Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[P.J. Alling]

OK, so that's not really a question.

I've been contemplating getting one for my K-5II.  Now I had an 
opportunity to buy one from same source as the camera, at a very good 
price I might add, but passed as I didn't see a pressing need. But as I 
get older and less steady, I can't help to think that vertical shots 
would be easier to hold steady with a vertical grip and shutter button, 
not to mention the extra battery power and ability to use AA batteries 
in a pinch.


The official Pentax grip, is still kind of expensive, so I've been 
looking at third party grips.  I know probably none of them are weather 
sealed, but the prices of some a certainly attractive.


First question has anyone here used one?

Second question was it any good?

There are several brands, are there any known differences between them, 
(not that I expect a real answer to that), it would be nice if a 
magazine like Pop Photo did a comparison, (anybody else remember when 
they used to do stuff like that)?


So that last one wasn't really a question.

I guess my assumption is they're all manufactured in the same factory in 
China, possibly from the official molds, or close copies, sourced from 
there by a variety of distributes, but maybe I'm wrong.


Hell prices range on Amazon from as low as about $30 to as high as 4 
times that, and at any price point they might throw in a of battery or 
two both battery trays and a charger.


Feedback is all over the place, none seem to be perfect, but then 
neither is the official grip.


I guess I'm kind of looking for information, that I trust more than the 
usual amazon feedback.



--
I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve 
immortality through not dying.
-- Woody Allen


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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[Paul Sorenson]

I bought one of the third party grips from Amazon and had no trouble with it. 
Sold it to Mark Roberts when I got a K-3. 

-p

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 28, 2016, at 10:28 AM, P.J. Alling  wrote:
> 
> OK, so that's not really a question.
> 
> I've been contemplating getting one for my K-5II.  Now I had an opportunity 
> to buy one from same source as the camera, at a very good price I might add, 
> but passed as I didn't see a pressing need. But as I get older and less 
> steady, I can't help to think that vertical shots would be easier to hold 
> steady with a vertical grip and shutter button, not to mention the extra 
> battery power and ability to use AA batteries in a pinch.
> 
> The official Pentax grip, is still kind of expensive, so I've been looking at 
> third party grips.  I know probably none of them are weather sealed, but the 
> prices of some a certainly attractive.
> 
> First question has anyone here used one?
> 
> Second question was it any good?
> 
> There are several brands, are there any known differences between them, (not 
> that I expect a real answer to that), it would be nice if a magazine like Pop 
> Photo did a comparison, (anybody else remember when they used to do stuff 
> like that)?
> 
> So that last one wasn't really a question.
> 
> I guess my assumption is they're all manufactured in the same factory in 
> China, possibly from the official molds, or close copies, sourced from there 
> by a variety of distributes, but maybe I'm wrong.
> 
> Hell prices range on Amazon from as low as about $30 to as high as 4 times 
> that, and at any price point they might throw in a of battery or two both 
> battery trays and a charger.
> 
> Feedback is all over the place, none seem to be perfect, but then neither is 
> the official grip.
> 
> I guess I'm kind of looking for information, that I trust more than the usual 
> amazon feedback.
> 
> 
> -- 
> I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve 
> immortality through not dying.
> -- Woody Allen
> 
> 
> -- 
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> PDML@pdml.net
> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow 
> the directions.

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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[P.J. Alling]

Do you remember the brand*

*He asked, while hoping that it might make a difference.

On 1/28/2016 11:52 AM, Paul Sorenson wrote:

I bought one of the third party grips from Amazon and had no trouble with it. 
Sold it to Mark Roberts when I got a K-3.

-p

Sent from my iPad


On Jan 28, 2016, at 10:28 AM, P.J. Alling  wrote:

OK, so that's not really a question.

I've been contemplating getting one for my K-5II.  Now I had an opportunity to 
buy one from same source as the camera, at a very good price I might add, but 
passed as I didn't see a pressing need. But as I get older and less steady, I 
can't help to think that vertical shots would be easier to hold steady with a 
vertical grip and shutter button, not to mention the extra battery power and 
ability to use AA batteries in a pinch.

