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Photo Forum / Digital Photography / DSLR Cameras / March 2006Grip for Pentax DS, where to buy?
http://www.dicain.com/2002/zb/view.php?id=notice&no=61  Signature"If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get a million miles per gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside." - Robert X. Cringely I don't think this is an ideal choice for a vertical grip. The original Pentax vertical grip for the *ist D communicate with the body via dedicated contacts at the bottom of the body (which the DS lacks, anyway) and there are Av and Tv dials. Futhermore, connection through by sticking LED to the IR receiver is not a firm one plus it will hinder the user of remote IR controller which is originally for. To me, a vertical grip for *ist D and DS is not necessary as one of the main selling point of the camera bodies is that it is small and lightweight! So, why add weight and size and defeat this big advantage? I would rather just carry sets of spare batteries if needed. RiceHigh http://www.geocities.com/ricehigh >I don't think this is an ideal choice for a vertical grip. The original > Pentax vertical grip for the *ist D communicate with the body via [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > RiceHigh > http://www.geocities.com/ricehigh This is not a battery grip, it lets you use the camera in portrait mode and has a shutter release that plugs into the cable release socket. I agree that the smaller size is a great feature of this camera but for portrait mode the normal release is not ideal. This grip will not add much weight. Oh, I see. Anyway, the spec says it is 200g +/- 30g (why the range is so wide?) and the pictures of the grip looks bulky. Also, is that the grip requires no battery as it plug into the cable release socket and should be a passive device? For portrait works, I still prefer to just hold the right grip of my DS, rotate it down (instead of up as told in the manual) and my right arm leans on my body and the results are of no difference when compared with my MZ-S with the perfect Pentax grip BG-10 on it. Still, the only thing I found the product to be attractive is the hand strap which is handy and useful for safe gripping. RiceHigh http://www.geocities.com/ricehigh > Oh, I see. Anyway, the spec says it is 200g +/- 30g (why the range is > so wide?) and the pictures of the grip looks bulky. Also, is that the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Still, the only thing I found the product to be attractive is the hand > strap which is handy and useful for safe gripping. Maybe you are right about the weight, still it looks interesting though. > Oh, I see. Anyway, the spec says it is 200g +/- 30g (why the range is > so wide?) It appears that the range is so wide because it's a prototype, and not actually in production. I don't interested in a vertical grip anyway. Even if someday I want one, I won't buy into a 3rd party one other than original Pentax one. BTW, thanks for the info provided by Pete anyway. RiceHigh http://www.geocities.com/ricehigh "RiceHigh" <ricehigh@yahoo.com> wrote in message > To me, a vertical grip for *ist D and DS is not necessary as one of the > main selling point of the camera bodies is that it is small and > lightweight! So, why add weight and size and defeat this big advantage? > I would rather just carry sets of spare batteries if needed. I don't think much of these cheap third party grips - but the original 'D' grip must surely be *the* best camera grip, bar none. The other manufacturer's require the user to remove the battery door on the camera (great design, eh?) when using their proprietary grips, which means that, once on, the grip tends to stay on the camera. Pentax, otoh, actually *thought* about the design and provided under-body contacts shielded by a flap when the grip is not being used. This means it takes only seconds to attach and remove the grip - and, as the camera battery compartment remains untouched, double power is available via the grip/camera combination. What's more, unlike the rather nasty third party grip for the DS, the Pentax 'D' offering gives a full range of controls for vertical operation. However, perhaps, more importantly, the grip is essential when using hefty lenses on the 'D' as it transforms the handling, and makes the whole package feel nice and substantial. I can't for the life of me think *why* the same grip was not used for the DS/DL - other than cost savings (the D was roughly twice as expensive) It would be a BIG mistake for Pentax to release their 'D' replacement without a similar grip facility available. I agree that the D grip is very good if one really need one. I don't need one though even after I have shooted near 10,000 shots, amongst which are some portraits done mostly with my FA*85 and FA 43 limited. > I can't for the life of me think *why* the same grip was not used for the DS/DL - other than cost savings (the D was roughly twice as expensive) It would be a BIG mistake for Pentax to release their 'D' replacement without a similar grip facility available. The reason is simple, Pentax *intentionally* to make the DS and DL as a cheap entry level model, which do not have more advanced features, even the cost implication is really small. Otherwise, no one will "upgrade" in the future. If so, they will surely make much less money. To the consumer, this was a mistake. To Pentax, they had done the most correct thing for making money! RiceHigh http://www.geocities.com/ricehigh > The reason is simple, Pentax *intentionally* to make the DS and DL as a > cheap entry level model, which do not have more advanced features, even [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > To the consumer, this was a mistake. To Pentax, they had done the most > correct thing for making money! Nikon did the same with the D70/D70s and the D50. It had to be intentional, because the market for a grip is so large that there are now three companies selling after-market grips, and the tooling costs to make a grip are quite high so there must be sufficient volume. Canon does have the grips available for all of their D-SLRs. > I don't think this is an ideal choice for a vertical grip. The original > Pentax vertical grip for the *ist D communicate with the body via > dedicated contacts at the bottom of the body (which the DS lacks, > anyway) and there are Av and Tv dials. Not ideal, but as good as you'll get unfortunately. One of the requirements in the selection of a digital SLR is to check out the accessories that you're likely to want. After using a vertical grip on a film SLR, and on a 20D, I can't imagine buying an SLR that doesn't have this option. The ability to hold extra batteries is a bonus, but not the main reason to get a vertical grip. The Nikon D70 has three different after-market vertical grips available, which attests to the market demand for them. |
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