MieKe grip for the D800 - mini review

Dave_W

The Dude
I should have updated the group earlier but better late than never.

The MieKe grip for the D800 works great and after ~2 weeks I've had no problems with it at all. It gives the camera a much larger and solid feel. The grip itself fits nicely on the D800 body and steadies the camera as a grip should. The buttons feel great and I didn't get the loose feeling that was reported for the other model of D800 grip. I also like that the metal tightening ring does not rattle like my Zeikos D7000 grip. All in all, I'm very pleased with my purchase and the $350 I saved compared to the Nikon grip makes this grip all the nicer.

Here are some photos of the grip along with the box. Interestingly, the box lists the grip as a "D800S" grip. I wonder if we should alert NikonRumors? ;)

2DW_6829.jpg2DW_6834.jpg2DW_6841.jpg2DW_6844.jpg2DW_6852.jpg
 

stmv

Senior Member
I have gotten grips for my D300 and D700, but in the end, never really got to like them, I liked the controls when you move the camera vertical, but the added bulk and such never really seemed worth the tradeoff of just carrying an extra battery. I find that as long as I put in a fully charged battery, I can go all day on one charge, so never really need the extended range.

Does it change the Frame rate in fX mode, I thought it only speeds up the frame rate in DX mode, but the buffer limit seems to limit that.

So,, what do you find is the main appeal of the extended grip? besides making it look and feel a lot closer to a D4?
 

Dave_W

The Dude
Well, typically I like grips because it helps steady the camera for me. I'm a big guy and have very large hands and small camera bodies are hard for me to hold steady than are larger bodies. I noticed a big difference when I put a grip on my D7000 compared to no grip. However, the D800 is large enough by itself that I haven't really noticed a difference in my ability to hold it steady. So truth be told, at this point the grip is merely there for any vertical shooting and to make it look like I have a bada$$ camera, bad'er even than a D4!! LOL!!! Actually, that's not too far off the mark. I've noticed my D800 w/ grip turns heads faster than a bikini clad hottie at an Amish picnic!
 

Dave_W

The Dude
mojo claims to be a nikon snob but buys a cheapo grip?

Let's face it, unlike Canon, Nikon contracts out all their items like grips and sensors, etc., so it's entirely plausible that the only difference between this grip and a Nikon grip is the box it comes in. And besides, this way I have more extra cash to buy important things like lenses and B+W filters!!
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Well, that is yet to be seen. I have a Nikon grip on my D90. It was a reasonable price and well designed. This D800 grip is outrageously priced and a stupid design that requires you to remove the grip to replace one of the batteries.

I decided to go with the Mieke grip as well, just waiting for it to arrive. I figure, if it lasts 2 years plus, I WIN BIG. I can toss it, try to repair it or crush and trash it and buy another one to last 2 years and by that time, it is time for a new camera anyway. Who cares and I save $300.

I have NIKON everything, but NOT this grip! Sorry Nikon, just a touch too greedy on this one.
 
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Eye-level

Banned
Apparently the Japanese have a real problem with batteries (me too...I do not like the idea of having to have a battery!)...therefore making them expensive I think. What is that all about? Glenn?
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Apparently the Japanese have a real problem with batteries (me too...I do not like the idea of having to have a battery!)...therefore making them expensive I think. What is that all about? Glenn?


This is about an Nikon overpriced grip. It has nothing really to do with batteries per say other than it is poorly designed. Batteries or how good or bad they are is not the issue.
 

Eye-level

Banned
Yeah but it is relevent...battery regulations in Japan may be why the Nikon unit is "just a touch too greedy on this one."

I've contacted someone in Japan to line me out on this battery deal that I am hearing about.
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Yeah but it is relevent...battery regulations in Japan may be why the Nikon unit is "just a touch too greedy on this one."

I've contacted someone in Japan to line me out on this battery deal that I am hearing about.