The official Pentax grip, is still kind of expensive, so I've been looking at 
third party grips.  I know probably none of them are weather sealed, but the 
prices of some a certainly attractive.

First question has anyone here used one?

Second question was it any good?

There are several brands, are there any known differences between them, (not 
that I expect a real answer to that), it would be nice if a magazine like Pop 
Photo did a comparison, (anybody else remember when they used to do stuff like 
that)?

So that last one wasn't really a question.

I guess my assumption is they're all manufactured in the same factory in China, 
possibly from the official molds, or close copies, sourced from there by a 
variety of distributes, but maybe I'm wrong.

Hell prices range on Amazon from as low as about $30 to as high as 4 times 
that, and at any price point they might throw in a of battery or two both 
battery trays and a charger.

Feedback is all over the place, none seem to be perfect, but then neither is 
the official grip.

I guess I'm kind of looking for information, that I trust more than the usual 
amazon feedback.


--
I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve 
immortality through not dying.
-- Woody Allen


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--
I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve 
immortality through not dying.
-- Woody Allen


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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[Stanley Halpin]

I’ve bought the Pentax battery grip for every APS-C Pentax I’ve owned. I can’t 
speak to the Pentax vs. off-brand, but I know Bob Sullivan and IIRC one or two 
others here have used other-than-Pentax with no issues.

As to whether the grip is a good thing in general…

1. I don’t find battery life that much of an issue. And carrying a spare 
battery takes up a lot less room in the bag than carrying the grip.
2. Being able to use AA’s is cool. One of these days I may be able to find the 
AA insert and finally get around to trying out that feature. Never have done 
that on any of the gripped bodies I’ve owned.
3. If you shoot much vertical, then you’ll find the grip to be very 
comfortable. When you use it. When shooting “fast action” such as birds at a 
feeder or a developing scene on the street I often switch back and forth from 
horizontal to vertical. And maintain my hold on the body rather than switching 
back and forth from body to grip. If I am doing a long sequence of verticals, 
then at some point I realize that there is a better way and move my hand down 
to the vertical grip.
4. Actually, from the beginning of my Pentax DSLR adventure, I have liked using 
the battery grip because the body alone is a bit small for my hand, the grip 
gives a more comfortable feel even when shooting horizontal mode.
5. If you shoot much vertical and if you shoot much with tripod, you’ll have a 
real challenge finding an L-bracket for the K-5 to begin with. An L-bracket for 
the K-5 + grip is barely possible with a kludgy eBay generic L-bracket. All 
things considered, if I am shooting macro I take the grip off so as to be able 
to use a better fitting more solid L-bracket to simplify switching back and 
forth between horizontal and vertical.
6. The dual controls can be a pain. Somehow, the way I carry my camera+grip 
when walking has the lower right rear corner brushing against my clothing.  
Which can turn the On-Off switch to On. And it is not that hard to brush 
against one of the shutter release buttons. Electrons are cheaper than film 
was, but still those inadvertent shots are a nuisance. And a more fundamental 
issue is that if the grip’s On-Off is not thoroughly in the Off position, then 
you can get a camera freeze when you try to turn on the camera from the body 
switch.
7. With grip in place, you of course cannot change the battery in the body. You 
can set the preference to work from the grip’s battery first, trying thereby to 
not use the camera’s battery, but you still will frequently need to dismount 
the grip to change out the body’s battery. A bit of a fiddle.

I have listed quite a few negatives related to using a battery grip. However, 
if/when I buy another Pentax APS-C or possibly even a FF someday,(and assuming 
a similar form factor for future bodies) I will buy at the same time the 
matching battery-holder “vertical grip.” On balance, the feel of the camera in 
my hand outweighs the minor nuisances I have outlined.

