Beware ...some shops tactics - A1 Grip

[sulhan]

Hi Guys/Gals....

Just be forewarned that the Minolta A1 Grip can run on One Battery(the original battery) inspite of it having two slots.

Some shops may fool potential buyer in convincing them to buy one more battery to fill the two slots ...

Argument - because the AA battery holder fills up two compartments at one go.
They may convince you to buy another one......costing $120++.

Just be extra careful.

Here is the photo taken from Steve-Digicam,

regards,
Sulhan

 

[megaweb]

I think it would be better if you post a picture of A1 Grip

 

[frisky]

I think it would be better if you post a picture of A1 Grip

Sounds like a good idea. Although I can understand what Sulhan warning is about, I still cannot visualize the battery compartments.......

OT: Does anyone find the A1 grip rather huge?

 

[sulhan]

Hiee..


Added the photo ...


Yes the vertical grip is BIG.....but it comfortably balance when taking portrait with flash.....

rgds,
me

 

[AReality]

So there's actually no metallic connection point for the hole on the right?

 

[Larry]

actually, isn't that the same tactic they use for the Canon D60/10D grips? you should be able to just use one battery with those cams only...

 

[sulhan]

Hiee..

This BP-400 is designed to used either one or two battery pack(the one supplied with camera) - Hence the two slots.

One Battery about 300-350 shots.....so with two battery will last twice the life.

As for the AA size pack.....you can use 6 batteries to fill up the whole pack in replacement of the Minolta Batttery Pack.

Some shops seem to tell potential buyers (those who know nuts about this grip)...that they need two Minolta batteries to use the grip.

SO just be extra careful....

regards,
Sulhan

 

[Dennis]

One more warning the battery grip can only use the lithium batteries or Alkaline AA batteries not NIMh AA batteries.

 

[frisky]

One more warning the battery grip can only use the lithium batteries or Alkaline AA batteries not NIMh AA batteries.

You are kidding........

 

[sulhan]

......fyi....

The batteries that can be used are...

- 1 or 2 NP-400 lithium ion
- 6 AA- Alkaline
- 6 AA Ni-Mh

AA- lithium,carbon-zinc or nickel zinc should not be used.
Regards,
me

 

[TME]

Hi Guys/Gals....

Just be forewarned that the Minolta A1 Grip can run on One Battery(the original battery) inspite of it having two slots.

Some shops may fool potential buyer in convincing them to buy one more battery to fill the two slots ...

Argument - because the AA battery holder fills up two compartments at one go.
They may convince you to buy another one......costing $120++.

Just be extra careful.

Here is the photo taken from Steve-Digicam,

regards,
Sulhan

Sulhan, it took me quite a while to figure out what u were trying to say....... this info is important for people who are thinking of buying the A1 but have never seen the thing before... must explain a bit more........ so I think u should indicate on the pic u posted that the battery pack is shown and is the one that is sticking in the battery compartmen of the battery grip under the camera. The extra slot referred to is the one next to the battery pack (the empty space) - which makes it look as if the grip was designed to use 2 packs at once (which I dun understand why Minolta did not design it as such in the first place). What is displayed outside the camera standing vertically with 4 slots is the holder for AA batteries. Phew!

 

[sulhan]

Hi All...


This BP-400 is designed to used either one or two battery pack (the one supplied with camera) - Hence the two slots.

One Battery can last for about 300-350 shots.....so with two battery will last twice the life. They designed in such away that two battery pack (NP-400) can be used at one go to achieve a longer battery life for more shots.

In the photo, the NP-400 battery pack is in the camera and the empty slot on the right is for another NP-400 if one decides to use 2 at a time.

The AA battery holder (part of the package) is the one standing on the right ....(hopefully its obvious).
When you use the NP-400 battery, you can't use the AA pack.....so its one or the other.

As for the AA size pack.....you can use 6 batteries to fill up the whole pack in replacement of the Minolta Batttery Pack.

Some shops seem to tell potential buyers (those who know nuts about this grip)...that they need two Minolta batteries to use the grip.


The batteries that can be used are...

- 1 or 2 NP-400 lithium ion
- 6 AA- Alkaline
- 6 AA Ni-Mh

AA- lithium,carbon-zinc or nickel zinc should not be used.

regards,
me

 

[frisky]

Hi Frisky....i think you got things mixed up....

The batteries that can be used are...

- 1 or 2 NP-400 lithium ion
- 6 AA- Alkaline
- 6 AA Ni-Mh

AA- lithium,carbon-zinc or nickel zinc should not be used.

Er, Sulhan, think it is dennis who posted that.
I am stating my disbelief......

 

[Dennis]

Yes sorry about the NiMh batteries, the manual did state that it can be used but because I tested it the other day with 6 NiMh batteries and it did not even start up. 1 of my battery may be low in charge but it definitely have some charge on all 6. Not tested fully, will come back after I have the time to test. Maybe it does not work so well because of the voltage.

 

[Helbreath]

i was john 3:16 yesterday and i saw someone buying a A1. When he mentioned a spare battery, the sales person suggested the grip to use AA batteries as the NP-400 lithium ion batteries are expensive at 100+ and there is no oem ones yet

 

[frisky]

BTW, how much is this grip?

 

[TME]

i was john 3:16 yesterday and i saw someone buying a A1. When he mentioned a spare battery, the sales person suggested the grip to use AA batteries as the NP-400 lithium ion batteries are expensive at 100+ and there is no oem ones yet

I think u mean 3rd party batteries right? OEM NP-400 lithiums would refer ot the Minolta ones that u buy with the camera.

 

[forbytes]

BTW, how much is this grip?

grip $180. Comes with hand strap. Grip contains only shutter button and nothing else. Carries either 2 NP-400 or 6 AA batteries.

 

[frisky]

grip $180. Comes with hand strap. Grip contains only shutter button and nothing else. Carries either 2 NP-400 or 6 AA batteries.

Er, do you mean AA holder are extras?

 

[sulhan]

Hi Frisk...

Here are all the stuff in the package...+ manuals

Prices range from $165 to $200 ....go bargain hunt....got this info from friends...
lowest price normally are packaged parice..


rgds,
me