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Archive 2010 · Zeikos Grip for D300

Shutterslam
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p.2 #1 · Zeikos Grip for D300

jasoncallen wrote:
Mine's arriving tomorrow between 3PM and 5PM... I'm looking forward to putting it through the paces!

I love delivery services, it's like Christmas all over again every time they show up.

Jan 20, 2010 at 10:02 PM

jasoncallen
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p.2 #2 · Zeikos Grip for D300

^ yep! I miss working at a camera store... Talk about feeling like it's Christmas every time a package comes in! Imagine opening up 25-30 large boxes FULL of DSLR gear, packed so tight that you don't need newspaper & bubble wrap around the gear. Literally dozens of Nikon black & gold foil boxes... oh, I miss it.

Jan 20, 2010 at 10:15 PM

jasoncallen
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p.2 #3 · Zeikos Grip for D300

Ok, so the grip just came! Thanks B&H! :-)

Initial impressions....

Build Quality:
-it seems very solidly built, and it fits snuggly on the bottom of my D300. There's no play between the body and grip with the grip loosely tightened on. With a few extra turns, it feels like it's part of the camera, as a grip should.

-The tripod socket feels reliably solid, but if I were mounting my D300 from the baseplate instead of from a lens, chances are, I'm shooting a wide landscape-orientation shot with my 12-24mm f/4 or 17-55mm f/2.8, and I'd have no need for a grip's vertical controls or performance advantages.

Control surfaces
-The vertical shutter release, mini multi-point AF selector, and control dials all function properly

-The grip's controls feel slightly but noticeably different than the D300 body... it could be that it just came in from the cold outside, and my D300 is at room temperature, but:

-The dials feel stiffer like my D90 (not damped and smooth like the D300... the dials 'click' into place like the lower-end Nikon bodies instead of 'clunking' into place like the pro bodies, if that makes any sense to you guys)

-The shutter release is more akin to the feel of my D90's shutter release. The grip's shutter release seems very sensitive, and it's hair-triggered (which is good IMO).

Balance and weight:
-with no battery in the grip, it does not feel like it's adding much weight to my D300/17-55 combo, but there is a noticeable difference in the balance of the combo. With my 70-200/2.8 VR, the weight change is imperceptible, but vertical shooting is a lot more comfortable.

-With an EN-EL3e battery in the grip, it is noticeably heavier, but not uncomfortably so... for short periods of time. This warrants field testing.

-With AA batteries in the grip, it is substantially heavier, and it makes the D300 + grip outweigh my old D2H. I don't know if I enjoy that amount of weight... I'll field test it later. I don't really need 8 FPS for my everyday shooting needs, so I'll likely rarely or never use the AA loadout for the grip.

Photos/more info and impressions on the grip's performance later tonight. I don't want to get in trouble @ work

Jan 21, 2010 at 11:04 AM

scorpio1
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p.2 #4 · Zeikos Grip for D300

Thanks for sharing your impressions Jason. Like you for the asking price I may try one myself.

Edited on Feb 06, 2010 at 11:03 AM · View previous versions

Jan 21, 2010 at 11:12 AM

NightOwl Cat
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p.2 #5 · Zeikos Grip for D300

Tagging this to follow later too, I just might get one for my D300s and pocket the change.

Jan 21, 2010 at 11:32 AM

cbrandt
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p.2 #6 · Zeikos Grip for D300

OK .. two I ordered just arrived bout 20 minutes ago. Loaded regular AA.s in trays and tossed in zip lock bags for emergency, and a regular D300s and D700 bat in other trays that I am using. Once I remembered to turn the grip on .. it's smooth. I'm satisfied with build - I'll go along with Jason's eval.

I'm really glad I bought them .. yeah, it REALLY bulks them up .. lol

skipping edit

Jan 21, 2010 at 07:43 PM

jasoncallen
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p.2 #7 · Zeikos Grip for D300

OK, so I shot with my newly-gripped D300 this evening, and I've gotta say, this Zeikos grip feels like part of the camera... it's very responsive, just like the control surfaces of my D300 body's normal handgrip, and it feels solid in my hands. $60 well spent IMO.

Video review coming soon to a Nikon Forum near you!

Jan 21, 2010 at 11:42 PM

santaliqueur
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p.2 #8 · Zeikos Grip for D300

KABeach wrote:
How secure/stable is the tripod socket? That is often one of the big weaknesses with the plastic grips.

Tripod socket seemed solid. I had no problems mounting my D700/24-70 on it.