stan

> On Jan 28, 2016, at 11:28 AM, P.J. Alling  wrote:
> 
> OK, so that's not really a question.
> 
> I've been contemplating getting one for my K-5II.  Now I had an opportunity 
> to buy one from same source as the camera, at a very good price I might add, 
> but passed as I didn't see a pressing need. But as I get older and less 
> steady, I can't help to think that vertical shots would be easier to hold 
> steady with a vertical grip and shutter button, not to mention the extra 
> battery power and ability to use AA batteries in a pinch.
> 
> The official Pentax grip, is still kind of expensive, so I've been looking at 
> third party grips.  I know probably none of them are weather sealed, but the 
> prices of some a certainly attractive.
> 
> First question has anyone here used one?
> 
> Second question was it any good?
> 
> There are several brands, are there any known differences between them, (not 
> that I expect a real answer to that), it would be nice if a magazine like Pop 
> Photo did a comparison, (anybody else remember when they used to do stuff 
> like that)?
> 
> So that last one wasn't really a question.
> 
> I guess my assumption is they're all manufactured in the same factory in 
> China, possibly from the official molds, or close copies, sourced from there 
> by a variety of distributes, but maybe I'm wrong.
> 
> Hell prices range on Amazon from as low as about $30 to as high as 4 times 
> that, and at any price point they might throw in a of battery or two both 
> battery trays and a charger.
> 
> Feedback is all over the place, none seem to be perfect, but then neither is 
> the official grip.
> 
> I guess I'm kind of looking for information, that I trust more than the usual 
> amazon feedback.
> 
> 
> -- 
> I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve 
> immortality through not dying.
> -- Woody Allen
> 
> 
> -- 
> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List
> PDML@pdml.net
> 

Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[Bipin Gupta]

Dear PJ Sir, lots & lots of Pentax original Battery Grips - D-BG4 -
were sold for FREE along with the K-5 IIs & K-5 II.
Todays price at B brand new is $ 79.

The Internet had a news report "where will all these Grips go"? They
were being disposed off pretty cheap. Look up Evil Bay as also other
web sites.

Sir, why buy 3rd Party when the great original stuff is available pretty cheap??

I am keeping mine so that I can get a better price for the K-5 IIs
when I sell it for the Full Frame Pentax DSLR.

Good Luck.
Bipin.

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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[Darren Addy]

I've never had a third party one, but since the K-5 I've always had a
Pentax grip. I don't always have it on my camera, but it does make
vertical shooting more comfortable. The main thing I like is having
the extra battery capacity for longer shooting.

On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 10:28 AM, P.J. Alling
 wrote:
> OK, so that's not really a question.
>
> I've been contemplating getting one for my K-5II.  Now I had an opportunity
> to buy one from same source as the camera, at a very good price I might add,
> but passed as I didn't see a pressing need. But as I get older and less
> steady, I can't help to think that vertical shots would be easier to hold
> steady with a vertical grip and shutter button, not to mention the extra
> battery power and ability to use AA batteries in a pinch.
>
> The official Pentax grip, is still kind of expensive, so I've been looking
> at third party grips.  I know probably none of them are weather sealed, but
> the prices of some a certainly attractive.
>
> First question has anyone here used one?
>
> Second question was it any good?
>
> There are several brands, are there any known differences between them, (not
> that I expect a real answer to that), it would be nice if a magazine like
> Pop Photo did a comparison, (anybody else remember when they used to do
> stuff like that)?
>
> So that last one wasn't really a question.
>
> I guess my assumption is they're all manufactured in the same factory in
> China, possibly from the official molds, or close copies, sourced from there
> by a variety of distributes, but maybe I'm wrong.
>
> Hell prices range on Amazon from as low as about $30 to as high as 4 times
> that, and at any price point they might throw in a of battery or two both
> battery trays and a charger.
>
> Feedback is all over the place, none seem to be perfect, but then neither is
> the official grip.
>
> I guess I'm kind of looking for information, that I trust more than the
> usual amazon feedback.
>
>
> --
> I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve
> immortality through not dying.
> -- Woody Allen
>
>
> --
> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List
> PDML@pdml.net
> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and
> follow the directions.



-- 
Life is too short to put up with bad bokeh.

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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[Matthew Hunt]

On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 4:44 PM, Larry Colen  wrote:

> This brings up a wishlist item on camera bodies and/or grips:
> That they would just machine the arca-swiss mounting grooves into the
> baseplate and left side of the body, with a removeable plastic cover to
> round out the edges when you aren't using it.

Someone's finally listening:
http://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/bravo-olympus.html

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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[Larry Colen]

P.J. Alling wrote:

OK, so that's not really a question.

