Nikon D300, MB-D10 Grip and AA batteries.

Richard G. · #1 (**permalink**) 20-11-2009, 12:39 PM

Anyone used AA batteries in their D300 grip at all?

I miss not having a grip, but the cost of a grip plus EN-EL4/4a battery, BL-3 cover and charger is eye watering

and one of the major advantages is the extra couple of fps, which you don't get with the EN-EL3's.

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of using AA's? If so, any rough estimates on the number or frames/life you've had from a set of AA NiMH's?

Long shot I know...

RichBrew · #2 (**permalink**) 21-11-2009, 05:40 AM

Richard,

I've been using Sanyo eneloop rechargeable batteries (AA size) in the MB-D10 grip on my D300 since the spring, and although I've not kept count as to how many shots I get from a charge, I feel I'm getting far more (12-bit RAW) shots than with the EN-EL3e that came with the camera. These cells come ready charged, and keep a much higher percentage of their charge when not in use. The only drawback is that the battery charge meter, seen as a percentage in the camera menu, is not displayed, but is on the top LCD. This, to me, is never a problem, as I always have a charged EN-EL3e inside the body as a backup should I get carried away!

The extra two frames per second (not available when shooting 14-bit RAW) can be worth it, but this rate decreases as the batteries discharge, although this is more than offset by the initial cost of the AA's (around £14 for 8) against the £256 or so for the EN-EL4a, MH-21 charger and BL-3.
Of course, the cost of the grip is going to more than double that figure, but 8 fps when shooting can occasionally make all the difference.

RichBrew

Richard G. · #3 (**permalink**) 21-11-2009, 09:09 AM

Interesting stuff Rich, thanks

It's not that I need 8fps particularly, more interested in the ergonomics and the vertical shutter release, but figured I might as well make the 8fps available too... until I worked out the cost

Took around 900 frames in one shoot the other day at Donna Nook and went through two EN-EL3e's. Hoping that the AA's would have enough juice for this kind of session and already have a pile of 2800mAh Ansmanns's for other gadgets.

DrNickBurton · #4 (**permalink**) 21-11-2009, 03:41 PM

I occasionally use AAs in this way, but my experiance (using Duracell rechargeables) is that they drain pretty quickly. I don't get as many shots as when I have a second Nikon battery loaded (maybe half or two thirds). I also don't like the extra weight.

Like you mentioned, I like the grip just for the ergonomics. Often, the battery tray in my grip is empty (less weight), unless I know I will need the second battery.

Richard G. · #5 (**permalink**) 22-11-2009, 09:19 PM

Thanks Nick, good to hear your experience.
It would never really have occurred to me to fit the grip without a battery

Anyway, sounds like the AA tray plus an EN-EL3 in the body lasts a fair while, so I'll probably give it a go.

pressld2 · #6 (**permalink**) 22-11-2009, 10:02 PM

I, too, bought the grip chiefly for the ergonomics and having a shutter button conveniently placed for portrait shots, although I still use the shutter button on the body in portrait mode quite often - force of habit I guess.

I'm surprised you were running low on power after 900 shots though Richard. Earlier this year I did a three day trip to Morpeth (red squirrels), the Farne Islands and Bempton Cliffs on the way home. I took well over 2000 shots and still had about 30% left in the second EN-EL3e.

Dave P.

Richard G. · #7 (**permalink**) 22-11-2009, 10:31 PM

I can only deduce it's the camera Dave. I'm using the same batteries and VR/OS lenses used on the D80, which has much better battery life. I wasn't really "chimping" that much at DN either...

Richard G. · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 10:19 AM

Just to finish off this thread.

Santa very kindly brought me one of the Meike clone grips for the D300. I'd read quite a few glowing reports about these on dpreview and a well thought of seller on ebay. Came with two trays, one for EN-EL3 and one for AA's, and a BL-3 cover, if I decide to use an EL-EL4 in future.

I haven't had a lengthy shoot with it yet, so can't comment on battery life with AA's. It is very noticeably heavier with 8 x AA's installed though, but as Dr Nick pointed out, you can fit the grip, for ergonomics, with no battery and the vertical release and controls all work fine, so not much of a weight penalty used this way.

On the whole though, it seems very well made, works perfectly and was delivered to my door for £48.99, which is pretty good compared to the Nikon grip price of around £260 currently.