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D-BG4 K7 Battery Grip (Generic) Review RSS Feed

D-BG4 K7 Battery Grip (Generic)

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27 42,578 Wed February 17, 2021
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
93% of reviewers $51.29 7.74
D-BG4 K7 Battery Grip (Generic)
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Description:
Uses 6 AA or One D-Li90 Battery
Comes with both type battery trays
Same buttons as OEM
Not Weather Sealed
Price History:



Add Review of D-BG4 K7 Battery Grip (Generic)
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Forum Member

Registered: July, 2011
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 63
Review Date: February 17, 2021 Recommended | Price: $19.25 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Everything works
Cons: Fit & finish not up to the camera's standards, no weathersealing

When I found a used D-BG4 battery grip for my K-5 ii on eBay from Robert's Camera for only $19.25, I didn't understand that it was a knockoff. I had thought the low price must be due to the worn markings.

The only hint in the auction was in the title which read:

Misc D-BG4 Battery Grip for Pentax K-7, K-5

Where, I understand now, "Misc" stands in for "Pentax" and is thus meant to denote "knockoff". The description details didn't give any hint that it was a knockoff.

But that's okay. A used OEM would have cost me around four times as much.

It has no brand markings -- if there was a sticker, it's gone now -- but it seems to be the better of the two flavors of knockoff. It has two metal posts, and six screws surrounding the mounting screw. But it has no rubber for weathersealing.

The rubber parts on the handle are pretty good but not up to the standards of the rubber on the grip of the camera. Looks different and doesn't grip quite as well. But still good.

The painted parts look different than the camera -- cheaper and shiny.

The buttons and dials feel cheap and some are squirrely. The printing is rubbing off. The dials are not rubberized as they are on the camera.

No alkaline battery tray was included. But that's okay; I wasn't planning on using it anyway. The D-Li90 tray works fine. The plastic latch release looks and feels cheap but it looks like there's a metal rod in there where it rotates.

The lack of WR is disappointing but I can live with that.

All the buttons and dials work fine.

For $19.25, I can't complain. If I had known the truth, I might have bought it anyway rather than cough up $100 or so for a used OEM. I recommend it as long as you know what you're getting and not getting.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: October, 2008
Location: Greensboro,NC
Posts: 503
Review Date: September 14, 2014 Recommended | Price: $38.99 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: cheap, all buttons work, vertical shutter button, makes camera easier to hold
Cons: no wr

I think I got the more robust knock off grip with the metal pins on either side that help it line up with the body. So far so good, all of the buttons and wheels work and it seems to have okay build quality. It doesn't seem to match the build quality of the camera but its close enough, the plastic has a different pattern and feel to it, but honestly that is just being picky. It serves the purpose which is to better balance the camera with larger lenses and make vertical shooting easier. I give it an 9 because it functions, would of gave it a 10 if it had slightly better built quality. For the price one can't complain much.

The ebay ad originally said it was WR but its obviously not and I wouldn't trust it if I was out shooting in the rain.

Here is the link to the ad where I ordered mine: http://www.ebay.com/itm/251305614400?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
   
New Member

Registered: February, 2012
Posts: 5

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 3, 2014 Recommended | Price: $52.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Low Cost - Works
Cons: -

Bought this to be able to use AA batteries with a K5ii ( In an emergency ):

DSTE D-BG4 DBG4 Battery grip For Pentax K-7 K-5 K7 K5 SLR Camera from Amazon UK.
Picked this one because the picture showed 4 circular rubber inserts , one oval rubber insert ( Just like the genuine item )
The Type 2 generic grips all seem to have locations for these but nothing is fitted on most.
There also seemed to be some sort of seal around the gold multiway connecter pin and the single black vertical pin.

When it arrived it's just like the photograph - those items do seem to be some sort of seal so the contacts in the camera base probably have some ( limited? ) protection, but there's no sealing rubber where the battery tray meets the grip body!
( The instructions say it's weather sealed but they are such a close clone of the Pentax original only a few minor variations in the text and layout prove it's not a photocopy of the original!)

