Nikon MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Pack for Nikon D300 & D700 Digital SLR Cameras - Retail Packaging

I've been drooling over the Mb-D10 for so long since I found out I will be out of the country for a long time and in remote locations. I wanted to be able pop-in AAs instead of getting all the different electrical convertors, etc. I originally thought I wouldn't get it since it was just too much after spending so much for my D300s. I was leaning towards getting the Zeikos ZE-NBG300 Battery Power Grip for less than a third of the Nikon. But then one day fortune smiled on me as I saw the Nikon Mb-D10 for sale used on Amazon. I snapped it up. And I couldn't be happier especially at the cheaper price. BUT now on to the actual review of the product: In case you wondering I don't have a big heavy lens. Just a small 50mm f/1.8. It fits perfectly on my D300s. The screw in dial doesn't jiggle up and down. It does have some play back and forth. The play in the screw is not loose and thus has to be by design. The bottom front of the battery grip (under the front of the camera lens when mounted) has the same subtle lip that provides the right amount of grip/edge for your finger tips to hang on to your camera with. This same grip exist on the side grip found on the camera... very nice detail. I can also use my left hand to grip the battery grip to further stabilize the camera. I don't have large hands but the grip is perfect for my pinky to grip when I'm shooting in normal mode. It really allowed my hand to spread out better. I was really surprised how much better it felt in my hand. One thing I read that had me lean toward the mb-d10 was another review that mentioned all the controls on the battery pack work EVEN when its empty. I tried this feature out as soon as I got it. And its awesome. A lot of people have commented on the hair trigger on the battery pack and it definitely is sensitive. Its not a hair trigger or something. Maybe because I read it over and over in other reviews, but I didn't find it that bad. I had no trouble just focusing without the shutter going off. Ive also read anoher review that said the ultra sensitivity is to prevent the camera from moving when the shutter button is pressed. I noitced that in my test shots. Overall I was able to adapt to the extra sensitivity within 1 or 2 tries. There's also a work around - the auto-focus button is about 15 degrees counter clockwise from the shutter button. So you could focus with your right thumb (which in my case was practically right next to it) and shoot with your right index finger. A lot of people commented on the extra weight... I couldn't DISAGREE more on the weight. Its really not that noticeable. For perspective I am into specing titanium and carbon parts on my sub-13 pound road bike, yet I didn't think it felt that much more heavier. It also didn't change the balance of the camera as much as I expected. It actually feels more stable. I've had it only about 3 hours so far and I was curious to take it out and hold it in my hand and it didn't feel that heavy. I was expecting something with more heft after all the reviews. Then I loaded it up with 8 AA batteries figuring that would be the worst case scenario and it didn't feel that much worse. I totally liked the recessed slot found on the battery grip, for the rubber cover from the bottom of the D300s. Thats a well thought design and I thinks it speaks to the thought put into the design as whole and the way it would work and integrate with the camera. The plastic cover for the leads found on the battery grip had no place to be put ... but I don't think its big deal (for me) since I don't plan on taking it off that much. One benefit I thought about that I noticed that none of the reviews touched on is the bottom of the camera is now shielded by the battery pack which is built with the same magnesium as the camera. The bottom is probably more water sealed than before. The menu selector toggle on the battery grip is in someways BETTER than the one on the camera since it a little toggle with square edges so you can actually pull back/ push forward on it. I find this much more easier to do than with the selector on the camera. The only improvement would be if the selector was closer to the shutter so I wouldn't have to rotate my thumb as much down to use it. But I think it would be hard to do given it would have to be right on the edge of the selector. The shutter button is well shielded. I think it would take a lot of effort to accidentally trigger it But it can happen. Luckily the button can be locked off along with all the other dials and the selector toggle. So thats about it... if you can afford it get it. Its worth it. If you can't, wait and wait and save up or eventually it'll be on sale used... especially after Christmas. Thanks.

