Questions for vertical grip users

Exactly which vertical grip do you have in mind?

The one grip that feels solid is the MB-D10 for the D700 and D300. Most other grips are made out of plastic and don't have a solid feel.

I only use the MB-D10 on my D300 when I need 8 frames/sec. Most of the time I prefer the smaller configuration of the D300 by itself.

I use Nikon's grip for the D200. I suppose I'd be happier if it were made from the same magnesium as the frame of the camera, but then it would be stupidly expensive. It's reasonably well made, though I understand that the versions for their more recent cameras are better still. Mine just about never comes off the camera. I DO sometimes use it while the camera's on a tripod - depends on what I'm shooting. With a longer lens on, I'm using the lens's own tripod foot, so that part never matters.

The second shutter button and comand wheel set feels just fine, and does exactly what you'd expect it to do in the vertical orientation. Having the extra battery capacity onboard, and the extra mass (for me) is a huge benefit. I have large hands, and the whole rig just feels better with the grip installed, so there it stays unless I want to carry a smaller rig with a short lens in a hip bag for walk-about casual stuff.

No, I never got around to getting an L-bracket. On the likelihood that I'll soon be purchasing another body, I've been holding off on that. But then, I've got a very sturdy tripod and ball head, so if I need to go vertical, the off-center-ness of it when using shorter lenses hasn't been an issue at all. Again, on long lenses, the bracket (for me) wouldn't even come into play anyway.

To summarize: feels better in my hand than without the grip - better balance. Doesn't feel flimsy at all as long as you have it seated well and tightened down. More battery headroom: a good thing.

On my D200 I used the grip always with the exeption when used on a tripod, it was too unstable. The whole is a very bad thing, both battery clips broke twice.

On my D300 I never remove the grip. The design is much better, with the 2nd 4-way selector, too.

I use the grip on my D300 almost all of the time. I find it to be very solid and I like the added heft that it gives the camera. I do not use a L bracket on my cameras. The second shutter release on the MB-D10 seems to be a little more sensitive then the primary release. The comand dials work just fine.

The grip never leaves my D200, unless I'm traveling and need the space. I use a tripod quite a bit, and have a ballhead (no L bracket). Stability is not an issue in that area. The dual battery configuration is a must for me on days of continual shooting. It's not as well built as the motordrive on my old F3, but it does the job and then some.

I use my grip all the time. I just remove it to charge the batteries. On my first camera, D80, which had a plastic body same as the grip, I wasn't completely happy with it. It used to get loose. Now my D300/MB-D10 combo, I love it. It is very solid. it never gets loose. It feels like one piece. When you shoot portrait it makes it so much easier to handle the camera and shoot. Rene'

Correction. I don't use the trigger on the battery pack. I always have the release cord attached to my camera and even when I don't use a tripod I use the release cord, but still, the grip helps to handle the camera much better. Rene'

Aside from increased frame rate, I find the grip gives the camera more stability, especially when using a heavy lens. But I suppose it really depends on the size of your hands. I never shoot without one.

The grip is on my D200 and D300 all the time - the added size and weight help me hold the camera more stably. I actually like the design of the MB-D200 better than that of the MB-D10 - having to remove the grip every time to get to the second battery inside the camera is a nuisance. Wish the MB-D200 was metal and not plastic though. Never had contact problems with the MB-D200 but the MB-D10 seems to be more prone to them. No L-bracket - I shoot almost exclusively handheld - and the longer lenses have their own tripod mounts anyway.