Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Shutter Button’

Sony VG B30AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha Digital SLRs

Photographers exploring the possibilities of the (alpha) DSLR series will enjoy the creative flexibility added by the high-quality VG-B30AM Vertical Grip. It not only helps steady your hand with the camera in both vertical and horizontal positions, it also provides a stable platform for shooting portraits, still-life shots and other subjects requiring vertical format. For added convenience, the shutter button and other important controls are easy to use and located at your fingertips. It also holds two NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM batteries (sold separately) for up to 1,500 shots, with automatic power switching to backup battery power for uninterrupted shooting.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Should have bought sooner
I take thousands of sports photos of my children and this piece of camera equipment I should have purchased months ago.

5 Stars The Judge
One of the best purchases I’ve made. Works great and looks professional with my Sony DSLR camera. Controls are at your finger tips and makes it easy on your hands and wrists for verticle shots. No reason to ever remove it from your camera because it does handle very nice with minimal additional weight. You can take pictures for an extended period with the extra battery storage (no more worry if you have enough battery left for weddings or sporting events). A must have for the person that takes a lot of pictures. Can’t say enough about this verticle grip. Buy one and make picture taking easier.

1 Star Vertical Grip
This item was advertised as for Sony Alpha Digital SLRs. When it arrived I found it did not fit my Sony Alpha A-100 camera. It cost me so far $13 in shipping to return the item. very dissapointed with this seller and with this transaction.

5 Stars Good Vertical Grip
This product functions exactly as designed and promoted. While the device does add weight to the camera (with the batteries), the exceptional design provides such good balance the additional “heft” is negated. The controls on the vertical grip are placed exactly where they should be to facility their quick and accurate manipulation, and perform flawlessly when utilized. I would most definitely recommend this vertical grip to anyone with a Sony A200 DSLR.

5 Stars Excellent accessory
The vertical grip improves the functionality of my camera, vertical shooting is much easier, and the added size and weight helps stabilize the camera. The Sony grip is well designed and well made.

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Nikon MB D10 Multi Power Battery Pack for Nikon D300 and D700 Digital SLR Cameras

MBD 10 For NIkon D300 Digital Camera includes MS-D10EN for use with EN-EL3e battery (sold separately)

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Nikon MB-D10 Review
I love it. Great quality from Nikon as always. I love the option to change battery types (I use the EN-EL3e) and also like the option to shoot in the vertical orientation as it has the shutter release button, 2 dials like on the camera and the thumb wheel (the thumb wheel is kind of small for my taste). It doesn’t add as much weight to the camera as I originally thought it would. Although it does make the camera a bit bulkier. Kind of makes it look and feel like a D3. It takes some time getting used to using the button, dial and thumb wheel.

4 Stars Likin’ it so far
I’ve had now four dslr’s (Canon XT, 30D, 40D and Nikon D300) and only the first two were gripped. I really didn’t use the grips and they would really get in the way when “bagging” my camera. Plus, I bought one of those camdapters, so I didn’t need the grip to hook up my hand strap. The 10% of the time I shot portrait didn’t really bother me, so moving the hand up top was no big deal.

Till I shot a wedding.

I bought the MB-D10 shortly after. It’s built well, fits perfectly (unlike the one for my 30D) and works excellent. Well, except for one thing, but I’ll get to that.

Pluses: Better multi-controller, second AF button and shutter button, more battery life, better balance with heavy lenses. As compared to the Canon grip, it’s smaller, too.

Cons: Shutter button is way sensitive (no gap between half-press and full-press), heavy, same issue in bagging the camera. As compared to the Canon grip, the fact that it doesn’t replace the internal battery means you might have to remove/replace the grip just to change batteries. In practice, that’s not really any kind of problem as the D300 battery lasts for around 1000 shots!

I love using a gripped body. Just feels better balanced, especially with a 28-70 or 70-300 out front. It will, however, weigh on your neck a bit more. The grip is well-built, but that means it adds some weight. I love having the portrait shutter button, but I do find (and have seen other reviews saying the same) the shutter button to be ultra sensitive. Since I use the AF-On button for AF, no problem there, but sometimes it fires before VR gets up and running fully.

I’m torn between liking the size and shape and wishing it went up into the grip of the body. I like the size, it fits into a bag alone easier, but it means you still have a battery in the grip of the body, which means if the grip battery dies and it uses the body battery (or if you select to use the body battery first), you must remove the grip to get at your body battery. A trade-off to be sure.

Personally, the pros outweigh the cons. I’ll be keeping this grip. Plus it will migrate to a D700 when/if I finally get one!