I originally bought the Zeikos ZE-NBG300 Professional Multi-Power Pack for Nikon D300/300S & D700 because I wanted to save some money when I bought my D700 a while ago. I didn't think $250 was worth it. Boy was I wrong. The Zieikos had it's place and served me ok for months, but I had problems with the AA insert. When I tried to use AA batteries with the 3rd-party Zeiko, it flat out wouldn't work. All I would get was a blinking battery light. The camera would not turn on. I tried other batteries and lots more ideas to no avail. The regular Nikon battery did work in the other insert. After reading a few stories about the 3rd party grips shorting out people's equipment and costing lots more $$$ I got scared and said the heck with it. I acquired the Nikon version and it is night and day. The 3rd party Zeikos had no weather seal,it is plastic and flexes a bit, it had a gap in between the camera and unit and moved a bit, and general fit and finish was, well, you get what you pay for. The MB-D10 is a finally crafted piece of metal, quality rubber, and solid buttons. I could immediately feel the difference in weight when I removed it from the package. It butted up nicely and meshed perfectly with the D700. No more gap and nice tight fit. Beautiful fit and finish. More importantly now, my Sanyo NEW 1500 eneloop 4 Pack AAA Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries work great and give me 8 FPS, something I couldn't get with the Zeikos. I don't know how long they will last (how many shots I'll get) yet, time will tell. It's like a machine gun, wow does it fire fast. This will be great for sports, wildlife, etc. when I need a boost. Meanwhile, I will never skimp on a power source for my expensive hardware again. Just do it. I would highly recommend the Sanyo Eneloop Ni-MH batteries (see product link above) if you are going to try and use AA. I would not try a 3rd party brand to replace the Nikon battery. I tried this. It lasted for a month. Trust me, don't skimp on your power! There was some speculation of folks getting counterfeit grips at one time. It may have been from one or two seedy resellers, I don't know. I checked mine as soon as I got it against Nikon's web site (google Nikon MB-D10 counterfeit) and verified it's genuine. I had mine fulfilled by Amazon directly. Thanks Amazon.

May 2012 UPDATE: I agree with others here that the shutter release button is too sensitive. In fact, it sometimes seems to fire multiple exposures uncommanded. Press the release, several exposures. Strange. And I never did get used to regripping the camera after turning it vertical. So I don't really use the extra set of controls at all. It's also somewhat of a pain to get to the first battery that's still inside the camera to charge it. It really would have been better to be able to fit two batteries into this external grip so I could slide the tray out and charge both batteries without having to unscrew the grip. This really comes into play when tripod mounted or in some other rig. Original review: The MB-D10 is really nice. Battery Options: It comes with two battery trays: one holds an EN-EL3e 7.4v 1500mAh lith-ion battery (same as what the camera holds). The other tray takes eight, AA batteries. Depending on which AA cells you install (Ni-MH, lithium, Ni-MN or alkaline) you can have 9.6 (NiMH at 2500mAh or more) or 12 volts. That voltage can crank the motor to its rated limit of 8 fps...at least until the buffer fills up and its frame rate slows while it writes to the card. You also tell the D300 via the menu which type of battery you have installed. It keeps track of charge for you based on the type. Very smart. The gray EN-EL3e is an update to the D70's black EN-EL3. The EN-EL3e can power the D70 but the older D70 batteries cannot power the D300. That's because the newer EN-EL3e has three contacts on it as opposed to the EN-EL3's two contacts. That extra contact allows the D300 to track the entire life of the EN-EL3e. Interestingly, the D70's older MH-18 charger can charge the newer EN-EL3e as can the D300's newer MH-18a charger. With an EN-EL3e in the camera body and another in the MB-D10, the D300 tracks and remembers how many shots you've taken on each battery, its percentage of charge remaining and even how many times the battery has been charged. When the battery as reached its design limit for recharges (years from now) the D300 will tell you. The grip will also take the larger 11.1v/1900mAh EN-EL4 or EN-EL4a battery [...] but you have to buy a BL-3 cover, which is really just the end of the battery trays mentioned above but without the tray. The cover clips to the end of the EN-EL4 and has a twist lock to hold and seal it into the MB-D10. [...] I bought the MB-D10 because I had purchased a second EN-EL3e knowing full well I'd probably never use it. (My second D70 battery was rarely used because one battery powered the thing about forever.) So, to get some use out of my second D300 battery, I don't leave it in the camera bag...I carry it on the camera as a built-in backup battery. The D300 also allows you to pick which battery you want to use first: the one in the MB-D10 or the one in the camera. I tend to use the MB-D10 battery because it's easier to remove for charging. You have to unscrew the MB-D10 from the D300 to get the internal EN-EL3e out of the camera body. But even then the large thumb wheel allows quick and easy removal. There is a solid rubber L-shaped plug on the camera body's bottom that protects the multiple contacts between camera and MB-D10. That plug stores in a special area on the MB-D10 so you won't lose it. And if you remove the MB-D10 for some reason to use the camera without the MB-D10, you can plug up the contacts on the camera immediately. Controls: The MB-D10 has a complete alternate set of controls on it for when you are shooting verticals: an end-mounted focus/release button with lock ring to prevent accidentally hitting it; an AF-ON button; Master (rear) and Secondary (front) selector wheels for changing program and other functions; and a four-way selector/navigation switch. It's a lot more than a battery back. The same controls your forefinger and thumb access when holding the camera horizontally are there when holding the camera vertically. And it really is more comfortable to hold vertically this way, even though you do have to get used to regripping the camera. I've shot verticals for so many years I'm still getting used to holding the camera in such a foreign way. The MB-D10 fits the D300 like it was molded in one piece: seamless and very ergonomic. It makes the camera quite large and much heavier, but it has a solid feel and for sure I'm not going to run low on power. It's also comforting to know I can buy some AA's anywhere in the world and be able to keep shooting should the EN-EL3e's not have available power for recharging. It's also nice to crank the camera to max frame rate if needed. Some say it also helps balance the camera when you have a really large lens on a tripod. And it's just so...manly. Point-and-shoots are cute and handy but this thing really dresses up the D300 in a useful manner, adds performance and extends power enough for any conceivable assignment. And in a crisis, you can swing the thing like a mace. It probably would not break even then....

