Battery Grip

**marquis1955** · 10-14-2013, 10:42 AM

Does anyone know if the K3 will use the same grip as the K5,K7 ? I'm guessing probably not. K3 sounds like a great camera think I'll give it a year to work out the kinks.

**BlackTalon** · 10-14-2013, 10:51 AM

The K3 grip has a new designation (5 vs 4).

**marquis1955** · 10-14-2013, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by BlackTalon

The K3 grip has a new designation (5 vs 4).

Thank you sir !

Adam · 10-14-2013, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by marquis1955

Thank you sir !

It's a slightly different grip due to the slightly modified body shape. D-BG5 is the model number

Adam
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**marquis1955** · 10-14-2013, 12:15 PM

Thank you !

rawr · 10-14-2013, 03:33 PM

The new grip also means (unlike the K-7 and K-5) Pentax will be the sole source of K-3 battery grips, meaning an additional useful sales stream for them.

It will be interesting to see how quickly the after-market battery grip cloners/counterfeiters respond to the need for a new grip on the K-3. I guess it will depend on how popular they see the K-3 becoming.

Class A · 10-19-2013, 08:54 PM

Originally posted by rawr

It will be interesting to see how quickly the after-market battery grip cloners/counterfeiters respond to the need for a new grip on the K-3.

It will also be interesting to see whether the cloners will repeat the big design mistake of the D-BG5 or fix it for us.

The D-BG4 exactly mimics the camera controls so you don't have to think about the orientation you are holding the camera. The D-BG5 fails big time by swapping controls around. What were they thinking?

quarc · 10-20-2013, 02:09 AM

When I tested the K-3 with the battery grip a week and a half ago, I noticed the grips are very similar. The main change is of course some buttons have moved. I tried to fit the new battery grip to my K5IIs, but that did not work, but the only thing preventing this was that one of the pins now is wider, so it does not fit on the whole at the bottom of the K5. This indicates to me that the old grip might still work on the new camera (of course with the confusion of having the buttons in different locations for horisontal and vertical shooting), unfortunately I did not have my grip avaialble at the time, so could not verify this, but if they really wanted to prevent cross use, they would have moved the pins, och changed the contact or something. So my belief is that Pentax tries to be as backwards compatible as they can, but that there is something new happening in the new grip that means if you fot it to an old house something will break.
I will speculate and claim that they have opened up for serial communication in the connector to prepare for GPS, WiFi, 4G or other modules fitted under the camera or in the grip. Probably something similar that they did in the hot shoe for the K5. But I am purely speculating now, but can't see any other reason.

/PA

Gian Carlo · 10-20-2013, 02:26 AM

Originally posted by quarc

When I tested the K-3 with the battery grip a week and a half ago, I noticed the grips are very similar.

Do you think it would fit the Kirk PZ-135 plate designed for BG4? Thanks!

http://m.bhphotovideo.com/mobile/detail?R=639390_REG&

quarc · 10-20-2013, 02:42 AM

Originally posted by Gian Carlo

Do you think it would fit the Kirk PZ-135 plate designed for BG4? Thanks!

PZ-135 Quick Release Plate f/ the Pentax K7 with D-BG4 Grip

As I did not have the old grip with me, it is hard to say. They are very similar, but not identical I think. Possibly the bottom will be identical, but I think you need to waint until someone has tested to know for sure. Maybe if the difference is small, you could adjust it with a file?

/PA

Col · 10-20-2013, 04:02 AM

Originally posted by quarc

As I did not have the old grip with me, it is hard to say. They are very similar, but not identical I think. Possibly the bottom will be identical, but I think you need to waint until someone has tested to know for sure. Maybe if the difference is small, you could adjust it with a file?

/PA

There could be a good chance that it will. I have tested my K7/5 RRS L-Plate on the K3 and that fit perfectly. So certainly the camera's base is dimensionally unchanged on the left hand side. It seems an unnecessary cost to redesign the footprint of the grip.

Lars · 10-20-2013, 04:09 AM

Originally posted by Col

There could be a good chance that it will. I have tested my K7/5 RRS L-Plate on the K3 and that fit perfectly. So certainly the camera's base is dimensionally unchanged on the left hand side. It seems an unnecessary cost to redesign the footprint of the grip.

And you got lens centered both in vertical and horizontal position? (K3 some mm bigger in all direction!?)

Grateful for answer / Lars

Col · 10-20-2013, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by Lars

And you got lens centered both in vertical and horizontal position? (K3 some mm bigger in all direction!?)

Grateful for answer / Lars

As far as I could tell the extra depth is in the grip, not the base. The extra 0.5mm width is immaterial as the RRS plate conformed perfectly from the mount screw. However, in height, I would say the sensor/mount is some 3mm higher on the K3. So vertically I had sufficient leeway in the plate to mount it to the tripod in line.

Lars · 10-20-2013, 05:14 AM

Originally posted by Col

As far as I could tell the extra depth is in the grip, not the base. The extra 0.5mm width is immaterial as the RRS plate conformed perfectly from the mount screw. However, in height, I would say the sensor/mount is some 3mm higher on the K3. So vertically I had sufficient leeway in the plate to mount it to the tripod in line.

Thanks, any problem open the hatch for USB/HDMI - ports?

/Lars

Col · 10-20-2013, 06:24 AM

Always was with the RRS, even with K5. Had to open the cover first and then trap it when attaching the plate

10-14-2013, 10:42 AM	#1
marquis1955 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Lometa, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	Battery Grip Does anyone know if the K3 will use the same grip as the K5,K7 ? I'm guessing probably not. K3 sounds like a great camera think I'll give it a year to work out the kinks.

