| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2015 Posts: 459
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 16, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Takes AA rechargeables, excellent grip, additional features | | Cons: | No AF back button on grip, some rubber stoppers degrade | |
The grip is a must have for the MZ-S. It adds an excellent vertical grip combined with the advantage of rechargeable AAs.
Additionally, it doubles the DOF preview function and AE-L. Even better, wireless remote connectivity is added. It is compatible with Pentax's original or 3rd party IR remote control.
On the negative side is that there is no additional AF back button on the grip. The back button AF on the body is rather cumbersome to reach when using the vertical grip.
Beware that there are four small rubber "stoppers" on the grip, facing the camera's bottom plate. They can degrade but are easy to pick / wipe off with tooth picks and ethanol soaked cotton swabs. But use them easy and gently, dont drown the grip!
Price is approx since I got it bundled with an MZ-S.
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: August, 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,192
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 8, 2020 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | handling | | Cons: | none | |
I have tried battery grips for Pentax K-20D and K-5, and Nikon D700, and the handling was poor/not to my liking, but this one actually improves the handling w/ the smallish MF lenses that I use.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 1, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Quick change, power for built-in flash, ergonomic. | | Cons: | Melting rubber parts. | |
This is a must have if you use the camera's pop-up flash and/or an IR remote. The extra power is really great, and it's not really big in comparison to the DSLR grips. Works with the O-RC1 (OEM and third party IR remotes, too, e.g. my phone, lol)!
If I'm not planning on popping a lot of flash, I just take it off and it's a breeze. So quick and easy. I wonder why Pentax abandoned this design. Perhaps something to do with the WR.
The only downside is that all rubber bumpers that come in contact with the camera melted. Just like the cable release, grip latch and contact covers on the camera. They must've changed something in the formula and the polymerization reverted itself somehow.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 836
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 15, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $175.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Complementary style, allows use of wireless remote, AA batteries, lightweight, simple to attach | | Cons: | Rare, expensive | |
After scouring Pentax Forums/eBay/anonymous (and questionable) resellers websites for nearly a year of owning my MZ-S, I finally found a BG-10 on eBay. It was priced at $175, and at this point I didn't even look at the price before I purchased it.
It came shortly after, and I am very happy with it. The grip really helps when using the MZ-S with larger lenses (the largest I own is the FA 100mm Macro, which while larger certainly isn't one of the largest lenses Pentax has made), and allows use of the Remote Control F (a sorely missing feature of the naked MZ-S for me, since the cable remotes are just as rare as the grip and sell for more than I'd ever pay).
With the grip attached, the MZ-S becomes an even more comfortable camera in landscape mode. When taking portraits, of course it becomes much better.
The extra grip afforded really helps with using the camera in every circumstance. I am glad the shutter release has a collar for DOF preview, though I wish the grip had an AF button. I got used to using back-button AF over the years, but I will learn to adapt. There is an AE-L button, however.
The grip attaches without screwing into the tripod socket, which means it's more stable and more solidly mates to the MZ-S, and is easier to release.
In short, I love this grip. I wish I would have found one earlier, but in any event I am glad I own one. I will use my MZ-S with the BG-10 as long as I can find film.
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: Douglas Posts: 168
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 15, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | AA-batteries, remote, vertical operation | | Cons: | None | |
After seaching for about 6 months I finally managed to find one from a member here. I tested it this weekend and I am so happy I bought it. This grip completes the MZ-S! I found the shutter button position in the vertical position exactly the same as the one on the camera when held horizontally. The camera feels better in my hand as well: my little finger was sometimes curling around under the camera before.
Being able to use AA batteries as well is a huge bonus. I am using Eneloops with no problems. They work fine with the battery selector in either position, although the Li setting is recommended for rechargeables.
Fitting the grip onto the camera is also very easy with the slider; no screwing in a thumbwheel. All the PF settings are retained when the camera batteries are removed to fit the grip which is good!
The only issue is a slight increase in mass, but I am used to lugging a K1000 around so this is not a problem as the camera handles well with the grip attached.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2009 Location: Ohio, USA/ India Posts: 478
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 16, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Helps with portrait mode, enables use of AA | | Cons: | shutter release placement | |
I bought this grip as soon as I purchased the MZ S. I highly recommend the grip because it makes portrait shooting easy. The grip is essential if you want to use the Remote F (so that you can include yourselves in group portraits). In addition to enhancing the look of the camera, it greatly improves the stability even when you hold it with the flash hotshoe facing up.
Only negative: the placement of the shutter release button is a little lower than I would like. (This may be an issue for me because I am used to my K20D grip that has the release right near the top.)
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