This battery pack is a great accessor, if made by Nikon. I have had one for years on my D300 and ordered a second one for my D700 at Amazon. Within six months, it broke. The attachment screw came loose and the battery holder did not fit nicely. Amazon's Estore said they did not accept any warranty after 90 days, so I returned it to Nikon. Nikon had a clear opinion: "this product is a fake, not made by us!". This issue is still not solved. I spend over $ 20 shipping costs and have a useless piece of plastic that costed me almost $ 250. I recommend to verify and return your purchase within 90 days if not original Nikon.

Now that I've used it for a couple of months, I have to say that the MB-D10 is a pretty useful accessory for my D300. It does seem kind of expensive for what it is (hence the four stars) but otherwise, I'm happy with it. I'm 6' 5" and have big hands, so only about half my palm rests on the camera body. Even with my 18-200 lens, it gets kind of tiring after a couple of hours. The MB-D10 makes the camera more comfortable to hold even though it does add a signicant amount of heft. The ergonomics are very good. It feels very solid when attached to the camera. It also seems pretty rugged too (it's made from the same magnesium alloy the D300 is made from). Other advantages are that it does make extended shooting in portrait mode much more comfortable. I haven't had any problem with the shutter release, but the multi-selector button is too small and hard to control (for me anyway). Getting 8 FPS is pretty cool (the sound is awesome) but I really like that it can use AA batteries. I hate to admit how many times I've walked out the door only to find out that I barely have any charge left on the battery. Stupid I know, but at least I can pop into any store and get some AA's. I don't buy the extended battery life argument though. For less weight, expense, and bulk, you can simply put some extra batteries into your camera bag or pocket. I also can't see any reason to use EN-EL4a batteries unless you already have them around. It might save an ounce or two but at almost $200 for the battery, charger and adapter, the money could probably be put to better use elsewhere. The MB-D10 really shines when you're using big lenses hand held (I hate dragging tripods into the wilderness). When using my 80-400 VR zoom, the camera is much more stable, better balanced, and more comfortable with the battery pack. Weight isn't much of an issue because the whole package is heavy anyway, but the ability to keep the camera steady when you're shooting hand held at 400mm is extremely helpful. Some people like the "pro" look and it does make the camera stand out. Personally I could do without the attention, but to each his (or her) own. I don't use it for casual use - too heavy and bulky for that, but if I'm going to do any serious shooting, I wouldn't be without it. All in all it's a great accessory.

