17 replies to this topic

[yycsean]

Hi!  I'm wondering about the MB-D11 accessory for the D7000... is anyone using it, or has used it?  What are your thoughts?  I've been thinking about getting it as I miss having a vertical grip on my camera (it definitely made my last camera feel more stable and I miss the "extended" battery life)  My only gripe is that it only holds one battery with the second remaining in the camera itself.... is it worth the money or no?

[Afterimage]

Hi yycsean- I had the D7000 with the battery grip and I found it useful 50% of the time and heavy the other 50%

For the real Nikon one I think the $$$ wasn't really worth it. They were/are selling for like $250. I upgraded to the D7100 and purchased a 3rd part grip which I'm completely satisfied with. $60 for a gadget I only really use occasionally was the right choice for me. 

[GregM1]

i have a third party one for my d7000. my grip came with an extra battery for only a few dollars more than an extra battery alone was. it works great when i need one. i dont keep it on the camera. its a special occasion piece for me also.

[AndyLewis]

I've not got one and never used one. and I'm still undecided about their usefulness and whether I should invest. When I'm out and about I like to travel relatively light. So for them moment I don't need one.

[Mark Win]

i definatly reccommend a grip, extra battery space and for me i feel it gives me more stability when using my camera.

I opted for a cheaper thrid party option and it does what it should do, i did however buy a third party battery and realised that its sometimes faulty in the grip.

[Afterimage]

They also sell 3rd party batteries that fill the entire battery grip. 2x the battery life but 2x the weight! Very handy if you know you're going to need the extra juice.

 

[Erewego]

When I bought my camera, it came with a grip 'thrown in' with it and I was dubious about the size / weight issue.

After trying it for the first few days, it has not come off the camera since - great for grip, I never run out of juice and it's not that heavy really (you get used to it). I would definitely recommend one.

NB: Mine is the Nikon version with two batteries

Marc

[Davem45]

Never really needed one A battery lasts me a day can always pop the spare in if I really need to

[Wolfzbane]

I have one for my d200 and find I do need it, my battery dies fairly quickly. That said it is very heavy, good when you need to counter balance a heavy lens but unless you really need it, it's not really worth it.

[yycsean]

Thanks for the replies!  I'm still not sure which direction to go although I'm leaning towards getting one (eventually, once my wallet says its okay, lol)  The camera has nice heft to it but I just miss that Little extra that the grip could provide I think.... happy shooting you guys and thanks again, you've definitely added some good pro's/con's to the mix.

[scoobymax]

As much as I like the idea of them it wouldn't be cost effective for me, I went on a shoot a few weeks ago taking over 1900 pictures with my D3100, shooting in JPEG and RAW and battery only went down to two bars in the last half an hour! I couldn't believe it!! So for me it would be a no, but that's just me.

[GregM1]

the vertical grip isnt just for extra batterly life. it does have that as a bonus feature as the main point of a vert grip is ergonomic control while shooting vertically. it does make a world of difference in control and timing with scenarios when you need to shoot verticals regularly. it is not for everyone and most people are just fine without them. if you know someone with one, try theirs and see if its something you would like in your bag. i dont use mine all the time but i usually have it with me for whatever the day may bring.

[TBonz]

I have the grips on both my D600s and on my D7000.  I don't think I'd buy a camera without the grip or without a built in grip (like the D4).  I was without the grip for the first few weeks on my first D600 and it bothered me not having it.  With the D7000, I believe it gives a bit faster continuous rate as well if that's something you might want.  While most of my shooting is done in landscape, having the portrait shutter release on the Nikon grip is very helpful when I'm shooting in portrait mode.  I'm probably just used to it, but the weight doesn't bother me at all and having the extra battery has come in handy with some of my shoots.

[scoobymax]

Going back on what I said earlier in this post! I recently purchased the D7000 and unknowingly to me it came supplied with battery grip! And I have to say its great! Ok it makes the camera a bit heavier but the extra battery life and higher FPS available is great as I prefer to shoot wildlife and the kids and neither stay still for long! But I still couldn't afford to just go an buy one so to get one with my camera is a massive bonus all round .

[morticiaskeeper]

I've got a grip on my D40 & I hope Santa realises I've got a D80 now!

It just feels better, even though I've got small hands. Mine has a two battery cradle, as well as an AA battery cradle. I don't use the vertical shutter release on the D40 as it is IR.

The D80 aftermarket grips have a connected shutter release and both thumb wheels, so I think I will probably use it a lot, as more than 50% of my shots are rotated.

The extra battery life between changes is great. At Fairford this year, I took 5705 shot over two days on both bodies. The D40 lasted all day before an evening charge, the D80 needed a quick change midway through each day.

[DavidB_UK]

I have a non-Nikon grip on my D7000 and keep it on all the time. That way I have plenty of juice AND a frame which fits into the grip and takes AA batteries as an emergency backup!

Wouldn't be without it!

David

[singlerosa]

Been using grips for the past 10 years on my digital bodies.  For me, the advantages are:

 

   controls on grip for shooting in portrait mode

   better balance for big lenses

   slightly increased fps with second battery

   less time between charging

 

My grips are on my bodies 98% of the time.  Taken off when I'm going out with a 50 or 24-85 and want to travel light and look inconspicuous.   Nikon grip on my D7000 and a Pixel on my D600.

[Graham Johnson]

I used to have the MD11 grip on my old D7000. I really loved it. You can get a real Nikon one for about $170 so I didn't bother with a fake. It never came off the camera. If you don't put a battery in it, it isn't that heavy but makes it heaps easier to do portrait work.