Well... after reading counltess reviews and post's on the D800, just minutes ago I sprang for a new D800e and the MD-12 grip from B&H. I'm sure I'll be using my tripod alot more with this camera than I do with my D3s. My tripod is set up with a RRS BH-55 ball head and I use an L-plate on the D3s. I've been reading over the D800 post's and I've seen it mentioned that the camrea body isn't quite as stable with the MD-12 grip attached when the camera is mounted on a tripod. So would I be better off ordering an L-plate that is designed for use with out the grip. In other words, I would be using the grip while shooting with the camera hand held, then when I use the tripod, take the grip off an put the L-plate directly on the camrea body then mount the L-plate to the ball head. I think there would be less stress on the grip then as well, from what I've gathered the grip isn't that substantial of a peice to begin with. Kind of a bummer for the price Nikon gets for the thing. So from those of you who use the MD-12 grip, what are your thoughts?

Thanks Jim H.

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I have no problems with respect to stability when the MB-D12 is mounted to my D800. Absolutely rock solid, there is zero play, much better than I have experienced with some other body/grip combinations.

That said, for me stability is king in certain situations. When I am creating panoramics with my RRS PG-02 kit I take the grip off just to remove that little bit of possible vibration.

I do have a standard plate for my MB-D12 (not an L-plate) for 'light-duty' tripod work for times that I don't want to take the grip off.

I have the same setup, D800 with MD-12. I've got the RRS L bracket on mine and when I put it on my BH-55 head it's rock solid, no movement or play at all.

I have the RRS L-plate for D800 with MB-D12 attached. No instability issues, solid. The only issue I don't like is that the access panel to the ports doesn't stay open 90 degrees. Still accessible though luckily it's rubber so there is flexibility.

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Using D800 and MD-12. Have 2 RRS brackets one for use with MD-12, and one for use without (for travel & backpacking). Both configurations are solid.

> I
>think there would be less stress on the grip then as well,
>from what I've gathered the grip isn't that substantial of a
>peice to begin with. Kind of a bummer for the price Nikon gets
>for the thing. So from those of you who use the MD-12 grip,
>what are your thoughts?

The Nikon grip has a mag-alloy frame wrapped in rubber, and features the usual high quality findings. There are plenty of lightweight, third-party grips out there and complaints about them are all over the place. Some of the third-party grips don't lock up solidly with the camera body, but the actual Nikon grip locks up extremely well.

There's also plenty of user error out there, mainly because even slight overtightening of some third-party grips can break the tightening wheel. Some of the third-party grips are poorly machined and poorly molded, which leaves gaps between surfaces that should be fully flush. Again, the actual Nikon grip has no such problems - it locks up properly and can tolerate the appropriate amount of torque on the tightening wheel so that the grip feels like a unit with the camera body.

As good as it is, the Nikon grip is still too expensive. It's ridiculously expensive IMO. Some people are reporting a very good fit with some of the third-party grips, but variations in quality are huge and far too many of them fail right out of the box.

Best to try a grip in the store, to see how well it locks up to your camera. It's just too bad that so few stores carry any of the third-party grips. Direct comparisons are always best. My advice is that if you're in doubt about any accessory like this, especially considering the stupidly high price of the real Nikon grip, don't spend a penny on any of them without first trying out the one you prefer to ensure it's as solid a fit as you need it to be.

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I hardly use a tripod because mine is not as stable as the D800 needs it to be. It is perfect for my D7000 due to light weight but the quality of the tripod really shows good or bad on a D800.
I think the only bodies that are up to the stability needs of higher res cameras would be the D4 or D3s with integrated grip. The MD-12 is not that solid, nor can any grip be because there is only one connection point beside the locator pin. That is good enough for the D700 or lower res but before committing to l-plate I would suggest trying it with and without the grip and see if you can get away with leaving the grip on.
My next big expense, since I have pretty much filled up my bag with good lenses is to get a good tripod. Anything less rigid than a Gitzo 3 Series could be problematic with a D800e
Stan
St Petersburg Russia

