Nikon MB-D200 Multi-Power Battery Pack for the D200 Digital Camera Reviews

• Nice additional features make this a good buy.

  
  By A35AIS4474UJDT on 2006-03-15
  I don't expect to have anything at all go wrong with this type of an
  accessory and so far it works great.
  For me the ability to have the second battery online alone would justify the cost. My grip rarely comes off because I like the added size, weight and feel much more with it mounted than I do using the camera alone. In particular when using a Nikkor zoom or even the 105mm micro. Just balances everything out very nicely and gives me a more secure feeling holding the camera.
  Note that it has a slot to store your battery compartment cover from the D200 that keeps that piece secure and easy to find when you decide to use the camera without this attachement.
  That is one example of the thought Nikon put into this grip. Another would be the AF button and shutter release placed just where you need them for vertical capture.
  People have asked so I might as well mention that I feel just as secure mounting this unit to the tripod as I would mounting the camera directly.
  Great menu interface! You get seperate readings for each when you access Battery Info via the Set Up menu. Information displayed includes the percentage of charge for each unit plus the overall status of each battery. Status being indicated by the left to right scale showing overall condition by a needle wavering in between New and Replace. Above that and on the same screen are a L and R column for each slot showing percentage of battery power left. You also get a number representing how many shots have been taken with each battery!
  Something to think about before you write a review about the battery and claim others lack understanding!
  Included is a plastic tray that accepts eight various AAA batteries for use when the stock EN-EL3e units you use are drained. This is for when you just have to keep shooting. The way I use this tray is to carry spare batteries most likely intended for the SB800 flash unit. It does that job very well!
  Good luck!
  
  

• I like it. A very nice accessory to the D200

  
  By A2XRMQA6PJ5ZJ8 on 2006-10-02
  Some reviewers have criticized the build quality of this accessory. I do not agree. Yes, it is true that this grip is made of high-impact plastic and rubber rather than magnesium like the D200 body itself. This is not a bad thing, because it means that the grip does not add all that much to the weight of the D200. And in my opinion it is sturdy enough. The rubber on the grip, and the overall shape of it, adds heft and a pleasing ergonomics to the D200.
  
  The D200 uses batteries at a more rapid clip than either the D70s or the D100. That makes this grip more useful. Being able to have two batteries rather than one supplying the D200 is very useful and practical. The D200 meters each battery individually when using the grip, and the grip uses one battery fully before switching to the next. This means that when it is time to recharge one of the batteries it will likely be fully discharged, which is good for the battery according to Nikon.
  
  Besides the battery management aspect of the grip, it also makes taking portrait shots a little easier. It has a shutter release on the side, that makes taking these shots a little easier. Most users will grow to appreciate this.
  
  Overall, I do not agree with those who criticize the build quality of this unit. A metal grip would have been too heavy. This one is light but sturdy. Recommended.
  
  

• MB-D200 a disappointment

  
  By AR1FBICBSRL9H on 2006-06-20
  I purchased one of these units for wedding I finished last week. All of the reviews I read before purchasing claimed that the build quality of the unit is impressive and that it fit well on the camera. I did not find this to be the case.
  
  The MB-D200 feels hollow and sloppy on-camera. It's density does not match the d200, so it feels unbalanced when used, most notably so with heavy, professional lenses (28-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, etc.). The sloppiness of the unit is due largely to the single point of attachment it has to the camera, which is the 1/4" screw into the tripod mount. When twisted and manipulated in the course of normal use, the MB-D200 feels noticeably feeble. It's weakness is particularly manifest in use with a tripod (at weddings I often stick my whole rig - flash with lightsphere II and camera -- on a quick-release tripod head for group shots; the MB-D200 doesn't do this well).
  
  Perhaps a lot of my frustration with the unit is borne of comparisons with other Nikon products. I own an F5 and have used an F100 with detachable v-grip and found them both to feel solid enough for professional use. This product just doesn't stack up, which is a tragedy considering the great benefits it provides (battery capacity, etc. etc.). The d200 is a fantastic camera: it's too bad this essential accessory doesn't match it in performance.
  
  

• A winner for all Nikonians

  
  By A2O0OB90YX7YUP on 2007-04-06
  I got my MB-D200 last fall and after more than 6 months of using it I should say that Nikon has created a winner yet again!!!
  
