Pentax BG2 Battery Grip for Pentax K10D and K20D DSLR Cameras (Retail Packaging) by Pentax
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Digital camera reviews of Pentax BG2 Battery Grip for Pentax K10D and K20D DSLR Cameras (Retail Packaging)
Digital camera Review: Better than knock offs
Summary: 5 Stars
Simply put this OEM product is far better than cheapo knock offs that are poor copies with low tolerances. I know because I tried them.Digital camera Review: Big grip, moderate benefit!
Summary: 4 Stars
The battery grip for the K10D is helpful for some situations. It holds a back-up battery that is actually functional for the camera without being swapped out with the main battery, thus doubling your battery time. You do have to remove it, however, to change the main camera battery. The storage space inside the grip also holds a second SD card. I would have given a 5 star rating if this card was also functional, however, it is not and merely serves as storage for the card. The wireless remote control also stores in the battery grip but don't expect to find one in the box. You have to purchase the remote separately! I am not sure the grip needs to be quite so large as the size makes the camera diffficult to tote in smaller camera bags, and makes it cumbersome to hang around your neck. The second shutter release and control dials are extremely handy! Overall I think this is a very good product with only minor drawbacks! I highly reccomend it to anyone purchasing the K10DDigital camera Review: Excellent, Robust Battery Pack - Convenient Storage Device
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using the Pentax BG2 Battery Grip attached to a K20D camera body for about 4 months and find the device a joy to use and indispensable. From the MB-2 days on the old Nikon F2 of the 1970's, the Pentax BG2 battery pack and grip is by far the best price to function battery pack that I have ever owned. That also includes other battery packs that I have owned and used from Nikon, Cannon, Pentax, Olympus and Konica. What do I like about the BG2? Many things.
First, I like having the extra power available from the second battery inside the BG2. With the second battery installed, I have not once had to recharge my batteries after a heavy weekend of shooting over 32 GBs in photos. I do have to share that I only use the AF on the K20D about half the time and use an external flash.
Second, the ability to adjust the camera exposure setting while holding the camera body in a portrait orientation is very handy. Some of the lens I shot with need additional exposure compensation. The extra means in which I can accomplish this task helps speed up my transition time when changing lenses.
Third, the presence of an extra shutter release button. Although I just assume to have an extra shutter release on any integrated external battery pack, the fact that there is this extra release button is nice to write about. I use the extra shutter release on the BG2 about half the time I am shooting in portrait mode.
Forth, the internal storage slot for a spare SD memory card. This extra memory card storage slot is very handy and clever on the part of the Pentax engineers. Hence, now I never go on a shot without a spare SD card and on several occasions have found having the spare SD card with me very helpful. Sometimes I will switch memory cards according to the subject I am photographing and not having to deal with an extra memory case or storage device for the SD card is great. It makes for one less thing to lose in the field and helps minimize the time it takes me to replace the SD card in the camera.
Fifth, the internal storage slot for the Pentax wireless Remote Control F unit. I use the wireless remote when I travel and or when taking images requiring a high degree of camera stability and or near zero vibration. Having the remote packed inside the BG2 at all times takes one extra item off of my mind. The Pentax engineers, with the ability to internally stow the wireless remote in the BG2, for all practical purposes has fully integrated the Remote Control F with the K20D camera body system. Fantastic.
The addition of a power ON/OFF switch on the BG2 is a feature that I rarely use, but still a nice feature to have incorporated into the battery pack.
Sixth, the additional mass a BG2 adds to the K20D camera body (see photo). When shooting a K20D mounted to large refractive optics, the BG2 battery pack helps to balance the combined camera/lens assembly by moving the center of gravity (CG) more towards the physical longitudinal midsection of the mated assembly. This is very helpful when mounting a K20D and large optics to a tripod as moving the CG more towards the physical midpoint reduces hysteresis in the supporting mount or tripod head and quickens the time needed to dampen out vibrations.
Last, the construction and build of the BG2 is very good. The fit and finish of the external and internal plastic parts, control switches and buttons is excellent. Although the battery pack is not incased in a metal exterior housing, the choices of the materials used feel robust, moisture and impact resistant. I have bumped the battery pack against a few hard things already and have left very little scaring to the battery pack's exterior.
In conclusion, the BG2 battery pack attached to a K20D body makes for a very versatile, highly functional and long endurance DSLR camera body system. The price to value for the BG2 is very good if not excellent. With the addition of extra battery power, extra SD memory card storage, redundant shutter release and exposure camera controls along with storage for a Pentax remote control F, the engineers at Pentax have produced an accessory that most every K20D user should not be without.
I highly recommend this product.
Digital camera Review: Excellent- Ergonomic, Extends battery and function, Sealed
Summary: 5 Stars
I wasn't sure if I would use or need this but so very glad to have purchased it with new K20D. Not only does it provide a secure, convenient way to store an additional memory card and remote but automatically extends the batterly life. The additional controls and functions also make for a comfortable fit as does the entire grip...in fact, I STRONGLY prefer the grip as it just seems easier to hold and control.
For those who may be wondering - yes, the grip IS sealed just like the K20D so no need to worry about a sealed camera with unsealed grip. I don't find it excessively heavy or builky - to the contrary it feels very comfortable even with relatively small hands. I enjoy the ability to use alternative controls when shooting at different angles and VERY pleased with this purchase. EAsy to install, intuitive to use, makes it nice to carry additional accessories without fear of loss. Excellent.
Digital camera Review: Get-Ah-Grip!
Summary: 5 Stars
I got my K10D and BG2 Battery Grip at the same time and I love it! I have no issues with the added weight and bulk. I'm always switching between landscape and portrait shots so having the extra shutter release button on the side is great. I also love having all the the extra buttons and controls on the BG2 Battery Grip. The front and rear eDials to control camera functions, green mode button to reset exposure, exposure compensation button, and depth-of-field preview all help to make the BG2 Battery Grip ...really rock!
Also, under heavy shooting I have yet to drain both batteries. But I must admit that I don't do a lot of image previewing/editing on the K10D LCD screen either, so I guess I'm getting more mileage than most. I keep an extra 2GB SD card in the built-in SD card holder, and one of these days I'll get around to buying a Pentax Remote Control F which also fits inside the body of the BG2 Battery Grip. Overall this is a great add-on to the K10D, and I'm glad I got it.