Are there any knock off battery grips for the K-3 on the market?

maxxxx · 10-03-2014, 06:02 PM

I rarely use a battery grip but for the few instances I wanted one a cheapo grip from eBay for $40 was always sufficient. I have just been looking for one for the K-3 but couldn't find any? Is the Pentax brand for $200 the only one on the market?

**crewl1** · 10-03-2014, 06:08 PM

Not yet but I'm sure there will be soon. Why not check the marketplace, not all folks buying the bundles want to keep theirs.
The OEM has lots of advantages over the knockoffs - wr, build quality, electronic stability, etc.

Adam · 10-03-2014, 06:16 PM

With all the bundle deals going on right now I think getting one second-hand will be the way to go.

CarlG · 10-08-2014, 12:58 PM

Come to think about it, there were some reports early on that the only difference between the K-5 and the K-3 grip was the position of one of the guiding pins. With a bit of destructive effort the old grips would fit. Maybe you could find one of those threads to check if I am right and then go hunting for a K-5 aftermarket grip.

maxxxx · 10-08-2014, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by CarlG

Come to think about it, there were some reports early on that the only difference between the K-5 and the K-3 grip was the position of one of the guiding pins. With a bit of destructive effort the old grips would fit. Maybe you could find one of those threads to check if I am right and then go hunting for a K-5 aftermarket grip.

there it is: DIY K3 Battery grip: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

I have a K-5 grip and I may just try this. It should be sufficient for my very rare need of a grip.

**crewl1** · 10-08-2014, 01:44 PM

Quote:

All functions retained except the AF doesn't work (unless my grips button has failed)

That sounds like a pretty big function to lose.

fgaudet · 10-08-2014, 02:05 PM

I have adapted two $30 China-knock-off BG4 to fit on the K3 with absolutely no issues, the only thing is that the AF and the green button are reversed on the grip (easy fix if you want to take the grip appart). For a "good enough" fit, you only need to slightly file down the pin on the right hand side (I used 80 grit sandpaper and went at it for 5 minutes). For a better fit, you need to shave a tiny bit of plastic on the grip on the right hand side and some where the lens mount lines up (it's cheap plastic so a good utility knife works good).

You loose WR but for $30 you can't have it all...

jeallen01 · 10-10-2014, 02:45 PM

The last shot shows what I have done [

Rear screen protector for K3

Not yet rewired the buttons.

John

10-03-2014, 06:02 PM	#1
maxxxx Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 385	Are there any knock off battery grips for the K-3 on the market? I rarely use a battery grip but for the few instances I wanted one a cheapo grip from eBay for $40 was always sufficient. I have just been looking for one for the K-3 but couldn't find any? Is the Pentax brand for $200 the only one on the market?

10-03-2014, 06:16 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	With all the bundle deals going on right now I think getting one second-hand will be the way to go. 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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10-03-2014, 06:08 PM	#2
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Not yet but I'm sure there will be soon. Why not check the marketplace, not all folks buying the bundles want to keep theirs. The OEM has lots of advantages over the knockoffs - wr, build quality, electronic stability, etc.

10-08-2014, 12:58 PM	#4
CarlG Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 417	Come to think about it, there were some reports early on that the only difference between the K-5 and the K-3 grip was the position of one of the guiding pins. With a bit of destructive effort the old grips would fit. Maybe you could find one of those threads to check if I am right and then go hunting for a K-5 aftermarket grip.

10-08-2014, 01:40 PM	#5
maxxxx Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 385 Original Poster	Originally posted by CarlG Come to think about it, there were some reports early on that the only difference between the K-5 and the K-3 grip was the position of one of the guiding pins. With a bit of destructive effort the old grips would fit. Maybe you could find one of those threads to check if I am right and then go hunting for a K-5 aftermarket grip. there it is: DIY K3 Battery grip: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review I have a K-5 grip and I may just try this. It should be sufficient for my very rare need of a grip.

10-08-2014, 01:44 PM	#6
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Quote: All functions retained except the AF doesn't work (unless my grips button has failed) That sounds like a pretty big function to lose.

10-08-2014, 02:05 PM	#7
fgaudet Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 726	I have adapted two $30 China-knock-off BG4 to fit on the K3 with absolutely no issues, the only thing is that the AF and the green button are reversed on the grip (easy fix if you want to take the grip appart). For a "good enough" fit, you only need to slightly file down the pin on the right hand side (I used 80 grit sandpaper and went at it for 5 minutes). For a better fit, you need to shave a tiny bit of plastic on the grip on the right hand side and some where the lens mount lines up (it's cheap plastic so a good utility knife works good). You loose WR but for $30 you can't have it all...

10-10-2014, 02:45 PM	#8
jeallen01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697	The last shot shows what I have done [ Rear screen protector for K3 Not yet rewired the buttons. John