K-5IIs W/grip vs K-3 w/o: Self-Discovery

Trudger1272 · 01-04-2015, 09:30 PM

I really hate to admit it but I was wrong! So wrong to the point where I'd rather pickup my K-5iis before I'd pickup my K-3 I'd rather shoot with. All because of a grip I swore last summer that I would never need.

Spring last year I happened to buy my K-3 during the only month of the year you couldn't get a free grip with the camera from B&H or Adorama, and was too cheap to purchase one. "So like a good hater," I participated in a thread stating that I thought grips were overrated. (Honestly I was mainly trying to convince myself I could live without one) But truthfully up to that point, the only DSLR I'd used was my old K30. Then in November I bought my K-5IIs with a free grip and the time has come to say, "I have seen the light!"
You see, my K-3 is my Baby, my #1 and I actually like it more than my 4x5. But having large hands, the grip on my K-5iis feels so right and snug that now I sometimes catch myself pausing a minute to consider which body do I really want to shoot with. I'll pick the K-5iis and start shooting to only set it down a few minutes later in preference of my K-3. And it's only happening more often. Button layout aside, the K-5iis seems like it was built just for me but, I really prefer the way my K-3 operates. I've played with it so much that it seems like it's becoming an extension of my mind and I can't force myself to really get use to the K-5iis. Sometimes I wonder if I should start leaving my K-3 behind making myself get use to it.

It"s perfectly good, no need to get rid of it. Not a real problem, just frustrating.

Anyway, I'll be ordering a d-bg5 Friday and only want cameras with grips for now on if possible.

So my apologies, I stand corrected. From now on I won't knock what I haven't tried and try to keep an open mind.

Docrwm · 01-04-2015, 09:36 PM

I'm with you. No grip really is far less functional for me.

narual · 01-04-2015, 09:57 PM

My hand actually hurts, and badly, within a few minutes of handholding without the grip if I'm using anything heavier than a smallish prime. My pinky finger starts to radiate pain through my whole hand. It's quite unpleasant. So glad the price on the K3 came down so far and included the grip for free. One of the main reasons I didn't buy it a year ago was that I knew I'd have to put out the extra cash for the grip (and a third party one wouldn't do because I wouldn't want to compromise the WR).

esrandall · 01-04-2015, 10:06 PM

The good news is that those grips seem to always be for sale in the Marketplace, so there could be a few bucks to be saved

Trudger1272 · 01-04-2015, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by narual

It's quite unpleasant.

That right there!
It's sad I never realized how much until after experiencing a grip.

Originally posted by Docrwm

No grip really is far less functional for me.

Amen!

UplandGame · 01-04-2015, 10:45 PM

I have to agree. Three decades shooting SLR/DSLR, and its only in the last few months that I have started using a grip. No turning back now...

jimr-pdx · 01-04-2015, 11:16 PM

Grips used to be heavy things with motors as I recall. I tried one with one of my Pentax SLR bodies and it didn't stay long. New grips with batteries do seem less troubling - but for me every cc counts so it stays home. Ask me again in a year though, just in case

DSims · 01-04-2015, 11:51 PM

I didn't need a grip until I started shooting events that were 80%+ portrait orientation. After the first such event I immediately and happily paid for what I previously considered the "overpriced" genuine Pentax BG for my K-5/K-5 IIs! My arms just got too tired without it!

**kiwi_jono** · 01-05-2015, 12:01 AM

Right! Thats it, I don't even want to see a grip, let alone try one!
They add bulk and weight and make the camera look really ugly. Probably made by the devil himself / herself (don't want to be sexist either).

I am covering my eyes - I don't need ABA because LBA is bad enough.

DSims · 01-05-2015, 12:04 AM

Originally posted by narual

One of the main reasons I didn't buy it a year ago was that I knew I'd have to put out the extra cash for the grip (and a third party one wouldn't do because I wouldn't want to compromise the WR).

I think the risk from not having WR on the grip is rather minimal - the whole body is still sealed. Only the contacts on the bottom of the body could be exposed, and only if there was a lot of water that got in there. I have 1 genuine grip and 1 third-party. I think each is worth what I paid for it. It's much better to have the 3rd party grip than no grip at all. It's main drawback is that the buttons feel a little cheaper, not the lack of WR. Mine's an exact clone copy - so close that I can swap the battery trays between them, and they still work.

**savoche** · 01-05-2015, 12:09 AM

I bought my K-3 specifically without a grip but the seller included it anyway since he couldn't find the USB cable to the camera

I have tested that it works, but for my kind of shooting it hasn't made sense to use it.

I have no plans to rid myself of it, though.

**Digitalis** · 01-05-2015, 12:31 AM - **1 Like**

I like my K7 and K5IIs without the grip, I have enough big bulky cameras at work.

My K3 is also sans grip at the moment. Ever since they removed the extra SD card and IR remote control slot from the K10D grip, I simply stopped buying them.

tabl10s · 01-05-2015, 01:34 AM

Originally posted by Trudger1272

I really hate to admit it but I was wrong! So wrong to the point where I'd rather pickup my K-5iis before I'd pickup my K-3 I'd rather shoot with. All because of a grip I swore last summer that I would never need.

