With or without battery grip on K5?

kamayok3 · 06-08-2011, 02:18 AM

Hi all,

I might need some opinions regarding the need of battery grip on my K5.

Now, the question is with or without battery grip on K5?

Thanks.

Adam · 06-08-2011, 02:40 AM

I say yes- it makes it MUCH easier to hold (even horizontally) and you don't have to worry about your batteries as much. I have it on at all times

Clavius · 06-08-2011, 02:56 AM

Yes here too. The added size and weight makes handheld shooting more stable.

....And, it looks cool...

ionutmar · 06-08-2011, 03:01 AM

definitely K5 is better with grip and it looks also better.

MRRiley · 06-08-2011, 03:17 AM

Add another vote for the battery grip. I don't have overly large hands yet I find the camera sans grip too small to hold securely, especially with a large lens like the Sigma 50-500mm (Bigma). As Adam says, it also makes it much easier to hold in a portrait orientation.

Mike

TOUGEFC · 06-08-2011, 03:33 AM

Another big yes here, got mine a couple weeks ago and love it! So comfy shooting in portrait mode

stormcloud · 06-08-2011, 03:36 AM

another vote for yes - only take it off when trying to be inconspicous

**Fries** · 06-08-2011, 04:03 AM

Because of the reasons mentioned here; a yes! Plus with the grip you can use AA-battery's. A big plus when you are on a long hiking trip!

Tommot1965 · 06-08-2011, 04:13 AM

id say yes..but only when using a larger lens...(70-200F2.8)

if I was using a Fa77 or DA 70..then no..Id leave it off...

the advantages of the k5 are its smaller physical size ,which most people say they love..but then stick a battery grip on it!!...

Tommot1965 · 06-08-2011, 04:15 AM

Originally posted by Fries

Because of the reasons mentioned here; a yes! Plus with the grip you can use AA-battery's. A big plus when you are on a long hiking trip!

+1..the use of AA's can get you out of a sticky battery less situation....so id leave it in my bag even if im not using it..just for the potential battery use

JohnBee · 06-08-2011, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by kamayok3

Hi all,

I might need some opinions regarding the need of battery grip on my K5.

Now, the question is with or without battery grip on K5?

Thanks.

Want to look like a pro?
Then get the grip.

Want the K-5 to look and feel amazing?
Then get the grip.

Want to go on extended shoots?
Then get the grip.

Serious about portrait framing?
Then get the grip.

Want a secondary power source?
Then get the grip.

Couple of ideas that jumped out at me

**blackcloudbrew** · 06-08-2011, 05:56 AM

Having gotten used to the BG's on my K10 and K20, after getting my K-5 I couldn't wait to get the BG for it too. It just feels better. However, on all of the cameras I tend to mount it or remove it depending on the situation, if I want a small or lighter camera, grip off, if I'm doing a lot of work with it and need the extra battery etc, grip on. If I want to look like a pro, big lens and grip!

I can't imagine not having one.

hjb981 · 06-08-2011, 06:27 AM

I would say get it if you feel a need for it. In my hand(s), the K-5 sits almost like it was molded in place - very nice and secure grip. That was one of the reasons I bought the camera - it is noticeably smaller than the "equivalent" cameras from other manufacturers, and at the same time it feels better in my hand. I would say I have average size hands for a man (I use size large for kitchen or laboratory rubber gloves, or size 10 for normal gloves). I have not yet felt uncomfortable when taking upright pictures, but if I did this a lot in a place where I did not have to carry the grip around to much, I would probably get it. My main advice to you would be to go to a camera store, then try using the camera with and without the grip. That way, you will know if it is right for you.

KLSMpls · 06-08-2011, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by Tommot1965

id say yes..but only when using a larger lens...(70-200F2.8)

if I was using a Fa77 or DA 70..then no..Id leave it off...

the advantages of the k5 are its smaller physical size ,which most people say they love..but then stick a battery grip on it!!...

That's what I think is interesting too....one of the selling points typically brought up is it's smaller size. For most of my shooting I can't see wanting it....however I will doing Sr. Portraits this summer and it would nice for that I'm sure. Unless you have money to burn, I can see wanting it only if you have big hands, do extended shooting (though how many extra batteries can you buy for the price of the grip), or do portrait work.

Ubuntu_user · 06-08-2011, 07:32 AM

If I'm running anything the size of the FA 31mm or smaller, then I definitely keep the grip off. However, like others have mentioned, if I'm shooting with a larger lens (e.g., 70-200mm f/2.8), or a flash the grip is an absolute must. I especially find it to be a prerequisite when shooting with a flash mounted.

I use to use AAs in the grip, but the weight is so much heavier that I just use the OEM battery in it now.

