Is a MB-D18 and necessary accessories worth the cost?

[jst1moor]

I want to thank each and every member for their opinions and input. If I did not reply to each comment, do not think they were overlooked or disregarded. They were all valued.
I believe I am going to try a grip set-up (suggested third party setup more than likely....maybe... T.B.D.)
We'll see what happens,
Until next time.. Stay Strong / Stay Healthy and enjoy all of God's awesome creations!

 

[Yellowboard]

In this line of photography, a higher frame rate is always better. IMHO

 

[fulltimewanderer]

One quick thought, try renting a MB-D18 grip and a EN EL 18a battery. Several lens rental companies, such as borrowlense have them for rent. $44.00 for the grip and $29.00 for the battery not sure about the charger. Rental fee is for a week. This will give you a chance to try it out for yourself.

 

[jst1moor]

I have been selling kits of third party grip/battery/charger .BL5 on ebay and have sold dozens without problems provided you get the right grip and most important the right battery . If you are in the UK I might be able to help you item No 174309263259

If I resided in Brit-land I'd give it a go ... But, alas .... Thank you for the input. Stay healthy over there!

 

[Graham Clark]

Late to the party...

Can't help with the Nikon vs 3rd party/aftermarket choice as only have the OEM items.

For dynamic work the FPS gain is noticeable but the main advantage I find is in AF performance. The 2500mAh/10.8v of the EN-EL18 cells moves heavier glass that bit quicker than the 1900mAh/7.0v EN-EL15's. I see this on both the D850 and D500, particularly when working with the 300mm f/2.8 VRII and 500mm f/4E.

 

[Graham Clark]

Btw I always have a little bag with first aid stuff

Yep, always packing a TQ and an Israeli bandage, old habits...

 

[jst1moor]

Late to the party...

Can't help with the Nikon vs 3rd party/aftermarket choice as only have the OEM items.

For dynamic work the FPS gain is noticeable but the main advantage I find is in AF performance. The 2500mAh/10.8v of the EN-EL18 cells moves heavier glass that bit quicker than the 1900mAh/7.0v EN-EL15's. I see this on both the D850 and D500, particularly when working with the 300mm f/2.8 VRII and 500mm f/4E.

Can the 300 2.8 AF get any faster?. I don't have the 500 f4 but my 300 f2.8 is already a dragster. Well, that is just another plus for the grip. Thank you!

 

[Ed Erkes]

I think I bought one Nikon grip, for a D300 I believe. Ive used nothing but third party grips and third party batteries on cameras since then: a D700, 2 D800s, a D500 and a D850. I never had a problem with any of them.

 

[frdjohns]

A word of caution. While others here have has success with 3rd party grips, my experience is the opposite. I bought the Vello BG-N19-2 for use on my D850. I have Nikon EN-EL18 and EN-EL-18a batteries that I use in my D5. The Vello grip will not function at all using those batteries. It does work with a spare EN-EL15, just no frame-rate increase. I double checked the instructions and sure enough, it said the grip is compatible with Nikon EN-EL18b batteries. Shame on me, I should have researched better. I assumed because my batteries are original Nikon and drive both a D4 and a D5 without issue that they would work. My bad. Bottom line is the Vello will not work and I am not willing to buy a $150 battery to get a $40 grip to work.

So now I will eventually bite the bullet and get an actual Nikon MB-D18 grip. ( Note - I have used 3rd party grips on my D500, a Meike, without issue; but I'm done with Vello.) I'm not saying the Vello doesn't work for others. Just that it absolutely does not work on my camera with my batteries.

 

[Thern]

A word of caution. While others here have has success with 3rd party grips, my experience is the opposite. I bought the Vello BG-N19-2 for use on my D850. I have Nikon EN-EL18 and EN-EL-18a batteries that I use in my D5. The Vello grip will not function at all using those batteries. It does work with a spare EN-EL15, just no frame-rate increase. I double checked the instructions and sure enough, it said the grip is compatible with Nikon EN-EL18b batteries. Shame on me, I should have researched better. I assumed because my batteries are original Nikon and drive both a D4 and a D5 without issue that they would work. My bad. Bottom line is the Vello will not work and I am not willing to buy a $150 battery to get a $40 grip to work.

So now I will eventually bite the bullet and get an actual Nikon MB-D18 grip. ( Note - I have used 3rd party grips on my D500, a Meike, without issue; but I'm done with Vello.) I'm not saying the Vello doesn't work for others. Just that it absolutely does not work on my camera with my batteries.

To be honest I did buy two times a third party grip.
Both didn’t have the snug fit of the OEM grip and one did even made me have to return my D800E.
The first thing the NPS tech asked me was hey Roger do you use a bg by any chance?
Repair was not very expensive. A blown fuse, untill then I didn’t realize there would be a fuse internally, but clearly (happily) there is one.
Nonetheless for the price of the thirdparty grip and the cost of repair I could have bought an OEM grip right away.
Needless to say I never bought a third party grip ever since.