  THE GOOD:
  1. The ability to have 2 fully charged batteries while going out to the field gives you that extra peace of mind.
  2. In addition Nikon has added a menu that will give the shooter a very good indication of the battery power remaining. I have been able to get more than 200 shots in a day starting out with 2 fully charged batteries in the MB-D200.
  3. The weight increase is very minimal and in fact the meager increase in weight enables the shooter to balance the camera better.
  4. It was very thoughtful of Nikon to add the shutter release buttons for taking portrait shots and the main and sub command dials, to the MB-D200. I find myself using these controls quite frequently. If the user had to revert to the controls on the camera it would have been quite frustrating IMHO.
  5. If you are a nature/landscape/wildlife photographer, you can carry additional AA batteries with you in the field and rest assured that you won't miss out on the "Kodak moment" due to a drained battery.
  
  Some suggestions for improvement:
  1. The first thing I noticed was the latch on the battery compartment. It feels quite flimsy and I wish Nikon had done a better job on this. A latch along the lines of the one found on the camera to release the door for the compact flash card would have been solid IMHO.
  2. Though I mentioned that you can use AA batteries (you will need 6 of them), they can drain out amazingly fast, depending on the type of lens (with or without VR), depending on whether you are using the in-built or external flash and other variables. So you will need quite a few AA batteries if you ever have to rely on them in the field. To overcome this problem I am thinking about purchasing 2 more EN-EL3e batteries as I have found that they have impressive battery life once fully charged.
  
  Hope that this review was useful to you! Thanks for reading!
  
  Update as of 12/29/07: For those users who are thinking that this can be used with the new model, Nikon D300, please note that the MB-D200 *will not* work with the D300. The D300 comes with its own MB-D10 which is different in construction from the D200. This is just a note of caution in case you are planning/contemplating purchasing this for the D300.
  
  Thanks!
  
  

• Poor Build Quality

  
  By AOHLMI14W9WAA on 2006-09-07
  I have owned the MB D200 Battery Pack/Grip for eight months. Although the unit functions as designed and is helpful for extending the battery life of the D200, I've found the build quality is greatly lacking. I'm a commercial photographer and often shoot a thousand or more images to accomplish a single assignment. I wanted to improve the "feel" of the D200 and to be able to shoot for extended periods without changing batteries. Unfortunately within three months, the two white battery retaining clips broke off while making quick battery changes. The unit still functioned, however recently the main battery door will no longer stay closed. I have to use a strip of gaffers tape to keep it shut to avoid having the batteries fall out while shooting. I'm sending the MBD200 in for service this week. But I'm very disappointed that a better system wasn't designed to retain the batteries within the grip and a better locking system on the main battery compartment door. The MB is not up o the excellent build quality of the Nikon D200 camera itself. Since only Nikon produces this item, I'm at their mercy for engineering a reliable piece of equipment. The D200 camera is outstanding, but the battery pack/grip accessory leaves a lot to be desired.
  
  UPDATE: May, 2007: The repaired MBD200 was returned after about three weeks at Nikon. In January 2007, the battery retention clips broke again!!! So I'm back to taping the battery door closed. The design is defective. Unfortunately, the grip is now out of warranty.
  
  
• Excellent Nikon Accessory
  By A1AMOQQ6GCKDNQ on 2006-03-08
  Just got my new Nikon MB-D200 and when I can get my new Nikon D200, it will be quite a pair! Design build and quality are excellent. The internal "AA" six pack battery holder is engineered very well and and is easy to use. This grip will make it easier to do portrait photography and adds a bit more heft to the unit. I also have large hands and it creates a better and safer surface area to grab onto.
  
  All-in-all, and excellent product.
  
  
• Quality, useful addition to D200
  By A25DOH4OEADRUF on 2006-10-10
  After reading many of the other reviews (especially about build quality), I was a bit nervous about how well I was going to like this item. But once I received it, installed it on my camera and used it a bit - my fears went away. Yes - it's plastic and not alloy like the camera, but it is well made and sturdy (if it were alloy, think how much they'd charge for it!). I really like how the camera handles now - much easier to grip in all cases. It especially makes it nicer to take pictures with the camera in a vertical mode. Someone said that it's a problem that it only has a single attachment point (the tripod socket), but I found that once you tighten it up (which is easy to do with a large toothed wheel), it doesn't budge - feels like it and the camera are a single unit. Yeah, I wish the price were a bit lower - but all in all, I feel like it's a good value: the camera handles better (especially for vertical shots), you can take a LOT of photos without changing batteries, plus it gives you the option to use 6-AA batteries in case you find all your D200 batteries depleted (or if you just prefer to use AA's instead of the D200 batteries). It's not an "absolutely must have", but it's definitely a "really nice to have" sort of item.
  
