battery grip "Own user" for E620

[govindrv]

I've seen that this sells for about $79 on Amazon. Is this a reliable brand or should I rather settle for the HLD-5 which comes from Olympus?

Does anyone here own the HLD-5. Does it have an option for the regular AA batteries apart from the 2 slots for the LI-ion batteries?
--
Its your ATTITUDE, not your APTITUDE that decides your ALTITUDE

 

[theotherguy]

I do not know anything about this one, but is sells for less and has a remote with it. I read somewhere it is manufactured by the same company?

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Olympus-E-620-Rokinon-Digital-SLR-Vertical-Battery-Grip/4755132/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

 

[govindrv]

Thanks.

I'm slightly confused here. The review by 1 guy for this product says "it requires small cable that goes from grip to the mini usb on the camera.". Now Isn't a battery grip supposed to provide power without any such cable. Secondly does this differ from the battery grip that Oly provides.
--
Its your ATTITUDE, not your APTITUDE that decides your ALTITUDE

 

[goblin]

The HLD-5 is a basic, flimsy thing from Olympus, which has nothing to do with the nice Oly grips for higher level cameras such as the E-1 and E-3.

It does only accept two BLS-1 batteries, and has only a shutter button and a lock switch.

The lock switch is very easy to trip in the OFF position when you most need it not to. The plastic is soft, the grip jiggles and no matter how hard you screw it in, you have the feeling it's never tight enough. And it's not only a feeling.

This being said - it is VERY comfortable (except for the lack of a AEL and/or Focus Point selector button). And it's Olympus.

The Ownuser/Rokinon grip usually gets good reviews and gives you goodies you don't have on the original grip. The ones for the E-520 need for sure to have a power cable plugged between camera body and grip, as the E-520 doesn't have a remote trigger connector in the battery bay.

The E-620 has one, so if Ownuser's people did their homework, you shouldn't have no cable between camera body and grip.

I would look at Ebay UK if I was you. Many dealers are selling HLD-5's there separately, as they got them from the "Buy an E-620 - get a free grip" promotion. I got mine with a "best offer" option for $59, and it cost me less than $90 shipping included, new in box. Any price under $120 shipped to you is well worth it as far as I'm concerned.

 

[jkrumm]

It looks like the ownuser grip still has the cord for the 620. Maybe they didn't want to change things much since Oly came out with their own grip and they knew they wouldn't sell many.

--
John Krumm
Juneau, AK

 

[Ben Herrmann]

...and I say this based on my exhausting experience with various battery grips - with both OEM and 3rd party brands.

1. In those cases where the manufacturer (in this case Olympus) makes a grip for a particular camera (in this case the E620), I strongly suggest on getting that grip. Yes, it may cost a bit more, but the grips typically mesh perfectly with the camera - both operationally, in appearance, and ergonomically. The E620's grip is superb IMO, and everything matches the camera perfectly. 3rd party grips (in this case the Own User ones) are nice - but ergonomically and apearance-wise, they won't really complement the camera the way you would expect. Sure, they may be "cheaper," but if you're talkin' a perfect match, then that may not necessarily be the case. But if cost is the overriding factor, then go for it.

2. For camera models in which an OEM battery grip was never released by the original manufacturer, then getting a 3rd party brand (again, in this case Ownuser), will work out just fine. Because after all, if none was originally available, at least having another brand - regardless of appearance - should help quite a bit. In this case, I've found the Ownuser grips to be superb on the likes of the E-330, E-410/420, E-510/520, and E500. But with the other cams that have Olympus manufactured ones as an option, I'd strongly recommend getting theirs first.

Again, I've been so through so many battery grips from a variety of manufacturers, that it will make your head spin. But in the end, if you are truly limited by what you can spend, you can't go wrong with the Ownuser brand.

--

 

[govindrv]

Thank you gentlemen for looking and giving me your valuable advice.

Cheers
Govind
--
Its your ATTITUDE, not your APTITUDE that decides your ALTITUDE

 

[IanDavis]

I've used an Ownuser grip on an E-520 and E-30 have been very satisfied with them. I am especially satisfied with their E-30 grip. I'm sure their E-620 grip is good as well, though I don't think it gives you aperture/shutter speed control like their E-30 grip does.

 

[Buke]

I've got the HLD-5 on my 620. It does exactly what it's supposed to do. It will run on one BLM-1, but use two for extended battery life. I've never had them run down on me out shooting anything, so that says a lot. I've got large hands and can't stand any camera without a battery grip on it. Never used the 3rd party grips, so I can't comment on them.

Buke

--

A camera is just a light tight box. Photographs are created mentally, they don't just
happen by accident.

 

[Kuppenbender]

I have the hld5. I had to buy it, there was a shop selling them for £25 ($40) here in the UK hence the cheap UK eBay prices.

It has a contol wheel in addition to the shutter release as well as a handy place to store the battery compartment cover. Naturally, it's a perfect match for the e600/620, as it's made from the same materials.

I wouldn't normally have bought a battery grip (easier to simply carry extra batteries) but I'm glad I bought this one. I find I can hold the camera steadier, particularly with the 70-300 lens.

The ownuser grip will give you a remote release plus the option of working from the mains or from a rather bulky additional AA battery pack, but it doesn't appear to offer the control dial.

 

[GeorgeH]

I 2nd jkrumm's comment.