The buttons all work!
( The instructions , like the genuine pentax ones advise to jiggle the e-dials ( Camera / Grip ) if they do not work with the grip attached )

I was worried about the battery insert latches but to be honest they seem to be metal and appear no more fragile than the latch on the camera battery compartment! Just need to gently press the battery tray home before twisting the latch !

Mission accomplished ?
The battery holders accept batteries , fit well and the batteries are recognized !
All seems well with AA batteries! ( Manually selecting the battery type ( Alkaline / NiMH / Lithium ) seems to work best )
There is more to grip ( But it weighs more )
The buttons all work when the grip is switched on but no batteries fitted!

   
Pentaxian

Registered: March, 2010
Location: Chiang Mai, Bologna, Amsterdam
Posts: 1,198
Review Date: April 21, 2014 Recommended | Price: $37.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Cheap, cheap, cheap
Cons: None

I own the less robust version, with plastic pins and just two screws close to the tripod mount.
It came from an Ebay vendor, and was labeled as "ALPHA Digital D-BG4 for K-7". It was the cheapest choice, maybe the vendor was not even aware that it works with the K-5. It came at 29.99 euros, shipment INCLUDED.
From another source I purchased a couple of 2000mAh batteries, which were extremely cheap as well.
The two purchases are between the best I ever made.
I use the grip to better balance the camera, and for the extra juice it provides. I tried to adapt to the new layout of buttons/wheels for vertical shots, but it didn't become second nature. I still reach for those on the camera.
Though I testedat length eachand every command on the grip.
What I found wasthat none of them was loose, not working, or felt as it could break any moment. Absolutelyno ccomplaints about that.
I don't know if I'm plain lucky, or if the quality of the components improved a bit over those used time ago.
The build is cheap, OK. And it's not weather resistant. It's not such a big fault, though.
If the grip is set to off, it's practically impossible to damage the camera, and even if it's turned on, I highly doubt you could find a way to permanently affect the camera.
The only problem I had with a grip, was with the original OEM version mounted on my K200D. The on-off switch was set midway, and the camera behaved in a weird way (for example when I pressed the Menu button, the display went off after 1 or 2 seconds!
The grip of my K200D is better built and WR, but I prefer this one, cause at least it duplicates all camera commands.
The only caveat is that the sliding battery housing is weak. It's thin, the plastic is not the best one, and the locking mechanism is poor.
Not as poor as the lock of the battery compartment of a Pentax ME II winder... which broke down just by looking at it! :-)
I guess my grip will last a lot, because with a modicum of common sense, and with average fingers (not sausages!), it should be quite easy to keep it in working conditions.
All in all, quality Vs price, it's a 9.
   
Forum Member

Registered: July, 2013
Location: Sahuarita, AZ
Posts: 63
Review Date: January 15, 2014 Recommended | Price: $43.95 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Works as good as OEM
Cons: Not WR

I have an OEM grip on my K-5 II and a generic one on my K-7. I had more problems from the OEM one than I have had with the non-oem grip. First one of the pins got stuck with the OEM grip and I had to literally dissemble it to get it fixed (it works now). With the generic grip (I have had 2), like the rest of the crowd, I too have had issues with the dial straight out of the box. Solution, get some electronic cleaner and spray up into the notch where the dial are and then move the dial real fast back and forth. Let dry and use. I did this to one about two years ago and to another about 6 month ago. Haven't had one problem since. One gripe I do have is the markings on the generic grips do wear off pretty easy and the finish is not as nice as the OEM grip. Other than that, good value for what you pay for.
   
Forum Member

Registered: December, 2012
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 83
Review Date: January 6, 2014 Recommended | Price: $70.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Affordable price, partial functionality (except WR).
Cons: No WR, high number of defective copies

I'm happy with it, as Iong as the original D-BG4 grip is beyond my affordability. With this OEM I'm able to have almost-it.

First negative: I'm happy to have a shop nearby, because I had to exchange the grip 3-4 times and after this check few more in shop itself to find one single copy that had all the buttons and wheels working properly. Quality control is poor there.happy to have

Positive: makes a great/ too expensive D-BG4 grip - still good/and affordable.
   
