D-BG4 - need advice

NoMaD_PS · 05-19-2015, 02:00 AM

Hi guys!

I'm interested in genuine or third-party D-BG4 grip with 1 or 2 spare battery. I've failed to find it here on PF, and I don't want to spend $200 on that stuff.

Can you please recommend me some ebay or other online seller. Does anybody have problems with grips from China or with third-party batteries?

Thanks

**Rondec** · 05-19-2015, 02:26 AM

I used Wasabi batteries and they were OK. Probably not quite as good as the OEM ones, but decent. Not sure what country you are in, but Amazon has used BG-4 grips listed for 130-ish, which seems like a decent price to me. There are 50 dollar options that lose weather sealing and probably aren't as durable. I guess the question as to whether you get brand name or not depends a lot on how heavy use to plan to give it and if weather sealing is important. If you will only use it occasionally and sealing isn't important, than definitely get a knock off.

**BigMackCam** · 05-19-2015, 02:37 AM

I had a clone D-BG4 grip that I bought for use with a K7 a few years back. As Rondec says, it isn't WR... also, the quality of the dials, on-off / DOF preview switch and shutter release button isn't as good as on the genuine Pentax version. The overall feel of it was a little flimsy compared to the real D-BG4 - having said that, it wasn't bad at all for the money...

NoMaD_PS · 05-19-2015, 04:31 AM

Since the K-5 is about $300 here on marketplace and K-5 with grip is about $350, the 130-ish one from Amazon (plus shipping) is a little tragedy.

I'm using the grip all the time, the WR is not important for me, but the quality of the buttons is.

**BigMackCam** · 05-19-2015, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by NoMaD_PS

I'm using the grip all the time, the WR is not important for me, but the quality of the buttons is.

I'm not sure you'd like the clone, then. One of the dials on mine has a dead spot where the value being modified (say, ISO speed) doesn't change - ie. you'll move it three or four clicks, but on one of those clicks the value doesn't change. It's a minor problem, but susprisingly annoying when in use. I would go with the genuine D-BG4.

mholford · 05-19-2015, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by NoMaD_PS

Since the K-5 is about $300 here on marketplace and K-5 with grip is about $350, the 130-ish one from Amazon (plus shipping) is a little tragedy.

I'm using the grip all the time, the WR is not important for me, but the quality of the buttons is.

Sometimes you just need a little patience... The grips show up on ebay periodically, and some sell for better prices then others. I picked one up for $65 canadian ($55 US), used and it came with a genuine pentax battery... (it was missing the AA adapter tray to use alkaline... but now I have 4 lithium batteries I'm not sure that really matters)

MadMathMind · 05-19-2015, 08:12 PM

I have the clone from Neewer. It's not of A+ quality but it was only $35 and does the job well. AF button and shutters work. Can't really ask for more than that!

NoMaD_PS · 05-23-2015, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by MadMathMind

I have the clone from Neewer. It's not of A+ quality but it was only $35 and does the job well. AF button and shutters work. Can't really ask for more than that!

Where can I get one?

MadMathMind · 05-23-2015, 09:38 PM

Amazon is your friend!
Amazon.com: Neewer

**lm4187** · 05-28-2015, 07:56 AM

B&H has the Pentax D-BG4 in stock for only $79, if you're still interested.

Cheers,
Lou

05-19-2015, 02:00 AM	#1
NoMaD_PS Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 226	D-BG4 - need advice Hi guys! I'm interested in genuine or third-party D-BG4 grip with 1 or 2 spare battery. I've failed to find it here on PF, and I don't want to spend $200 on that stuff. Can you please recommend me some ebay or other online seller. Does anybody have problems with grips from China or with third-party batteries? Thanks

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05-19-2015, 02:26 AM	#2
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	I used Wasabi batteries and they were OK. Probably not quite as good as the OEM ones, but decent. Not sure what country you are in, but Amazon has used BG-4 grips listed for 130-ish, which seems like a decent price to me. There are 50 dollar options that lose weather sealing and probably aren't as durable. I guess the question as to whether you get brand name or not depends a lot on how heavy use to plan to give it and if weather sealing is important. If you will only use it occasionally and sealing isn't important, than definitely get a knock off.

05-19-2015, 02:37 AM	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	I had a clone D-BG4 grip that I bought for use with a K7 a few years back. As Rondec says, it isn't WR... also, the quality of the dials, on-off / DOF preview switch and shutter release button isn't as good as on the genuine Pentax version. The overall feel of it was a little flimsy compared to the real D-BG4 - having said that, it wasn't bad at all for the money...

05-19-2015, 04:31 AM	#4
NoMaD_PS Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 226 Original Poster	Since the K-5 is about $300 here on marketplace and K-5 with grip is about $350, the 130-ish one from Amazon (plus shipping) is a little tragedy. I'm using the grip all the time, the WR is not important for me, but the quality of the buttons is.

05-19-2015, 05:03 AM	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by NoMaD_PS I'm using the grip all the time, the WR is not important for me, but the quality of the buttons is. I'm not sure you'd like the clone, then. One of the dials on mine has a dead spot where the value being modified (say, ISO speed) doesn't change - ie. you'll move it three or four clicks, but on one of those clicks the value doesn't change. It's a minor problem, but susprisingly annoying when in use. I would go with the genuine D-BG4.

05-19-2015, 09:43 AM	#6
mholford Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Vancouver Island, BC Photos: Albums Posts: 238	Originally posted by NoMaD_PS Since the K-5 is about $300 here on marketplace and K-5 with grip is about $350, the 130-ish one from Amazon (plus shipping) is a little tragedy. I'm using the grip all the time, the WR is not important for me, but the quality of the buttons is. Sometimes you just need a little patience... The grips show up on ebay periodically, and some sell for better prices then others. I picked one up for $65 canadian ($55 US), used and it came with a genuine pentax battery... (it was missing the AA adapter tray to use alkaline... but now I have 4 lithium batteries I'm not sure that really matters)

05-19-2015, 08:12 PM	#7
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	I have the clone from Neewer. It's not of A+ quality but it was only $35 and does the job well. AF button and shutters work. Can't really ask for more than that!

05-23-2015, 08:27 AM	#8
NoMaD_PS Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 226 Original Poster	Originally posted by MadMathMind I have the clone from Neewer. It's not of A+ quality but it was only $35 and does the job well. AF button and shutters work. Can't really ask for more than that! Where can I get one?

05-23-2015, 09:38 PM	#9
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Amazon is your friend! Amazon.com: Neewer

05-28-2015, 07:56 AM	#10
lm4187 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Germantown MD Posts: 90	B&H has the Pentax D-BG4 in stock for only $79, if you're still interested. Cheers, Lou