Customer Reviews

Opteka Battery Pack Grip for Nikon D80 & D90 Digital SLR with 2 EN-EL3e Batteries (4000 mAh Total)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

So, I was going crazy reading reviews for the Nikon grip and the Opteka grip. My conclusion was that the Opteka is the exact same thing as the Nikon based on the reviews. Only difference is Opteka lacks the Nikon brand name printed on the grip.

I spent the day in Chicago taking pictures and it was awesome not worrying about running out of battery life. The batteries that come with seem to work great! It's an over all great value.

I gave this product 4 out of 5 stars because I'm not thrilled with the plastic that the grip is made out of. I think it could be better but I had read that its the same as the Nikon and for the huge price difference, I think I can do without the Nikon brand name. I also read that the Nikon shutter release is VERY touchy/sensitive. The Opteka shutter release works great. I've yet to encounter any problems with this product and I would highly recommend it.

Incase you were wondering, the Opteka grip can be used with a tripod. I had a little bit of trouble finding that info out before I bought it so there it is!

***:::UPDATE:::***

Ok, so, I just bought the Nikon battery grip and I just wanted to say that the Nikon grip is better. When I have my Nikon 80-200mm lens attached, the Opteka grip felt a little weaker. The Nikon grip has rubber on it and the opteka does not. I feel that my grip with the Nikon grip is much more satisfactory. The Nikon grip is also a little smaller. There is NO WAY that the Opteka company used the same molds as Nikon to make this product. It's bigger and has a very different feel and look. The Opteka isn't terrible and I would recommend it if you're on a budget. Performance wise, its just as good as Nikon.

This is truly a great product. Works well and is comparable to the more expensive Nikon Brand version for half the cost. Plus it includes 2 batteries! That is of itself pays for the product. I use it with my Nikon D80 and get 1000's of shots before I should need a recharge. Never drained the batteries past 1/2 way and took over 1000 pics during 24-26 hour paintball events and other sports goods. took it to Canada for 4 days, charged the batteries before I left and never put them on charge the entire event or during my stay and took many pics. No loss in performance. Definitely worth the money!

I purchased the Opteka Battery Grip for my D80 a few days ago and thought I would give out my opinions on the product prior to returning it. I gave it a test run at a baseball game on Sunday.

1. According to the Product Description...

"Opteka is proud to be allowed to use the same factory and mold as Nikon uses for their MB-D80"

NOT TRUE... The Opteka and Nikon Battery Grips ARE NOT the same. I have BOTH of them sitting on my desk in front of me as I write this. They are VERY different.

2. The Opteka is obviously made with a much thinner plastic. It is lighter and feels cheaper.

3. I have very large hands and the Opteka Grip feels very cumbersome when attached to my D80. I handed it to two different female shooters at the game and they handed it right back and said "Its way too big for my hands". I grinned widely then realized they were refering to the camera and grip.

Enough with the Negative... All in all the grip does what it says. I shot a few hundred frames at the game and still had plenty of power to spare. All controls are smooth to operate and seem to be in proper positions. Fit to camera body is good, Its just too wide for everyday use.

I am in sales and preach to my customers, not to got the cheap route, it will only cost you in the end. I should have listened to myself. I purchased the Nikon grip on Monday and so far love it.

This is an okay grip if your on a budget, but as with most of my gear, I recommend waiting until you can afford the REAL DEAL.

When I purchased this I was skeptical about the product due to some of the reviews, but I figured I couldn't go wrong because of the two batteries included with kit. As far as I'm concerned, two batteries is what I got out of this. I wanted a grip that would make shooting in portrait orientation more comfortable, but this grip is too slick to hold onto comfortably and confidently. While I haven't bought the Nikon grip yet, I tried it in a camera shop. I can believe the Nikon and Opteka are formed in the same molds, but the Nikon was definitely made of a denser plastic. More importantly the Nikon has a rubberized surface on the front for an improved grip on the camera. That's really all the Opteka product is missing, but it's a big deal. The last thing anybody needs is a shaky grip on $3000 dollars worth of camera, lens & flash. Unless you have very large hands, spend the extra $$ on the OEM product.

After checking out both grips, this grip comes with 2 en-el3e batteries for less than the cost of the nikon grip. the command dials feel good and solid. The shutter release is just where it should be. It is very sturdy on the bottom of the camera. For those of us with VR lenses it's great as you can run a full day and not have to worry about batteries.

EDIT-- After having owned this for a few months, one battery is not working and if held a certain way (sideways with one hand in portrait mode) the camera turns off. i've purchased the nikon grip and it's worth the extra money.

This grip completely revitalized my camera and the picture taking experience. The added heft, while not particularly heavy, makes the camera feel much more solid.

Takes a little to get used to shooting in landscape, but vertically (portrait) it is instantaneous.

I got this product including the 2 batteries for less than half the cost of the Nikon grip alone, and yet it does not feel cheap.

Pros
* I can't imagine running out of battery power now
* Camera feels much more stable
* The shutter release is easy to use (feel), unlike that of the Nikon Product
* Includes a handy spot to store the camera's batter cover, right in the battery shaft.
* On/off switch makes it easy to prevent unwanted shutter release when the camera in in landscape, unlike what I have heard about the equivalent Nikon product.
* Reports battery usage independently, unlike some other grips you can get for the D80.
* Supplied batteries seem to work well.
* Removes quickly if you want to use only the internal battery.
* Battery changes are quick, and the batteries drain independently

Cons
* Loading AA batteries using the supplied cage is very very difficult. Thankfully, I've never had to use it.
* Instructions could be better, specifically on the removal of the camera's batter cover.
* Battery cover on the grip tends to rattle a little bit. I put a small amount of foam padding inside the cover to prevent this.
* Because the camera's center of gravity is raised when you add the grip, it topples over when it would not normally (for example, when using the kit 18-128mm lens). Just place it on its back, and be careful not to scratch the LED cover.

Great value for the money, works great. Makes the camera easier to hold with big hands, and the extra battery power is great. Shutter button works great, better than the Nikon MB-D80 reviews got.


Cons:
The command dials are a little stiff, but I hardly use them. Would be 5 stars if they where clicked smoother like the camera.

Don't even buy the real Nikon one unless you don't care about paying more. Just for the batteries alone that it came with it paid for its self already. It comes with 2 1700ma batteries which is higher than the original battery. It looks great on the D80, to me even with the added weight and all, I find the camera easier to hold.

Cons: none

I got this battery grip today and for $80 it's really a steal. It comes with 2 batteries and the grip. The grip itself does not feel "very cheap" as others would say. It feels and looks pretty much like the Nikon MB-D80. My friend has the Nikon grip and I really can't feel a big difference. The nikon shutter button is very sensitive, while the opteka has that little resistance right after you focus, and then clicks well to shoot the photo. Battery hinge works fine and the grip stays in put well. The grip makes the camera look better and makes it much better and comfortable to hold. No more worrying about dead batteries!

Only con are the vertical switch dials. They aren't too smooth, but it's no big deal.

Now the only test is the test of time.

I ordered this with my D90 and so far I don't have any major complaints.

The only thing I can say is that it is very light and you can tell the plastic is pretty thin. It throws the balance off a bit for me.

With that said it works perfectly and worth the price. I will most likely down the road buy the Nikon grip. I feel as I get longer/heavier lenses the weight issue might really become a problem.