  
• Don't Chicken Wing Your Portraits
  By A15N5D547HXVXL on 2007-06-01
  When I got my D100, I bought it used, and it came with this equivalent hand grip. When I upgraded to a D200, I initially thought I didn't need this handgrip... but wow did I miss it.
  
  First, if you take portrait-oriented photos at all, this is a hand grip with a control dial and shutter button exactly where you expect them. You can take portrait orientation without sticking your arm out like a chicken wing.
  
  Second, with the D200, even with the cool battery management capabilities, battery life seems shorter than the similar setup did on the D100... probably because of the bigger screen, faster sustained picture rate, etc. The ability to stick two batteries in this really extends battery life.
  
  Those two things combined make the investment in the D200 so much more useful.
  
  On the D100 version of this, the handset adds a small microphone so you can annotate individual photos. I used that feature exactly once, when I wanted to figure out how it worked. This handset does noe include that feature, and I'm thankful - this handset is *much* more inexpensive than the D100 handset, probably because of smart design decisions like this. The courage to cut a feature rather than add more useless stuff is refreshing - and what earned this the last start to push it into the '5 star' category.
  
  
• Thought it was okay until mounting it to my tripod
  By A3EVVQ0U15BEW0 on 2006-10-14
  At first I noticed that the build quality is a bit cheap, but I didn't mind because the plastic materials keep the weight down. The problem is that it doesn't connect well to the camera. There is too much play between the two parts (camera and battery pack). I also have an arca swiss style L bracket mounted to the camera and battery pack. When I mount the rig in my tripod's quick release plate and secure everything down you really see how flimsy this thing is. Handheld it's fine, but on a tripod there's just too much movement. I've decided I'll just keep an extra battery or two in my pocket and shoot verticals with the camera's shutter release.
  
  
• Double the power ...plus more!
  By A1FOT717LRT6YD on 2006-10-27
  As a day old user, all I can say is that the Nikon MB-200 definitely enhances the camera's look and feel. It looks as though the battery pack is seamlessly integrated with the D200 thus giving it a *pro* look. Looks aside, I bought mine for two main reasons --
  
  1. First off, I needed a good battery backup - the MB-200 does just that and more. It can take one or two EN-EL3e Li-ion batteries or if your Li-ions run out of steam soon enough there you could load six AA (NiMH/ NiCD/ NiMn) batteries in the supplied MSD-200 cartridge. "Battery info" in the camera's menu smartly displays the battery meter, picture meters and charge life for each Li-ion battery on the Left and Right banks - quite a nifty feature! By default, the D200 consumes the RHS battery's power, first.
  
  2. Oftentimes on my motorcycle tours, I shoot with my gloves/ gauntlets on and it is annoying when I don't get a good grip. The MB-200 supposedly reduces the center of gravity which is much-needed while shooting with heavier/ telephoto lenses. I have relatively small and lighter lenses and the grip is good even with a thermally-insulated gauntlet!
  
  No comments on the build quality. Though the MB-200 is made of high-impact plastic, it feels rugged while being light -- very much acceptable by enthusiast standards.
  
  My only gripe is that the redundant, shutter release button and dials (used for vertical compositions) gets quite annoying at times. Especially, the neck strap comes between the viewfinder and my eyes. You tend to lose out on composition or accidentally fire a shot or two unless you are used to such accessories.
  
  Aside that, I wish there was a provision for "latching" the camera's battery compartment door on the MB-200 itself -- ala Nikon F80's MB-16 battery pack.
  
  Buy this one if you want to...
  * have a good battery backup
  * get a good grip
  * shoot with heavy and big lenses
  * enhance your camera's look
  
  
• Seems perfectly designed for its purpose.
  By A3F6CIUMC4UOKM on 2006-11-20
  There have been some concerns about Nikon using plastic on a prosumer product. But today's plastics can take abuse. Although I haven't dropped my camera yet, I am comfortable assuming that Nikon made it right.
  As people who have handled the incredible D200 know, it is not a lightweight camera (thankfully). I am thrilled that the Battery pack doesn't add a ton of weight. The balance of the camera is still great and the grip surface is the same as on the D200.
  I think you will find, as I have, that your people pictures will improve because the combined D200/MB200 unit looks so impressive that people know that you are serious about taking good pictures. And they put extra effort in looking good for your camera.
  Any down sides? It could be a little less expensive ;)
  
  
• Disappointed 1st time with Nikon product
  By ADYB7YXHEHG3K on 2006-09-19
  Disgned for professional use? Cheap, breakage of battery clips. May be OK for the ocassional shooter (but why would they need this unit?); but not for pro work. Heavy (hand a finger cramping after 100 shots) and has a CHEAP feel. Easier to just carry 2 extra ENEL3e in your pocket.
  
