[reh321]

I have the Large grip attached to my KP. I find it better than the other 2 but lacking as a grip. The area where the tips of your fingers 'Grip' is sculpted out so there really isn't a flat surface to hold as in a K3 or K50. I've adapted some what but also considering making a custom grip.

I have the smallest grip attached to my KP. It is just fine, lacking nothing. Frankly I don't really need a grip to grab onto - I support my camera with both hands roughly equally, and my right hand spends more time pressing buttons / turning dials than in grabbing

[mikesbike]

You can always purchase the optional battery grip at a later date if you find you need one. I do have this option, but in my case I only use it when dealing with certain circumstances. Generally, one of the 3 grips supplied will do fine. It is one of the KP's unique properties, having different size grips available. For me, the smallest size grip is fine for mostly having small-to-mid sized lenses on the camera. For a mid/larger or yet larger size lens, I might go with the mid or larger supplied grip. When using say my FA* 300mm f/4.5, while considered relatively compact for such a lens, it is still substantial enough in weight that I find just handling the camera is more balanced with the battery gap attached. When doing a lot of vertical shots, well, there is no question as to the superiority of the battery grip with its duplicate controls.

The battery grip adds more size and weight, taking away from the slim-line, svelteness of the KP's design, so I only use it when truly needed. Some prefer it on all the time. The great thing is the options you have with the KP compared to other designs. As to the added weight, with the battery grip on it, the KP's weight is comparable to that of a K-3 II without a battery grip.

The last but most important aspect is how the camera is held and handled, which can have a huge bearing on the use of the grips. You should not hold a DSLR in the same manner you would hold a P&S camera or a phone. Those of us coming from ancient times of using 35mm bodies have developed more stable techniques which are less dependent on the camera's right-hand grip for holding. Many of these old camera models, even some that were of very high build quality, had little if any right-hand grip! A good holding technique also improves stability while shooting.

Like many others, even with a smaller lens I hold the camera when in shooting position with the palm of my left hand underneath, which provides the lion's share of supporting the weight, with thumb and first 2 fingers able to manipulate the lens from below. The primary job of the right hand is then to operate the camera's controls, while adding lateral stability. The size of the grip becomes less important when held in this manner. It is also important to shoot with elbows in, close to the body. The size of the grip then takes on more importance as to balance and grippable surface when handling the camera other than in the shooting position. The optional battery grip adds to both gripping surface and balance of weight, especially when handling with larger lenses.

The sizes of the lenses you are contemplating are not of a particularly hefty weight or large dimension that would especially benefit from the added battery grip- but this is certainly a call that varies with individual photographers.

[roxiemyhorse]

Thanks...I was looking at the website on my phone and that didn't show up on my page. Good to know, thank you so much!!

[reh321]

When doing a lot of vertical shots, well, there is no question as to the superiority of the battery grip with its duplicate controls.

I have noticed that almost everyone rotates the camera "counter-clockwise", so the shutter button ends up on the upper-left corner of the camera, and their right arm is up in the air; the duplicate controls on battery grip is a clear improvement on that. I rotate the camera the other way, so the shutter button ends up on the lower-right corner of the camera, and my right arm is against my body where it belongs.

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[monochrome]

I have noticed that almost everyone rotates the camera "counter-clockwise", so the shutter button ends up on the upper-left corner of the camera, and their right arm is up in the air; the duplicate controls on battery grip is a clear improvement on that. I rotate the camera the other way, so the shutter button ends up on the lower-right corner of the camera, and my right arm is against my body where it belongs.

That grip was one of two illustrated in the 70’s User Manuals. I’ve found it works better with AF lenses; with manual lenses the focusing helicoid grip is awkward.

[Des]

I would offer my extra but I already sent it to a member in Australia

I'm the lucky recipient of Tom's generosity. In Oz (and the Asia-Pacific) the camera is only supplied with the small handgrip. Personally I found it awful. I still find the large handgrip a little small but it has made a huge difference to me.

I didn't get the battery grip because it was so expensive (more than one-third the price of the camera) and because I use my K-3 for bigger lenses. YMMV.

[MarkJerling]

Battery grips are more than an extra battery. They provide additional controls for portrait photos while providing a stale grip in that orientation. They also provide you with a slot for an extra SD card (when you forget to reload one after transfer that can be a life saver). Finally, they offer you the option of using AA batteries (which are fairly widely available) for when your proprietary batteries are exhausted. My K5iis and K3 are never without theirs.

This!

[mikesbike]

I have noticed that almost everyone rotates the camera "counter-clockwise", so the shutter button ends up on the upper-left corner of the camera, and their right arm is up in the air; the duplicate controls on battery grip is a clear improvement on that. I rotate the camera the other way, so the shutter button ends up on the lower-right corner of the camera, and my right arm is against my body where it belongs.

Yeah, I've tried this mainly with small lenses, but found the support from the bottom is not as stable to hold. Even more so with lenses having some heft. But if it works for you it works!

---------- Post added 02-24-19 at 09:34 PM ----------

Thanks...I was looking at the website on my phone and that didn't show up on my page. Good to know, thank you so much!!

You are very welcome. Another thing to make more clear, if you should eventually acquire a much larger lens like my FA* 300mm f/4.5, or the DA*300mm f/4, or even the DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 or DA* 200mm f/2.8, both of which I have, the way to hold with the left hand then is still from below, but holding the lens itself in a balanced manner more than under the camera body. At the same time this also allows manipulating the lens controls for AF/MF switching, zooming, and manual focus.

[Peter_JDH]

I realize this is an old thread. Wondering given you hold the KP in SLR film-camera fashion with more left-hand support under the lens, if the battery grip's bulk on the bottom actually gets in the way of this?

[mikesbike]

It is this, it says it is a Pentax grip:

Pentax O-GP1672 Grip Kit (Large) 37175 B&H Photo Video

I am in the US, in Texas

If you are in the US and purchase a new KP, it will come with all 3 grips, including the large one shown here. The battery grip is designed to curve into or onto the largest supplied standard grip, but will supply considerably more gripping surface, in addition to longer battery life and better handling for vertical shots.

---------- Post added 04-15-21 at 03:59 PM ----------

I realize this is an old thread. Wondering given you hold the KP in SLR film-camera fashion with more left-hand support under the lens, if the battery grip's bulk on the bottom actually gets in the way of this?

You could say that it does to some degree if you are using a compact lens. Then handling is best with a smaller grip. But for me, handing is batter with a large, heavy lens with the battery grip attached.