| Author: | | Senior Member Registered: January, 2016 Location: Phoenixville, PA Posts: 136
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 4, 2016 | Not Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great build quality, fits perfectly, gives robust grip | | Cons: | makes camera bulky, heavy and difficult to pull out of bags | |
The product is very good, does what it is supposed to do. It makes the camera look professional. So if you need this, this is the best product.
However, did not work for me.
1. Makes the camera bulky, heavy and difficult to put in the bag.
2. Handling became difficult for me - without the grip, I slide the little finger below the base and that gives me firme grip with 2 fingers on the grip.
3. The left hand cannot stretch all the way to the lens due to increase in height
4. No big deal that it can store battery and card. As long as you have them in the bag, fine.
5. Use of AA batteries.. well dont need to worry as u can get 2 extra Li d90 ones with travel charger for $25
6. It also defeats the point that pentax designed the camera in a compact body.
Hence if you are debating.. I would say you dont need a grip
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: July, 2013 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,146
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 19, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $79.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great feel, WR, adds to versatility | | Cons: | Maybe a bit bigger than I wanted | |
Love this grip. I was hesitant to buy it for a long time but when the price dropped at a major online retailer, I bought it and wish i had one earlier, very glad I went for the genuine item. The feel of this grip is excellent, and the versatility it adds both in camera orientation and length of shooting time is superb. I find have to really tighten it down to get the connections to work, but that's as it should be for a WR grip. I can tuck the WR cover for the connector into the spare memory card slot, too, for safekeeping, which I think is not on purpose but works well.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Vancouver Island, BC Posts: 238 | | Review Date: February 9, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $52.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | WR, Feel, double the battery life | | Cons: | none that I have found | |
From the price... yes I bought it used on Ebay... I've been looking for one used for a while and finally got one at what I would consider a steal of a price.
Only thing missing was the AA battery compartment. But... it included an extra pentax lithium battery - so not a bad trade-off in my opinion (I now have 4 batteries for my K5, so I can't imagine many instances where I will miss being able to insert AA batteries.
I can't say a lot that hasn't already been mentioned in other reviews. Feels great, looks great. Doubles the time I can shoot without changing batteries. Much better balance when using my bigger lenses.
And for what I paid so well worth the $$$. I would have paid twice as much very happily.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2013 Posts: 20 | | Review Date: May 17, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $190.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Perfect fit, WR. | | Cons: | Not cheap. | |
I'm not going to elaborate on how good this grip is, or how useful, as all that has been said before. I just want to say to those choosing between the genuine Pentax and a third-party grip - go for the real thing. Having owned one of them Chinese ones, and now the genuine one, I can give you my impressions:
1. Build quality - Pentax grip is as solid as the K-5 body, nothing squeeks.
2. Perfect fit - once fitted, the grip feels as one with the camera, it does not move (third -party one does)
3. It is dust and weather resistant (third-party one isn't), which makes sense on a WR camera.
4. Rubber used on the grip is just like that on the camera and provides solid grip, whereas rubber on the third-party grip is slippery.
5. This is a genuine Pentax item you can trust and be proud of just like your K-5. With a third-party grip you WILL have a chip on your shoulder knowing that you are using a substitute. At least I had.
Yes, it is expensive but for a Pentaxian, this really is the only right way to go. | | | | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2012 Location: Hamburg Posts: 2 | | Review Date: July 19, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $270.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | weather-sealing, AA battery support, vertical grip | | Cons: | tripod mount not in optical axis, price tag | |
Since I'm that used to have a vertical grip, I needed to buy one for my K-5 right away. Though there are 3rd-Party alternatives, I never really considered buying these, it's just the wrong place for saving a few bucks. I would not bump a low-cost alternative to a camera that cost me about 900€, so I think the original grip for around 220€ is simply worth it.
Pro:
- fits very well, no bouncing or dangling
- K-5 looks finally complete with it
- K-5 horizontal grip is extended a bit, makes it better to hold this way round as well
- weather-sealed like the K-5 body
- AA battery support (usually running Eneloop rechargeable batteries in it)
Cons:
- tripod mount is not in optical axis anymore (though I seldom use a tripod anyway)
- price might be a bit on the high side compared to 3rd party alternatives, but it's equal to other brands (Canon/Nikon)
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: March, 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Posts: 23,920 | | Review Date: April 19, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Well built, excellent ergonomics | | Cons: | No direct contacts to the SD card | |
This is an indispensible accessory. I wouldn't be without it.
It is worth the investment to make shooting portraits and vertically oriented images a comfortable experience.
Although battery life on the K-7/K-5 is excellent, having an additional battery decreases the need further to have to stop during a big shoot such as a wedding or glamour photo session and change batteries.
The ergonomics are excellent. I did like the firm feel of the D-BG2, but I quickly got used to this one all the same.
The excellent build quality matches that of the K-7/K-5 and ensures a lifetime of service.
The camera contacts can be fragile, so it is best not to tamper with or have to remove the grip from the camera very often. Though I can't see a problem with removing and reapplying the grip frequently if done carefully.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: June, 2011 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 1,588 | | Review Date: February 4, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $199.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Improves ergonomics of K-5, adds stability, AA battery option | | Cons: | A little pricey, front dial location | |
When I originally acquired a K10D I thought it was designed to fit my hand, it was that comfortable. When I first held my K-5, my first thought was that this will take some getting use to. As it turns out, the BG-4 grip was the solution. So much so that I will now be looking to obtain a BG-2 for my K10D, mainly for better balancing with longer lenses.
