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03/11/2015 07:17:08 AM · #1 |
Sorry for all these questions lately about equipment lately, just trying to narrow down to things may be useful and not sure its just an impulse buy kinda of thing LOL
I saw a battery grip and I am wondering if I will even be using them, I rarely shoot in the portrait mode where I flip the camera, only in a few times have I shot that way (waterfalls at yellowstone)
I will be planning on doing the time lapse thing, otherwise its for the wildlife, nature shots and most of all when I start getting into learning and starting macro which is one of my main goals for this year sometime.
Specs of the battery:
Comfort and Control in Vertical Position
Shutter Release Button
AE-Lock, AF, ISO Controls
Exposure Compensation and Green Buttons
Preview Lever and Dual Electronic Dials
Dustproof and Weather-Resistant
I also know this will put on some of the weight to the camera as well.
Portraits is so not going to be me and I won't be touching that genre with a 10 ft poll, so, I know that's one of the reasons to have one.
Do any of you use them for other reasons than portraits and longer exposure shots, battery life? If so what? What do you like or hate about them?
Yes, no maybe so?
Message edited by author 2015-03-11 07:20:00. |
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03/11/2015 07:20:20 AM · #2 |
Makes the camera more effective as an assault weapon.
Plus you'll get more battery life without switching batteries, in case that actually matters to you. |
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03/11/2015 07:38:09 AM · #3 |
No need for yourself, keep your $$ again :)
If you are really desperate to get rid of your money I will accept donations if forced.
Thank you. |
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03/11/2015 07:47:22 AM · #4 |
Given your assessment of your own shooting I would say simply this, "If the camera doesn't feel small in your hands as is then you don't need one".
Now read on if you want my full view on this.
I use them, but only since I started shooting more and more street and people shots. For me it's an indispensable tool when shooting in portrait mode in an area where a flying right elbow can take out a passer-by. Your infrequent use of portrait mode says you don't do this often enough, and in the example you gave of waterfalls I suspect you'll be on a tripod anyway, so it's a moot point. I think that I've actually run a battery down to nothing once while shooting without one, and that's because I didn't prep correctly and started my outing at <25%. If you're out for an all day shoot with one camera, one lens and no bag, it could save you, particularly if you're shooting in Live View - provided you don't want to carry a spare battery in your pocket. Otherwise, battery life has never been a reason for me. My only other reason is pure ergonomics. I have one on my D7100 and my D610, but not my D750. The D750 has a different shape that's more easily "grip-able" for me, so I don't have it (they actually just started shipping the grips for it so the point is sort of moot). The D610 has it because a) I got one in a deal for a D600 so why not use it, and b) I do find it is more comfortable for me with it on. My D7100 gets used for wildlife and normally has a 70-200mm or a 150-500mm lens on it, so the grip balances things a little better.
One word of caution, if you decide to go with one, if you go 3rd party (which will save you 2/3) make sure you read the reviews on compatability and fit, and only use Nikon batteries as 3rd party batteries will generally give you fits. I had a Zeikos grip for my D800 and a Phottix grip on my D7100 and they work fine. I also had a Vello grip for my original D600 and that worked perfectly.
Message edited by author 2015-03-11 07:48:28. |
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03/11/2015 08:02:26 AM · #5 |
| If i were you i wouldn't bother. I'd get a 35mm f1.8 or a 50mm f1.8 instead. |
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03/11/2015 08:19:04 AM · #6 |
I just bring a back up battery and I can shoot all day.
If you know you're going to be pushing the battery life do what Jake  backdoorhippie said "Stay out of live view" He also said DO NOT buy a 3rd party battery.
This is great advice those cheap 3rd party batteries suck.
I also have to agree with rooum if you have some extra cash look at the 50mm 1.8g. WOW what a cracker of a lens. |
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03/11/2015 08:55:40 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by nygold:
I just bring a back up battery and I can shoot all day.
If you know you're going to be pushing the battery life do what Jake backdoorhippie said "Stay out of live view" He also said DO NOT buy a 3rd party battery.
This is great advice those cheap 3rd party batteries suck.
I also have to agree with rooum if you have some extra cash look at the 50mm 1.8g. WOW what a cracker of a lens. |
I have used Sterlingtek batteries extensively in all of my digital cameras with no ill effects. In fact their capacity, both as specified and as observed, typically exceeds the OEM batteries. There are 3rd party batteries out there that are bad, but that's by no means universal.
