| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: September, 2017 Location: South Wales Posts: 2,961 | | Review Date: September 15, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $64.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Well made, holds additional battery, AA battery option. | | Cons: | Pricey (but not mine), uncommon on used market. | |
There is not a lot to say about the use of this - it is a grip that fixes under the K-1 via the tripod screw socket and offers an additional shutter release button and a few other controls located for shooting in portrait format. It has a tripod socket itself. It adds significantly to the bulk and (if an additional battery is fitted in it) the weight of the K-1, but that is to be expected, and might be considered an advantage if you want to create a professional ambience.
The battery is held in a removable tray, and two alternative trays are provided : one holds the same D-L190 type as the K-1 body uses, and the other holds six AA batteries. The camera and grip work whether a battery is in the body or the grip, or in both.
I got mine as insurance against the main D-L190 failing or running out away from a charger, because AA batteries can be bought anywhere. It (or rather the camera) seems a bit fussy about the state of the AA batteries. I put six fresh alkaline batteries in it and the camera icon promptly showed them as partly discharged.
I was hesitant to put lithium AAs in because six in series produce over 9 volts under load (and even more when not), while the D-L190 voltage is only 7.2 volts. In fact by default the camera auto-adjusts to the voltage of different types of AA batteries (alkaline, lithium or NiMH). The camera menus also allow you to set the type of battery explicitly if it detects you are using AAs. It seems preferable to leave it in auto-adjust, otherwise I would worry about loading lithiums after previously leaving it set for NiMH for example.
It is very well made. The AA tray holds the batteries in with little spring clips, the best designed battery holder I have ever seen! Nit-picking, it is not possible to remove the battery from the K-1 body, eg for charging, without removing the grip first.
Mine was used but mint from a major dealer for only £55, such a bargain that I wonder if there was a mistake. Normally they are rather pricey, and hard to find used.
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131 | | Review Date: January 26, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $245.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | solid, WR, nice grip and comfort shooting portrait orientation | | Cons: | price | |
got this grip as part of a bundle deal when purchasing the K-1 so to make me think I got a great deal I entered full price 
it was my first grip.....really enjoy the comfort and ease of use which compelled to purchase a knock off for the K-3ii
this will be identical to the dste grip for the K-3ii I have posted with the exception that it is oem and WR
it is a neewer badged unit came with li90 and AA trays.....
both the contact cover and body cover fit nicely in their 'compartments' when removed for the unit to be attached
the shutter button is no different to me in regards to feel getting focus and shooting even has the dof preview movement which I rarely use.....the front wheel turns smoothly with solid 'clicks'.......iso is easily changed and +/- values as well being in the same position as on the body...
the rear AF button works as it should.....the rear wheel is as smooth as front with no issues and also 'clicks'....green button and works like a charm....the ae-l is available when needed
have yet to wear out 2 batteries during an outing.....the best feature is the ease and comfort I have shooting in portrait orientation.....it works so well I about 'ferget' that's the orientation I am shooting....I like shooting so called mild brenizer or portrait panos (2-3 mostly) and it's a breeze
could still use comfortably use with a flash bracket/stroboframe mounted....what a rig!
one thing I seem to have a problem with and no fault of the grip is to remember is firstly to turn it on and lastly turn it off !!
while I would recommend the grip the price is rather high and given the bargain with the 3rd party grip it would really depend on your wallet
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2016 Posts: 689
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 12, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | cheap compared to other brands, light & perfect balanced, WR, D-Li90 battery use, 100% fitting, SD storage, AA battery cartridge, ergonomic vertical frame control, battery autonomy, excellent quality, built like a tank | | Cons: | cost increased in 2017 (+20% in France) | |
Hello,
you should add this item to your (my) beloved Pentax K-1 for different reasons:
- for his perfect balance associated to K-1
- for his perfect fitting to your right hand and secure grip in the hand (class A compared to Nikon's and Canon's)
- for his light weight although it is bigger
- for his necessary battery autonomy improvement on K-1
- for synergistic results with SR: 1/6s perfect focus with my Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60/2.8 at 2,50m (8 feet) distance for example on portrait vertical use.
- you don't need to take the K-1 battery cover off to put the grip on.
Besides, if you compare the weight and the overall cost between different HD FF (>30Mp) OVF reflex DSLR cameras, it's quite good:
- K-1 + Grip D-BG6: 1010g (1847US$) + 277g (207US$) = 1287g & US$2054 as of today (nominal cost, 03/2016 release)
- EOS 5D MarkIV + Grip BG-E20 : 890g (3499US$) + 391g (349US$) = 1281g & US$3848 as of today (+87%, 09/2016 release)
- D810 + Grip MB-D12 = 900g (2797US$)+ 554g (369US$) =1454g & US$3166 as of today (+54%, 06/2014 release)
Is the Grip essential?
I would say yes since I have it. Otherwise, I would not have noticed how crucial is this Grip... A must-have. 
| | | | | PEG Moderator Registered: August, 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Posts: 57,816
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 24, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Fits my Large Hands | | Cons: | None | |
Takes an additional battery, aids vertical shooting and stabilises the use of larger heavier lenses when hand held.
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