  
• Excellent add-on
  By AF78YOXHW64XM on 2006-12-13
  I do a lot of portrait photography with my D200 and Nikon 28-70/2.8. The MB-D200 helps the balance with the large lens and also makes shooting in portrait orientation more comfortable. Contrary to some of the other reviews I've read, I don't find the finish to be cheap, and it connects solidly to my D200.
  
  
• Makes the camera last a lot longer
  By A3LRPXTB2FBYJH on 2007-03-22
  This is a cool implimentation of a much needed device for those with D200s. The camera loves batteries. Having two is good! Having the ability to watch one drain and knowing there's another on standbye is a fine feeling. Knowing that there are two more batteries in the case waiting is even better! For a full day of shooting, you need this and some serious memory. Highly recommended. Also handles AAs... always good in field conditions.
  
  
• Extends battery life.
  By A1U9CVNOSMB09S on 2006-08-18
  Extends battery life by 150%. Grip is good for both horizontal and vertical shooting. Additional trigger makes it easy to take vertical shot. Downside: It adds to camera weight. Because of its many features and sealed body, the D200 is noticeably heavier than the D70; and the MB-D200 battery pack makes it somewhat cumbersome and heavier.
  
  
• Best way to go if your going....
  By A19RW25Q6206I3 on 2007-03-02
  This took my D-200 to the final level...great investment...went 2to 3 days while on vacation while shooting 4 gigs a day of stuff...love this little guy...plus it allows for AA usage in a pinch..gotta love that...
  
  
• Nikon MB-D200 Battery Pack
  By A2D929WM3U2OWY on 2007-03-14
  Ever since my first purchase of my MB-D100 Battery Pack (for my Nikon D100 DSLR) I have made it a point to get one for every new DSLR that I purchased. I believe I even got one for my Nikon N65 film SLR way back when. I currently have a D100, D80 and a D200 and they are all equipped with the corresponding battery pack.
  
  Let's face it, the D200 IS a battery hog! Maybe 650-700 shots per battery and less if you have auto preview on or preview each shot. With that in mind, the dual battery compartment makes this battery hog shoot forever! When I shoot weddings, I work all day and take nothing short of 10gb of photos and there is still juice in it when we leave... Impressive. I DO change my batteries half way through the day out of "principality" and
  for more reliability but if you are in a pinch, you can just throw 6 AA batteries in the backup holster and slide that into the compartment. We all know AAs can be bought almost everywhere so you can ALWAYS shoot!
  The most crucial part of this battery pack is the side shutter release button. No longer will you have to uncomfortably twist and turn your right hand to strenuous angles if you want to compose a vertical shot. When you turn your camera sideways, the extra shutter release button is right there where you are used to. When paired with the shutter and aperture command dials you are ready to go quickly and efficiently. Comfort factor is huge with this grip. The grip fits into your hand like a glove and is very sturdy and stable when mounted to the camera itself. I swear I could hold my camera with one well placed finger on that battery grip!
  
  I did notice that my wife and co-photographer had a bit of trouble couping with the sheer weight of this camera + battery pack but after dealing with it and shooting, she quickly adjusted and now fell in love with the packs as well.
  
  The other features on the grip are nice to have but not essential such as the AF lock and such... Well done Nikon!
  
  
• It Improves Handling and More
  By A1FR68QH6Z4YZM on 2007-03-28
  The handling for portrait shots (vertical format) is improved. This is because the battery grip has its own shutter button and mode dials. With the battery grip on the D200, the camera's size closely approximates that of the Nikon D2X. The weight also understandably increases, but I think it helps to keep the camera steadier; especially with shaky hands and when the wind is blowing hard. This battery grip is ideal for travel, because if you run out both batteries, you can load up six AA batteries into the grip and keep making photographs. It's a well-made, sturdy accessory that I can highly recommend.
  
  
• Got big Hands?
  By A28NAD0W2DU7ZR on 2007-05-12
  This is a wonderful addition to my D200.
  
