Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Vertical Orientation’

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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