As to the battery grips, generally, I like them because they make the camera easier to handle and I like the vertical shutter release. I have one for my IR converted 10D and one on my EOS 3. I don't have one for my 5D mkII. |
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03/11/2015 08:58:41 AM · #8 |
| I purchased one once. I used it for about a week then sold it. I was not happy with the extra weight when out on long shoots. This may not apply to you, but it is very much a right handed accessory and I am left handed - never could get used to it. But the weight was the big thing for me - grip, long lens, out walking the the woods for a few hours, just got heavy. I always have at least one and usually two extra batteries in my bag and it is not a problem to switch them. When not carrying the bag, a battery in my pocket was easier than the grip - for me anyway. |
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03/11/2015 09:10:50 AM · #9 |
I have always used battery grips as I have large hands and it's one of the only ways that the cameras have been fully comfortable for me. That said, when my GF annexed my D7000, she took the battery grip off because she likes it better without the extra size & weight.
I have always been very pleased with my OE Nikon batteries, and have not yet ever had one fail.....Every Nikon I have owned since 2006 still has an original battery with it. I have always purchased a spare, and since my D7000, have had the spare in the grip. I do rotate them from the body to the grip periodically. The cost differential doesn't really matter to me as I've never bought one outside of the originals I got with my cameras. If you don't truly want/need the grip for functional reasons, just do as nygold suggests and carry a spare.
The 35/50mm lenses.....beg,borrow, or rent one and see if you like it. I bought one twice trying to use it properly, after all, it's a "Must have" lens according to "everybody". I hate the damn things. I don't get the attraction, it's just not something that works for me. I'm a zoom kind of guy, and perfectly comfortable with that. I drag my camera with me everywhere, and I simply don't find that focal length lens to work for me. I may just simply not be qualified to use the thing, but it's just an opinion......YMMV.
Again, an opinion......but I'd save up for a more current body than that D60.
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03/11/2015 09:12:06 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by CEJ:
I purchased one once. I used it for about a week then sold it. I was not happy with the extra weight when out on long shoots. This may not apply to you, but it is very much a right handed accessory and I am left handed - never could get used to it. But the weight was the big thing for me - grip, long lens, out walking the the woods for a few hours, just got heavy. I always have at least one and usually two extra batteries in my bag and it is not a problem to switch them. When not carrying the bag, a battery in my pocket was easier than the grip - for me anyway. |
Thanks for all the wonderful advice yet again guys, This helps me so much in decisions.
I am also left handed and that is good to know, I did not realize they were specific as far as being right handed or left, and that would be a huge factor for me as well.
Tiny, you crack me up LOL
As for the 50 goes, I have purchased already a 28. There was a chance to do the 50 as well which I can still get if I need one, But I felt the 28 would give me better results than the 50, so would I need both the 28 and the 50 together?
(added) The thing about the 28 is that it is manual focus only..
I plan on getting a Pentax K-3 :-)) Hopefully, have it in hands by the end of next month! I have three prime lenses already I pre-brought as as well as my walk around 18-135 then a 70-300, from a professional in the local area that was getting brand new lenses and he got his new full frame and he was going with some HD primes. :-))
He let me have all four lenses for less than $150.00.
The Pentax will do the things I been wanting to do and it is so comfy in my hands just love it.
I plan on buying from B&H and they have these extra bundles so not sure on which one is the best deal. There will be a few extra batteries brought as well. I am used to having three extra batteries.
Message edited by author 2015-03-11 09:26:19. |
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03/11/2015 09:43:45 AM · #11 |
| The 50mm on your 1.5 crop camera would be a short tele which is ideal for portraits, particularly with the fast aperture. You're not interested in portraits though so it probably is not worth it. I usually recommend the Nikon 35mm f1.8 as a standard for crop cameras as it's a fantastic lens for the price but if you're happy with the 28mm then it probably isn't worth it either. Plus, as Jeb points out, you may be more of a zoom shooter. |
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03/11/2015 10:09:47 AM · #12 |
A battery grip makes your camera more balanced if you're throwing it, and will give you enough battery power to get through that 12 hour, 2500 shot wedding, and allow you to shoot in portrait orientation without sticking your arm up in the air. They also add weight, which isn't a big deal on a little D60, but is a bigger deal with a bigger camera.
