[john5100]

Hi all,

I use DA* lenses for my professional work. Just curiously, do any of you use DA* lenses without the battery grip? With the weight of these lenses, the camera doesn't seem balanced. Just wondering if I'm being a wimp.

John

[jatrax]

Get a K-1. The lenses will balance much better

I have the DA*60-250 and yes it is not balanced but then it is a big lens and I never expected it to be. It is a little better on the K-1 but still a little front heavy. The DA*16-50 when I had it seemed to work fine for me, but I think a persons stance, grip and hands also make a difference. Worked well for me anyway.

[Marcel K]

I use my DA*300 on a K3 without a grip, no problem. Never use a grip. Just one thing less to carry on hikes. I do take a spare battery and I am not a pro 🤓

[robjmitchell]

The K3 with a tripod plate is slightly back heavy while holding the zoom ring on 16-50 and 50-135. As I shoot with my left eye and thus rotate the grip down to avoid my nose the battery grip wouldn't help me.

[GlennG]

K-5 plus either 16-50 or 50-135 is not an issue for me, but it could be that my two-handed technique eliminates the balance issue, probably. Right hand on the camera and left hand cradling the lens from the under side. In that position the concept of balance does not really come into play, at least for me.

[Canada_Rockies]

I always use a grip. That means that I cannot help you to say if without grip it is better balanced. I do know, that even with the 12-24, it just doesn't feel right without the grip.

[aslyfox]

for me the K 5 II and K 3 just feels right with the battery grips

I also was taught right hand on the camera body, left hand, if possible, the base of the palm resting on the bottom of camera body and fingers extended to reach the lens to work focus, aperture and zoom controls

of course with the longer lenses, the position of the left hand changes but as much as possible, it is underneath the lens, supporting and adjusting as necessary

[UncleVanya]

No grip (I own one), da* 16-50, 50-135, 60-250, and 200. All fine on my K-3. Old school film camera taught, group like the others mention cradling body and lens in my left hand.

[aslyfox]

No grip (I own one), da* 16-50, 50-135, 60-250, and 200. All fine on my K-3. Old school film camera taught, group like the others mention cradling body and lens in my left hand.

" cradle " is the missing word

put camera and lens in left hand, " cradle " it, with your thumb to the left, fingers to right of the lens as it extends the palm supporting camera body and lens,

the right hand comes to the camera body and grips it,

thumb for the controls on the back, forefinger for shutter/controls


weight of camera body and lens on left hand only

left elbow tight to the left side of the body/chest not " flying out " to the side

that is how I was taught

[mikesbike]

There is no right or wrong answer to using or not using a battery grip. This is an individual matter which varies between users, so you'll get varied opinions. I've used the DA* 200mm f/2.8 with a body as small as the K-r with no problem, by holding the lens and supporting the ensemble with my left hand as others have mentioned. At the same time, I've used the battery grip with that lens on my K-5 IIs and KP and with my FA 300mm f/4.5 as well, which balances better for general handling, but at the expense of more weight and size overall. For doing a lot of vertical shots, the grip is definitely advantageous.

[macman24054]

There are good and bad to both ways. No grip gives you a size and weight difference. A grip gives you extra battery life and the buttons to function comfortably when shooting portrait orientation. Having shoot both ways (much more with no grip), I prefer to shoot with a grip. I shoot weddings and love the fact that I can shoot an eight hour or longer wedding without changing batteries even being a thought. Since 50% or more of my shots are portrait orientation, I benefit from the buttons on the grip. And I do find the camera feels more balanced with my 50-135 and a grip. Just my 2 cents.

[aleonx3]

I don't use a grip at all with any lenses on my k-3, k-5 etc. I would prefer the lighter weight if I can help it because I use a third-party hand-strap, not the original should strap. I guess it is just a matter taste and getting use to whatever you feel is comfortable.

[Marktax]

I have the K-3 silver grip but never use it. My lens of choice is the 50-135. No problem.

[pathdoc]

If you need a battery grip where extra power is not the issue, chances are you would prefer a Spotmatic or K-series camera to the ME and MX.

The biggest lens I've ever shot on my K-5 is the DA 18-250; no issues. I find having my pinkie tucked under the camera body improves my support and the left palm supports both camera and lens better. The DA18-135 is much the same. Putting either lens on the K-1 as an ergonomic exercise makes them seem much smaller, BUT having a battery pack dangling underneath would make the whole setup feel more awkward for me.

[gm4life]

I guess I typically keep my battery grip on the K3 II. The only time I take it off is for battery purposes - but other than that it stays on. You can certainly shoot a K3/K3 II without a battery grip and a lens like the DA 300 * BUT I very much so prefer a grip when shooting especially with a telephoto. Again I could shoot with the D FA 70-200 * without a grip BUT I would highly recommend one with a lens like that. On my KP I have it on sometimes and sometimes NOT but when my DA 300 * and D FA 70-200 * go on it has a grip on it.