I could have gone for a cheaper alternative as this battery grip cost much more than others. All to get 8 fps on my d300s. I won't lie, its a great battery grip, the rubber is well made, fits well in your hands (may be big for some) Sure the shutter button on the side is sensitive, but, I could work around that. Although I didn't have to but, went all out and purchased the EN-EL4a, battery chamber, charger, to make this worth it. The wheels on the button are smooth and feels about the same as my d300s when turning it veritical. That way I don't have to mess with the controls for aperture and shutter speed with being on the battery grip. There is also a lock button to prevent the shutter button from firing when in use horizontal. Attaching the battery and locking it onto my camera body automatically communicates with the battery grip. Its very responsive. Also comes with two battery chambers (one for your standard camera battery x2 or total of 8 front and back of battery chamber) which is good for rechargeables and I was able with the battery rating got up t. 7.7 fps. I didn't like having to charge all eight batteries which is why I chose to invest into the full line of nikon equipment.

I've been using the MB-D10 on my D300 for about a year, and I find it one of those essential add-ons I'm never without. First, the overall quality and materials are excellent. Mated to the camera, it feels like one solid piece, not a flimsy add-on. I find it makes using the D300 much more comfortable, especially if you do a lot of photography in portrait orientation. I also tend to use Nikon's big, heavy lenses, and the D300 with grip is much more balanced than the camera without the grip. The extra battery capacity is also very welcome. I use the Nikon GPS unit, and it tends to deplete the battery at a quick pace - usually under 500 shots. With the grip and an EL-4a, I get a respectable 1200-1500 shots. As others have pointed out, the ability to use standard AA batteries is also a great feature, especially when traveling. The MB-D10 is also integrated in the camera software so you can see how much capacity is left and how many charge cycles the battery has had - reduces chances of running out of power at an inopportune time. The higher frame rate is handy sometimes too, especially if you try HDR photography where time lag between frames can add up to poor results. I also like that I can share the same grip between D300 and D700, and I hope Nikon will maintain this as they introduce new models. My only minor complaints are the weight, and the price of batteries, chargers, etc. The D300 isn't a small camera by any means, and with the MB-D10, something like a 70-200 zoom lens and maybe an SB-900 flash attached, you're in for some serious bulk...indeed, one of the first things I bought after the grip was a much more heavily padded neck strap. Overall, highly recommended.

For the price I paid, I couldn't be happier with this grip. This MB-D10 is the real deal! It was used, but not abused. All contacts were clean and had no problem attaching it to my D300. It included both battery trays for a rechargeable battery and 8 AA alkaline batteries. The construction of the grip is top-notch, made of magnesium alloy, just like the D300. It feels solid, unlike plastic third-party battery grips. It does add weight to the camera, but the extended battery life and increased frames per second are worth the heavier load. My only minor complaint is the sensitivity of the MB-D10 shutter release. When trying to press it halfway, it'll trigger the shutter. This has been a known issue for as long as this grip has been in production, so I knew what to expect. For under $100, I got a genuine Nikon grip. I strongly recommend it!