When I first attached the grip, which by the way for me is a nice snug fit, it felt as though it and the camera body became one. It has a very nice feel and balance to it. It provides great stability when shooting with longer lenses. You can go from landscape to portrait mode seamlessly, with all buttons and dials right where they should be. Although I do have to say you need to remain cognizant of the front dial on the grip. It is easily bumped, but I don't know where else you would put it.
Being able to store the contact caps in the battery drawer is a great idea. The Li-On drawer also has a place for an extra memory card. And having an extra drawer for AA batteries is just a great option to have.
I would complain about the price, but that would be disingenuous since I received it as a Christmas gift. Had I not though, I would have purchased one any way, and would have thought it was well worth the price.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Brisbane Posts: 3,561
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 2, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | improved ergononmics, extended battery life weather selaed | | Cons: | none | |
Before I bought my grip (a few months ago), I thought the K-5 ergonmics couldnt get any better, boy was I wrong....
This grip feels so good on the K-5, I simply cannot go back to shooting the K-5 gripless again!
Plus the extended battery life is great, plus the option to use 6 AA's is a bonus too.
It has many buttons and controls all in the right place too, and too top it off- its weather sealed  | | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2010 Location: Kiev Posts: 59
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 14, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | improves handling, adds stability, weather protected, nice build | | Cons: | price, availability, weird screw placing (not in center) | |
Since Pentax is unavail in Ukraine, I ordered it via ebay. Item came in in perfect state, and when you`ll take it in hand, you can feel that Pentax is still capable of doing luxury photo accessories. It feels superbly build, fit on k-5 like a glove and dramatically improves handling (I`m dude with big hands). Only thing I can`t get - why it doesn`t power on/off camera via second switch? Main switch is still the only that can do that...
Anyway, with this grip my k-5 feels complete. I like it. Highly recommended!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2007 Location: Freehold, NJ Posts: 856
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 7, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $195.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Well Balanced, AA battery option | | Cons: | None | |
I waited to buy my k7 till I could afford this grip (and a spare battery). The build seems much better than my grip on my k20. It balances the k7 well and adds heft to the slightly small design of the camera. The option to use AA batteries is an enormous improvement over the k20's grip, as well.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca Posts: 13
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 26, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Excellent build, weather sealing, AA batteries or D-L190 | | Cons: | cant find additional battery holders, remove to acess camera's grip battery | |
A well balance to the K-7. Overall I would recommend this to anyone who owns a K-7. Not only do you gain the vertical grip, but the ergonomics are nealy the same with a vertical or horizontal position. Pentax supplies two battery holders with the grip. One for the D-L190, which also holds a spare SD card, and a AA holder which holds six AA's. Load it with six 2400 maH NiMH AA batteries and it lasts forever. Only problem is Pentax doesn't offer secondary battery holders to do a quick changes. When attatched to the K-7 you can also have a spare D-L190 inside the camera grip which is convienient until you have the charge it. Gotta take the BG-4 all the way off to get the battery out. With D-L190 in the camera if the accessory grip batteries die the camera can transfer power to the camera's battery a nice feature. If you have a K-7, buy one you will like it.
| | | | | amateur dirt farmer Registered: December, 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Posts: 41,659 | | Review Date: December 16, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | quality build, form, and function | | Cons: | adds to bulk of camera | |
I bought this 'used' copy from B&H and cannot tell it was ever out of the box - mounted to my K-5 IIs and away I went...
I only use the battery in the grip - not one in the body - since I want the grip for ergonomics, not extra battery life.... and it's perfect for that!
highly recommended, especially if you ever use your camera in portrait mode...
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2009 Location: Lévis, Canada (Québec) Posts: 144
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 9, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $275.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Nice fit, feels solid | | Cons: | | |
Excellent build quality, weather sealed, with all the buttons in the right place. My only complaint would be that it forces me to remove the grip if I want to remove the battery from the body. I see the advantage of that: you can remove the battery grip whenever you want to make your camera lighter, and keep shooting immediately. Since I used to shoot for long periods of time (music festivals, documentary, etc.), it ends up being more of a hassle for me.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2014 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 501
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 29, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Rock solid build quality. Superbly compliments the camera for grip. Makes a huge difference for shooting portraits. | | Cons: | Heavy. Tripod mount is off-center. Easy to over-tighten, difficult to remove if over-tightened. | |
I shoot mostly primes, so adding a grip for balance wasn't needed. I purchased the D-BG4 (pre-owned) for power supply flexibility when travelling and for workflow when shooting portraits. The retail price is expensive. The K-5II feels like a brick with the grip attached but not in a bad way. The K-5II / D-BG4 combo still fits well in my camera bag. If you plan on leaving the grip attached as I do, change your camera strap to a Crumpler Industry Disgrace and the weight will not be an issue. If you shoot in cold weather the grip is a must.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2013 Location: Iloilo City Posts: 2,276 | | Review Date: February 10, 2014 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Weather Resist, Dials and buttons are as accessible as the ones on the camera, accepts AA batteries | | Cons: | The grip can only handle one D-LI90. You have to remove the grip to have the first battery on the camera, Pricey | |
I like the grip particularly the location of the buttons and the dials. It just doesn't keep the camera balance when shooting with longer lenses but, it's really nice to shoot the camera with the grip on it. It can also provide power through AA batteries so that you can use the camera if your D-L190 battery is unavailable.
One thing I don't like is It can only accommodate one D-L190. You need to remove the grip to install the first battery on the body if you want more power on your camera.
Still highly recommended.
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