4 Stars Excellent conditions, but not compete
The grip is in excellent conditions and work ok, but are missing some items, that was present in the original package.

Items missing:

MS-D10EN holder for EN-EL3 batteries;

Contact cap;

Holder case.

5 Stars Another GREAT accessory for someone on the go
When I bought my D700 I also purchased the MB-D10. I’m from the film camera days and learned the value of these battery packs are two-fold. First, it’s another place to pack more power. Second, it provides a second shutter release when you’re shooting vertically. Because the MB-D10 is made for the D300 and D700, it also offers a second set of main and sub-command dials conveniently located near the second shutter release, making vertical shots easier on the photographer. With this accessory, I can spend more time looking through the viewfinder and not having to look at the camera back. The MB-D10 is nice because it accommodates different types of batteries, although I prefer to work with multiple EN-EL3e batteries. But it’s always nice to know you can throw in some AA batteries in a pinch!

5 Stars Just works right!
This adds great balance and handling to the D300S, esp. with larger or longer lenses. Costs much more than the cheap clones, but it just works right. Fits perfectly, no flex, no squeak. Just use the battery in here, forget taking it on and off to access a battery in the camera itself; carry the spare battery in your pocket or camera bag.

If you depend on your gear on the job, then don’t skimp on the accessories. Use the real thing. Something cheaper suddenly becomes lots more expensive if it fails when you need it.

Lee Krohn Photography, LLC

Manchester, Vermont

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Canon BG E5 Battery Grip for Canon XSi Digital SLR Cameras

The Canon BG-E5 Battery Grip has been launched alongside the Canon EOS 450D. Slotting into the battery bay, it is able to take 6 AA batteries or two of the 450D’s new LP-E5 batteries. It provides a shutter button and control dial along with AE/FE Lock, exposure compensation and AF point selection buttons in a vertical orientation. The Canon BG-E5 offers creative flexibility by providing a stable grip for vertical as well as horizontal positions.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great!
Canon BG-E5 battery grip:

The ability to use 2 rechargeable battery packs is nice, and it even came with a tray to use regular AA batteries! The grip really gives the camera a more substantial feel and a more “pro” look.

5 Stars Canon BG-E5 Battery Grip
The batttery grip works as designed. I’m very satisfied with the product. The batteries last for a significant amount of time. The added weight and grith make the camera easier to hold. The grip has controls that make it more functional for taking photos. I would recommend this prolduct to people who want to improve the time between changing batteries or adding stability while holding their camera.

5 Stars Nice additional to your D-SLR
I got this battery grip for my Canon Rebel XSi as I read from reviews that it helped get a better grip on their cameras and make the batteries last longer because you can put 2 at once. I received the item in good condition. The Canon box was wrap with bubble pack inside the shipping box. The shipment was quick, in fact it was a few days earlier. It look good on my camera, make it look like a pro from afar. I would recommend to have this in one’s camera if they have the extra bucks. Although, it’s additional weight on your hands or neck, for me it’s a minor issue. I would definitely buy again at Amazon.

5 Stars Get a grip
I chose the canon instead of the knock offs…my preference, does what it suppost to do and gives a real pro look to a great camera. Great controls.

5 Stars I have a new hold on things now.
This is a wonderful addition to my Rebel. It makes everything so perfect. Now the camera feels right in my large hands. Thanks for getting it to me in a timely fashion. I will keep you in mind for future purchases. Thanks again.

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Canon BG E2N Battery Grip for Canon 20D 30D 40D and 50D Digital SLR Cameras

Sealing material to resist water and dust / Adds a vertical shutter release / Compatible with up to 2 511A Lithium-ion battery packs or 6 AA batteries

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Nice Battery Grip
The BG-E2N is a nice battery grip. Honestly though, I think the other second hand grips are just as nice now. My Canon BG-E2N does not fit completely snug up against my 50D, and the Shutter button is not as accurate as the 50D shutter. Still a nice grip though. The weather guard is makes it worth it. Plus I like how it has a compartment for the original battery door so you don’t lose it.

5 Stars Gripped my 40d!
You cant go wrong with the battery grip!

Allows ease of use to shoot vertically, and increases battery life by far!

Anyone with the 20d, 30d, 40d, and 50d needs to have this product. Better grip over all.

I have the canon hand strap for mines and i can carry my camera in one hand all day with a f/2.8 16-35mm II L attached to it, without ever pulling out the neck strap and using it!

5 Stars Useful, well-thought out product but consider the weight it adds
Canon’s Battery grip is a useful, well-thought out product. As an example of how well thought-out it is, when you remove the battery compartment cover, there is a small slot in the grip to put the cover so that you don’t lose it.