I have the Ownuser/Rokinon E620 grip. It still uses the cord for shutter activation. But I mainly use the grip for extra stability and handling, so I did not attach the extra wire. I have upgraded to the HLD-5 since. So will be selling the Owner/Rokinon. The HLD-5 grip is definitely better design in terms of handling. It also does not require an external wire. The HLD-5 is almost twice the price of the Owner/Rokinon version.

It looks like the ownuser grip still has the cord for the 620. Maybe they didn't want to change things much since Oly came out with their own grip and they knew they wouldn't sell many.

--
John Krumm
Juneau, AK

 

[OlyChamp]

Kuppenbender wrote:

The ownuser grip will give you a remote release plus the option of working from the mains or from a rather bulky additional AA battery pack, but it doesn't appear to offer the control dial.

As some are aware I too bought a E620 and it came supplied with the Ownuser Grip, remote and cable. Have spent the past two days trying to get the Remote to actuate the shutter with no joy. I have tried all permutations hardware and software wise and still nothing, even replace the remote battery with a new one, still nothing.

Questions I feel I need answering before ditching the remote and cable:

1. Does it really need the cable attached to operate the battery/camera as I have been shooting fine with no cable?

2. What do I need to do with camera menu settings to get the Remote to actuate the shutter? Yes i have set Remote Shutter release in the timer menu and still naught. It's also noteworthy of saying the IR indicator lights on the Grip don't shine when selected by the switch - maybe another issue?

3. I notice with two fully charged batteries the battery drains astonishingly quicker than I expected. Yes I used onboard flash four times but please not that quickly??

I'm not overly concerned if I just shoot manually, the remote is nice but not a necessity. Your thoughts (as I appreciated the ones above and from so long ago.

Frustrated

Thane

 

[GeorgeH]

Please see my comments below.

OlyChamp wrote:

Kuppenbender wrote:

The ownuser grip will give you a remote release plus the option of working from the mains or from a rather bulky additional AA battery pack, but it doesn't appear to offer the control dial.

As some are aware I too bought a E620 and it came supplied with the Ownuser Grip, remote and cable. Have spent the past two days trying to get the Remote to actuate the shutter with no joy. I have tried all permutations hardware and software wise and still nothing, even replace the remote battery with a new one, still nothing.

Questions I feel I need answering before ditching the remote and cable:

1. Does it really need the cable attached to operate the battery/camera as I have been shooting fine with no cable?

#1: I am assuming you are referring to the cable that plugs goes from the grip to the camera's usb port on the back. The cable is only necessary when you need to use the extra shutter button on the grip. The camera and the normal shutter button will work even without the usb cable attached.

2. What do I need to do with camera menu settings to get the Remote to actuate the shutter? Yes i have set Remote Shutter release in the timer menu and still naught. It's also noteworthy of saying the IR indicator lights on the Grip don't shine when selected by the switch - maybe another issue?

3. I notice with two fully charged batteries the battery drains astonishingly quicker than I expected. Yes I used onboard flash four times but please not that quickly??

Answer to #3: Some of the Ownuser grips were defective which when attached to the camera drained batteries even when the camera is off.

Try disconnecting the battery grip and seeing if the battery drain still occurs.



I'm not overly concerned if I just shoot manually, the remote is nice but not a necessity. Your thoughts (as I appreciated the ones above and from so long ago.

Frustrated

Thane

--
The digital image is a dozen or so words
positioned carefully to paint a picture
that challenges the eye
and tricks the mind
into thinking, light is a title
and the palette a taste bud
worth tasting.

 

[OlyChamp]

GeorgeH wrote:

Please see my comments below.

OlyChamp wrote:

Kuppenbender wrote:

The ownuser grip will give you a remote release plus the option of working from the mains or from a rather bulky additional AA battery pack, but it doesn't appear to offer the control dial.

As some are aware I too bought a E620 and it came supplied with the Ownuser Grip, remote and cable. Have spent the past two days trying to get the Remote to actuate the shutter with no joy. I have tried all permutations hardware and software wise and still nothing, even replace the remote battery with a new one, still nothing.

Questions I feel I need answering before ditching the remote and cable:

1. Does it really need the cable attached to operate the battery/camera as I have been shooting fine with no cable?

#1: I am assuming you are referring to the cable that plugs goes from the grip to the camera's usb port on the back. The cable is only necessary when you need to use the extra shutter button on the grip. The camera and the normal shutter button will work even without the usb cable attached.

2. What do I need to do with camera menu settings to get the Remote to actuate the shutter? Yes i have set Remote Shutter release in the timer menu and still naught. It's also noteworthy of saying the IR indicator lights on the Grip don't shine when selected by the switch - maybe another issue?

3. I notice with two fully charged batteries the battery drains astonishingly quicker than I expected. Yes I used onboard flash four times but please not that quickly??

Answer to #3: Some of the Ownuser grips were defective which when attached to the camera drained batteries even when the camera is off.

Try disconnecting the battery grip and seeing if the battery drain still occurs.

I'm not overly concerned if I just shoot manually, the remote is nice but not a necessity. Your thoughts (as I appreciated the ones above and from so long ago.

Frustrated

Thane

 

[herebefore]

Thanks George, answered my questions nicely. I have another question, the Ownuser Remote obviously triggers the shutter through the battery grip but should it remotely activate just through the camera? I'm thinking no and I need a specific Olympus remote for that function.

Thane