  It does add weight to the D200 and makes it a rather large camera but for a guy with large hands it feels great!
  
  The addition battery make batteriers a non-issue with the D200.
  
  ~e
  
  
• Great product!
  By A15QYHQH80W30L on 2007-07-08
  I an avid internet shopper and I love amazon's customer reviews for which I put weight on my decision to buy or not to buy a particular item. When I reviewed all the comments on this unit, it made me quite confused because of some negative comments regarding the "plasticky" nature of the build and with some commenting on a "not too good a fit" with the D200 body.
  
  When I saw the product itself, I could not see any of those negatives ever mentioned. It is well built (sturdy plastic built helps in reducing the already heavy camera body), it extends battery life since you can now put two batteries instead of one, easy for vertical shots and it has the flexibility in allowing us to use AA batteries in the event that you run out of the EN EL3e battery. Honestly, I could not see any negatives on this product and I give it an unconditional 5 stars. No ifs and no buts about it!! If you are contemplating on getting one, just go ahead and do it...surely you won't regret it!
  
  
• Nikon D-200 Power pack
  By A3112WG7GP86IP on 2007-01-09
  With the D-200 Power Pack my Nikon D-200 works much faster and I don't have to worry about depleting the batteries. With out the Power Pack, it you use your viewing screen a lot to preview your images you will find out that your batteries dwindle to "0" very quickly. With the Power Pack you have no worries.
  
  If you are a serious photographer, you really need to consider this accessory it is well worth the investment.
  
  
• D2xs dont flatter yourself
  By A3QCJRR5ZWQKAJ on 2007-02-07
  A very nice accessory for the D200. Doesn't add a whole lot of weight but it does officially make the D200 plus battery pack...slightly taller than the D2x, just slightly. This has the main and sub control dials plus a multi function button. A must have for sports shooters and people with larger hands who want more space for their pinky.
  
  
• Aaah... makes shooting verticals MUCH easier
  By A20YIR5B3E5Z7K on 2007-02-18
  I've always hated how cumbersome it is to shoot verticals with 35mm and digital: having to contort one's arm over the head, twist the wrist, etc. This pretty much solves that problem. Granted, it is difficult to reach the thumb pad on the camera, but at least you can use the AF-On button and the front wheel to change focus areas. Build quality? I figure Nikon went with plastic to minimize weight and cost. I wish the latch on the battery door were a bit more robust, however.
  
  It changes the balance of the camera, making it feel much more 'centered', especially with my goto lens, the 18-200mm VR. It also is much better balanced with my SB-600 flash attached.
  
  Overall, I'd say this is a 'must have', probably the second accessory you should get after a flash unit. Oh yes, it also tends to command R-E-S-P-E-C-T from people, be that good or bad...
  
  
• MB-D200 Essential for your D200
  By A7Y8HSMVZP2BX on 2007-01-09
  Amazing, this essential accessory has proven to be more than invaluable. With the MB-D200 attached to your Nikon D-200 you not only have extra power in a small package and an additional grip with controls to take vertical shots, BUT, you also can maximize the battery use and take full advantage of the Nikon built-in battery monitor. This feature not only tells you the percentage of battery life left, it also tells you the number of photos taken with the specific battery. Furthermore, the camera is so smart, that it first uses one battery then the other. Thus making it a no-brainer as to which battery needs to be recharged. In seconds, the battery menu tells you each battery status in one glance. The only regret is the removal of the voice recorder that was included in the MB-D100 battery pack that is for the Nikon D-100. Perhaps Nikon will bring this feature back- it was very helpful when trying to quickly identify photos for assignments.
  
  
• Works Very Well
  By A24CITBSF6SGW0 on 2007-05-13
  Don't second guess it. Not to heavy,not to big.....just get it. Well worth the money.
  
  
  
• Battery Pack Grip Wiggle Fix-MB-D200
  By ADTUYE19Z3WHS on 2007-11-08
  Carl wrote about the stability of the MB-200, and I must agree. It has pushed me to the point of creating a fix for mine. What we cannot see is that very little of the two pieces are actually touching each other when mated. Only the soft rubber tri-mount pad and the edge lips on the pack create the bond...and not well either. Just enough to fool the eye. No wonder it wiggles! Yes on terrible engineering. Forget that it's inexpensive...it can still be plastic and firm if the pieces mate properly. That's what got to me.
  