The grip allows you to go so long without charging the batteries that sometimes it can be hard to remember to charge them. I have never used up the batteries in a single day. It also helps balance the camera when using a heavy lens such as the 70-200 2.8 IS. It feels good in my hand as well.

The only thing to consider before you buy it is the weight it adds. Combine the 50D, with two batteries, the grip, and the 24-70 2.8 and my wife does not like to help it for more than a few shots. Although, I won’t knock off a star for the weight because that is not a flaw in the product just something you want to consider.

By the way, the first one that I bought the portrait shutter button did not work. When it first arrives, check to ensure that the portrait shutter features work so that you don’t only possibly discover it after the return period.

4 Stars Cannot live without it.
Just bought a new Canon 50d and bought the grip recently. I have had canon grips in the past and they prove to be invaluable. Placing 2 batteries in the grip allow shooting for all day sessions. Battery encourages portrait-style photos. Only downside is that the back focus button is not on the grip when you want to use the custom functions. Highly recommended and adds some heft to the camera..

5 Stars Excellent must have acessory for the 50D.
I could have gone generic but this at ~$150 I couldn’t pass up getting the authentic Canon accessory. Battery life is superb and the grip adds that extra touch to handling the camera. It feels like a real camera and not a toy. I swapped the functions of the ‘*’ and the ‘AF-ON’ buttons so I can use the ‘*’ to focus independently on the grip.

The grip attaches firmly to the camera with no play whatsoever. The battery compartment hides away inside so you don’t lose it.

Must have accessory.

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Nikon MB D80 Multi Power Battery Pack for the Nikon D80 and D90 Digital SLR Camera

The Nikon MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack holds 2 EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion rechageable batteries, effectively doubling your total shooting time. Can also hold a AA battery holder (included), so users can use AA batteries as a power backup. The MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack provides an AF-on button, vertical firing release with lock, and front and rear command dials.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars works for what it was purchased for
Purchased the battery pack to get better fps on my D80. The D80 is not the best sports camera unless you’re outside in natural sunlight. The battery pack does help, getting you more fps. Overall, I would recommend a different camera if sports is your shooting preference, but if you already have the D80 and want to shoot sports, this will help.

5 Stars I was going to buy a third party battery grip, BUT…
I recently borrowed my father in law’s Nikon D80 with the MB-D80 mounted. Now that I just ordered my own Nikon D90, I definitely needed a battery grip. Even my old Nikon Coolpix 8800 has a Nikon battery grip. I always like the extra battery life and also makes gripping the camera more comfortable, plus the portrait mode shutter button is great, if you shoot that orientation a lot, which I do.

At first, I felt that the MB-D80 is a bit pricey for what it is, which is probably the case, so I started checking out all the other third party grips. Most of those third party grip reviewers stated that most are well made, but the plastic housing seems a little thinner that the Nikon, but that’s not a big deal to me, since I never bang my equipment around. I finally was just about to settle on the Ziekos for $60 Zeikos ZE-NBG90 Battery Power Grip for Nikon D80 & D90, which looks almost identical to the Nikon, but than one reviewer mentioned that the grip’s tripod mount looks sturdy and “should” be ok. So, I started thinking, I’m trying to save $90, camera is $1100, plus a $500 flash, maybe a $500 zoom lens later on, is it worth risking $1600+ over $90, HELL NO, so I changed my mind and went with the MB-D80 instead.

Without this battery grip, when the camera is hanging around your neck and by your stomach, it is off balanced, where it is tilted with the lens pointing down at a 45% angle, the bottom front edge of the camera body resting against your belly. With this grip and batteries, at least with the kit lens, it will be leveled horizontally, the back of the camera will be flat against your belly, making it more comfortable, when it is hanging there, while you are walking around.

5 Stars Duration
I flew into Las Vegas in June and spent about 4 days in different parts of the southwestern desert, shooting away. I used my D-80 to fill two 8GB memory cards, which equated to about 1,200 pictures. NOT ONCE did I have to charge these batteries, and I probably could’ve hiked with it for another day or 2.

That alone makes the grip worth while. The 2 of these batteries combined as a power source is VERY impressive.

5 Stars excellent
Really allows for more shooting, super easy to use in portrait mode, shutter button is a tad sensitive but once you get used to it no problems. Works great.

1 Star Product is great but I received a defective one from Amazon
I love using the MB-D80 multi-battery pack. However, I got a defective item (battery level would always drop even if batteries are newly charged) and I had to spend $70+ to have it fixed by Nikon.

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