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Vivitar Battery Grip- D810 - Low Battery

vivitar battery grip d810

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4 replies to this topic

#1
usna93

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I did a good amount of research on aftermarket battery grips for the D810 (versus buying the insanely priced Nikon model) and settled on the Vivitar version.  Note: I'm  using only genuine Nikon batteries.   What I'm experiencing is that when I put the battery grip on the camera, it works and I see on the display that there are 2 batteries connected (yes they are fully charged).  BUT what  happens when I press the "info" button is that all of a sudden the low battery indicator flashes and the camera won't work.  Removing the grip's battery doesn't help.  I have to remove the battery for about a minute and then when I put it back in, the camera will turn back on.  The easy solution is to not press the "info" button...but there's gotta be more to it.

I need to run through more tests to see the different scenarios it might occur, but that's finding after 1 day of shooting with it.

So this is part information for you all...but also a solicitation for info/feedback if anyone  has experienced this before (whether or not with a Vivitar grip) and how they resolved it.  (Note: yes the battery is well seated in the battery grip tray, yes I'm using only fully charged, original Nikon batteries, yes the grip is full seated onto the camera).



#2
TBonz

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No real answer to your question, but perhaps some additional info...

 

I have had the Nikon motor bases on D90, D7000 and D600 bodies over the years.  I have been able to look at each battery's info with all of them.  I no longer have those bodies / bases so I can't do a test and unfortunately I can't recall what the specific process was to find the details on each battery, but it did work without the issues you describe.

 

It is certainly possible that the info isn't coming from the Vivitar unit as the camera is expecting during that process and it throws the camera into an error condition.  I would suggest running through a number of shots - enough so that you see the low battery come on and then keep shooting to ensure you switch over to the second battery - as I recall the full indicator comes back when that change occurs...also, if memory serves, my setups used the motor battery first and then switched to the in-camera body...handy in that for short shoots, the only battery needing recharge was the motor battery...

 

Hope that helps...maybe someone on here has a D810 with some base who can provide additional info or at least confirm the process and battery order...



#3
usna93

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thanks for the info.  Just to clarify, it does work fine until I hit the info button...or now that I think of it, it works and shows 2 good batteries but all of a sudden (once) it just flashed the low battery symbol.  I'll have to look to see if there's a battery priority setting.  But like I said earlier, I'm 100% sure both batteries are completely charged.  I even switched them around.  I've seen this condition with other 3rd party grips but often there's also usage of a 3rd party battery as well...which mine aren't.



#4
usna93

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Update:  This low battery condition will occur at pretty much anytime but typically within the first minutes of usage.  The seller has offered to send me a replacement thinking this is defective unit.   I told them to hold off for now on the re-send b/c I ordered a Dolica brand grip that has good reviews with the D810.  If that one produces the same issue, I'll return it...and have the Vivitar resent.   I'm still not  persuaded to buy the original esp. at it's high price.  More to follow.  For now, I can't recommend the Vivitar D810 battery grip.



#5
usna93

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Update: Dolica grip arrived this week and works just great.  Putting the Vivitar and Dolica side by side, they are pretty much identical.  Made me think they were made in the same factory.  There were 1-3 molding marks that differed plus the Vivitar brand has their name on their grip...weight of each was the same.  Although the Dolica came with a remote control to operate the grip...didn't work for some reason...perhaps a setting I need to change.  So returning the  Vivitar and chalking it up as defective.  Glad the company I bought it from paid for return shipping.







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