A1 Grip Gripes

The advantages of using the BP-400 battery grip, I would imagine, for some people is invaluable. I just got mine online, but was amazed at just how bulky the thing is! Yeah it’s true that using two Lithium packs the battery life is approximately 213years (with occasional flash use)!!!! But be warned – try before you buy, the pics on the preview are a little deceiving.

San

I think the grip is fatally flawed for the very simple reason that it doesn't have control dials and the AEL button on it. To use those functions in portrait mode you have to take your right hand off the camera and find the regular controls.

Bad design. Surprisingly some so-called Pro DSLR grips are much the same. Camera manufacturers don't always pay attention, do they?

Jawed

you can use your other hand to control the dials, try it. quite reasonable.
But the bulkiness is really a joke.

Can you tell me what you paid for the grip and where it can be found? Thanks, regards, Jim

SanSan said:

The advantages of using the BP-400 battery grip, I would imagine,
for some people is invaluable. I just got mine online, but was
amazed at just how bulky the thing is! Yeah it’s true that using
two Lithium packs the battery life is approximately 213years (with
occasional flash use)!!!! But be warned – try before you buy, the
pics on the preview are a little deceiving.

San

Click to expand...

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Jim N'AZ

Don't forget the Digipower DPS-9000 Li-Ion pack. I bought one for my D7i and it worked great. I now use it with my A1, same. Small, out of the way on the bottom, cheap ($40 at Ritz).

I don't know the energy content to compare with the BP-400 (they never give you what you must have) but it seems from the size that they're at least comparable. I won't ever be buying a grip, as a result.

Don D

Jim N'AZ said:

SanSan said:

The advantages of using the BP-400 battery grip, I would imagine,
for some people is invaluable. I just got mine online, but was
amazed at just how bulky the thing is! Yeah it’s true that using
two Lithium packs the battery life is approximately 213years (with
occasional flash use)!!!! But be warned – try before you buy, the
pics on the preview are a little deceiving.

San

Click to expand...

--
Jim N'AZ

Click to expand...

Come off it - size does matter! With bulk like that you can pretend that it is a motor drive & look really professional.

I think that the grip is only really usefull if you are going to engage in a mammoth shooting session + Flash otherwise you may if you are a miser, like me ,spend the money on re-chargable batteries pocket the change. Some people like the more centered tripod socket & this may be a clincher especially for panorama buffs.
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keith c

Aside from the extra power, I have another reason for buying the grip. I do a lot of panoramas and getting the tripod mount back in the right position is a BIGGY! ;-)

Cheers,
Rick Stirling

keith caldwell said:

Come off it - size does matter! With bulk like that you can pretend
that it is a motor drive & look really professional.

I think that the grip is only really usefull if you are going to
engage in a mammoth shooting session + Flash otherwise you may if
you are a miser, like me ,spend the money on re-chargable batteries
pocket the change. Some people like the more centered tripod socket
& this may be a clincher especially for panorama buffs.
--
keith c

Click to expand...

Hi -

I originally bought the BP-400 plus an extra battery in order to have the extra power, but after attaching it to the camera, I find that the extra bulk fits my hands better and, for now, I consider that to be the biggest plus.

Jim B.

Rick Stirling said:

Cheers,
Rick Stirling

keith caldwell said:

Come off it - size does matter! With bulk like that you can pretend
that it is a motor drive & look really professional.

I think that the grip is only really usefull if you are going to
engage in a mammoth shooting session + Flash otherwise you may if
you are a miser, like me ,spend the money on re-chargable batteries
pocket the change. Some people like the more centered tripod socket
& this may be a clincher especially for panorama buffs.
--
keith c

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Striking a balance....

Hiee...jut to share my inputs on this. Having experience in product design and generation...i would like to add on some reasons which i think Minolta guys have already tought of .....

• if they made the battery grip smaller....then the camera with battery grip will not sit on the table ....it will topple forward.

• They have both battery in grip approach - versus - leave battery in body and some in grip - like the dynax 7 .......as the dynax 7 grip method is a little unstable as the grip structure have a tendency to creep/slant . However, for the A1 approach...there is this "L" bar which goes into the camera battery compartment which will make it sturdier.

• The fatness of the grip is due to the way the battery is placed side by side.......Also new type of battery - user wants...!!!! Want longer liife and here they give you two battery pack location.....

regards,
me

I guess what you pay for is more design than features:
as said in other replies:

• camera stability when standing on a table
• battery consistency: both in the pack, none in the camera

but also:

• real grip size for big paws (mine...)
• hand strap (no one noticed?) that saves another $18 at B&H or similar stores
• accepts ONE battery, NOT MANDATORILY 2
• accepts NiMH instead of Minolta's NP400 in case you run short petrol on site

OK OK it has no dials/commands other that main shooting switch...

Remember: it is a $900 camera with a $150-$200 (in France) grip

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Olivier_from_Paris

SanSan said:

The advantages of using the BP-400 battery grip, I would imagine,
for some people is invaluable. I just got mine online, but was
amazed at just how bulky the thing is! Yeah it’s true that using
two Lithium packs the battery life is approximately 213years (with
occasional flash use)!!!! But be warned – try before you buy, the
pics on the preview are a little deceiving.

San

Click to expand...

--
Olivier_from_Paris

I totally agree with Oliver.

The BP-400 is an excellent design.

I've brought one one week ago and used it since then and never want to take it off again despite I have some issues not resolved with the use of the new Energizer 1.5 volt AA size disposable Lithium battery. It felt so secure and comfortable especially with the hand strap on. The camera balance is in fact better with the vertical grip. I must admit that on teleshorts, long exposures, the heavier weight reduces "shaky" movements while you press the shutter release button.

I'm not a pro and possibly I'll never become one but just another guy in the street who love taking good photos at weekend or while on trip.

The compatibility of the BP-400 with rechargables / alkaline is a mature and talented consideration by Minolta for you to handle emergencies.

The only problem that I faced ( and other people who live in Hong Kong) in Hong Kong is the price of the extra pack of NP-400 battery (HK$750, equal almost US 100 ) and the unavailablity of this item in general digital camera shops on the street.