I've never cared for them because of the weight. I could see wedding and sports shooters liking them, although the only woman I know who shoots weddings doesn't use one because of the weight. I would consider one for my E-M1, because OMG mirrorless battery life, but I'm trying to go light, so I just carry a pocketful of batteries instead, and change batteries like we used to change film in the old days.
Instead of seeing stuff and asking "would this be good for me", it works better to go shoot for awhile, see what problems you're having, then see what's available to solve that problem.
I agree with Clive. For an APS-C camera, if you don't already have a nifty 50, you should spend your money on that first. |
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03/11/2015 10:51:51 AM · #13 |
Battery grips started life as high speed film winders to enable people to shoot at faster fps. Then someone along the line decided to add a button to make taking vertical photos a lot easier. Now in the age of digital they serve similar and different functions.
1. They give you easier control when shooting vertical photos. For some this the reason for getting a grip. Personally I shoot very few vertical photos, but it is handy when you are.
2. Extra battery power. Your typical DSLR can shoot all day on one battery, two at the most. This alone is not really a reason to get the grip as it's easier to stuff an extra battery in your pocket. I shoot with an Olympus EM-1 and mirrorless cameras are pure hell on batteries. In a typical all day shooting I can go thru 6 to 8 batteries. I am also a wildlife photographer and when watching an animal can easily miss a great shot while changing out batteries. One reason I have the grip on my camera is for battery changes. With the grip on my EM-1 I cannot swap out the battery in the body without taking off the grip. So, I just replace the battery in the grip when it goes dead and I have a break in the action. I can select which battery is used first and always use the grip first. The body battery is used during changes until I can get the spare into the grip. This method allows me to always have battery power to the camera and the body battery will typically last all day (but will be close to out of juice by the end of the day).
3. Better balance of the camera with long lenses. This is the 2nd reason I have the grip on my camera. The EM-1 is pretty small compared to most DSLR's and the grip helps to balance the camera better when using long lenses. As a wildlife photographer I almost always have a long lens attached to the camera and this really does balance things out a lot better. If I want or need to go lighter I can just take it off and I have a smaller and lighter camera.
The "nifty 50" came about during the film days also. It was the lens that typically came with a new SLR camera and was not their top of line 50mm lens. Canon's "nifty 50" was Æ’1.8 but they made much better quality 50mm lenses in Æ’1.4 and Æ’1.2. They became popular because that is what typically came with the camera and were optically really good if not great. Now everyone talks about needing this focal length but in the age of digital and crop sensors do you really want/need a "nifty 50"? While the new ones are pretty good quality and not that expensive they are not as nifty as they once were. The focal length on an APS-C sensor is more a mid-telephoto. If you do a lot of portraits (as in people, not vertical framing) they can make for a great portrait lens that is very affordable. But, that is really the only reason to get one as they really provide a much different field of view from when the whole "nifty 50" came about.
Personally I would look for something the is close in 35mm equivalent to 35mm or 50mm when attached to your camera. For me (shooting a 2x crop sensor) I want a 17.5 and 25 as that will give me the same focal length from my old manual camera film days. Actually I never really liked the 50mm focal length but really loved 35mm. I know everyone talks about how you have to shoot primes but when starting out (especially if on a budget) I think a zoom is a wise investment. Spend some time shooting it (you can if you want set it at a focal length and just shoot that to see how you like the focal length) and then look at your exif data. You may see patterns in focal length and will help you narrow down which quality primes to get. In the end it can save you a lot of money buying and selling primes until you learn what you like.
Ronnie |
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03/11/2015 12:21:38 PM · #14 |
| When I bought my 5D2, I purchased a battery grip at the same time and have always been glad I did. On the rare occasion that I shoot a wedding, I can go all day and never have to worry about battery life. Same story when I'm on vacation, I can have my camera with me all day and never worry about missing shots at the end of the day because my battery died. I have never regretted the purchase. |
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03/11/2015 12:28:24 PM · #15 |
I got a battery grip for my D3200 very soon after getting the camera. Since there is no official Nikon support for a battery grip i opted for an aftermarket one. My main motivation was to extend the camera so it fits in mu hand better. Large hands small camera combination meant that i had two loose fingers at the bottom. The two battery slots were an added bonus. The portrait orientation shutter button was a nice thing to have and, being an aftermarket third party grip, it's not that elegant solution. It has a small cable that does from the grip to the external shutter release port in the camera. I don't use it very often because the cable gets in the way when storing the camera in the bag. Apart from the extra shutter button (of mediocre quality), there are no other controls on the grip.
