Sony A700 Vertical Grips

Kev M

Kev M

Suspended / Banned
Messages
4,347
Name
You can call me Sir.
Edit My Images
Yes
I've just got an A700 and I want a vertical grip to go with it. On my old camera the VG only had the shutter buttons and that was fine because it was cheap. The genuine Sony VG is pricey and the ebay version is about £65 and unfortunately I missed out on the last of the Jessops ones at £169. Does anyone actually use all those buttons on the back of the grip? I think the only ones I'd like in addition to the shutter are the shutter speed/aperture dials but I could probably live without.

Is the Sony grip really worth that much extra?
 
Kev M said:
I've just got an A700 and I want a vertical grip to go with it. On my old camera the VG only had the shutter buttons and that was fine because it was cheap. The genuine Sony VG is pricey and the ebay version is about £65 and unfortunately I missed out on the last of the Jessops ones at £169. Does anyone actually use all those buttons on the back of the grip? I think the only ones I'd like in addition to the shutter are the shutter speed/aperture dials but I could probably live without.

Is the Sony grip really worth that much extra?
Click to expand...

When I owned the grip, I found I used these buttons all the time.

If you want to know whether you need the extra buttons, shoot without a grip in landscape mode and force yourself not to use the buttons in question. If you find this a pain in the ***, then this will be the same in portrait mode with the cheaper VG.

In my mind, the idea behind the VG is so that the camera feels as comfortable in portrait as in landscape, with the control layouts the same for both orentations. I personally prefer the camera without the VG, but that's just because I don't like the extra weight and size and don't shoot portrait mode that often.
 
Kev M said:
Is the Sony grip really worth that much extra?
Click to expand...
the answer will be different for different people with different needs & incomes ...
so only you can answer that for you.

fwiw the Sony vertical grips (far more than just a battery grip) are acknowledged as being probably the best going.
 
Hmmm cheers for the input chaps.

My local Jessops shop has one in stock but won't come down to the website price last week and when I could have had it for £160 last week I'm not going to pay £235 for it this week. Serves me right for not buying last week I suppose.

springtide said:
When I owned the grip, I found I used these buttons all the time.

If you want to know whether you need the extra buttons, shoot without a grip in landscape mode and force yourself not to use the buttons in question. If you find this a pain in the ***, then this will be the same in portrait mode with the cheaper VG.
Click to expand...

Not really Simon, you're suggesting that I operate the camera without the use of the buttons at all where as if I got the cheaper grip I'd just have to change how I'm holding it to get to the buttons.

Will the Sony grip operate with just one battery fitted or do you have to use two (another £60!). I really won't need extended battery life because I don't shoot that much.
 
Kev M said:
Hmmm cheers for the input chaps.

My local Jessops shop has one in stock but won't come down to the website price last week and when I could have had it for £160 last week I'm not going to pay £235 for it this week. Serves me right for not buying last week I suppose.


Not really Simon, you're suggesting that I operate the camera without the use of the buttons at all where as if I got the cheaper grip I'd just have to change how I'm holding it to get to the buttons.

Will the Sony grip operate with just one battery fitted or do you have to use two (another £60!). I really won't need extended battery life because I don't shoot that much.
Click to expand...

Sorry wasn't exactly saying that. What I was trying to say is that, from shooting without using these buttons you'll understand how often you use them (so, analyse how you shoot)

As 'heidfirst' stated, everybody shoots differently and it will be a very personal thing to whether this would be an issue or not.
 
One thing I learnt pretty fast is dont rush purchasing equipment unless there is a special offer on... I paid £189 for mine then a week later I posted the jessops offer :doh: if you want it just keep a eye on the prices im sure there will be some offers soon... I will also keep a eye out :thumbs:
 
BalSanghera said:
One thing I learnt pretty fast is dont rush purchasing equipment unless there is a special offer on... I paid £189 for mine then a week later I posted the jessops offer :doh: if you want it just keep a eye on the prices im sure there will be some offers soon... I will also keep a eye out :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Cheers Bal, my concern is that now there's talk of the A700 coming to the end of the line, stock is getting low everywhere, then the same will happen to the grip and many shops will probably hold the price of the grip high unlike Jessops.

Fact is I don't need it right now but I hate using an ungripped camera in portrait orientation. Question is can I justify the sort of money an OEM grip demands for the amount of use it'll get. I'm already in the cack for buying the camera from SWMBO who thinks I should be sensible and SAVE the money (never been much of a saver).

stan the man said:
kev...cameraworld in wells street london are doing the grip for £180 if you can't wait for the next special offer(whenever that'll be).postage is usually free....

http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/products.asp?CAT_CODE=4&Manufacturer=Sony&manu_code=9
Click to expand...

Cheers Stan that's pretty tempting, somewhere between the good Jessops promotion price and the high price everyone wants now. I'd PM'd Kerso who offered me one for £189+9P&P so the cameraworld price is even better.

I think if a 2nd hand one came up at the right price I'd snap it up but you don't see them for sale very often (there's 0 on eBay), I'd like to mull it over more but then sod's law the cameraworld price will go up too.
 
for a bolt on i prefer branded for fitment and feel

but i do have the sony grip for the a300 and only use the shutter button really
 
Well I've only gone and ordered one from camerworld so I'm now £190 worse off (180+postage). Apparently I got the last one at that price, they're back up to £200 on the site already. Now I just need some decent glass, inspiration and motivation.
 
Getting glass is easy compared to the other two Stan. I reckon I might stretch to a Tamron 28-75 after Christmas, seems cheaper than the Sigma with less of the dodgy QC rumours too.
 
Kev M said:
Getting glass is easy compared to the other two Stan. I reckon I might stretch to a Tamron 28-75 after Christmas, seems cheaper than the Sigma with less of the dodgy QC rumours too.
Click to expand...

so howcome getting the glass is easy...do you just hide it from the SWMBO?

prey tell......:naughty:

i recently sold my sigma 24-70 to bal sanghera,and it was a cracking lens,tack sharp,great IQ,lovely bokeh...so i wouldn't discount one if it's a good copy at the right price ;)
 
stan the man said:
so howcome getting the glass is easy...do you just hide it from the SWMBO?

prey tell......:naughty:

i recently sold my sigma 24-70 to bal sanghera,and it was a cracking lens,tack sharp,great IQ,lovely bokeh...so i wouldn't discount one if it's a good copy at the right price ;)
Click to expand...

Ah i never said it was easy Stan, just easier than the other two for me at least. I don't need to hide camera stuff, it's my money and I do what I see fit with it. I buy a few things for me and wait for the resentment to build up then by one thing for her and reset the balance. Easy.:gag:
 
Kev M said:
Ah i never said it was easy Stan, just easier than the other two for me at least. I don't need to hide camera stuff, it's my money and I do what I see fit with it. I buy a few things for me and wait for the resentment to build up then by one thing for her and reset the balance. Easy.:gag:
Click to expand...

yep,same here too...my money,i spend as i want :thumbs:

all my missus ever wants is nice things for the home,so i get them for her,and i get to enjoy them as well..so it's a win-win situation ;)
 
Same here too. Earn't brownie points yesterday by taking the wife to a craft fair at the NEC. She managed to spend just under £100, now i'm free to spend the £800 thats been sitting in my paypal account for the last 2 weeks.

As long as I get her what she wants there's never a problem, the spend ratio is about right too, lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top