plz explain the battery grip

Hi guys,

I was in the store the other day and tried one on my D200. I don't get it. It felt really awkward to me when using the camera in portrait. Perhaps I am just too used to my ways. But with the added builk I have to ask is there some huge benefit (other than battery life) that I am missing. Is it one of those things that you either like right away or hate it. Or is there some benifit that comes after getting used to it.

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Lance O

I shot full day events, and use vertical orientation a lot. Without a battery grip, my right elbow is pointing up in the air and my shoulder gets very sore from holding my arm up after a full day. The only disadvantage to the grip is that I can't reach my toggle switch to change focus points when in vertical, plus the size. Some really like the size however.

Plus, some people like having two batteries in the grip or the option of using 6 AA batteries for a number of reasons.

So, I'll use the grip for long shots, and take it off the rest of the time. Best of both worlds.
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Diane M.

Hi,

After my first day out with the D200 ( I didn´t get the MB200 when I got my D200 ) I was really tired and it was very awkward for me to use camera without a portrait grip.

After F100 + grip, D1 and D2H I got used to it.

--
Joachim
http://www.joachimgerstl.com

If you don't miss it, you don't need it.
It's a question of taste and ergonomics.

For battery life - a second battery in the pocket is a lot smaller and lighter than the MB-D200.

I myself use the MB-D200. I like it, since I'm acustomed to the ergonomics of the F5.
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Greetings from taxnail

Thanks Diane. The ability to use the AA batts really interests me.

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Lance O

Thank for the input!

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Lance O

Yeah, that is kind of what I thought too

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Lance O

The battery grip is a VERY necessary professional option. As an example, I had a job to shoot HS soccer. With a 300mm and a monopod, you basically orient the camera vertically and leave it that way. On the monopod, the battery grip shutter release is pretty much required. Otherwise, three hours with your hand sideways starts to hurt!

(I was using the 20D with grip and 300 at the time, but it's the same with the d200. It was VERY hard to do with the D70s.)

There are other examples, but this is a clear one.

Or, I had to shoot the national barefoot waterskiiing champion. I used the grip here too.



Not as necessary as with the soccer, but at 50mph hanging off the side of a boat, the last thing I wanted was an awkward grip on my camera!

--
Edward
http://www.edwardtmartins.com
http://www.pbase.com/qwntm

I think you convinced me. I will be ordering one. Thanks.
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Lance O said:

Hi guys,

I was in the store the other day and tried one on my D200. I don't
get it. It felt really awkward to me when using the camera in
portrait. Perhaps I am just too used to my ways. But with the
added builk I have to ask is there some huge benefit (other than
battery life) that I am missing. Is it one of those things that
you either like right away or hate it. Or is there some benifit
that comes after getting used to it.

--
Lance O

Click to expand...

--

Sure makes the D200 feel more like a heavy duty film (F5, F4, F3, F2) body with a motor attached too. If you shot film with motors over the years it feels like a long lost friend.

Norm

the battery/vertical grip has many advantages.
You can change batteries one at a time without turning camera off.
You can run on one battery if needed.

You can change battery(s) without dismounting from brackets, large tripod mounts etc. where access to the bottom of the camera is blocked.
You CAN change focus points on the grip, there is a button for that.

It provides a much more secure hold when using a "potato-masher" style of flash, Metz or Sunpak etc.

You don't mark up the bottom of a 1700 dollar camera hunting for the tripod socket ( putting the camera on a tripod no matter how carefully will result in eventually having scratches there. -- better to have them on a 150 dollar grip.)

Less fatigue and awkwardness when shooting vertical, especially for long periods of time, like graduations, sports, portraits, etc.

The ability of the camera to accept AA batteries, if ever needed. Ultimate back-up power availabe at any market.
That much more protection for the bottom of the camera.

More weight makes for steadier hand-holding, as long as you have enough strength not to get shaky from straining.