going to get a top of the line camera I'm NOT going to get some cheapo grip. What's next for you? Plastic lenses??

I have to agree.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I have never had a "foreign" battery damage a camera, but I have had a ProMaster that just never quite worked right. It won't quite charge completely, and it won't reset the 'shot counter.' On the other hand, last time I needed a EN-EL3e battery, no Nikon-labelled batteries were available anywhere. Finally ordered a Wasabi from B&H to keep my IR-converted D90 going. It seems to be working OK.

I've had mixed results with battery grips. I have a Meike that came with a D500 bought recently which seems to work perfectly and completely. But a few years ago, two different grips for the D300 that came in a box of stuff were complete failures. One caused the camera to completely lock up, the other heated up and immediately drained the battery.