For those with Dxxx type cameras with a grip (as I don't know if anyone has gotten the D800 yet?)... why?

I ask because I have never held a Dxxx camera with a grip (nor a Dx camera without, which I gather is similar). But I've seen so many posts lamenting the lack of D800 grips available so far and/or their price.

I realize they provide more shots without battery change, I realize they provide faster speed (in crop mode only on the D800 though I think), and I realize they provide a different feel to the camera.

But what is the thing(s) that make a difference to you. For me the first two don't matter, and I have no clue about the last until I can put one in my hand.

Is it the feel? Or do you need the other features?

What is it that makes it worth the rather large price? Am I missing something? (Literal not rhetorical question).


Comments welcomed on pictures: Http://captivephotons.com

>For those with Dxxx type cameras with a grip (as I don't know
>if anyone has gotten the D800 yet?)... why?




>I ask because I have never held a Dxxx camera with a grip (nor
>a Dx camera without, which I gather is similar). But I've
>seen so many posts lamenting the lack of D800 grips available
>so far and/or their price.

Well, the grip is integral to a Dx camera so...


>I realize they provide more shots without battery change, I
>realize they provide faster speed (in crop mode only on the
>D800 though I think), and I realize they provide a different
>feel to the camera.

Very different feel.


>But what is the thing(s) that make a difference to you. For
>me the first two don't matter, and I have no clue about the
>last until I can put one in my hand.

Well, if you don't have a compelling reason in your photography to add the weight and cost of a grip, then you really shouldn't be bothering with it. But for some of us, it's VERY important.


>Is it the feel? Or do you need the other features?

For me, it's both usually, though sometimes just the feel.


>What is it that makes it worth the rather large price? Am I
>missing something? (Literal not rhetorical question).

Perhaps you are not missing anything. Or perhaps much. So I will offer this. Take whatever camera you have. Orient the camera into portrait mode. Take 10-20 shots a minute for 45 minutes without moving your hand from this position. Congratulations you have just shot one half of a soccer match.

Alternately, put your camera into the portrait position again, take 30 shots per minute, and a 30 second break each minute, for a total of 4 hours. Congratulations, you have just shot a basic fashion shoot.

Let me know how this works out for you, I'd be curious.

------
Webpage: http://www.ptfphoto.com

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

>Alternately, put your camera into the portrait position again,
>take 30 shots per minute, and a 30 second break each minute,
>for a total of 4 hours. Congratulations, you have just shot a
>basic fashion shoot.
>
>Let me know how this works out for you, I'd be curious.

Well, besides probably having too much ADHD to do anything for 4 hours....

That's really what I am asking. Without ever trying a grip, it does not seem like it is more effort holding a camera in portrait mode than landscape. So is that the big win? It's more comfortable to hold for long periods in portrait mode (despite the added weight)?

Oh, for the days of good local camera stores, where one could try things out....

Comments welcomed on pictures: Http://captivephotons.com

>That's really what I am asking. Without ever trying a grip,
>it does not seem like it is more effort holding a camera in
>portrait mode than landscape.

Have you tried it? It's a carpal tunnel NIGHTMARE. Look at the angle your wrist takes when you place the camera in portrait mode. Do you want to do that day in, day out, 40 hours a week? I don't shoot that much, but many pros do.

I know my hang goes numb in about 30-35 minutes of shooting my D7000 WITH the grip. Takes about an hour of straight shooting on my D800 without the grip. On the Dx cameras, it's never an issue.


>So is that the big win? It's
>more comfortable to hold for long periods in portrait mode
>(despite the added weight)?

For me, yes, it is that big of a win. The added weight means nothing as I am generally on a monopod for sports work, and for fashion work, I get mini-breaks where I am adjusting the model, or lights, or something else.


>Oh, for the days of good local camera stores, where one could
>try things out....

My local Best Buy has everything I'd want except the pro bodies. Works for me.

------
Webpage: http://www.ptfphoto.com

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

>>That's really what I am asking. Without ever trying a
>grip,
>>it does not seem like it is more effort holding a camera
>in
>>portrait mode than landscape.
>
>Have you tried it? It's a carpal tunnel NIGHTMARE. Look at
>the angle your wrist takes when you place the camera in
>portrait mode. Do you want to do that day in, day out, 40
>hours a week? I don't shoot that much, but many pros do.

OK, thanks. That's what I was trying to find out. It's a comfort/endurance thing then.

>For me, yes, it is that big of a win. The added weight means
>nothing as I am generally on a monopod for sports work, and
>for fashion work, I get mini-breaks where I am adjusting the
>model, or lights, or something else.

And again, thanks. I guess my difference is I do this for fun, so when I get tired I stop. Though probably 70% of the time I've got a 200-400 on the camera, so the tiresome portion has nothing to do with portrait vs. landscape.

But thanks, this gives me a much better idea of what I'm missing.

>>Oh, for the days of good local camera stores, where one
>could
>>try things out....
>
>My local Best Buy has everything I'd want except the pro
>bodies. Works for me.