I've been contemplating getting one for my K-5II. Now I had an
opportunity to buy one from same source as the camera, at a very good
price I might add, but passed as I didn't see a pressing need. But as I
get older and less steady, I can't help to think that vertical shots
would be easier to hold steady with a vertical grip and shutter button,
not to mention the extra battery power and ability to use AA batteries
in a pinch.

The official Pentax grip, is still kind of expensive, so I've been
looking at third party grips. I know probably none of them are weather
sealed, but the prices of some a certainly attractive.

First question has anyone here used one?

Second question was it any good?


I had a third party grip for my K20, and it worked fine. Except that I 
never used it.  They take up a lot of space in the bag, add a bunch of 
mechanical uncertainty to the tripod QR mount, and I've never really 
found that holding my hands at "12 and 6" was that much harder than 
holding them at "three and six".


I would definitely recommend borrowing a grip if you can before shelling 
out money on one.


This brings up a wishlist item on camera bodies and/or grips:
That they would just machine the arca-swiss mounting grooves into the 
baseplate and left side of the body, with a removeable plastic cover to 
round out the edges when you aren't using it.


--
Larry Colen  l...@red4est.com (postbox on min4est)

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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[Carlos R.]

I have a Meike battery grip for my K-7, the K-7/K-5/5II use the same 
grip. Its build quality is quite good and works really well. The only 
difference is that the original Pentax grip is weather sealed, as you 
said, and the aperture and shutter speed wheels turn a bit more smoothly 
in the Pentax DB-G4. But for the price I paid for the Meike (35 euros) 
it is a steal.



El 28/01/2016 a las 17:28, P.J. Alling escribió:

OK, so that's not really a question.

I've been contemplating getting one for my K-5II.  Now I had an
opportunity to buy one from same source as the camera, at a very good
price I might add, but passed as I didn't see a pressing need. But as I
get older and less steady, I can't help to think that vertical shots
would be easier to hold steady with a vertical grip and shutter button,
not to mention the extra battery power and ability to use AA batteries
in a pinch.

The official Pentax grip, is still kind of expensive, so I've been
looking at third party grips.  I know probably none of them are weather
sealed, but the prices of some a certainly attractive.

First question has anyone here used one?

Second question was it any good?

There are several brands, are there any known differences between them,
(not that I expect a real answer to that), it would be nice if a
magazine like Pop Photo did a comparison, (anybody else remember when
they used to do stuff like that)?

So that last one wasn't really a question.

I guess my assumption is they're all manufactured in the same factory in
China, possibly from the official molds, or close copies, sourced from
there by a variety of distributes, but maybe I'm wrong.

Hell prices range on Amazon from as low as about $30 to as high as 4
times that, and at any price point they might throw in a of battery or
two both battery trays and a charger.

Feedback is all over the place, none seem to be perfect, but then
neither is the official grip.

I guess I'm kind of looking for information, that I trust more than the
usual amazon feedback.





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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[Paul]

Don't remember...Mark R could probably tell you.

-p

On 1/28/2016 11:03 AM, P.J. Alling wrote:

Do you remember the brand*

*He asked, while hoping that it might make a difference.

On 1/28/2016 11:52 AM, Paul Sorenson wrote:

I bought one of the third party grips from Amazon and had no trouble
with it. Sold it to Mark Roberts when I got a K-3.

-p

Sent from my iPad


On Jan 28, 2016, at 10:28 AM, P.J. Alling
 wrote:

OK, so that's not really a question.

I've been contemplating getting one for my K-5II.  Now I had an
opportunity to buy one from same source as the camera, at a very good
price I might add, but passed as I didn't see a pressing need. But as
I get older and less steady, I can't help to think that vertical
shots would be easier to hold steady with a vertical grip and shutter
button, not to mention the extra battery power and ability to use AA
batteries in a pinch.

The official Pentax grip, is still kind of expensive, so I've been
looking at third party grips.  I know probably none of them are
weather sealed, but the prices of some a certainly attractive.

First question has anyone here used one?

Second question was it any good?

There are several brands, are there any known differences between
them, (not that I expect a real answer to that), it would be nice if
a magazine like Pop Photo did a comparison, (anybody else remember
when they used to do stuff like that)?