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03/11/2015 08:51:50 PM · #16 |
Love my battery grip, whether I'm shooting portraits or not. Like smardaz says, you have no worries about battery life with a grip on. Also saves you cranking your wrist around to accommodate a vertical orientation, and I've shot many subjects apart from portraits in vertical.
As it's *plasticky* lightweight Nikon gear, I doubt you would find the weight substantial by any means. FWIW I use only Nikon battery grips, not a fan of third-market gear unless it's really well proven. |
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03/12/2015 10:21:49 AM · #17 |
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03/12/2015 02:18:47 PM · #18 |
have you seen in person a camera with the vertical grip attached, have you handled one ?
to me they look humongous and weight a ton , no way I get one of those things attached to My camera
just my opinion |
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03/12/2015 03:45:43 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by armando_m:
have you seen in person a camera with the vertical grip attached, have you handled one ?
to me they look humongous and weight a ton , no way I get one of those things attached to My camera
just my opinion |
My hand hangs down past the end of my D810 without one. It fits my hand perfectly with it.
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03/12/2015 04:38:31 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by armando_m:
have you seen in person a camera with the vertical grip attached, have you handled one ?
to me they look humongous and weight a ton , no way I get one of those things attached to My camera
just my opinion |
Yes, as a matter of fact I have, the local camera store knows me by name LOL! it didn't bother me too much but I also did not carry it around a long time like I normally do with my camera now, that thing is tied to my hip.
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03/13/2015 03:36:15 AM · #21 |
| Grips can be hugely beneficial, not just for shooting in a portrait format, but also for balancing heavy lenses. I often shoot with my 28-70 2.8 or my 80-200 2.8, both of which are quite heavy, and the advent of a grip really helps to stabilize things from a balance standpoint. |
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03/14/2015 08:12:20 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by armando_m:
have you seen in person a camera with the vertical grip attached, have you handled one ?
to me they look humongous and weight a ton , no way I get one of those things attached to My camera
just my opinion |
If I had a ff camera I don't know if I would still want a grip, as the body is already quite large on ffs, but even so, would adding a grip really add that much extra weight? My grip is on 24/7. I find the weight to be nominal, but to be fair I've never picked up a grip for an 800 or equivalent. |
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03/15/2015 01:50:41 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Originally posted by armando_m:
have you seen in person a camera with the vertical grip attached, have you handled one ?
to me they look humongous and weight a ton , no way I get one of those things attached to My camera
just my opinion |
If I had a ff camera I don't know if I would still want a grip, as the body is already quite large on ffs, but even so, would adding a grip really add that much extra weight? My grip is on 24/7. I find the weight to be nominal, but to be fair I've never picked up a grip for an 800 or equivalent. |
Yup. My D300 grip with EN-EL4 battery (my normal choice) is 402.563g, or .88 lbs for the US folks. Considering my D300 body on its own weighs 825g (no battery/memory card/anything) and a D800 is about 75 grams higher, my grip is adding about 50% of the camera weight on top of where you start.
I don't notice the weight of my grip while shooting. The weight actually helps during that part. I notice it when I'm carrying the thing miles into the backcountry in my pack. For that reason, on faster/lighter climbs etc, I'll take my D300 without the grip and slap my 24mm 2.8 prime on it and carry a 50 1.8 and make due. The weight difference between that setup and the D300/grip+28-70 2.8 is gigantic. That two lens setup is only slightly heavier than the body+grip combo sans lens. If I'm trying to do a DPC entry and need wider, I'll take the Sigma 10-20 but only because of DPC editing standards. In short, yes, depending upon where and how you shoot, the weight is significant for some applications. |
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03/15/2015 11:57:50 AM · #24 |
I was given a battery grip for my Canon 50D as a gift a few years back. I've used it once or twice. Battery life is plenty without it and the grip makes it harder to fit into a bag. Since I've actually been downsizing my camera gear for cycling, it just isn't something I use.
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03/15/2015 12:03:36 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by nygold:
He also said DO NOT buy a 3rd party battery.
This is great advice those cheap 3rd party batteries suck. |
I usually agree, but the batteries I have gotten from Sterlingtek (Recommended by Cory and a few folks on Flickr) have been better than the OEM batteries.
I did just take a chance and ordered some 3rd party batteries through Amazon for my new Micro 4/3 camera. Sterlingtek didn't have the ones I needed and the Olympus batteries are much pricier. I did read the user reviews and ratings carefully, however.
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