D70 3rd Party Grip REVIEW by ParkertR

[Beachboy]

Good job parker

so u buying ?

 

[Gymrat76]

Eh, no lar... think I'll wait for D200 ;p

No permission to buy new photography equipment at the moment :cry:

 

[Beachboy]

Eh, no lar... think I'll wait for D200 ;p

No permission to buy new photography equipment at the moment :cry:

if the grip have (half press) then i will buy............ i also waitting for D200 ;p

 

[MachewFoto]

I have been using Energizer e2 Lithium AA batteries with digital cameras for years and I have found that they always outperform NIMh rechargeables and regular AA batteries. I recently received a Jenis grip marketed by Opteka and I was dismayed when I inserted 6 fresh lithium batteries and my D70 let me know that the battery was low after just taking 1-3 pictures, I can usually take a couple more if I remove the batteries from the grip for a few seconds and reinsert them, but this gets pretty annoying. I have tried normal AA batteries and another 6 lithium batteries with the same results. I had a little more luck when I made sure the "On-Off" switch for the vertical shutter release was turned off and I took 20-30 pictures before the battery meter showed that the battery was low. Do you think this is a problem with just my grip or are other people having similar problems with the Jenis grip? I would try NIMh batteries, but I really don't want to deal with charging yet another type of battery. My grip works great with 1-2 EN-EL3 batteries. Has anyone else had this experience with the AA batteries?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[ParkertR]

lotsa people are having that problem. APparently they work with NiMH batteries within the range of 1500-1700 mAH

 

[MachewFoto]

Thanks for the info on the NiMH batteries. I'm shocked that the lithiums don't work. I did read that you were supposed to use NiMH batteries in the manual, but I've never heard of NiMHs doing anything better than the lithium batteries that I swear by... I refuse to charge anything but EN-EL3s on my upcoming trip to Alaska (I hate charging NiMHs). Thanks for your replies, we should make sure that Nikonians know that you have to use NiMHs with this grip and that normal AAs do not work well.

Matt

 

[WHH]

I have been using Energizer e2 Lithium AA batteries with digital cameras for years and I have found that they always outperform NIMh rechargeables and regular AA batteries. I recently received a Jenis grip marketed by Opteka and I was dismayed when I inserted 6 fresh lithium batteries and my D70 let me know that the battery was low after just taking 1-3 pictures, I can usually take a couple more if I remove the batteries from the grip for a few seconds and reinsert them, but this gets pretty annoying. I have tried normal AA batteries and another 6 lithium batteries with the same results. I had a little more luck when I made sure the "On-Off" switch for the vertical shutter release was turned off and I took 20-30 pictures before the battery meter showed that the battery was low. Do you think this is a problem with just my grip or are other people having similar problems with the Jenis grip? I would try NIMh batteries, but I really don't want to deal with charging yet another type of battery. My grip works great with 1-2 EN-EL3 batteries. Has anyone else had this experience with the AA batteries?

Thanks,

Matt

At least you can take 20-30 with Normal or Lithium AA batteries.
For mine, 1 shot and the D70 indicate it flat ( using fresh AA Alkaline with vertical shutter release Off )
Had to remove the batt. pack to reset the D70.

At the same time , notice that when using the EN-EL3 in the grip, it drop to one batt. bar faster than when using the batt. inside the D70 body.

It the same for both of mine EN-EL3.

Do you also have the same symptom ?

 

[MachewFoto]

It seems to last awhile with 2 EN-EL3's in the grip, but I havn't had it long enough to thoroughly test it, I will let you know soon. Yes, the first time I put 6 AA lithium batteries in the grip, it went flat after 1-2 pictures. Later, when I tried it with the switch off, I got 20-30 pictures, but I wouldn't trust the AA's in a critical situation. I suppose I'll have to rely on the MS-D70 (3 CR2) lithium battery holder that comes with the D70 instead, besides, they are smaller batteries.

 

[simon80]

My friend tell mi the 3CR2s don work with the grip

 

[ParkertR]

3CR2's work with the camera when put in the grip, they won't power the camera... iirc

 

[ParkertR]

ive got the opteka grips coming in fs at about $185 each mailed next week. basically same manufacturer i think. they'll be listed on my website.

 

[smallaperture]

lotsa people are having that problem. APparently they work with NiMH batteries within the range of 1500-1700 mAH

With digicams, rechargeable batteries are the way to go. Cost effective and environment friendly!

Now, what about those newer NiMH of higher capacities like 2100mAH, which are now getting very common these days. Any problem?

 

[Expiredyoghurt]

With digicams, rechargeable batteries are the way to go. Cost effective and environment friendly!

Now, what about those newer NiMH of higher capacities like 2100mAH, which are
now getting very common these days. Any problem?

only works with 1500-1700mah batts ... 2100mah 1,shot and it shows low batt :S

 

[EdOkH]

Hi parker,
got a few query..
1. im more concerned abt the 2 step shutter from harbortronics. i supposed tts talkin abt the half press triggerin off the autofocus?

Personally im more concerned abt the above... cos if time is on my side, i will use manual focus but if its not... jus wondering how can i use the autofocus if i were to get jenis one??

thz in advance....

 

[ParkertR]

Yo Ed,
according to my tests:

1) the 2 step shutter from harbortronics only works with either D70s or a modified D70. The cable is 70USD and the grip is 165USD.

2) Jenis grip's shutter release. You'll either have to... i) make sure your subject is in the center all the time (focus pt in the center) ii) use closest subject priority. Because the camera will auto-focus before firing.

 

[TrailsofLife]

Hi ParkerTR,

I just bought 6pcs of Sanyo 1600mAH AA batteries. Tried them on after charging. Didn't work... Went flat after just 1 shot.

Any advice? What particular brand to use?

Cheers

 

[ParkertR]

Hi ParkerTR,

I just bought 6pcs of Sanyo 1600mAH AA batteries. Tried them on after charging. Didn't work... Went flat after just 1 shot.

Any advice? What particular brand to use?

Cheers

wooo... sry to hear that man. tell u what, since i've got new stock here... i'll test them out. if it works i'll take yours (in watever condition it is) and exchange 1 for 1. I'll be back this coming weekend and can meet you

 

[zaxh81]

wooo... sry to hear that man. tell u what, since i've got new stock here... i'll test them out. if it works i'll take yours (in watever condition it is) and exchange 1 for 1. I'll be back this coming weekend and can meet you

wow! this is what i called great after sales service. :thumbsup:
where to find.

 

[ParkertR]

wow! this is what i called great after sales service.
where to find.

wooo... thnx for the thumbsup i really appreciate it! hmm what can i say, i do charge a little high, but i stand by my products, even after they're sold. customer satisfaction and trust is a must! yeahh

you can click on my signature below to check out other stuff! *cheers*

meanwhile, upz for this thread! - will post a teaser photo soon. hehe

 

[ParkertR]

I'll be testing this one out soon stay tuned.