Spring last year I happened to buy my K-3 during the only month of the year you couldn't get a free grip with the camera from B&H or Adorama, and was too cheap to purchase one. "So like a good hater," I participated in a thread stating that I thought grips were overrated. (Honestly I was mainly trying to convince myself I could live without one) But truthfully up to that point, the only DSLR I'd used was my old K30. Then in November I bought my K-5IIs with a free grip and the time has come to say, "I have seen the light!"
You see, my K-3 is my Baby, my #1 and I actually like it more than my 4x5. But having large hands, the grip on my K-5iis feels so right and snug that now I sometimes catch myself pausing a minute to consider which body do I really want to shoot with. I'll pick the K-5iis and start shooting to only set it down a few minutes later in preference of my K-3. And it's only happening more often. Button layout aside, the K-5iis seems like it was built just for me but, I really prefer the way my K-3 operates. I've played with it so much that it seems like it's becoming an extension of my mind and I can't force myself to really get use to the K-5iis. Sometimes I wonder if I should start leaving my K-3 behind making myself get use to it.

It"s perfectly good, no need to get rid of it. Not a real problem, just frustrating.

Anyway, I'll be ordering a d-bg5 Friday and only want cameras with grips for now on if possible.

So my apologies, I stand corrected. From now on I won't knock what I haven't tried and try to keep an open mind.

I have large hands and stopped using both LX's when their winder's broke. Holding a Tokina 70-200 2.8 with my right pinkie wrapped under the body was too much.

tromboads · 01-05-2015, 03:11 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

I like my K7 and K5IIs without the grip, I have enough big bulky cameras at work.

My K3 is also sans grip at the moment. Ever since they removed the extra SD card and IR remote control slot from the K10D grip, I simply stopped buying them.

that is an esthetically pleasing image :P

#edit. Big cameras do suck.

Although I confess to throwing a grip on when the lens gets longer than 200mm

Docrwm · 01-05-2015, 03:51 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

I like my K7 and K5IIs without the grip, I have enough big bulky cameras at work.

My K3 is also sans grip at the moment. Ever since they removed the extra SD card and IR remote control slot from the K10D grip, I simply stopped buying them.

They have an extra SD card storage slot in the D-BG4 & 5, but neither has room for a remote. I've had that extra SD card save me once or twice.

01-04-2015, 11:51 PM	#8
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	I didn't need a grip until I started shooting events that were 80%+ portrait orientation. After the first such event I immediately and happily paid for what I previously considered the "overpriced" genuine Pentax BG for my K-5/K-5 IIs! My arms just got too tired without it! Last edited by DSims; 01-05-2015 at 12:05 AM.

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01-04-2015, 09:30 PM	#1
Trudger1272 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 288	K-5IIs W/grip vs K-3 w/o: Self-Discovery I really hate to admit it but I was wrong! So wrong to the point where I'd rather pickup my K-5iis before I'd pickup my K-3 I'd rather shoot with. All because of a grip I swore last summer that I would never need. Spring last year I happened to buy my K-3 during the only month of the year you couldn't get a free grip with the camera from B&H or Adorama, and was too cheap to purchase one. "So like a good hater," I participated in a thread stating that I thought grips were overrated. (Honestly I was mainly trying to convince myself I could live without one) But truthfully up to that point, the only DSLR I'd used was my old K30. Then in November I bought my K-5IIs with a free grip and the time has come to say, "I have seen the light!" You see, my K-3 is my Baby, my #1 and I actually like it more than my 4x5. But having large hands, the grip on my K-5iis feels so right and snug that now I sometimes catch myself pausing a minute to consider which body do I really want to shoot with. I'll pick the K-5iis and start shooting to only set it down a few minutes later in preference of my K-3. And it's only happening more often. Button layout aside, the K-5iis seems like it was built just for me but, I really prefer the way my K-3 operates. I've played with it so much that it seems like it's becoming an extension of my mind and I can't force myself to really get use to the K-5iis. Sometimes I wonder if I should start leaving my K-3 behind making myself get use to it. It"s perfectly good, no need to get rid of it. Not a real problem, just frustrating. Anyway, I'll be ordering a d-bg5 Friday and only want cameras with grips for now on if possible. So my apologies, I stand corrected. From now on I won't knock what I haven't tried and try to keep an open mind.

01-04-2015, 09:36 PM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I'm with you. No grip really is far less functional for me.

01-04-2015, 09:57 PM	#3
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	My hand actually hurts, and badly, within a few minutes of handholding without the grip if I'm using anything heavier than a smallish prime. My pinky finger starts to radiate pain through my whole hand. It's quite unpleasant. So glad the price on the K3 came down so far and included the grip for free. One of the main reasons I didn't buy it a year ago was that I knew I'd have to put out the extra cash for the grip (and a third party one wouldn't do because I wouldn't want to compromise the WR).