 

[Charles Loy]

Early on the genuine Nikon grip did not fit well, loose and flexed, it was not at all the quality of other Nikon grips. That may not be true now, but it was early on. I bought the Vello BG-N19-2 grip from B-H when I got the camera (first day available). That grip shows 8 fps with stock Nikon EN-EL15 battery installed (in the grip), and 9 with EN- el18 setup.

 

[jst1moor]

A word of caution. While others here have has success with 3rd party grips, my experience is the opposite. I bought the Vello BG-N19-2 for use on my D850. I have Nikon EN-EL18 and EN-EL-18a batteries that I use in my D5. The Vello grip will not function at all using those batteries. It does work with a spare EN-EL15, just no frame-rate increase. I double checked the instructions and sure enough, it said the grip is compatible with Nikon EN-EL18b batteries. Shame on me, I should have researched better. I assumed because my batteries are original Nikon and drive both a D4 and a D5 without issue that they would work. My bad. Bottom line is the Vello will not work and I am not willing to buy a $150 battery to get a $40 grip to work.

So now I will eventually bite the bullet and get an actual Nikon MB-D18 grip. ( Note - I have used 3rd party grips on my D500, a Meike, without issue; but I'm done with Vello.) I'm not saying the Vello doesn't work for others. Just that it absolutely does not work on my camera with my batteries.

Yes, I saw that within the description on Amazon. It states 9fps with EN-EL18B. I also saw a review that said the Wasabi EN-EL18 battery gets 9fps as well. I think I will go that way. Thanks for the input.

 

[Pistnbroke]

If the OP or anyone else is going to move on this I would point out that third party MH26 chargers are getting difficult to find, The Nikon ones are 5x the price more than a full third party kit would cost .
I put this down to a reducing demand for grip upgrades on the D850,everyone who wants one has bought it by now.
Jstonemore ... I only found a couple of grip brands that did not work but some of the people I sold grip kits to initially said they did not work and it was because they had the menu setting wrong. once corrected all good.

 

[dabhand16]

I know I could probably buy used and save but even then it is expensive.
All opinions are welcome, Thanks in advance!

Not read all of this thread so don't know if this has been covered.

I'm not sure if it would support the use of the more powerful battery, but when I bought my D850 I got a Pixel vertex grip. This was about 2 years ago and it cost about 105 GBP then.

I had a Pixel grip om my D810 and it was perfect. Excellent fit, feel and looks of the Nikon grip, which is why I had no hesitation in getting one for my D850. The fit is not quite as snug as the D810 - there is about a 1mm step between the grip and body, but nothing that I can't live with.

However I don't use high frame rates very often and don't know if you can get the boost that you can with the Nikon one although i can't see a reason why it would not if the electrics are the same.

 

[joe43]

I also recommend using those $$ for a D 500 instead of a third party or Nikon grip and battery. If you are going for faster fps, get 10 fps with a D 500. And you get extra reach from the crop factor. Jut factor in the cost of a battery grip for the D 500 as you may need one for balance purposes.

 

[rvenneman]

A grip ads weight, bulk and it costs you.
Batterylife as a reason is imo invalid since an extra en-el15 in your pocket will do the job too.
So there’s apart from the better vertical shooting experience (which doesn’t apply to you like you said) in this case only the real benefit of a faster camera.
If you look at the higher framerate from a mathematical pov there’s less than a 1/3 higher chance to get the ‘best’ shot when you’re shooting ‘something’ fast. (+29%)
Like DRw stated.



Only the chance to capture that ‘magic moment’ grows a bit.
Wether you think it’s worth your money is completely up to you.

I wish I could do math like that and not waste my life just being a piano player.

 

[Thern]

I wish I could do math like that and not waste my life just being a piano player.

Congratz! You’re the first on my ignored list!
Greetings to your DPreview friends!

 

[Ken Miracle]

Okay, I get this. This is what I was waiting for. Not that the other members input was not valuable, it was... extremely! But an opinion from the Guru is always highly valued. I beleive I will try the grip.
Now the decision is .. try a third party as DRw and Charlie are using or use the genuine article. I just have read so many bad reviews on third party grips that i hesitate. Hearing from two BCG forum members who are happy with the 3rd party grips makes me think, try it on for size. it's a smaller risk that way ( or could be added cost if it doesn't work).
Thanks so much for your input Steve. Your work is very much appreciated.

What Steve said !! When I got my D850 the first grip from Nikon arrived the day I picked the D850 up at my favorite brick and mortar store in Idaho Falls ... months before B&H etc. had them. I put it on and have never taken it off except to change the battery out in the camera body periodically to make sure it is fresh and ready if ever needed as back up. I had a charger and batteries from my D4S for the 18 a,b & c batteries so skipped that expense. I personally prefer the extra weight of the grip and battery as it balances better with my 150-600 and 60-600 lenses.

