Nikon MB-D10 grip

NorthernNikon

NorthernNikon

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,032
Name
Barney
Edit My Images
Yes
Right, I've got a bidet coming up and SWMBO and my in-laws are asking me what I'd like. Now I've done some thinking and there's plenty I'd like some cash towards, but I'm tempted by a Nikon MB-D10 grip for my D300.

Now, I feel that the gip will be great in improving the handling of the D300, especially with the additional shutter release, but can anyone tell me the advantages of running one of these with an EN-EL4a battery other than getting 8fps rather than 6fps? How much extra battery life will a 4a give over a 3e?

TIA
NN
 
Can't advise you much re bidets(popular with ladies though)

RE the MB-D10
It really balances out the camera for me.

You can run it with another 3e making 2 and get a really long life or you can stick in AA batteries to get the 8fps with the included holder.

for the 4a you need to buy another door(£30) and the batteries and charger are very expensive about £80.00 battery and over £100 for the charger iirc

I have 3 3e batteries and a set of eneloops always in the bag plus some regular nimh.

eneloops are long charge hold batteries and are there if I need 8 fps unexpectedly.
 
NorthernNikon said:
Now, I feel that the gip will be great in improving the handling of the D300, especially with the additional shutter release, but can anyone tell me the advantages of running one of these with an EN-EL4a battery other than getting 8fps rather than 6fps? How much extra battery life will a 4a give over a 3e?

TIA
NN
Click to expand...

Ignoring the additional cost, the EL4a battery will give you something like 3000 shots on a charge. Whereas a 3e gives something like 1200 to 1500. Your mileage may vary with AAs. Note, these are rough estimates from my own usage. Nothing too scientific.

It's quite a big expense to make, and only you can judge if that's money well spent. Personally I like the extended battery life convenience the EL4a gives.
 
well from experience if you're using a heavy lens in portrait mode the grip is a god send but that's about all i know :)
 
You don't need the grip to get 8FPS - I think Nikon have been very sneaky about the whole thing.

I keep one of my custom settings all ready for this...

First, make the following custom setting adjustments:

* e5: Flash only
* e6: Flash only
* f4: Button press - Bracketing burst
* f4: Button + dials - Bracketing mode

Then set your camera to JPG or 12-bit RAW mode. Activate bracketing with the Fn + Command dial and set 9F (9 frames). Set your shooting mode to single-shot (S). Do not use flash. Then hold the Fn button and when you are ready to shoot, press the shutter release and continue holding the Fn button. The camera will fire up to 9 frames at 8 fps.

To continue shooting after 9 frames, you will need to let up on the shutter release and depress it again. If you fire fewer than 9 shots, you will only be able to shoot the remaining exposures in your 9-frame burst if you continue shooting again, without letting up on the shutter release again.

Since you have set auto bracketing to apply only to flash, your non-flash bracketing burst is fired at your set exposure — it is not bracketed.
Click to expand...

It really does work - although the downside is having to hold the Fn button whilst shooting. I can live with that;)
 
I didn't realsise a 4a gave so many shots, what all do you need to use one, battery, door and charger or is there more?
 
gribbsy said:
No that's it. But it will set you back something like:
EL4a £80
BL-3 £30
Charger £130
Click to expand...

I went on the basis that that amount could buy a lot of 3e batteries giving even more shots.
 
I had the battery kit, advertised it on here for £150 and nobody wanted it:bonk:

The grip does make the camera a lot bigger so make sure it'll go in your bag with it on or you'll be forking out for a new bag as well.

Having bought one i'd sooner have put the money towards a new lens if i'm being honest
 
I had a grip on my D700, but it made it bigger than the D3.

Took it off, and sold it tbh. Wouldn't fit in my shoulder bag with it on!

Not keen on grips (although built in ones seem better somehow)
 
The MB-D10 grip is a well-built one though, the plastic MB-D80 had an awful habit of unscrewing itself from the camera, although that might just have been my example....
 
Flash In The Pan said:
The MB-D10 grip is a well-built one though, the plastic MB-D80 had an awful habit of unscrewing itself from the camera, although that might just have been my example....
Click to expand...
:agree:
my old D80 1 used to loosen as well

I get about 1550 on each of the 3e's 1 in camera and 1 in grip on my D700
 
gribbsy said:
No that's it. But it will set you back something like:
EL4a £80
BL-3 £30
Charger £130
Click to expand...

It really is a rip off isn't it, the above price in addition to the £230 you have to fork out for the MBD10....£470 in total - yes, I know it is still cheaper than buying the D3
 
Steve 7 said:
It really is a rip off isn't it, the above price in addition to the £230 you have to fork out for the MBD10....£470 in total - yes, I know it is still cheaper than buying the D3
Click to expand...

Is it? Think about it, many of those who'll be buying the D300 and grip will be using it as a second body to a D3 and may well have the charger already. There are those who won't and who have no need for the added expense of 4a batteries as they won't be stretching their 3e's. This flexibility allows both camps to be satisfied.

BTW, thanks to all who've answered. I'm pretty sure I'll be going with just a couple of 3e's loaded for the time being as I'm after the handling features over any added benefits from battery life really.
 
Steve 7 said:
It really is a rip off isn't it, the above price in addition to the £230 you have to fork out for the MBD10....£470 in total - yes, I know it is still cheaper than buying the D3
Click to expand...

The charger is definitely on the steep side. 30 quid for the battery cover is laughable too. The battery cost I can justify though. It's a nice package to have, despite the initial outlay.

One other thing I forgot to mention is that the grip was a bit temperamental with AAs, another reason I switched to the EL4a solution. This may or may not have been fixed with the latest firmware. But I've not been back to AAs since that was released.
 
Not had any problem here with the grip and AA's
 
does it work OK on Lithium AAs, no reason why it shouldn't as they're the same voltage, I just wondered as they're lighter than Alkaline AAs and last a lot longer
 
wack61 said:
does it work OK on Lithium AAs, no reason why it shouldn't as they're the same voltage, I just wondered as they're lighter than Alkaline AAs and last a lot longer
Click to expand...

Just had a look in the menus... option d10 MBD10 battery type:
FR6 AA Lithium is a selectable option

Couldn't tell you how many shots you'd expect to get though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top