So that last one wasn't really a question.

I guess my assumption is they're all manufactured in the same factory
in China, possibly from the official molds, or close copies, sourced
from there by a variety of distributes, but maybe I'm wrong.

Hell prices range on Amazon from as low as about $30 to as high as 4
times that, and at any price point they might throw in a of battery
or two both battery trays and a charger.

Feedback is all over the place, none seem to be perfect, but then
neither is the official grip.

I guess I'm kind of looking for information, that I trust more than
the usual amazon feedback.


--
I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to
achieve immortality through not dying.
-- Woody Allen


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Being old doesn't seem so old now that I'm old.

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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[P.J. Alling]

Well, that's what I get for only checking Amazon.  That's less one of 
the third party grips they're selling.  Now all I have to do is mentally 
fully justify getting it.



On 1/28/2016 12:15 PM, Bipin Gupta wrote:

Dear PJ Sir, lots & lots of Pentax original Battery Grips - D-BG4 -
were sold for FREE along with the K-5 IIs & K-5 II.
Todays price at B brand new is $ 79.

The Internet had a news report "where will all these Grips go"? They
were being disposed off pretty cheap. Look up Evil Bay as also other
web sites.

Sir, why buy 3rd Party when the great original stuff is available pretty cheap??

I am keeping mine so that I can get a better price for the K-5 IIs
when I sell it for the Full Frame Pentax DSLR.

Good Luck.
Bipin.




--
I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve 
immortality through not dying.
-- Woody Allen


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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[Richard Dell]

I ended up getting both the Pentax grip and a third party ... the 
battery trays interchange nicely,
and my idea was to use the third party "grip" as a charging adapter for 
a set of 6 NiMH batteries

in the AA tray.

I was, however, unhappy with the tray NiMH/internal Lithium mixture, the 
K-5 seemed to to often switch to internal
too quickly, perhaps too much voltage drop in the connections.  I did 
not get the expected battery life.


So now I exclusively use the Lithium tray.  It is nice having the 
internal battery
as a backup ... no fumbling with batteries in the field until you have a 
chance.

I do carry the AA tray loaded with AA lithiums as a backup in my backpack.

Regarding the third party grips ... as I recall there were what looked 
like two different types,
the type I got was almost identical to the Pentax, except for the o-ring 
seals.
See the post by LeDave at 
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/82642-pentax-k7-3rd-party-battery-grip.html


On 1/28/2016 12:32 PM, P.J. Alling wrote:
Well, that's what I get for only checking Amazon.  That's less one of 
the third party grips they're selling.  Now all I have to do is 
mentally fully justify getting it.



On 1/28/2016 12:15 PM, Bipin Gupta wrote:

Dear PJ Sir, lots & lots of Pentax original Battery Grips - D-BG4 -
were sold for FREE along with the K-5 IIs & K-5 II.
Todays price at B brand new is $ 79.

The Internet had a news report "where will all these Grips go"? They
were being disposed off pretty cheap. Look up Evil Bay as also other
web sites.

Sir, why buy 3rd Party when the great original stuff is available 
pretty cheap??


I am keeping mine so that I can get a better price for the K-5 IIs
when I sell it for the Full Frame Pentax DSLR.

Good Luck.
Bipin.







--
Richard Dell


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Re: Question? Battery Grip for K-5II etc.

[Mark Roberts]

Paul Sorenson wrote:

>I bought one of the third party grips from Amazon and had no trouble with it. 
>Sold it to Mark Roberts when I got a K-3. 

Yep. That grip works well. Not *quite* as nicely made as the real
Pentax item – stiffer control wheels and no weather sealing – but it's
fine for me. The only real deficiency is that the DOF preview isn't
activated through the on/off switch like on the genuine Pentax item.
Oh, and the on/off switch works the opposite direction as the real
Pentax grip (and the one on the camera). I thought the grip was
defective till I worked that out!

I use the grip mainly for when I'm shooting with big, heavy lenses.
Just gives my big mitts more to grab onto.
 
-- 
Mark Roberts - Photography & Multimedia
www.robertstech.com





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