01-04-2015, 10:06 PM	#4
esrandall Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sumner, WA Photos: Albums Posts: 965	The good news is that those grips seem to always be for sale in the Marketplace, so there could be a few bucks to be saved

01-04-2015, 10:07 PM	#5
Trudger1272 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 288 Original Poster	Originally posted by narual It's quite unpleasant. That right there! It's sad I never realized how much until after experiencing a grip. Originally posted by Docrwm No grip really is far less functional for me. Amen!

01-04-2015, 10:45 PM	#6
UplandGame New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery Posts: 19	I have to agree. Three decades shooting SLR/DSLR, and its only in the last few months that I have started using a grip. No turning back now...

01-04-2015, 11:16 PM	#7
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Grips used to be heavy things with motors as I recall. I tried one with one of my Pentax SLR bodies and it didn't stay long. New grips with batteries do seem less troubling - but for me every cc counts so it stays home. Ask me again in a year though, just in case

01-05-2015, 12:01 AM	#9
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Right! Thats it, I don't even want to see a grip, let alone try one! They add bulk and weight and make the camera look really ugly. Probably made by the devil himself / herself (don't want to be sexist either). I am covering my eyes - I don't need ABA because LBA is bad enough.

01-05-2015, 12:04 AM	#10
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by narual One of the main reasons I didn't buy it a year ago was that I knew I'd have to put out the extra cash for the grip (and a third party one wouldn't do because I wouldn't want to compromise the WR). I think the risk from not having WR on the grip is rather minimal - the whole body is still sealed. Only the contacts on the bottom of the body could be exposed, and only if there was a lot of water that got in there. I have 1 genuine grip and 1 third-party. I think each is worth what I paid for it. It's much better to have the 3rd party grip than no grip at all. It's main drawback is that the buttons feel a little cheaper, not the lack of WR. Mine's an exact clone copy - so close that I can swap the battery trays between them, and they still work.

01-05-2015, 12:09 AM	#11
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	I bought my K-3 specifically without a grip but the seller included it anyway since he couldn't find the USB cable to the camera I have tested that it works, but for my kind of shooting it hasn't made sense to use it. I have no plans to rid myself of it, though.

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01-05-2015, 12:31 AM - 1 Like	#12
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	I like my K7 and K5IIs without the grip, I have enough big bulky cameras at work. My K3 is also sans grip at the moment. Ever since they removed the extra SD card and IR remote control slot from the K10D grip, I simply stopped buying them.

01-05-2015, 01:34 AM	#13
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424	Originally posted by Trudger1272 I really hate to admit it but I was wrong! So wrong to the point where I'd rather pickup my K-5iis before I'd pickup my K-3 I'd rather shoot with. All because of a grip I swore last summer that I would never need. Spring last year I happened to buy my K-3 during the only month of the year you couldn't get a free grip with the camera from B&H or Adorama, and was too cheap to purchase one. "So like a good hater," I participated in a thread stating that I thought grips were overrated. (Honestly I was mainly trying to convince myself I could live without one) But truthfully up to that point, the only DSLR I'd used was my old K30. Then in November I bought my K-5IIs with a free grip and the time has come to say, "I have seen the light!" You see, my K-3 is my Baby, my #1 and I actually like it more than my 4x5. But having large hands, the grip on my K-5iis feels so right and snug that now I sometimes catch myself pausing a minute to consider which body do I really want to shoot with. I'll pick the K-5iis and start shooting to only set it down a few minutes later in preference of my K-3. And it's only happening more often. Button layout aside, the K-5iis seems like it was built just for me but, I really prefer the way my K-3 operates. I've played with it so much that it seems like it's becoming an extension of my mind and I can't force myself to really get use to the K-5iis. Sometimes I wonder if I should start leaving my K-3 behind making myself get use to it. It"s perfectly good, no need to get rid of it. Not a real problem, just frustrating. Anyway, I'll be ordering a d-bg5 Friday and only want cameras with grips for now on if possible. So my apologies, I stand corrected. From now on I won't knock what I haven't tried and try to keep an open mind. I have large hands and stopped using both LX's when their winder's broke. Holding a Tokina 70-200 2.8 with my right pinkie wrapped under the body was too much.

01-05-2015, 03:11 AM	#14
tromboads Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,239	Originally posted by Digitalis I like my K7 and K5IIs without the grip, I have enough big bulky cameras at work. My K3 is also sans grip at the moment. Ever since they removed the extra SD card and IR remote control slot from the K10D grip, I simply stopped buying them. that is an esthetically pleasing image :P #edit. Big cameras do suck. Although I confess to throwing a grip on when the lens gets longer than 200mm

01-05-2015, 03:51 AM	#15
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Digitalis I like my K7 and K5IIs without the grip, I have enough big bulky cameras at work. My K3 is also sans grip at the moment. Ever since they removed the extra SD card and IR remote control slot from the K10D grip, I simply stopped buying them. They have an extra SD card storage slot in the D-BG4 & 5, but neither has room for a remote. I've had that extra SD card save me once or twice.