MIne never has anything but real low end stuff. I did get my D800 at one, but I had to drive a LONG way to get one that had it. They closed two nearby Ritz. My one saving is that I spend time in Chicago and can stop by Calumet occasionally.


Comments welcomed on pictures: Http://captivephotons.com

There are many advantages:
Lighter finger grip needed in either orientation which smooths release, lowers fatigue and adds stability.
Arms and elbows tucked tight to the body for higher stability, adds a stop in lower speed for acceptable camera shake.
Allows critical adjustments easily while your eye is at the VF since both command wheels, AF-On, and multi-selector are in normal positions in either orientations.
Reduces perceived weight of the rig and lowers muscle fatigue in both orientations.
The most important reason is that it just feels better in the hand.

The extra battery is nice but not as beneficial as the above reasons to have a grip.
Some one on another from suggested his reason for having one is that "chicks dig it, think I'm a pro who will get them a modeling contract"

Stan
St Petersburg Russia

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

>Some one on another from suggested his reason for having one
>is that "chicks dig it, think I'm a pro who will get them
>a modeling contract"



Because as we all know, there's nothing that attracts women like having a camera around your neck.

Well, except maybe a pocket protector.


Comments welcomed on pictures: Http://captivephotons.com

In my somewhat extensive experience in such matters, I have found that the only thing that beats a Ferrari Enzo for meeting ladies is a really small dog or a really big lens.

200 2.0 do not need house training.
Stan
St Petersburg Russia

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Hi Stan,

I don't understand this comment:
"...adds a stop in lower speed for acceptable camera shake."

Please explain.

JDT

Honestly, I hate the grip. I only use it for 2 reasons: when I travel I like having both batteries available for use and for the vertical orientation shutter button. But I take it off whenever I can.

I would want it for the extra battery to be able not to worry of my battery running out at a wedding and its lots easier to hold in portrait position but there is no way I will ever pay $400 for a grip that don't even add fps in fx mode. This Nikon grip is not worth one cent over $150.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit Windsor wedding photographer.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

I like it for vertical shots, so I don't have to reach around the camera to get to the shutter release. The extra weight helps stabilize the camera. It raises the eye level on a tripod, which is nice, since I'm 6' tall. I don't have to slave over battery maintenance, charging them all the time.

Scott Chapin
Powder Springs, GA, USA
Nikonians Team Member

Biggest reason for me is I'm a left eye shooter. This means when I hand hold (most the time) and my shutter speed is getting skinny, I can burry the bottom left corner into my shoulder and pick up at least a stop. Second is vertical shooting.

Im a right eye shooter and do that on occasion as well.

Scott Chapin
Powder Springs, GA, USA
Nikonians Team Member

It helps improve balance when using heavy lenses.

Shoot nature with respect and don't trample it or startle its inhabitants.

In descending order of importance:
- vertical buttons
- faster frame rate
- larger camera to hold (big hands)
- longer battery usage

When I want a smaller body, I can remove the grip.

The grips do not require batteries to work the buttons, so I can save on weight when I don't need the faster frame rate.

---------+---------+---------+---------+
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,
17-55mm f/2.8 DX, 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR, 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 DX

Well LF, while more shots without changing batteries for you and a faster speed on continuous shooting are unimportant for you, they are important to many of us.

Moreover, I wouldn't describe having a grip gives a different feel to the camera, but a different utility, which I'll explain.

If I may, I'm going to go through the reason I use a grip, one by one.

• I'm primarily a travel photographer. I can easily take a couple of thousand shots per day, sometimes many more. If I use the small battery which goes in the camera, I have to change batteries, and it's invariably at the wrong time, so I prefer the grip and its larger battery.
  
• I shoot a lot of wildlife, and also events. Shooting continuously at high speed can help a lot. Moreover, when I'm shooting a crowd shot for a travel layout, etc., being able to rapidly take many photos pays off in having a shot where the majority of people in the crowd look "right."
  
• While I shoot the majority of my work in landscape orientation, I do a lot of work in portrait orientation too. I can't tell you how much having the grip's controls and shutter release for portrait orientation helps, not just for ease of access, but to hold the camera/lens steady, especially when you're handholding with a larger and heavier lens.
  
• Finally, the feel question you alluded to must be answered. There are two size issues with which the grip helps photographers. The first is weight. I really don't like the balance and heft of the camera when you've got a longer lens on it and are handholding. The 70-200mm is a perfect example of a lens for which I find the balance of the camera is superior with the grip, and the heft or weight added by the grip helps keep everything steady.
  
  The second issue is the physical size of the camera. I find the height of the camera too short for my taste. I don't have large hands, and I think those with large hands would find the extra height even more useful than I do. With my finger on the shutter release, the palm of my right hand rests against the grip. That's really helpful in keeping the camera/lens steady.
  

I bought a Nikon MB-D11 for my D7000, but I almost never use it. I don't like the extra size and weight. I feel like it defeats the purpose of buying a smaller body like the D7000. Just my opinion.

Sirraj

It's all personal preference and what works for each individual photographer. There is no right or wrong answer, or right or wrong use or technique about this.

Ned
A Nikonians Team Member

-----------------------------
Visit my Travel Photography Blog and my Galleries.