Originally posted by Jonathan Mac I went ahead and ordered the original Pentax grip a week after I ordered the K3. It cost me $200 as they don't give it away with the body over here. At least I have the re-assurance of it being genuine, WR, and with the full two-year guarantee.
I have always used third party grips (K20, K5) and the quality has varied, from very good to average - none has stopped working although I managed to loose the battery insert for one of them, complete with battery and memory card as it opened unexpectedly! However, I splashed out on the "rel deal" for my K3 and the quality of the OEM item is markedly superior to the other grips I have used, metal pins, tight construction, weather-proofing, just a better product all around- my K3 deserves it!