While I liked having my MB-16 on my N80, I LOVED having the MB-15 on my F100. But now I'm wondering if the additional sensor control/joystick, vertical shutter relase and command/subcommand dials are worth the additional weight. It gets heavy, even with my Nikonians Pro Strap and Sling Strap.

My lenses aren't "pro" f/2.8 either...typically, I'm with a 28-105 which is probably on there the most; it certainly weighs more than the 28-200G that I have. And my old 70-300D ED isn't that heavy either.

I typically have the Kirk L-bracket installed, too. I doubt taking it off would reduce much. I've pretty much had the grip on since I got the camera a little over a year ago.

I just might try it without the grip. (I've only once come close to discharging the battery and never touched the spare (in the body).


Anthony

The Moderator Page and My Gallery
The important things in life are simple; the simple things are hard.

The grip buttons still work even when there is no battery in the grip, which will help a little with the weight.

---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
Joseph K
Seattle, WA, USA

D700, D200, D70S, 24-70mm f/2.8, VR 70-200mm f/2.8 II,
50mm f/1.4 D, 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR, 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 DX

Thanks, Joseph. I think the L-bracket comes off, then the battery...actually, I'm going to remove the battery from the body, I think it will work with the battery in the grip only.


Anthony

The Moderator Page and My Gallery
The important things in life are simple; the simple things are hard.

Hi Anthony,


>I think it will work with the battery in the grip only.

Yes it will.
Infact, I have never had a battery in the body.
Good Luck and Enjoy your Nikons!

Best Regards,
Marty

I did that about a year ago and I like it better without the grip. I don't have big hands so without the grip it feels perfect.

Anthony,

I bought the MBD-10 grip for my D700 more than a year ago and after using it very few times it now sits unused in a drawer. I didn't realize how much weight and bulk it would add to the D700 body, but I soon found out! When I'm taking photos I like to travel light. For me, using the D700 without the grip is the preferred way to go.

Bob

When I bought the D200, it came with an MB-D200. Even as a D1-series user, I decided to try it without the grip. I actually liked it. I can (just barely) fit my three fingers on it, and it works for me. The camera feels more solid without the grip, which is plastic. I've hardly ever used the grip. I also hear (from Thom Hogan) that if you attach and remove the grip all the time, it can mess with the security of the coupling mechanisms. So, best to leave it either on or off for a while.

On the D700, the MB-D10 is metal, but still has a seam where it connects, as it doesn't have the rubber everywhere. It's also heavier and bigger than the D3 body, but not as good ergonomically (in my opinion).

Plus, I find the N80 with grip is about the same size as the D700 without grip (though not as solid).

btw, shooting a D1H one-handed last night was not fun.

So, no, you're not crazy in taking it off.

An undeniable paradox: To think that there is any such thing as an absolute rule is at worst naïve, and at best, shortsighted. There is no such thing as an always-true, all context- or situation-salient, absolute rule that always holds true…including this one!

I have bear paws for hands....

The body doesn't feel comfortable in my hands without the grip....especially when shooting with large lenses.....14-24 2.8 or the 70-200 2.8 Sigma....

I like the feel and the ability to turn the camera for vertical shooting with the lense actuator on the top of the MD.....otherwise my hand is totally twisted...

Again, like most things...personal preference...

dc

Visit my professional gallery.

I have the grip for the D700 as well. I can't remember the last time I had it on the camera. I really like the size of the D700 they way it is, easy to handle and hold.

Maybe try it that way, see how you like it. You may even find you take the camera with you more places because it's less cumbersome.

And that's a pretty nice two lens combination, You can go almost anywhre and not miss a shot

~Cheers, Allan~
www.allanschroeder.com

I tripod most of my shots so I use LV on all of them and having that extra BIG battery is a big plus for me. Also I find it handy to rip off 5-9 shots for HDR.

My 2 cents,

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

I took it off this weekend for a few shots while training (playing?) with my FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) brothers and I must say, I liked it. I have an old A-S plate for my F100/MB15 but its not an L-bracket; it worked. But I think I need to pick up an L-bracket for the D700 w/o the grip. It wasn't too bad.

Granted I wasn't carrying it around, just a few quick images and back to training. I've got to post process a few and plan on posting them...Sports or a Picture I Took, if anyone is interested.


Anthony

The Moderator Page and My Gallery
The important things in life are simple; the simple things are hard.

Anthony,

The Sports forum is my favorite hangout, so I will be on the lookout for some exciting sports action shots from avm247 and his lightweight unencumbered D700!

Bob

I don't know about exciting but I will get some images in soon - hopefully tonight, Bob.

http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=167&topic_id=47389&mesg_id=47389&page=

http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=167&topic_id=47390&mesg_id=47390&page=

Anthony

The Moderator Page and My Gallery
The important things in life are simple; the simple things are hard.

I own 2 D700's, one with the MBD-10 grip and one without. I like to use my 70-200mm on the body with the grip and I use the other body for my smaller lens.