NO BATTERY COMES WITH THIS UNIT. It is a camera grip. I fail to see how all this would make it expensive, but I am all ears ready to learn.
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Nevermind...enjoy your grip when you get it...don't forget the batteries! :)


LOL

OK, but if your Japan connection tells you something good, please share it. If a battery came with it, I might think there was an issue. You get two trays, both EMPTY. One for AA Batteries and the other for the EN-EL15 battery. You have to buy these separate.

The AA batteries fit in the grip. The EN-EL 15 holder only holds ONE battery, the other stays in the camera and you have to REMOVE the grip to remove the battery.

That is why I said this was a poorly designed grip. On my D90 grip, you open the back door, take out and charge the expired battery while the charged one stays in the camera. Or, take them both out and replace with two fresh batteries. Great design, no need to remove the grip. I think I paid $170 delivered to my door with an extra battery! At the time, a great deal from BH in NY.

This D800 grip requires you to remove the grip so you can remove the battery from the camera to recharge it.

Not impressed with the design.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
I have a rather "bitter" or unpleasant experience with this battery grip. I just purchased this less than 1 month and have only used it less than five times within the house and it gave me electrical issues already with my D800E.

The Quality control is just poor and I am afraid that it will end up shorting my camera. Time to send it back and get the real Nikon product. This is similar experience with my D700 zeikos grip. My D7000 grip which is a Nikon grip is still reliable as ever. I'll never go cheap on battery grips anymore.

You get what you pay for. :disgust:

 
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evan

Banned
i have heard reports of shorting with canon versions of this grip as well as issues regarding shutter lag and general quality. some people with large hands use it purely to make for a larger camera and do not insert batteries, or not even switch it on!
 

Dave_W

The Dude
I have a rather "bitter" or unpleasant experience with this battery grip. I just purchased this less than 1 month and have only used it less than five times within the house and it gave me electrical issues already with my D800E.

The Quality control is just poor and I am afraid that it will end up shorting my camera. Time to send it back and get the real Nikon product. This is similar experience with my D700 zeikos grip. My D7000 grip which is a Nikon grip is still reliable as ever. I'll never go cheap on battery grips anymore.

You get what you pay for. :disgust:


Man, that sucks. I guess it's a hit and miss with these things, as with anything mass produced. I know many pros who swear by 3rd party grips and laugh at the money being spent by the "weekend" professionals. But hey, I'd have a Nikon grip in a NY minute if Nikon would price these things appropriately. The funny thing is that a battery grip is about as low tech as you can get. In reality it's simply a glorified battery tray with a plug and wire. Not much to mess up. In fact, I'm much less worried about a potential short than I am tinsel strength. This is where the potential for something horrible comes in. Imagine a grip snapping off from the tripod and your camera taking a dive...not a pretty thought. But interestingly, I've never read anyone experiencing this problem (Whew...). Most complain about battery drain or plastic vs. metal, or direction the nobs turn, etc., so my guess is these grips are plenty strong enough.

If Nikon would sell their grips at a reasonable price, I'd be all over it. And maybe some day they will review their sales figures and come to the startling conclusion that grip sales can be increased with a more reasonable pricing and viola! We'll all be sporting Nikon sanctioned grips!
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Any time you change batteries, change memory cards....installing or removing.........the camera should be OFF!! After installing the battery or memory card, THEN turn the camera on.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Any time you change batteries, change memory cards....installing or removing.........the camera should be OFF!! After installing the battery or memory card, THEN turn the camera on.

Hi Jack- I am well aware of that and the results are the same. The video was made for demonstration purposes and to show other potential buyers about the risk that they are taking. It is all up to the individual.

The results are the same even if you place the battery inside the battery tray or both.

I have a $3,300. camera and I am no longer willing to take my chances with a crappy manufacturer whether it is made by Zeikos, Mieke, Phottix, etc. Once your camera's circuitry is shorted, then say goodbye to your investment. Yours may work but the consistency is just not there. Seeing is believing sometimes.
 
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