 

[O]

I would like an honest opinion.
I have a D-850 and shoot mainly birds and BIF and mainly for personal pleasure. Of course I keep wondering if I should bite the bullet and buy the grip, battery, charger and the grip door in order to get to 9 fps. But geewhiz... the cost makes my head spin.
Am I really gaining that many missed shots between 7 fps and 9 fps? I know Steve did an example between 5 fps and 10 fps in his excellent Secrets to Stunning Wildlife Photography book but really, am I missing out with the 2 fps? I more often think not but then wonder about it anyway.
I rarely shoot vertical photos and I am not a "spray and pray" shooter 10 - 15 shots in a row would be my "long" releases.
I know I could probably buy used and save but even then it is expensive.
All opinions are welcome, Thanks in advance!
Stay Strong / Stay Healthy
RJ

Bottom line, unless you have a real need for marginal extra speed and faster focus attack plus other benefits of the Grip system don't bother.
7 to 9 FPS is not a big deal 5 to 10 Is.

Nikon is like Sony they can be on the nose for prices.

The measurable benefits of the grip system are for me......

1) the genuine Nikon D4s D5 Battery are not expensive, the advantage is i get 4000 to 5000 shots on one battery. I can travel or shoot all day plus the next two if needed.
As i shoot events in Surfing a lot this is a plus. Don't bother with aftermarket batteries if your serious, stay genuine there cheap enough, Period.

2) the extra sustainable grunt out of the bigger more powerful genuine battery on big glass seems to shift the heavier glass elements faster, adding to snappier focus attack speed. This is really noticeable.

3) the grip added feels much better than with out (personal choice) i use it often just with the standard light weight battery. I came from the D4s D5 feel.

4) the after market grips i returned, signal connectivity and stability was the issue, i got the genuine grip on sale 30% off, it is more stable when tightend and has no signal connection issue in humid conditions.

5) charger, well i got an aftermarket one for US $70, its 2 years old, its not as fast charging as the genuine Nikon ??? but hey for $70 i have a new spare charger in the draw.

6) unless you have the real need for more focus attack benaifts and a few extra frames yes its worth it, if its occasionally use No way, the new cameras are all heading 12fps/20fps and 60 mp...be patient....

 

[fulltimewanderer]

Well said

 

[guitarman67]

I keep getting told "you're dead a long time" lol...I'm 67 and understand that all too well. Get what you really want now (yes, I know, $$ is still an issue)...but if your car needed a $1000 repair job, you'd have to find the money somehow?. Life's too short. The Nikon grip may be better?, but I think that's what you really want?
I had to make a choice between the Nikon D500/500PF and the Sony A9 or A9ii and the 200-600. I chose the Nikon (and I'm very happy with my choice), but often think that the 20fps of the Sony gear would get me better shots...but then again I'm seeing online the results of the "rolling shutter" in some bif images, which concerns me somewhat. Life's full of decisions, but whatever you decide...enjoy it now.

 

[david dono]

Just got a new version Vello grip, Wasabi battery and charger, plus the door . Fitted really well first time . 9 frames per second straight away. Have only used it the once so far and frame rate also definitely faster in the field.
Camera sounds a lot louder though than without the grip-have others noticed the same?

 

[Neil H.]

Okay here's another take on having the grip. I was doing some landscape photography the other day and was using live view and doing panorama's for sometime and it is nice to have a long lasting battery. I also have the D4 and shooting the D850 without the grip was so slow I had to have the grip for the D850.

The larger battery is amazing for a full day shooting. I bit the bullet and bought all Nikon gear (and cried ). I also bought a replacement Wasabi battery. Both have worked fine but I was struck by the big weight difference between them. The Nikon is MUCH heavier. I also bought the 500pf lens, so no zoom. When birds like Egrets suddenly appear up close, the vertical grip is a god-send. Also if you are using back button focus, you can have the AF/on set to a single point and set the sub-selector button next to it to group AF. Steve has a great e-book on Nikon Back-button Focus. The point here is that you have both these buttons on the grip as well. So you can go from single point to group in fraction of a second if a bird suddenly moves ie takes off. You can also flip vertically and have exactly the same controls available. I think s a few people have indicated "It aint just 2 frames per sec!" Food for thought - if you do get a duff battery or charger all Nikon warranties are void. However if a Nikon battery ( always charged with the Nikon charger) malfunctions and stuffs the camera, Nikon will almost certainly replace both even if out of warranty.

 

[fcotterill]

One of the disaster's that can kill a day's outing is to forget a key accessory...eg Filters or the tripod head when you've hiked a set of extra legs all day long strapped to a backpack, and are then rewarded with the perfect sunset. As for forgetting the spare battery(ies)/charger.... no need to expand on the obvious. It's the same as carrying along the Z system, and then discovering 'out there' one has the F- telephoto(s) etc BUT the FTZ is resting at home? Sorry for that

I always check battery level before taking out the D850 if it says Full, or a bar less power, no worries for the day on the ENEL18, but there's always a spare ENEL15 in my bag for the D780 (or other camera using the shorter life battery). But distractions happen....

Above all I agree the extra 2fps - much more than numbers when it comes to grabbing proverbial moments.

 

[Pistnbroke]

The third party MH 26 chargers are getting harder to find..none on amazon ( except genuine at 7x the price)
Still some in Germany with VHBW-tec. ( Electropapa) Move now if you want the items.