Jan 22, 2010 at 03:32 PM

derry1
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p.2 #9 · Zeikos Grip for D300

my grip came today also from B&H and I do like it,, would agree with most all of Jasons comments,,

I thought I had a problem at first as I always use the AF-ON button for focus and it was not working on the new grip,, then I noticed in my viewfinder when I pressed it the AEL would display,, a quick trip to the menues and now there is a full menue for the DB10 which indicated this button was set to AEL,, a quick menue adjust and it all works great,,

love that I can place my second spare EN-EL3e in the main battery holder,, tried the 8 AAs and yes that 8 fps is fast,, that will increase the shutter count quick,,

over all I would say this $60 to B&H was one of my better buys,, I shoot a lot of BB & VB and the portrait ability was a real need,,

yes it is a tad bigger but it is built solid and offers my large hands a very good grip,,

I have never seen the actual DB10 but if someone told me this grip was made by Nikon I would never have doubted them,, a very well made item,,

certainly recommended,,

Derry

Jan 22, 2010 at 09:54 PM

jasoncallen
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p.2 #10 · Zeikos Grip for D300

I'll have a video review up shortly (tomorrow, or Sunday if I get lazy) so you guys can get a closer look.

On a side note, I'd forgotten what 8 FPS felt like... I have a lot of nostalgia for my D2H because of its speed. Now I'm finding that the D300 + grip is like a D2H on steroids in terms of performance.

In terms of comfort and ergonomics (the two big reasons why I got this grip), I'm really liking it. I'm glad that I got it!

Jan 22, 2010 at 10:40 PM

jasoncallen
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p.2 #11 · Zeikos Grip for D300

Alrighty folks, here's your video run-down on the Zeikos NBG-300 battery grip for Nikon D300/300s/700 bodies.

Happy shooting!

Jan 23, 2010 at 12:44 AM

derry1
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p.2 #12 · Zeikos Grip for D300

nice presentation Jason,,

Derry

Jan 23, 2010 at 10:47 AM

soonipi1957
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p.2 #13 · Zeikos Grip for D300

I bought one with the BL3 endcap which allows use of the ENEL4 series battery. It works like a charm on both the D300, D300s and D700.

With the exception of having a Kirk L bracket mounted on my original MBD10, I find it hard to tell the difference quite honestly.

Also, if I pull the ENEL4A out of the grip with the camera still on (not something I normally do but I tried), the camera DOES NOT SHUT DOWN....as long as I have an ENEL3 in the body at least

Jan 23, 2010 at 11:27 AM

jasoncallen
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p.2 #14 · Zeikos Grip for D300

^oooh, good to know! I'll keep that in mind. I forgot completely that the EN-EL4 batteries in a grip offer the same advantage as AA batteries. EN-EL4 compatibility will come in handy if I pick up that D3 that I've had my eye on for a while now... lol

Jan 23, 2010 at 11:53 AM

tpsfoto
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p.2 #15 · Zeikos Grip for D300

I too have had both original nikon grips & the off brand china units .... they worked fine no problems , cheap & fit as well as Nikon looked a little different in texture..... OH isn't the nikon unit made in china or thailand

as well....

Jan 24, 2010 at 05:34 PM

jasoncallen
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p.2 #16 · Zeikos Grip for D300

I just used the grip for a full day of shooting, and I have to say, it is REALLY nice with the big glass. I was using my 70-200/2.8 VR all day on my D300 (about 4-5 hours of shooting time) with the Zeikos grip loaded up with an EN-EL3 battery, and it worked great.

Jan 24, 2010 at 09:22 PM

mudfoot
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p.2 #17 · Zeikos Grip for D300

I've had one for about 7 months and love it. Its identical on the outside to the nikon. It has performed flawlessly at all times. I've used it shooting motorsports in the hot sun and eagles in 20 degree weather for 6-8 hours. I would buy another one. I've never looked back.

Jan 25, 2010 at 12:09 AM

cbrandt
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p.2 #18 · Zeikos Grip for D300

I compared it briefly against a NIKON Saturday in the field as a friend from out of town had one. The only difference I saw was under the lockdown wheel, Nikon's says LOCK ...... duh -- Nikon also had the handle cut out for the rubber pin protector.

I tossed my D700 in the corner of the dash yesterday after takin' my last shot with a 70-200mm at some Tundra .. and the pictures went nuts .. pic . histo . pic . histo .. no camera controls worked on camera ...... turned out to be the battery pack .. took it off and re installed it and it's fine .. I guess I didn't tossed it a bit toooo hard.

Jan 25, 2010 at 07:51 AM

srchabra
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p.2 #19 · Zeikos Grip for D300

Got mine from B&H this weekend and shot BB. I would echo everyone's sentiments on this...a tremendous bargain. Although I haven't used the Nikon grip, I have a hard time seeing how it could possibly be worth $200 more. Everything just works, the multi-pad, AF-ON, shutter release and it feels rock solid with no play between the body and grip. The speed is impressive too. 8 FPS is insanely fast.

The only bad thing is that it no longer fits in my Tamrac Velocity 8x. Although, it's a good excuse to buy a new bag.

Buy it. You won't regret it.

Jan 25, 2010 at 11:57 AM

haasphoto
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p.2 #20 · Zeikos Grip for D300

I got a Zeikos for my D90 last week and it's great. Adds a nice balance to the D90 body and the finishing matches very well.

Jan 25, 2010 at 05:46 PM

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