Cheryl

Cheryl,

It's difficult for me to imagine a woman lugging around a D700 + grip + 70-200 f/2.8. Ouch! You must have taken up weight-lifting somewhere along the way! I frequently use my D700 + 80-200 f/2.8 for shooting sports events and find that that combo is much as I care to tote around. At the end of an event the combined weight seems to be double what it was at the start of the event! I might go with a D700 + grip + 50 mm. f/1.8 but the chances of me loading up with a D700 + grip + 80-200 f/2.8 are small indeed. And my 80-200 f/2.8 is lighter than your 70-200 f/2.8.

I get the feeling that you are about to tell me that you carry both of your D700s at the same time!

Bob

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Bob,
I do carry both of my D700's at the same time. On one of the bodies I'll have the 70-200mm and on the other body I'll have either my Tamron 28-75mm or the Nikon 17-35mm. But, as I've gotten older, I've gotten wiser, I'll bring along either a tripod or monopod for the D700 combo with the 70-200mm lens because like you, as the day wears on, that equipment gets quite heavy.
By the way, I do work out, but more cardio instead of strength training.

Cheryl

The way I shoot there is usually no need for a grip and I had never even tried one until recently when I bought a used D700 that came with one. I put it on to test it out but as it would be of little use to me and as it added noticeable weight to the camera, I sold it.

So I guess if you don't need it, there is no advantage - except to look professional and have all the point and shooters move out of the way.

Barry

>The grip buttons still work even when there is no battery in
>the grip, which will help a little with the weight.
>

This is something I never knew! Is that common to all the grips? Hmmm I may have to get an MB-D12 after all

Best regards, SteveK

'A camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.' -- Dorothea Lange
My Nikonians gallery
My Nikonians Blog

>I took it off this weekend for a few shots while training
>(playing?) with my FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) brothers and I
>must say, I liked it. I have an old A-S plate for my
>F100/MB15 but its not an L-bracket; it worked. But I think I
>need to pick up an L-bracket for the D700 w/o the grip. It
>wasn't too bad.

I leave my l-bracket on my grip and when I need the l-bracket, I just screw on the grip. I was a full-time grip user for years and still use it when I have a heavy lens on the camera. I know it's counter-intuitive, but the big rig just feels safer in my hand with the grip.

D700 l N90s l AF-S 16-35 f4 l AF-S 24-85 f3.5-f4.5G VR l AF-S 70-200 f2.8G VRII l AF-S 50 f1.8G l AF-S 300 f4 l TC-14EII l 2x SB600 l Autometer IIIF.
https://www.facebook.com/tony.johnson.photography
http://www.eyesonboulder.com
My Nikonians Gallery

I bought a (very lightly used) MBD-10 soon after getting my D700 last year. I hadn't really tested the extra battery capacity but recently invested in 8 black Eneloop rechargeable AA's in readiness for a holiday in Spain.

With an EN-EL3e in the D700 and 8 fully charged black Eneloop X's in the MBD-10 I've just managed a whole week's shooting (500 shots), the camera had a GPS unit attached and switched on all day. With some reviewing, deleting, and full daily back-ups the battery symbol still shows full charge. In comparison my wife got through 3 EN-EL3e's with my D200 (without GPS) for 600 shots (with lots of reviewing of images).

For me the knowledge that I can head out each day without worrying about spare batteries is worth the effort carrying the extra weight around. The only downside is that I feel more vulnerable in unfamiliar locations as the D700+MBD-10 attracts much more attention than the D700 alone.

Colin

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Colin, I agree, the grip adds to the attention factor of the camera (throw on an SB910 and it REALLY gets noticed).

I like having it on and off...for when I decide to go incognito or when I plan on shooting more vertical images. I do love the battery life of the D700 and EN-EL3e. Took the camera on vacation and it lasted very well. Did pretty good at an air show, too, 1000 RAW images on a 16MB card...with lots of chimping and still had some power.



Anthony

The Moderator Page and My Gallery
The important things in life are simple; the simple things are hard.

Anthony,

My only lament in buying the D800 was not having the extra $600 to buy the grip and L plate. Now that I know the battery cover pops off easily, I am more dismayed, because the grip solves that issue.

I have become so used to shooting verticals with my elbows tucked in, that I don't know how long I can survive without one. It just feels right with a grip. I AM enjoying the reduced weight somewhat. With all the other gear I tote, it's not a factor when considering my load out.

Scott Chapin
Powder Springs, GA, USA
Nikonians Team Member

I find myself going back and forth with the grip on or off. Now that I have L-plates for both the grip and the camera only, I don't really worry about it as long as I'm not out all day its not too bad.

Really wondering how I'd handle fast f/2.8 lenses without a sherpa.

Anthony

The Moderator Page and My Gallery
The important things in life are simple; the simple things are hard.

Anthony,

Lugging around my D700/80-200 f/2.8 combo gets to be a chore before much time passes. I definitely would not want to do it having to endure the additional bulk and weight of the grip. I prefer not to consign myself to the role of being a beast of burden!

Bob