Ich habe Anfangs gezögert, mir diesen Batteriegriff für meine D300 zuzulegen. Schliesslich kann man eine 2. Batterie auch so mit sich rum tragen. Und ich war nicht an der erhöhten Schussfolge interessiert. Auch schien es mir umständlich, den Griff abmontieren zu müssen um die sich in der D300 befindliche Batterie zu entfernen. Gut, für Porträtfotos ist der Griff natürlich praktisch, da er einen eigenen Auslöser und eigene Einstellräder hat. Aber dann das Mehrgewicht und auch noch der relativ hohe Preis.... Jetzt habe ich das Ding, und will es nicht wieder hergeben. Es erhöht wesentlich den Tragekomfort der Kamera, da sich insbesondere der Handballen am Batteriegriff seitlich abstützen kann. Bei längeren Einsätzen, sowie beim Einsatz mit einem schweren Teleobjektiv oder einem externen Blitz ist dies sehr wichtig. Und das relativiert für mich alle Fragen. Wenn ich mit der Autonomie eines EN-EL3e Akkus auskomme, kommt der gleich in den Batteriegriff und gar nicht erst in die D300. Für stromintensive Einsätze gibt es dann 2 Akkus - einer in der D300 und einer im Griff. Notfalls kann man den Griff auch mit 8 AA-Batterien oder -Akkus betreiben. Alles in allem - hervorragendes Zubehör, exzellent verarbeitet, und ein echter Gewinn in Sachen Komfort.

j'ai trouvé cet appendice idéal pour tenir un boitier avec le plus grand confort, et je regrette même de ne pas l'avoir acquis en même temps que mon boitier D300 il y a 4 ans. il améliore grandement la prise en main du boitier dans les 2 positions, horizontale et verticale. En plus la poignée donne au boitier un air très pro! Outre l'aspect massif de l'ensemble, il y a un bouton déclencheur supplémentaire sur le côté et 2 roues codeuses qui améliorent grandement l'ergonomie. Par contre le bouton déclencheur est très sensible à la moindre pression du doigt. Un accessoire très utile à posséder absolument. Nikon - MB-D10 - Poignée alimentation pour Nikon D300

Perché utile quando si esauriscono le batterie di scorta, specialmente in occasioni speciali, durante escursioni, viaggi o bivacchi dove non si sa se esista la corrente elettrica. Le pile alcaline AA si trovano anche nei luoghi più disparati, persino nei lòdge o nei rifugi di alta quota. Certo che otto pile pesano più delle batterie dedicate! Il supporto MB - D10 serve anche (quando non si teme di appesantirsi troppo) per rendere più stabile la fotocamera, abbassandone il baricentro, specie se si usa a mano libera o si eseguono filmati. La maggiore massa e la doppia impugnatura attenuano i movimenti bruschi o le vibrazioni, in quanto richiede maggiore energia muscolare. Non do consigli perché è un òptional personale.

There have been a number of negative points made from various sources regarding the design of this power grip. As a result I was reluctant to spend out on one at first. However having tried one in a local store I have found that the benefits in terms of handling, balance and shooting capacity for the camera body outweigh these by a clear margin. The extra shooting capacity provided by using either a second EN-EL3e pack or a set of 8x AA Ni-Mh rechargeable batteries is very useful. The latter also giving the full 8 frames per second with the D300 body. The lack of a holder for the EN-EL4 series packs is a wise call by Nikon I believe, helping to keep unnecessary cost down. Few D300 users will be able justify the considerable expense of the EN-EL4 pack and charger set ( several hundred pounds ) just for use with a D300 / MB-D10 when almost all the benefits they offer can be realised by the purchase of a couple of cheap sets of AA Ni-Mh cells and a charger for around £25-£30. If you already use an EN-EL4 then the cost of the extra battery holder is probably justified. With the MB-D10 fitted the EN-EL3e pack in the camera body needs to be changed very infrequently if left largely unused by sensible battery management in the MB-D10. In my case every 4-6 weeks, just to top it up and to rotate packs. It could be said that the shape of the grip owes more to aesthetics than function as the internal space is not used very efficiently. In terms of handling the MB-D10 does offer extra stability and grip to the D300 body and adds extra leverage to the heel of the hand, in both landscape and portrait orientation. This leverage is useful in balancing longer telephoto zooms especially `pro' series lenses with their extra bulk and weight. Although this should be used with a little caution to avoid over stressing or distorting the lens mount on the camera body with these heavy lenses. The extra battery weight also helps to balance lenses with a tripod mount. This is a great bit of kit to add to a D300 based system with the benefit it can be very quickly removed when the extra bulk or weight are an issue.

Functions as it shouldl