[vievetrick]

So I bought a grip from someone here in the forum and it did not include the spare battery. No big deal really but it got me to thinking. How many of you have the grip without the spare? It may sound silly why have it and not have the extra juice. One simple answer is the vertical use and comfort. Maybe you don't shoot enough to need the spare. I am sure there are more. I have always had enough juice in the battery even to get me threw the longest of shooting days. But with the spare I would never worry for a couple of days or even weeks. I am sure t hat is subject to how much yo shoot. So what are your thoughts or comments.

[stewart_photo]

The grip, as it comes from Pentax, does not come with a spare battery. It never did, so nobody with a grip got a spare battery unless it was bundled by a dealer. The primary purpose of the battery compartment in the grip is the relocation of the camera's battery into the grip so the grip doesn't have to be removed each time a battery remaining inside the camera needs recharging. Of course, Pentax offered the option of using two batteries (one in grip and one in camera) and many certainly use it that way. But they do so by purchasing the second battery themselves.

In my own case, I use a battery only in the grip. Since that battery is very easily replaceable (much easier then removing the grip), I simply insert a spare there whenever the first battery is discharged.

stewart

[pop4]

I have the battery grip without the spare battery, although the only reason is because I have just the 1 battery! That's going to change when I get more though.

The grip is always on my K10D, and I've just gotten used to how it feels. The camera now just feels too light and tiny without the grip attached. I'm also with stewart_photo on this one; my battery is inside the grip because changing that is so much easier than taking the grip out.

[daacon]

Well I have the Grip and a spare battery and I keep both in the camera with the settings to use the Grip first. Like you vievetrick a fully charged single battery has always lasted my longest shooting. However with two batteries in there time does indeed pass weeks in fact before you need to charge them. I try to charge them once a month (assuming I remember)

That is down side for me - I so forget about it then once I actually had them both die on me as it was several weeks since I had charged them haha - calls for the emergency third battery !

I will give some thought to only keeping one battery in the grip and one spare in the bag - I kinda like that idea ... ummmm or buy a third one um ........maye I will get one of those cheaper batteries I hear good things about.

[vievetrick]

Thanks guys. I have but both the one battery a spare card and the remote in the grip. My son has soccer tommorow and will give it a run. I played with the Sigma 70-200 a bit eyesturday and it does feel nice.

[imadethis]

I was surprised to receive my battery grip to find out that it could only hold one battery. My only gripe about the battery grip, but anyway, I use one battery in the body as a backup, and the added weight is useful for stability. In the setup menu =>select battery function, I've turned on use the grip battery first, so I can still charge the grip battery after a long day's shoot and have power to spare. If there's a moment where I really need the extra battery, I will have the power to take the shot.

-imt

[stewart_photo]

(snip) I use one battery in the body as a backup, (snip) I've turned on use the grip battery first, so I can still charge the grip battery after a long day's shoot and have power to spare. If there's a moment where I really need the extra battery, I will have the power to take the shot.

Of course, even an entirely unused battery will slowly discharge over time. Therefore, even used in the manner you describe, the battery inside the camera will have to be removed and recharged occasionally. Of course, this requires the extra step of removing the grip first. My method does not require that extra step and the spare battery is only slightly less handy (easily exchanged with the discharged battery).

stewart

[vievetrick]

Curious. I have not changed any setting in the camera since adding the grip. I have been using the battery in the grip it self. Wondered (sure I could ready the manual or find it somewhere but since I started the thread why not ask) when I shut off the camera with the body, what happend if I leave the grip lever to on? I would assume it will draw some power from the battery. I know if I just turn the grip power to on the camera does not come on until I swithc the body to on. Of course I could have missed something and once set as the grip as main battery it will turn everything on. But what if I don't. Just curious.

[stewart_photo]

The camera's power switch always overrides the switch on the grip. In fact, the on/off settings on the grip only control the buttons and knobs on the grip. They don't turn the camera on or off, nor do they have any impact on the camera's use of a battery within the grip. The power to those buttons and knobs on the grip come from the camera itself, so they are effectively dead (not using any power) when the camera is off.

stewart

[vievetrick]

Thanks Stewart

[mklai7]

So I bought a grip from someone here in the forum and it did not include the spare battery. No big deal really but it got me to thinking. How many of you have the grip without the spare? It may sound silly why have it and not have the extra juice. One simple answer is the vertical use and comfort. Maybe you don't shoot enough to need the spare. I am sure there are more. I have always had enough juice in the battery even to get me threw the longest of shooting days. But with the spare I would never worry for a couple of days or even weeks. I am sure t hat is subject to how much yo shoot. So what are your thoughts or comments.

I just bought one as well, with the spare battery. Actually, my experience with Pentax K10D's battery consumption is excellence!!!!! A fully charged can last me 3 days or around 350 shots with the camera flash...... The spare in the grip will definately add on the weight and for me it is find as I am comfort with it...

Thus, it is really up to your personal preference. IF you are going somewhere is difficult to get a power supply, i.e jungle...then no harm to bring extra power, right?