06-08-2011, 02:18 AM	#1
kamayok3 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 90	With or without battery grip on K5? Hi all, I might need some opinions regarding the need of battery grip on my K5. Now, the question is with or without battery grip on K5? Thanks.

06-08-2011, 02:40 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	I say yes- it makes it MUCH easier to hold (even horizontally) and you don't have to worry about your batteries as much. I have it on at all times Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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06-08-2011, 02:56 AM	#3
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Yes here too. The added size and weight makes handheld shooting more stable. ....And, it looks cool...

06-08-2011, 03:01 AM	#4
ionutmar Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 43	definitely K5 is better with grip and it looks also better.

06-08-2011, 03:17 AM	#5
MRRiley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sterling, VA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,275	Add another vote for the battery grip. I don't have overly large hands yet I find the camera sans grip too small to hold securely, especially with a large lens like the Sigma 50-500mm (Bigma). As Adam says, it also makes it much easier to hold in a portrait orientation. Mike

06-08-2011, 03:33 AM	#6
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	Another big yes here, got mine a couple weeks ago and love it! So comfy shooting in portrait mode

06-08-2011, 03:36 AM	#7
stormcloud Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 232	another vote for yes - only take it off when trying to be inconspicous

06-08-2011, 04:03 AM	#8
Fries Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gauw Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,582	Because of the reasons mentioned here; a yes! Plus with the grip you can use AA-battery's. A big plus when you are on a long hiking trip!

06-08-2011, 04:13 AM	#9
Tommot1965 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,026	id say yes..but only when using a larger lens...(70-200F2.8) if I was using a Fa77 or DA 70..then no..Id leave it off... the advantages of the k5 are its smaller physical size ,which most people say they love..but then stick a battery grip on it!!...

06-08-2011, 04:15 AM	#10
Tommot1965 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,026	Originally posted by Fries Because of the reasons mentioned here; a yes! Plus with the grip you can use AA-battery's. A big plus when you are on a long hiking trip! +1..the use of AA's can get you out of a sticky battery less situation....so id leave it in my bag even if im not using it..just for the potential battery use

06-08-2011, 05:03 AM	#11
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by kamayok3 Hi all, I might need some opinions regarding the need of battery grip on my K5. Now, the question is with or without battery grip on K5? Thanks. Want to look like a pro? Then get the grip. Want the K-5 to look and feel amazing? Then get the grip. Want to go on extended shoots? Then get the grip. Serious about portrait framing? Then get the grip. Want a secondary power source? Then get the grip. Couple of ideas that jumped out at me

06-08-2011, 05:56 AM	#12
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Having gotten used to the BG's on my K10 and K20, after getting my K-5 I couldn't wait to get the BG for it too. It just feels better. However, on all of the cameras I tend to mount it or remove it depending on the situation, if I want a small or lighter camera, grip off, if I'm doing a lot of work with it and need the extra battery etc, grip on. If I want to look like a pro, big lens and grip! I can't imagine not having one.

06-08-2011, 06:27 AM	#13
hjb981 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 71	I would say get it if you feel a need for it. In my hand(s), the K-5 sits almost like it was molded in place - very nice and secure grip. That was one of the reasons I bought the camera - it is noticeably smaller than the "equivalent" cameras from other manufacturers, and at the same time it feels better in my hand. I would say I have average size hands for a man (I use size large for kitchen or laboratory rubber gloves, or size 10 for normal gloves). I have not yet felt uncomfortable when taking upright pictures, but if I did this a lot in a place where I did not have to carry the grip around to much, I would probably get it. My main advice to you would be to go to a camera store, then try using the camera with and without the grip. That way, you will know if it is right for you.

06-08-2011, 06:33 AM	#14
KLSMpls Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 77	Originally posted by Tommot1965 id say yes..but only when using a larger lens...(70-200F2.8) if I was using a Fa77 or DA 70..then no..Id leave it off... the advantages of the k5 are its smaller physical size ,which most people say they love..but then stick a battery grip on it!!... That's what I think is interesting too....one of the selling points typically brought up is it's smaller size. For most of my shooting I can't see wanting it....however I will doing Sr. Portraits this summer and it would nice for that I'm sure. Unless you have money to burn, I can see wanting it only if you have big hands, do extended shooting (though how many extra batteries can you buy for the price of the grip), or do portrait work.

06-08-2011, 07:32 AM	#15
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	If I'm running anything the size of the FA 31mm or smaller, then I definitely keep the grip off. However, like others have mentioned, if I'm shooting with a larger lens (e.g., 70-200mm f/2.8), or a flash the grip is an absolute must. I especially find it to be a prerequisite when shooting with a flash mounted. I use to use AAs in the grip, but the weight is so much heavier that I just use the OEM battery in it now.