Higher FPS via battery grip D90

[Manic311]

hmmm, page 184 bottom of page second last paragraph " Higher frame rates are available with AA Batteries..."

I have a grip but have no AAs to test, anyone tried?

[gstark]

This is true of the D300/D700 with the MB-D10.

I don't see why, if the manual for the D90 suggests this to be the case, this would not be so.

[aim54x]

Wow that would be nice if it does, this is in the users manual? If so then it must be true!!

[chrisk]

never heard of it b4. i suspect it may just be by like 0.5fps increase. anything higher than that and i'm pretty sure it would be marketed alot more as a feature.

[gstark]

never heard of it b4. i suspect it may just be by like 0.5fps increase. anything higher than that and i'm pretty sure it would be marketed alot more as a feature.

It's a 3fps improvement on the MB-D10.

I have a grip but have no AAs to test, anyone tried?

Why not just buy some AAs and see for yourself? It's not as if they're expensive, and you're not going to break anything.

[aim54x]

It's a 3fps improvement on the MB-D10.

I always thought it was 2fps improvement as the D300 is capable of 6fps in C(Low) according to the menu. Anyhow without grip is still plenty fast, what bothers me is 14-bit RAW + JPG means your shooting at 2.5fps (so it feels), I'd like to have 5fps in that mode just so I know I have it on tap.

I have a grip but have no AAs to test, anyone tried?

Why not just buy some AAs and see for yourself? It's not as if they're expensive, and you're not going to break anything.

Or... send it to me and i'll test it for you!! (Anything to get to play with a D90!)

Cheers!

[chrisk]

never heard of it b4. i suspect it may just be by like 0.5fps increase. anything higher than that and i'm pretty sure it would be marketed alot more as a feature.

It's a 3fps improvement on the MB-D10.
.

yes and is advertised/ promoted as such. have never heard of it on the d90 until now. it would be very strange to me if a camera was able to significantly increase its fps with a grip but only have mention of it buried on p184 of a user manual. especially given all the hoopla and publiciy the d90 got.

[MatthewRoberts]

Here's the text from the D90 manual (page 184):

The MB-D80 Battery Pack
The MB-D80 takes one or two EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion battery or six AA alkaline, Ni-MH,
lithium, or nickel manganese batteries (an EN-EL3e is supplied with the camera). Higher frame
rates are available with AA batteries; note, however, that in the case of AA batteries the frame
rate will decrease as battery level drops.

...and page 275

Battery Life
The number of shots that can be taken with fully-charged batteries varies with the condition of
the battery, temperature, and how the camera is used. In the case of AA batteries, capacity also
varies with make and storage conditions; some batteries can not be used. Sample figures for
the camera and optional MB-D80 multi-power battery pack are given below.
• CIPA standard 1
One EN-EL3e battery (camera): Approximately 850 shots
One EN-EL3e battery (MB-D80): Approximately 850 shots
Two EN-EL3e batteries (MB-D80): Approximately 1700 shots
six AA batteries (MB-D80): Approximately 600 shots
• Nikon standard 2
One EN-EL3e battery (camera): Approximately 4200 shots
One EN-EL3e battery (MB-D80): Approximately 4200 shots
Two EN-EL3e batteries (MB-D80): Approximately 8400 shots
six AA batteries (MB-D80): Approximately 1900 shots
1 Measured at 23 °C/73.4 °F (±2 °C/3.6 °F) with an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–105mm f/3.5–5.6G ED
VR lens under the following test conditions: lens cycled from infinity to minimum range
and one photograph taken at default settings once every 30 s; after photograph is taken,
monitor is turned on for 4 s; tester waits for exposure meters to turn off after monitor is
turned off; flash fired at full power once every other shot. Live view not used.
2 Measured at 20 °C/68 °F with an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–105mm f/3.5–5.6G ED VR lens under
the following test conditions: release mode set to 9, autofocus mode set to AF-C, image
quality set to JPEG basic, image size set to M (medium), white balance set to A, ISO
sensitivity set to ISO 200, shutter speed 1/250 s, focus cycled from infinity to minimum range
three times after exposure meters have been on for 3 s; six shots are then taken in
succession and monitor turned on for 4 s and then turned off; cycle repeated once
exposure meters have turned off.
The following can reduce battery life:
• Using the monitor
• Keeping the shutter-release button pressed halfway
• Repeated autofocus operations
• Taking NEF (RAW) photographs
• Slow shutter speeds
• Using VR (vibration reduction) mode with VR lenses
To ensure that you get the most from rechargeable Nikon EN-EL3e batteries:
• Keep the battery contacts clean. Soiled contacts can reduce battery performance.
• Use batteries immediately after charging. Batteries will lose their charge if left unused.

Has anyone tried it? I see that the Nikon MB-D80 battery grip is only $170 from CameraFarm.com.au

http://www.camerafarm.com.au/p/90936/BATTERIES_BATTERY_GRIPS/Nikon/VAK16301.asp

[azza_25]

Hmmm - I will HAVE to test this out....... *Runs out of house in mad rush to buy AA batteries*

[Manic311]

I bought new batteries but forgot that I wanted to try them with the D90 and now when I remember they are nearly dead