Uncomfortable Pentax BG-2 Battery Grip ?

Confused · 07-10-2007, 03:06 PM

I recently went to try out the K10D in a local photograhic store and after a little while asked the assistant if it would be possible to fit the BG-2 battery grip to it. I have to admit that to me, the camera definitely felt more natural and handled better without the grip, although the second shutter button is undoubtedly very handy ! I personally find the grip on the K10D itself to be ideally shaped (much better than Canon's 400D or Nikon's D40X for instance), but noticed that when the BG-2 is attached, the section where one would normally wrap one's fingertips around seems to be rather too angular and not rounded enough for my liking. Am I the only person who finds the BG-2 battery grip to be slightly uncomfortable to hold in portrait orientation, when it's attached to the K10D ?......comments please ?

Kingsofronin · 07-10-2007, 03:09 PM

Yes. I agree.

The BG is very ergonomically unstable.

Pentax has a few things they need to work on and thats one of them.

carpents · 07-10-2007, 03:14 PM

I totally disagree, in fact the grip makes even the landscape orientation more comfortable.

barendvl · 07-10-2007, 03:15 PM

On what experience do you base your opinion Kingsofronin?

Kingsofronin · 07-10-2007, 03:20 PM

I work with a photographer who has a K10D. He's the one that got me using Pentax to start with. Before, I was using a Nikon D50....ahem.

I do think that the Battery Grip is overall an improvment to the original design, I just wish the bottom grip was more rounded instead of triangular.

**Sailor** · 07-10-2007, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by Confused

Am I the only person who finds the BG-2 battery grip to be slightly uncomfortable to hold in portrait orientation, when it's attached to the K10D ?......comments please ?

No. I've got the same opinion - I ordered one from B&H and rarely use it. However, the "feel" of a camera - much like the "feel" of a sports car or musical instrument - is a subjective judgement and can't be translated to others. Some love the grip.

Jer

Artymous · 07-10-2007, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by Sailor

No. I've got the same opinion - I ordered one from B&H and rarely use it. However, the "feel" of a camera - much like the "feel" of a sports car or musical instrument - is a subjective judgement and can't be translated to others. Some love the grip.

Jer

Exactly. It's going to work for some, but not work for others. Such is the nature of things.

carpents · 07-10-2007, 04:06 PM

The Japanese must use someone exactly my size as a model. My '93 RX-7 fit me like a glove.

FotoPete · 07-10-2007, 04:45 PM

yea I tried the D-BG2 grip and although it helps with landscape, I found the portrait grip a bit unsubstantial. Like there wasn't enough to grip on to. I agree a more rounded/bulkier grip would have been nice.

xfraser · 07-10-2007, 05:11 PM

I use the grip all the time and do not find it uncomfortable at all. I would find the camera uncomfortable without it...

Mr Hyde · 07-10-2007, 05:27 PM

I havent taken the grip off since I bought it (except to charget the battery). I'm 6-2 and have large hands. I like the bulk of the grip.

MShawn63 · 07-10-2007, 06:10 PM

I have the grip and find that it really helps me hold the camera better and the extra shutter button makes portaits much easier.

This is one of those discussions where we will have to agree to disagree.

Kingsofronin · 07-10-2007, 06:36 PM

Whether you like it or not, I still beieve its gotta be changed.

I think the satisfaction rate is somewhere around 60% with the K10D grip.

I'm sure Pentax could improve that number to atleast 80%,
by doing a little research on ergonomic preferences.

dwnopep97 · 07-10-2007, 07:13 PM

I Love the grip now, but hated it compared to BG-1 for the *istD. It grew on me and the bg-2 grip seem more stable than the one for the *istD. Also try mounting a 200 2.8 or a 400 or extension tube 2x multiplier with a DFA 100 macro and youll be glad you have the grip. It balances so much better. Just my two cents.

bt*ist · 07-10-2007, 07:25 PM

My main 'complaint' is that with the grip on, it makes the camera very heavy. I've never had such a feeling of neck relief as when I took the camera off after a day at the zoo!

But that's not a complaint about the grip per se. For the most part, I find it less useful in landscape orientation because my bottom two fingers don't curl as naturally to steady the base. For portrait shooting, the 'pain' is worth bearing because it is a much more stable platform.

All up, I'm glad I purchased it, but I think my default state will be to have it OFF the camera, rather than mounted on.