  Here's what I did....quick, simple, and eliminated almost all wobble. I cut an oversized template of the MB-D200 pack out of one layer of a zip-loc bag, cut away the shape of the insertion post so the template would slide over it, notched an area for the screw to access the camera and a tiny one for the alignment pin. I then fired up the hot glue gun and made sure I had everything ready to go...as hot glue does not give one too long in soft state. I then applied a reasonable amount of glue around the perimeter of the edge lip and filled in the open flat areas of hard plastic beside the rubber mount. As soon as you've applied enough glue, slide the plastic template down onto the base, making sure the screw post sticks through, then firmly screw it onto the camera. Allow it to cool thoroughly (I did 20 mins) and separate the two. The plastic bag film pulls right off and you've created the part the engineers left out. Too little glue...you can add more, too much glue...you can cut it away. Hot glue hardens to a rather hard plastic and certainly has improved my issue with the grip. The process took me about the same time as this review. Aside from the cooling time of course.
  
  NOTE-Test your hot glue elsewhere to make sure it is firm when cold. There are different types, so make sure before going to the effort. Most are very firm when cured yet not completely rigid. That's what mine was like.
  
  Why Nikon did not make a mated heat mold for these two will always befuddle me, but so will the D200 repair time of 48 days for a B1 low level fix. (Not related to my engineering feat here of course. Keep your D200 away from any heaters or hot cars.) My F5 could have survived 100 times what these Digis do. Be careful with the new Nikon digital Stuff!!!
  
  Happy shooting!
  
  
• Nikon MB-D200 - Functional but not the greatest
  By A3HBGFJSJEV96O on 2007-12-31
  I shoot a lot of portraits. Before I owned an F4 film camera, I had never had a camera that offered a vertical positioned shutter release. After shooting with that F4, I promised myself that any camera I used in the future would also have that option. That worked fine with the film bodies, F4, N90s, F100. But when I went digital with a D70, I was in for disappointment. There was no full featured battery pack for the D70. I had hoped the D200 would emulate the solid, ergonomic film camera packs or even the built in functionality of an F5 or a D2X.
  
  Early on, I read complaints about the construction of the MB-D200, especially the battery locks. I also read about the poor ergonomics. But I really wanted a vertical release as well as the added battery capacity of the MB-D200. So I figured if worst came to worst, I could obtain the newer, heavier-duty battery locks from Nikon and replace them myself if they broke. So I got one.
  
  The good news is that the battery capacity is great with two EN-EL3E batteries. Shooting vertically is very good as well. But the previous remarks about the reach from the vertical grip to the multi-selector being excessive are correct. If I want to change focus points, I have to support the camera with my left hand and place my index finger on the vertical shutter release in order to reach the multi-selector with my thumb.
  
  This battery pack is not very substantial in its build quailty. It flexes a bit when mounted on the camera unlike any other Nikon battery pack I have used. Another thing to consider when looking at adding this pack is that it increase the overall height of the camera to over 7 inches. It gets bigger than a D2X.
  
  While I love the vertical shutter release, I too have some concerns about the longevity of this product. I think is overpriced for what it actually is. But if you need a vertical grip, it does what it is supposed to do, just not as elegantly or solidly as many other Nikon battery packs.
  
  
• Essential for vertical shooting.
  By AXBZ5T07H6JRS on 2007-01-07
  Pros:
  1. Makes vertical shooting much easier.
  2. Spare battery is right there.
  3. Easy to take on and off.
  4. Inexpensive
  
  Cons:
  1. Made of plastic. D200 is made of metal.
  2. White plastic battery clips break easily.
  3. Hard to reach back multi selector control dial with thumb when in vertical position.
  
  Bottom Line:
  If you shoot verticals or run through the batteries quickly, you get it.
  
  BTW:
  If you are going to shoot from a tripod take the grip off, its fast and easy.
  
  
• Power pack advantage
  By A3V26YHTUFZXBB on 2007-03-31
  The pack holds two EN_EL3 batteries and makes holding the camera even easier. By checking the battery power you can determine exactly what percentage of power is left in each battery. It' heavy, but I like that in a camera.
  
  
• solution for hungry camera
  By A2D92SFTNPSM97 on 2007-05-17
  This device is great, it doubles the life of my d200, and it also rounds out the feel of the camera. the vertical shutter button is oddly placed, but i have never felt one that felt right.this is good for some one looking to even out the weight on their camera when using long lenses, or if you need more battery power
  
  

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