Since this is the review section, here's my opinionated review of the vertical grip - which I've acquired recently.
Features
The grip itself is functionally useful. First of all, it allows the use of 1 or 2 EN-EL3e batteries - preserving full support in the camera menu for battery life status independently. It also allows the use of 6x
AA cells to power the camera. I believe Nikon wanted this as a last resort - as they disabled the battery info menu option in the camera when
AA's are installed, making it not as useful to judge remaining battery life (all that's left is the top LCD battery indicator).
The additional shutter release for the vertical orientation is complimented by a main and sub command dials and an AF button. There's also a swivel 'lock' switch in the same fashion as the on/off switch on the camera, which is akin to a power switch for the vertical grip buttons. It amazes me that these buttons offer full integration with the body. I won't take it for granted, for this is a point where I can boast of Nikon's superiority in ergonomics - along with their superiority in exposure metering system (matrix with 1005 segment RGB sensor), superior flash metering (iTTL with abundant wireless options), superior resolution (cf. Rorslett on Naturfotograf; Reichmann on Luminous Landscape, et al), and ultimately superior image quality when pitted up against their electronics giant competitor. But I digress...
Build
All plastic fantastic. With the battery compartment empty, it lacks the robust feel of the D200 magnesium body. With batteries loaded, the extra mass contributes to a more solid gripping experience. The rubber texture on the grip is marginally inferior in feel to the one on the body.
The grip itself is well engineer. In order to install the grip, one has to remove the battery door cover from the D200 body. The MB-D200 has cleverly included a compartment to stow away this door cover securely and rattle free, instead of having to ponder whether to keep the detached door in one's camera bag, or with the camera box at home, or with the box for the vertical grip, or with the spare batteries/memory cards, etc.
I would describe its build quality as equivalent to Nikon's plastic bodied cameras, eg. the D70. Nothing inherently wrong, but not in the same league as a metal bodied camera (man these things are tight - I can't wait to drop test my D200!).
Integration with the D200
It makes no sense to talk of the vertical grip without mention of its only purpose - and that is to be fitted to the D200 camera.
On the one hand - the D200 was purpose designed as a minature D2X, with 90% the capabilities at 50% of the cost. Hence it makes sense to keep it small and relatively compact sized. IMHO installing the grip compromises the camera's intended design philosophy with the added size and bulk - making it larger than a D2 body!
But on the other hand, I have founded the D200 to have a relatively poor battery life compared to the ever superb D70, and the additional power options afforded by the grip would make it infinitely more useable. The added physical size to the camera makes it more comfortable in my large hands too. Others have talked of greater balance with long/large/heavier lenses. I personally have not found the D200 ill-balanced without the grip.
I bought one for my D200, just because it wasn't available for the D70... so I thought I'd see what I was missing. Now the camera unit won't fit in my existing bags!
I guess I'll have to go bag shopping next week!
Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:54 pm
