runamuck wrote:
You mean all Nikon warranties are void? Every camera I have owned had a non-nikon lens attached within the first week of ownership. I put a non-nikon tripod foot on my brand spanky new 300 f4. Plus, I used it with a non-nikon tripod. All these warranties are void? I use non-nikon filters on my Nikon lenses. So it's goodbye warranty?
And non-Nikon film, back in the film days.
Matt OHarver wrote:
It's called the voice of experience. Several years back I had a new camera shorted by an aftermarket battery because I wanted to save a few bucks on an OE battery. When I sent in my camera I was later asked to send in my batteries because they suspected it was a shorted battery issue. I sent them all of my batteries and they determined that one of my two aftermarket batteries had fried my Canon 5D. The repair cost me a whole lot more then I saved by buying those aftermarket batteries.
Elitist? More like realist. I value my gear a lot more now then I did back then, and experiences like I had have taught me that sometimes saving a few bucks can cost you a whole lot more in the end.
Zero_Gravity wrote:
I had some bad experiences with 3rd party grip on my D7000 in the past. It was working fine (no reverse dial issue etc) and occasionally I had problem with connectors I believe, it would make camera freeze or couldn't use grip shutter release.
Fix was easy..: Remove it and install it again but it happened couple of times in the middle of an important shoot.
I had this same issue with an OEM MB-D10 on my D300. It can happen to Nikon gear too. This time I'll take my chances that one of the first four aftermarket grips I buy will work and I'll still be saving money!
Sean Hoffman wrote:
I had this same issue with an OEM MB-D10 on my D300. It can happen to Nikon gear too. This time I'll take my chances that one of the first four aftermarket grips I buy will work and I'll still be saving money!
Did you send it back to Nikon to get it fixed? You don't have that option in 3rd party grips.
If you end up buying the 5th one, you will be over paying. .
I think at this point it is a personal preference and risk taking-price balance.
Zero
oh, I think I have to mention it was a common issue with many 3rd party grips for different cameras that if you use 2 batteries (As I do)... somehow the battery in the camera drains down.. If it happens with this grip too, it is another inconvenience..
Matt OHarver wrote:
It's called the voice of experience. Several years back I had a new camera shorted by an aftermarket battery because I wanted to save a few bucks on an OE battery. When I sent in my camera I was later asked to send in my batteries because they suspected it was a shorted battery issue. I sent them all of my batteries and they determined that one of my two aftermarket batteries had fried my Canon 5D. The repair cost me a whole lot more then I saved by buying those aftermarket batteries.
Elitist? More like realist. I value my gear a lot more now then I did back then, and experiences like I had have taught me that sometimes saving a few bucks can cost you a whole lot more in the end.
That right there is the issue, we are talking about a aftermarket grip, not battery. No one has said to purchase an aftermarket battery, but aftermarket grips are just fine.
UPDATE on Pixel Grip:
It worked great, good match aesthetically, no issues with operatio...BUT RRS grip does not fit. Wont allow battery compartment to open. The Pixel is going back tomorrow if anyone wants it contact me. Looks like its a Nikon grip for me.
I know this is an old thread but wanted to provide my experience with a 3rd-party grip for Nikon D800.
I purchased a Flashpoint magnesium alloy grip in February from Amazon (sold by Adorama). After using it for approx 1 month, I like the grip and found no issues (battery drain, etc) which were reported in some other 3-party brand grip.
It feels good, not very light or plastic. It is made of metal. I don't have the OEM grip so cannot make any direct comparison. There is also another metal plate at the inside bottom of the grip. This will provide added protection for someone interested in using Black Rapid style straps.
There is no weather sealing that I can determine.
All the dials and buttons move in the same direction as the main body and I have no issues using this grip. But if I have to nit-pick, then here it goes -
The shutter button is not as quiet as the main body
The AF-ON button is quieter than the main body
The front and rear dial does not have a rubber-feel like main body but the click sound is same as the main body.
The Multi-Selector button has the same functionality like on the main body i.e. the focus will jump to the center focus point when pressed in the middle. This button is not as smooth as the main body but it is not difficult to change the focus points. The only issue that I find is that the position of this button should have been more closer to the AF-ON button or I should have had a longer right thumb
But I believe this button is at the same position as the original Nikon OEM MB-D12.
The rubber on the grip is nearly same as the main camera body. i.e. very very good match.
I do not notice any flex after the grip is attached to the camera and feel extremely confident of putting this rig on a tripod.
The good part for me is that it fits perfectly with the ProMediaGear L-plate for D800 w/grip I got for it from Amazon. I can access the battery tray with the L-bracket and also access the side ports. I use a quarter to slide between the L-bracket and camera to open the side port door.
Oh, another note, this grip has Adorama label, so if I have any issue with the grip, it would be much easier to deal with a US dealer rather than some overseas dealer (there are many mag alloy grip showing up on ebay for less $$ than Amazon/Adorama.
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