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10-14-2013, 10:51 AM	#2
BlackTalon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 114	The K3 grip has a new designation (5 vs 4).

10-14-2013, 10:54 AM	#3
marquis1955 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Lometa, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403 Original Poster	Originally posted by BlackTalon The K3 grip has a new designation (5 vs 4). Thank you sir !

10-14-2013, 11:41 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by marquis1955 Thank you sir ! It's a slightly different grip due to the slightly modified body shape. D-BG5 is the model number 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:

10-14-2013, 12:15 PM	#5
marquis1955 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Lometa, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403 Original Poster	Thank you !

10-14-2013, 03:33 PM	#6
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	The new grip also means (unlike the K-7 and K-5) Pentax will be the sole source of K-3 battery grips, meaning an additional useful sales stream for them. It will be interesting to see how quickly the after-market battery grip cloners/counterfeiters respond to the need for a new grip on the K-3. I guess it will depend on how popular they see the K-3 becoming.

10-19-2013, 08:54 PM	#7
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by rawr It will be interesting to see how quickly the after-market battery grip cloners/counterfeiters respond to the need for a new grip on the K-3. It will also be interesting to see whether the cloners will repeat the big design mistake of the D-BG5 or fix it for us. The D-BG4 exactly mimics the camera controls so you don't have to think about the orientation you are holding the camera. The D-BG5 fails big time by swapping controls around. What were they thinking?

10-20-2013, 02:09 AM	#8
quarc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 182	When I tested the K-3 with the battery grip a week and a half ago, I noticed the grips are very similar. The main change is of course some buttons have moved. I tried to fit the new battery grip to my K5IIs, but that did not work, but the only thing preventing this was that one of the pins now is wider, so it does not fit on the whole at the bottom of the K5. This indicates to me that the old grip might still work on the new camera (of course with the confusion of having the buttons in different locations for horisontal and vertical shooting), unfortunately I did not have my grip avaialble at the time, so could not verify this, but if they really wanted to prevent cross use, they would have moved the pins, och changed the contact or something. So my belief is that Pentax tries to be as backwards compatible as they can, but that there is something new happening in the new grip that means if you fot it to an old house something will break. I will speculate and claim that they have opened up for serial communication in the connector to prepare for GPS, WiFi, 4G or other modules fitted under the camera or in the grip. Probably something similar that they did in the hot shoe for the K5. But I am purely speculating now, but can't see any other reason. /PA

10-20-2013, 02:26 AM	#9
Gian Carlo Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 25	Originally posted by quarc When I tested the K-3 with the battery grip a week and a half ago, I noticed the grips are very similar. Do you think it would fit the Kirk PZ-135 plate designed for BG4? Thanks! http://m.bhphotovideo.com/mobile/detail?R=639390_REG&

10-20-2013, 02:42 AM	#10
quarc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 182	Originally posted by Gian Carlo Do you think it would fit the Kirk PZ-135 plate designed for BG4? Thanks! PZ-135 Quick Release Plate f/ the Pentax K7 with D-BG4 Grip As I did not have the old grip with me, it is hard to say. They are very similar, but not identical I think. Possibly the bottom will be identical, but I think you need to waint until someone has tested to know for sure. Maybe if the difference is small, you could adjust it with a file? /PA

10-20-2013, 04:02 AM	#11
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	Originally posted by quarc As I did not have the old grip with me, it is hard to say. They are very similar, but not identical I think. Possibly the bottom will be identical, but I think you need to waint until someone has tested to know for sure. Maybe if the difference is small, you could adjust it with a file? /PA There could be a good chance that it will. I have tested my K7/5 RRS L-Plate on the K3 and that fit perfectly. So certainly the camera's base is dimensionally unchanged on the left hand side. It seems an unnecessary cost to redesign the footprint of the grip.

10-20-2013, 04:09 AM	#12
Lars Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Helsingborg, Sweden Posts: 72	Originally posted by Col There could be a good chance that it will. I have tested my K7/5 RRS L-Plate on the K3 and that fit perfectly. So certainly the camera's base is dimensionally unchanged on the left hand side. It seems an unnecessary cost to redesign the footprint of the grip. And you got lens centered both in vertical and horizontal position? (K3 some mm bigger in all direction!?) Grateful for answer / Lars

10-20-2013, 04:33 AM	#13
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	Originally posted by Lars And you got lens centered both in vertical and horizontal position? (K3 some mm bigger in all direction!?) Grateful for answer / Lars As far as I could tell the extra depth is in the grip, not the base. The extra 0.5mm width is immaterial as the RRS plate conformed perfectly from the mount screw. However, in height, I would say the sensor/mount is some 3mm higher on the K3. So vertically I had sufficient leeway in the plate to mount it to the tripod in line.

10-20-2013, 05:14 AM	#14
Lars Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Helsingborg, Sweden Posts: 72	Originally posted by Col As far as I could tell the extra depth is in the grip, not the base. The extra 0.5mm width is immaterial as the RRS plate conformed perfectly from the mount screw. However, in height, I would say the sensor/mount is some 3mm higher on the K3. So vertically I had sufficient leeway in the plate to mount it to the tripod in line. Thanks, any problem open the hatch for USB/HDMI - ports? /Lars

10-20-2013, 06:24 AM	#15
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	Always was with the RRS, even with K5. Had to open the cover first and then trap it when attaching the plate