New Member

Registered: April, 2013
Posts: 20
Review Date: October 30, 2013 Recommended | Price: $35.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Real cheap, fits okay, has all the dials and buttons, dual trays
Cons: Poor build, fragile buttons, iffy dials, not weather sealed

Mine was bought from Ebay and arrived from Poland in good time. All packaged nicely with a manual and in good shape.

Upon first handling the grip it becomes blatently obvious you have bought an accessory that falls a long way short of a genuine Pentax accessory for build quality. It fits snugly to the K5 body and once fitted feels good in the hand. Transforms the handling of the camera. I was careful to not over tighten the grip having read it was possible to bust it.
Every button and dial feels very cheap indeed. The dials work but not smoothly. The rear dial can be a bit hit and miss. The on-off switch is lose and feels best avoided if possible. The locking mechanism for the battery compartment looks and feels like its ready to break off at any moment.
But so far no issues, its holding on and i'm hoping it will continue to do so, at least until i have the money for a genuine Pentax grip.
If you are stuck to a really tight budget, as i and everyone else who has bought one surely is, then is a good option. It does improve the handling of the K7/K5/K5II and does feel good in the hand. Just be oh so very careful how you treat it. Mine is 4 months old and still going strong but only because treat it with extreme care.
   
Junior Member

Registered: February, 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 34
Review Date: August 20, 2013 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Cheap
Cons: Build Quality

No idea what make mine is as i bought it on ebay, and had no box but wrapped up and appeared unopen from its plastic sleeve.it's not a perfect fit on the body a few mm out in a few places but useable. It's Good if you have large hands or need to balance your body better with larger Lenses (use it mostly when my DA*300 is fitted) the construction is ok on this one on a par with the nikon D80/D90 grip.
(which feels cheap to me but i guess most people will be happy with it).
If your desperate or need it i'd get one but i'd rather have the BG4 Original.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: May, 2010
Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA
Posts: 636

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 18, 2013 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: cheaps, working good
Cons: build is not as good

It is worth the money if you have large hands.
Everything is working.

The buttons does not feel as good as genuine one.
The wheel is even very bad.
No weather sealing.

For that kind of money, it does its job.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: July, 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1,501

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 27, 2012 Not Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 3 

 
Pros: Price -
Cons: Lack of WR - Build Quality

Mine is the 'ExPro' variant...

For the price (£35 inc 3 batteries) the build quality is acceptable... Nowhere near the build quality of the K5... If the Pentax version (£180ish) were of the same build, I'd be furious!!

My copy was bought as a Christmas gift and is currently on its way back to Amazon... AF, Green, AE & Shutter buttons all worked as they should but unfortunately the 2 e-dials/control wheels have an intermitent fault (work for a second or two, then stop working at all)... Hoping for a replacement soon...

Once I have a working copy I'm sure I won't grumble too much but it is a cheap version of the Pentax B-DG4 and is viewed as such...

You get what you pay for...

On the plus... The 3 ExPro batteries supplied appear to be as good as the Pentax one They don't fit as snugly in the charger as the original but last as long in the K5
   
Veteran Member

Registered: November, 2010
Location: Hueytown, Alabama
Posts: 1,508

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: July 29, 2012 Recommended | Price: $45.99 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Price seems to work as advertised supposed to be weather seal
Cons: none yet

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190687950692?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984....#ht_500wt_1399

Shipped fast got in about 4 days after ordering so far the fit and finish is great supposed to be weather sealed.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: September, 2010
Location: Somewhere in the Southern US
Posts: 12,285

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: July 27, 2012 Recommended | Price: $39.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Works, inexpensive, comes with both battery trays
Cons: NOT weather sealed at all

I own the OEM D-BG4 but it developed a fault in the shutter button so I sent it in for repair. I bought this because I am so used to my K-5 with the grip that I found myself fumbling without it.

