Nikon MB-D15 vs third party knockoff

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Cee Fish

Senior Member
I purchased a third party battery grip from eBay (Neewer) to use with my D7100.

While the grip has worked 100% as advertised, I was never in love with the fit and finish.

It also flexed (pulled away almost 1/4") when mounted on the camera, to the point that I was concerned when using a Black Rapid strap while walking around.

I made the decision to bite the bullet and buy an authentic Nikon MB-D15. Adorama was my huckleberry, it arrived today...

Disclaimer: I'm not a product photographer, I don't have a studio, or proper lighting. My kitchen table was held hostage for the photo shoot.

My findings:

The Nikon unit is much nicer than the knockoff (KO). The buttons emulate the feel of the D7100 exactly. It doesn't rattle and the fit and finish is top notch (as one would expect).
The Nikon unit weighs 2oz more the the KO. It is also much sturdier.
You can squeeze the KO in the battery area and cause some significant deflection. The Nikon does not deflect at all.
The KO buttons work, but are not as sophisticated as the Nikon. The shutter release being the biggest difference.
The KO is also a bit larger then the Nikon and has a different profile for the bottom of the camera (I have tried to capture that in the photos).
The battery tray(s) from the KO will fit in the Nikon, although a little snug, the Nikon tray(s) will not seat all the way into the KO.
The Nikon is rock solid on the camera, it fits the camera perfectly and feels very good in the hand.

Photos:








Nikon on right.

Nikon on top.



Overall, I very pleased with my decision to buy the OEM Nikon unit.

I Hope this helps some of you out there who are contemplating this purchase.
 
G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Cee Fish said:
I purchased a third party battery grip from eBay (Neewer) to use with my D7100.

While the grip has worked 100% as advertised, I was never in love with the fit and finish.

It also flexed (pulled away almost 1/4") when mounted on the camera, to the point that I was concerned when using a Black Rapid strap while walking around.

I made the decision to bite the bullet and buy an authentic Nikon MB-D15. Adorama was my huckleberry, it arrived today...

Disclaimer: I'm not a product photographer, I don't have a studio, or proper lighting. My kitchen table was held hostage for the photo shoot.

My findings:

The Nikon unit is much nicer than the knockoff (KO). The buttons emulate the feel of the D7100 exactly. It doesn't rattle and the fit and finish is top notch (as one would expect).
The Nikon unit weighs 2oz more the the KO. It is also much sturdier.
You can squeeze the KO in the battery area and cause some significant deflection. The Nikon does not deflect at all.
The KO buttons work, but are not as sophisticated as the Nikon. The shutter release being the biggest difference.
The KO is also a bit larger then the Nikon and has a different profile for the bottom of the camera (I have tried to capture that in the photos).
The battery tray(s) from the KO will fit in the Nikon, although a little snug, the Nikon tray(s) will not seat all the way into the KO.
The Nikon is rock solid on the camera, it fits the camera perfectly and feels very good in the hand.

Edited***

Overall, I very pleased with my decision to buy the OEM Nikon unit.

I Hope this helps some of you out there who are contemplating this purchase.
Click to expand...

Good for you. I wouldn't trust the 3rd party brand also if you are using a BR strap and just rely on that single screw.
 
P

pedroj

Senior Member
I bought a 'Knockoff' grip as you call them with 2 non Nikon batteries [$78] for a D300 and have found it to a very good product...

Ive had it screwed to the tripod with the 16-35mm attached...No bending or twisting...

I can take around the same amount of images with the batteries....
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
I've have several knock off grips, but I bought a Nikon grip for my D300! The Nikon grip is hands down the best grip! If money isn't a huge issue I would highly recommend getting a Nikon grip over the third party grips!
But the third party grips I have are well worth getting if the Nikon grip is out of your budget possibilities, or if your Nikon is lower end and no Nikon grips are available IMHO! :D
 
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Tyler

Senior Member
The size difference on those loons pretty significant. The nikon grips are just ridiculously priced compared to 3rd party ones
 
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Moab Man

Senior Member
The third party do have flex, do not fit like a glove, and the wife and I so far have had a 66% fail rate. Her new third party grip, mentioned in her Project 365 for today, doesn't work except for the shutter release button. Back it goes as roll the dice to see if the next one is any good.

My experience was the first one would cycle the camera non-stop with any movement. Second one worked.

I would never mount a carry strap from the grip of these third party grips.
 
D

Deezey

Senior Member
I went 3rd party on the D90. But the D610 will get the Nikon grip for piece of mind.

I have carried my D90 with a strap attached to the grip no problems. But for the coin I forked over on the D610, it just wouldn't be a safe investment.
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
The only KO I have is on my D40. My D200 and D300 are both genuine Nikon grips. The D40 grip is made by Aputure and works flawlessly. There are a few 3rd party grips out there, and not all made the same.
 
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Tyler

Senior Member
I had planned on gripping my D7100 when it comes in but I'm going to be using a black rapid strap and that just freaks me out. Maybe I will make some sort of fail safe strap that connects from the BR to the built in hooks.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I never felt comfortable carrying any camera by the tripod mount. When I used a Black Rapid sling-strap I attached the carabiner connector to the strap lug on the camera body. I don't use that BR sling strap any longer but I do use one of their wrist straps and I do the same thing; carabiner attachment to the strap lug.

And I agree with fotojack... Not all third party grips are made the same. There are some really good, inexpensive grips available.

...
 
C

Cee Fish

Senior Member
I think the biggest difference with the third party grips is the lack of magnesium in the build.

The MB-D15 uses magnesium to increase the strength and structure of the grip. The Neewer grip I purchased clearly is all plastic by the way it flexes.

I'm still happy I purchased the real deal, camera fells MUCH more solid in hand with the Nikon grip attached.
 
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bigal1000

Senior Member
The Nikon is better in every way in my opinion having owned and used 3rd party grips in the past I would use only a Nikon now...........
 
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B

bigal1000

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
I never felt comfortable carrying any camera by the tripod mount. When I used a Black Rapid sling-strap I attached the carabiner connector to the strap lug on the camera body. I don't use that BR sling strap any longer but I do use one of their wrist straps and I do the same thing; carabiner attachment to the strap lug.

And I agree with fotojack... Not all third party grips are made the same. There are some really good, inexpensive grips available.

...
Click to expand...

Do you think that using one strap lug is really more secure than the tripod mount ? I have been using that strap for a long time with the tripod mount and have not seen any signs of stress as yet.
 
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