Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I was very concerned about buying an off-brand grip because I worried about construction quality. I was inclined to buy the Nikon MB-D10, but at 3 times the price of the Zeikos, it didn't seem to be good value. Other positive reviews here persuaded me to give this Zeikos grip a try, and I couldn't be happier.
The Zeikos is mostly plastic (contrast that with the Nikon MB-D10's magnesium construction), but the grip is the same pleasant texture as the grip material on the D300. The unit screws into the tripod screw mount on the bottom of the camera. You remove the rubber seal on the camera bottom to expose the connectors, and Zeikos even thought to carve out a convenient storage nook for that rubber seal in the grip (it's that little angled section closest to the front of the product image), so it's right there when you decide to go for a shoot without the grip.
The fit is nice and tight, and does not feel like it will break.
I'm wedding and portrait photographer, and shoot some corporate events and the occasional car race. I use a D300 with this grip. For weddings, especially when using the large-ish 70-200mm f/2.8, this grip saves my arm, because I can shoot portrait shots without holding my arm over the top of the camera.
The D300 draws power from the battery in the grip first (edit: this is selectable in camera), and once that's depleted, it switches to the battery in the camera. This is great, because you can then charge the grip battery while continuing to shoot with the camera battery. (edit: if the grip has no battery, it does not function, regardless of the charge of the battery inside the camera body.) And the odds are good the battery from the grip will be fully charged well before you deplete the battery inside the camera.
It offers its own multi-selector right where your thumb will find it, so when you're shooting portrait, you can still easily adjust the focus point, review images, and work in menus without having to flip the camera around. One drawback: the multi-selector protrudes a bit and is easy to nudge accidentally with your finger, forehead, camera strap, etc. (edit: After using this grip for a year, I do find that I nudge the selector with my nose a lot. Not a big deal, but it does mean I have to reset the focus point from time to time.)
The Zeikos comes with 2 battery trays: one for an EN-EL3a (the standard battery that comes with the D300), and one for 8 AA batteries. Loading just an EN-EL3a doesn't boost frame rate. I haven't tried doing a full shoot with the AAs, but I did verify that using them gives the D300 a frame-rate boost when shooting in JPEG (the D300 can't shoot faster than about 3 fps in 14-bit RAW regardless of power source). I usually shoot in 14-bit RAW, so this isn't that valuable to me. Still, it's comforting to know I could power my D300 with just AA batteries in a pinch.
The unit also is technically able to accept the EN-EL4a battery, but requires a third battery bay cover, Nikon BL-3 Battery Chamber Cover for Nikon EN-EL4 and EN-EL4a for the MB-D10, which does not come with the grip. [Update: In October, 2010, I purchased this Nikon-brand cover-adapter for use with this Zeikos grip, after getting a used D3, since I now have EN-EL4a batteries and charger. Although the cover locks in place and functions with the grip, the fit is incorrect -- there's a gap at the front of the grip. I cannot find a Zeikos-brand cover-adapter for the EN-EL4a battery, so, although this match-up will work, I'm disappointed I can't purchase a cover-adapter for the Zeikos grip that offers a proper fit.] Nikon's MB-D10 also requires this sold-separately battery cover for this purpose. The EN-EL4a provides even longer life than the EN-EL3a, and also provides the frames-per-second boost for the D300 when shooting in JPEG or 12-bit RAW.
If you frequently shoot in portrait, want all-day battery life, or need the extra frame-rate boost, the Zeikos battery grip is an affordable, high-quality substitute for Nikon's MB-D10. It's plastic, not magnesium like the Nikon, but unless you're using your camera as a hammer, Zeikos' build quality is a great match for the D300/D700.
[Update: after a year, still works like a charm. No problems with mounting points, breakage, or malfunctions.]
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Zeikos MB-D10 Vertical Multi-Power Battery Grip + 2 EN-EL3e Batteries + Accessory Kit for Nikon D300, D300s & D700 Digital SLRKit includes:♦ 1) Zeikos Multi-Power Battery Grip for Nikon D300, D300s & D700 Digital SLR♦ 2) Spare EN-EL3e Battery for Nikon D300 & D700♦ 3) Digital Camera LCD Monitor Screen Protectors♦ 4) Precision Design Deluxe 6-Piece Lens & Digital SLR Camera Cleaning Kit
This Multi-Power Battery Grip allows the Nikon D300, D300s & D700 to be powered by two EN-EL3e batteries simultaneously - one in the camera body and one in the Battery Grip - effectively doubling your shooting capacity. The Multi-Power Battery Grip also provides a comfortable vertical grip with an additional shutter release and scroll wheel for easy access to the camera functions when shooting in the vertical orientation.
With the included AA battery holder, users can power the camera with 8 AA batteries to obtain higher frame advance rates (8 Frames per second in the D300 and D700) than the EN-EL3e battery can provide.
Features Include:♦ Powers (2) EN-EL3e battery packs simultaneously♦ Includes a holder to use 8 AA batteries♦ Multi-Power shutter release♦ Mode wheel
Providing an extra 1500mAh of power, this Spare EN-EL3e battery pack will not put constraints on how you want to shoot.
Reduce glare, enhance your view, and prevent scratching with this set of LCD screen protectors.
This 6-piece cleaning kit contains everything you'll ever need to properly clean your lenses, including a Hurricane Air Blower, Lens Cleaning Tissues, Lens Cloth, Lens Cleaning Liquid, Brush and Cotton Swabs.
Click here for more information about Zeikos MB-D10 Vertical Multi-Power Battery Grip + 2 EN-EL3e Batteries + Accessory Kit for Nikon D300, D300s & D700 Digital SLR
