For Gerry (& any other D7000 users)...

[Remorhaz]

Just thought I'd mention that I got bored the other day and looked for camera stuff for my D7000. Anyway to cut a long story short I had often wondered what a battery grip (MB-D11) would be like and I wasn't really up for the $350 odd dollars it would be for the Nikon brand grip so I did some research and I've ordered one of the knockoffs for the princely sum of $46. Since I was there I also ordered some other stuff like an LCD Timer Remote for Nikon D7000, D90, etc (something I'd mentioned to Cameron the other day) - one which does delayed timer, intervals, long exposures, sequences, etc, for all of $20 and a 60cm speedlight softbox for $34.

Anyway i paid just over $100 for the stuff and $30 for delivery which I hope will arrive sometime in the next few weeks - I can't expect too much for the price paid but I'll comment on how it goes when it arrives if people are interested.

[Jenno]

I've ordered one of the knockoffs for the princely sum of $46

Cheap component might result in a costly repair bill especially if your warranty is voided

[biggerry]

Just thought I'd mention that I got bored the other day and looked for camera stuff for my D7000.

waay too much time on ya hands

I have always thought adding a grip to cameras like the d80-d7000 was a bit pointless since one of the draw cards (and this is possibly just me) to these are their relatively compact size. That said, I can se the benefits of a grip in some situations, purely from a battery point of view. The ergos is not something i particularly like about gripped cameras, however, that is just me.

60cm speedlight softbox for $34.

where did you pick up said softbox? I am looking for a strip box atm.

[aim54x]

Which brand did you get?

[Remorhaz]

This was all from http://www.linkdelight.com/ - the online store version of the ebay store we got those flash diffusers and other stuff from.

Not sure what brand the stuff is (will have to wait for it to arrive to see probably).

[ATJ]

I have always thought adding a grip to cameras like the d80-d7000 was a bit pointless since one of the draw cards (and this is possibly just me) to these are their relatively compact size.

It is not just you. One of the reasons I got the D7000 was so I'd have a compact camera that I would carry on dog walks in case we see something interesting. Being light and compact means it is no biggie to carry.

It has proved useful, too, as I many shots of cool things (fungi, spiders, insects) from the walks.

[Remorhaz]

I have always thought adding a grip to cameras like the d80-d7000 was a bit pointless since one of the draw cards (and this is possibly just me) to these are their relatively compact size.

It is not just you. One of the reasons I got the D7000 was so I'd have a compact camera that I would carry on dog walks in case we see something interesting

Don't get me wrong I plan to go "naked" as it were almost all of the time - I too like the compact body - I only wanted one of these for the occasions when I'm doing an event (school event) shoot where I:
1) take LOTS (1 to 2K) of shots so "may" actually need the extra battery power - and I can use rechargable AA's for that
2) take lots of vertical shots (of people) and so would like the vertical shutter release
and I didn't want to pay $350 to use it a few times a year

Just thought I'd mention that I got bored the other day and looked for camera stuff for my D7000.

waay too much time on ya hands

and it gets worse - I ordered one of those Eye-Fi X2 cards (8GB) from Amazon yesterday - I'll put it in the second slot in the D7000 (for overflow storage) and I can send pics to my ipad or macbook wirelessly if I ever need to - sort of like tethered shooting without the wires.

[biggerry]

1) take LOTS (1 to 2K) of shots so "may" actually need the extra battery power - and I can use rechargable AA's for that
.

yeah true, that said, man the battery on the D7000 is awesome, just keeps on giving!

[ATJ]

yeah true, that said, man the battery on the D7000 is awesome, just keeps on giving!

So true. I have charged mine twice - once when I bought it and once before Mount Wilson (only to be sure I'd have enough charge). I have taken over 1300 shots and I'm sure I didn't need the second charge.