There appear to be two main knock-off versions of the grip available. Mine is the one that does not have the circle of screws visible on the attachment side of the grip and is marketed under the name MeiKe. Based on the reviews here the main difference appears to be that the other versions battery trays will work in the original OEM D-BG4, those with the MeiKe version will not.

For an analysis of the differences between the two main knock-off grips see this post here on PF:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/82642-pentax-k7-3...tml#post850074

My comparison of the Meike and Pentax Grips:
  • The trays are NOT interchangeable between the two grips.
  • The covers for the pins and the base of the K-5 do fit in either grip for storage.
  • Both have an SD Card slot on the D-Li90 battery tray.
  • Both have the same buttons and wheel layout.
  • Wheels are a bit more abrupt in their movement on the MeiKe version.
  • On-Off switch moves backwards on the MeiKe from the OEM version.
  • Fit & Finish on the OEM is better overall but this MeiKe version is not bad.
  • Both fit snugly to the body, but the OEM unit is better contoured and fits the hand better.
  • OEM has steel placement pins to guide fit to the body, the MeiKe version has plastic pins
  • Both have offset placement of the tripod point on the bottom.
  • Packaging was fine with each, box, bubble wrap, warranty card, and instructions.
Overall, this is a great buy for $39 if you do not need WR for the grip. I'm annoied that the D-BG4 from Pentax failed after only a few months but it was turned around by CRIS in
   
Veteran Member

Registered: September, 2011
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 307
Review Date: January 3, 2012 Recommended | Price: $60.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: looks 100% identical, 1/4 of the price.
Cons: Other than no weather seals, the dials buttons don't have the same positive feel as the original

The Hong Kong version form fleebay came with 2 x 2000mh batteries
it also has metal location pins like the original and metal tripod hole, which I noticed in the inside is attached to a solid metal base. so it look like a very good replication.
what I don't like about it is that the dial are clunky and the rear dial is difficult to operate, it sits in to far.
the on/off dial feel loose in the on position.
the connector cap is a little loose on the connector and in the stow-away compartment, there that potential to loose it easily.

overall I'm happy I got it, it will take me a while remember that when I am in portrait mode that the grip is there instead of throwing my are over the top.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: May, 2009
Location: Lithuania
Posts: 344
Review Date: November 23, 2011 Recommended | Price: $72.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Cheap, all functions as described
Cons: Not really high quality plastic

I bough Meike battery grip for K-7/K-5. Came in proper box, manual included. Also there are two battery trays included. One for AA batteries , another for D-li90 and also holds a spare SD card (convenient). The build quality is ok considering its price however nowhere matches K-5 body quality. Buttons are ok, all of them works, e-dials works well to if not so smoothly. The pins are metal,not plastic. Manual says it is weather sealed but I highly doubt it. It's not 100% copy because the grip has a bit flatter shape however still I am happy with it. Nobody said it must be as sturdy as original. It's great value for the money after all.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2007
Location: Montreal
Posts: 1,249
Review Date: October 12, 2011 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 4 

 
Pros: Very inexpensive, functionnal
Cons: Not weathersealed, cheaply made, not an exact copy

A friend of mine bought this while I have the original. So I could compare both side by side.

Functionality is almost 100% identical to the OEM except for the obvious absence of weathersealing.

The dimensions are identical, actually you can use the OEM tray in the copy and vice-versa.

The build is made a cheaper quality materials, the plastic is not exactly the same but it's not a big deal. The rubber feels slightly different but again not a big deal. The buttons feel less refined, the dials are not rubberized like the original and the biggest difference is the shutter release feel: half-press is a click instead of the pressure press of the OEM (and the camera itself).

The grip comes also with the 2 trays. But there is no spring inside the grip to give some resistance when inserting the tray.

The OEM comes also with rubber pads on the surface in contact with the camera. It probably helps reducing vibrations.

In the end, the copy is not as good as the original but not proportionally to the price difference. If you have the money there is no question that the OEM is preferable.

[EDIT June 15, 2013]

After a few months of use the main screw broke beyond repair. Be careful and don't tighten it too much when mounting it.
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