Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)before i got the d300, i had the d80. of course, i had to get the grip for that 'pro' look. i really like how it balanced the camera, not just vertically, but it made it easier to hold from the bottom. i have fairly big hands, so this is important to me.
the d80 grip was really an optional but cool-looking accessory, but the d300 grip is more mandatory IMO. for one thing its much more solid, made out of the same mag-alloy compound as the d300. it adds some weight and bulk, but its both aerodynamic and ergonomic, so that's not a problem.
for another thing, you can keep one battery in the camera and not have to remove it to put the grip in like with the d80. that makes it much less of a hassle to put the grip on or take it off in the field.
also the battery compartment cradle is smoother, you just slide it in. okay so that last one was a pretty minor detail, but little minor details add up to great products. anyway, the shutter button is metal, not plactic, and in addition to an AF-lockbutton, there's also a multiselector for changing the focus point when shooting vertical. that's pretty cool.
even cooler is the fact that you can choose in the camera menu settings whether the grip's battery's charge first or the camera's. that means you can keep a charged battery in the camera at all times and just switch out the grip batteries. even better, the grip takes AAs. the d80 grip took AA's too, but needed 6 instead of 4, which creates logistical issues for charging, purchasing, etc. (most chargers take 4 batteries at a time and are sold in 4-packs, not two-packs)
the best part of the MB-D10, though is that by using the grip with the right batteries and a fast card, you can get 2 fps more for a grand total of 8fps with the d300 (Speed Demon alert!!!). so it's a lot more functional and less cosmetic than the d80 grip which gives you 3fps no matter what batteries you use.
this kit, which only costs twenty bucks above the grip itself includes a charger and 8 2900 mAh aa's -- worth $45 right there-- plus an high-volume airblower, a soft brush (use on lenses or the LCD ONLY -- get a dedicated sensor cleaning brush like the arctic butterfly for the sensor) and a couple of lenswipes and fluid. that's maybe another $20 if you bought it all separately
simply stated, this kit is a great deal, because you get better battery life out of NiMH batteries than an El-E4a, which you would otherwise have to buy, plus the bl-3 battery cover which nikon doesnt include gratis with the d300 or mb-d10. and you get a spare set of batteries, which is awesome. look at the cost of buying this kit over 2 En-El4a and a Bl-3 and it's pretty much a no-brainer unless you enjoy spending more money than you have to.
the charger is of the medium-cycle variety, so it takes about 5 hours to charge up the batteries to full. the cool thing is the trickle charge function which allows you to always keep a fully charged set on standby. plus the charger will work on other NiMH batteries and has an adapter plug for international use.
all in all, the grip is a winner and the kit makes it even sweeter.
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Nikon MB-D10 Battery Grip for D300, D300s & D700 Digital SLR Cameras + (8) - AA Rechargeable Batteries with Charger + Accessory KitKit includes:♦ 1) Nikon MB-D10 Battery Grip for D300, D300s & D700♦ 2) 4 - 2700mAh AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries w/5 Hour 110-220v Charger ♦ 3) Additional 4 - 2700mAh AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries ♦ 4) Precision Design Deluxe 6-Piece Lens & Digital SLR Camera Cleaning Kit
The Nikon MB-D10 Grip Multi Power Battery Pack allows the Nikon D300 , D300s & D700 to be powered by two EN-EL3e batteries simultaneously one in the camera body and one in the MB-D10 - effectively doubling your shooting capacity. The MB-D10 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.
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 Nikon MB-D10 Battery Grip for D300, D300s & D700 Digital SLR Cameras + (8) - AA Rechargeable Batteries with Charger + Accessory Kit