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>I hardly use a tripod because mine is not as stable as the
>D800 needs it to be. It is perfect for my D7000 due to light
>weight but the quality of the tripod really shows good or bad
>on a D800.
>I think the only bodies that are up to the stability needs of
>higher res cameras would be the D4 or D3s with integrated
>grip. The MD-12 is not that solid, nor can any grip be because
>there is only one connection point beside the locator pin.
>That is good enough for the D700 or lower res but before
>committing to l-plate I would suggest trying it with and
>without the grip and see if you can get away with leaving the
>grip on.
>My next big expense, since I have pretty much filled up my bag
>with good lenses is to get a good tripod. Anything less rigid
>than a Gitzo 3 Series could be problematic with a D800e
>Stan
>St Petersburg Russia

Visit
>my
>Nikonians gallery>.

>Stan, the MD-12 has four points of connection to the camera
>body. It's got the thumbwheel with the screw, to the left of
>it is a metal pin that inserts into the body, it has the
>electrical connection and in front of it is a plastic pin that
>inserts into the body. It's very solid.

I'd also add that the Nikon grip, unlike many of the third-party grips, uses parts that are carefullly machined and molded to fit perfectly flush with mating surfaces. Also unlike many of the third-party grips, the Nikon grip's internal alloy frame doesn't warp when high mounting torque is applied to the screw assembly.

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It does not have 4 points of support, the connector is not a support, the locating pin is a locating pin so has no support function. It has a single screw that is the attach point and securing point. I have one here now I am repairing for the owner and have used them often enough to see the non-rigitity of the mounting, fine for what it was designed for, hand holding in the vertical orientation but not as a spacer between a body and tripod. The additional height and wind loading caused by that spacer is enough to cause noticeable shake on the D800.
Why invest in a super rigid support if the plan is to intentionally compromise it by changing the center of gravity of the camera, wind loading and the moment arm?
That is why I suggested to the OP to try it in realistic conditions, maybe his needs are not critical or shoots only indoors with faster shutter speeds
Stan
St Petersburg Russia

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>It does not have 4 points of support, the connector is not a
>support, the locating pin is a locating pin so has no support
>function. It has a single screw that is the attach point and
>securing point. I have one here now I am repairing for the
>owner and have used them often enough to see the non-rigitity
>of the mounting, fine for what it was designed for, hand
>holding in the vertical orientation but not as a spacer
>between a body and tripod. The additional height and wind
>loading caused by that spacer is enough to cause noticeable
>shake on the D800.
>Why invest in a super rigid support if the plan is to
>intentionally compromise it by changing the center of gravity
>of the camera, wind loading and the moment arm?
>That is why I suggested to the OP to try it in realistic
>conditions, maybe his needs are not critical or shoots only
>indoors with faster shutter speeds
>Stan
>St Petersburg Russia

Visit
>my
>Nikonians gallery>.

It just shows that don't really believe what you read on the web.
I have used D800e with the grip on tripod and it is just as stable as any other camera I have. All my cameras have grips, OEM and third party.
No problem at all.

OK guy's...

Thanks to all for chiming in. I'm glad to here that the Nikon grip is "rock solid" as some would say. I thought I read a few post were the people were disappointed in the quality and firmness of the Nikon grip, not just the third party grips.

I belive "km6xz" does have a point though. Eliminating the grip when mounting the camrea on a tripod would give a more stable platform. Some say it isn't necessary and could be correct, which is just going to make my decision on which RRS L-plate to purchase a little tougher. I'm certainly not going to get both. I'll have to figure how much of a hassle it would be in the field to take the grip off, stowe it and then attach the plate to the camera body. I guess if I'm going through all the hassle of lugging my tripod around, it would be worth a little extra effort to make the most of it.

Thanks again for the replies. I'm glad to here the Nikon battery grip is a descent piece of hardware. Still wayyyy over priced.
Jim H.

"Things are'nt always quite as cherry, as they first seem"

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