Battery Grips - Faster shooting?

mehfesto2

So with the new D700 all but to be arranged (i.e. awaiting loan money to come through), I'm begging to wonder about putting in for a battery grip too. Is it true that they can help a camera 'take pictures quicker'? Surely the quality of the memory card would be a more important factor? And if so, how does it work?

I'm just asking, because lately I've noiced how shooting in Raw at live gigs is far more beneficial for me. Many people say you shouldn't as it's too slow, but if I had a batetry grip, wouldn't it even it out? (i.e. shooting jpeg vs. shooting raw with a battery pack?)

Any imput would be helpful!

Ricky91t

mehfesto2 wrote: »

So with the new D700 all but to be arranged (i.e. awaiting loan money to come through), I'm begging to wonder about putting in for a battery grip too. Is it true that they can help a camera 'take pictures quicker'? Surely the quality of the memory card would be a more important factor? And if so, how does it work?

I'm just asking, because lately I've noiced how shooting in Raw at live gigs is far more beneficial for me. Many people say you shouldn't as it's too slow, but if I had a batetry grip, wouldn't it even it out? (i.e. shooting jpeg vs. shooting raw with a battery pack?)

Any imput would be helpful!

Nikon's work in weird way,In general battery grips don't speed up shooting,But on the Nikon D300(I think)If you add a battery grip the FPS increase from 6 to 8 FPS,Something to do with a chip in the battery grip..

But I think the battery grip on the D700 has no affect..

As for the quicker memory card,All images are written onto the buffer first(quick memory) and then transferred from there to the memory card.

pixbyjohn

I have the D700 and battery grip. The frame rate goes from 6fps to 8 fps with the battery grip only if you use the alternative EN-EL4, or EN-EL4a or even the 8 x AA batteries. If you wish to use the higher power EN-EL4 type battery be sure to also order a BL-3 battery cover.
I purchased a generic batterygrip and battery and it works superbly for me.
If you have any questions I will be only too glad to answer if I can.

dakar

Actually the grip on the D700 does increase fps from 6 to 8 as long as long as you have the appropriate battery power in it. It'll run at full whack with 8 AA's in it or the D3 battery on board.

The annoying thing is that if you buy the D3 battery, you need to buy a charger and a special battery cap to make it work. Fortunately someone has realised the stupidity of this and if you google 'phottix cosmo' there is a solution ready made for the mbd grip.

I really like the way the grip balances up my D300 and I've had a go of a D700 and the same holds true.

xshayx

Wouldnt use the D300 without the grip, extra speed, life and much nicer balance to it

dakar

pixbyjohn wrote: »

I have the D700 and battery grip. The frame rate goes from 6fps to 8 fps with the battery grip only if you use the alternative EN-EL4, or EN-EL4a or even the 8 x AA batteries. If you wish to use the higher power EN-EL4 type battery be sure to also order a BL-3 battery cover.
I purchased a generic batterygrip and battery and it works superbly for me.
If you have any questions I will be only too glad to answer if I can.

LOL typing on the phone is too slow! Phottix Cosmo still works though

pixbyjohn

If you are going to buy generic grip and battery there is a guy in Poland selling them on Ebay, or as Dakar says above, Phottix have a nice grip and battery also.
Dakar ,good point on the charger.

dakar

Just be careful with generic grips, phottix's own grip won't accept the kosmo battery pack. I went with the Nikon grip and the phottix battery.