07-10-2007, 03:06 PM	#1
Confused Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,067	Uncomfortable Pentax BG-2 Battery Grip ? I recently went to try out the K10D in a local photograhic store and after a little while asked the assistant if it would be possible to fit the BG-2 battery grip to it. I have to admit that to me, the camera definitely felt more natural and handled better without the grip, although the second shutter button is undoubtedly very handy ! I personally find the grip on the K10D itself to be ideally shaped (much better than Canon's 400D or Nikon's D40X for instance), but noticed that when the BG-2 is attached, the section where one would normally wrap one's fingertips around seems to be rather too angular and not rounded enough for my liking. Am I the only person who finds the BG-2 battery grip to be slightly uncomfortable to hold in portrait orientation, when it's attached to the K10D ?......comments please ?

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07-10-2007, 03:09 PM	#2
Kingsofronin Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 150	Yes. I agree. The BG is very ergonomically unstable. Pentax has a few things they need to work on and thats one of them.

07-10-2007, 03:14 PM	#3
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	I totally disagree, in fact the grip makes even the landscape orientation more comfortable.

07-10-2007, 03:15 PM	#4
barendvl Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Netherlands, Eindhoven Posts: 133	On what experience do you base your opinion Kingsofronin?

07-10-2007, 03:20 PM	#5
Kingsofronin Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 150	I work with a photographer who has a K10D. He's the one that got me using Pentax to start with. Before, I was using a Nikon D50....ahem. I do think that the Battery Grip is overall an improvment to the original design, I just wish the bottom grip was more rounded instead of triangular.

07-10-2007, 03:24 PM	#6
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,203	Originally posted by Confused Am I the only person who finds the BG-2 battery grip to be slightly uncomfortable to hold in portrait orientation, when it's attached to the K10D ?......comments please ? No. I've got the same opinion - I ordered one from B&H and rarely use it. However, the "feel" of a camera - much like the "feel" of a sports car or musical instrument - is a subjective judgement and can't be translated to others. Some love the grip. Jer

07-10-2007, 03:36 PM	#7
Artymous Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sechelt, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 229	Originally posted by Sailor No. I've got the same opinion - I ordered one from B&H and rarely use it. However, the "feel" of a camera - much like the "feel" of a sports car or musical instrument - is a subjective judgement and can't be translated to others. Some love the grip. Jer Exactly. It's going to work for some, but not work for others. Such is the nature of things.

07-10-2007, 04:06 PM	#8
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	The Japanese must use someone exactly my size as a model. My '93 RX-7 fit me like a glove.

07-10-2007, 04:45 PM	#9
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	yea I tried the D-BG2 grip and although it helps with landscape, I found the portrait grip a bit unsubstantial. Like there wasn't enough to grip on to. I agree a more rounded/bulkier grip would have been nice.

07-10-2007, 05:11 PM	#10
xfraser Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery Posts: 828	I use the grip all the time and do not find it uncomfortable at all. I would find the camera uncomfortable without it...

07-10-2007, 05:27 PM	#11
Mr Hyde Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 760	I havent taken the grip off since I bought it (except to charget the battery). I'm 6-2 and have large hands. I like the bulk of the grip.

07-10-2007, 06:10 PM	#12
MShawn63 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 225	I have the grip and find that it really helps me hold the camera better and the extra shutter button makes portaits much easier. This is one of those discussions where we will have to agree to disagree.

07-10-2007, 06:36 PM	#13
Kingsofronin Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 150	Whether you like it or not, I still beieve its gotta be changed. I think the satisfaction rate is somewhere around 60% with the K10D grip. I'm sure Pentax could improve that number to atleast 80%, by doing a little research on ergonomic preferences.

07-10-2007, 07:13 PM	#14
dwnopep97 New Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Missouri Photos: Gallery Posts: 9	I Love the grip now, but hated it compared to BG-1 for the istD. It grew on me and the bg-2 grip seem more stable than the one for the istD. Also try mounting a 200 2.8 or a 400 or extension tube 2x multiplier with a DFA 100 macro and youll be glad you have the grip. It balances so much better. Just my two cents.

07-10-2007, 07:25 PM	#15
bt*ist Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 211	My main 'complaint' is that with the grip on, it makes the camera very heavy. I've never had such a feeling of neck relief as when I took the camera off after a day at the zoo! But that's not a complaint about the grip per se. For the most part, I find it less useful in landscape orientation because my bottom two fingers don't curl as naturally to steady the base. For portrait shooting, the 'pain' is worth bearing because it is a much more stable platform. All up, I'm glad I purchased it, but I think my default state will be to have it OFF the camera, rather than mounted on.