Introduction
The first accessory I purchased for my
Nikon D200 was the MB-D200 vertical grip. Besides offering double the battery power, I have found it to be essential ergonomically for extended hours of shooting. However, I had several complaints about the design of the
MB-D200. Apparently, someone at Nikon is listening as all of those complaints have been addressed in its D300 equivalent, known as the MB-D10. This vertical grip greatly enhances the already amazing capabilities of the
Nikon D300.
Features
The MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack for the D300 includes:
- MS-D10EN for use with EN-EL3e battery (sold separately)
- MS-D10 for use with 8 AA batteries (not included; accepts 1.5 V LR-6 (Alkaline), Lithium (FR6), Ni-MH (HR6) or Ni-Mn (ZR6))
The MB-D10 can use EN-EL4/EN-EL4A (sold separately) with optional BL-3 Battery Chamber Cover. However, these batteries require the BL-3 Battery Chamber Cover, which is sold separately. The EN-EL4a/EN-EL4 and AA batteries support higher frame advance rates (8 Frames per second in the D300) than the EN-EL3e.
As of December 2007, street price on the Nikon MB-D10 is approximately $245 - $275 (US).
Performance
Ergonomics
My most important criticism of the MB-D200 vertical grip was its poor ergonomic design. Too much slippery plastic and a boxy design that did not conform well to the contours of my hand. The outcome of this was a vertical grip that wasn't so easy to grip. Of course, this could become catastrophic but even if it didn't, it wasn't very conducive to shooting. Thankfully, Nikon dramatically improved the ergonomics on the MB-D10. There is much more rubber on this vertical grip and the design is less boxy and more curved. All of this makes for a grip that fits more precisely in my hand, while also improving the friction with my hand.
The EN-EL3e battery tray slides in and out of this grip with ease, much like the AA battery tray on my F5. A quick turn of the latch and it pulls out with ease. I can then grab a second cartridge (purchased separately for $30) with a charged EN-EL3e battery and slap it into the MB-D10 with minimal effort. In some ways, this is a similar design to a semi-automatic hand gun in that cartridges can easily be ejected and reloaded without having to think about the process. It was always more difficult to change the batteries on my MB-D200 grip because I always had to think about how to align the battery and mess around with that poorly designed door latch.
A further improvement, the MB-D10 integrates with the body of the D300 much better than the MB-D200 integrated with the body of the D200. The large off-center attachment dial is now made from metal instead of plastic and offers a more secure attachment to the camera body. In general, the MB-D10 molds to the body of the D300 much more like the vertical grip molded to the F100. Again, kudos to Nikon.
Functionality
Along with the improved ergonomics, functionality has taken a leap forward as well. First, the MB-D10 can accept the same great battery used by the Nikon D3, known as the EN-EL4a. This battery offers much more power for more shots per charge. Additionally, it boosts the frames-per-second (fps) rate of the D300 from six to eight. For my photojournalism, I need a minimum of five fps but I've never needed more than eight fps, so this works out perfectly for me. Definitely a professional fps performance. In order to achieve this increased fps, the EN-EL4a must be used in conjunction with an EL-E3e battery, which now stays in the grip of the camera body. Alternatively, eight fps can be achieved by using six AA batteries in conjunction with an EN-EL3e battery in the grip. Although either of Nikon's proprietary batteries provide more shots than AA batteries, I'm happy that Nikon has retained the option of AA's for those times when a recharging outlet is hard to find.
Another dramatic improvement to the functionality of this grip is the addition of a focus point / menu selector. Although the style is different than the selector found on the camera body, it works well and allows me to choose a focus point while I'm in portrait shooting orientation. After a few short days of use, I was already finding this addition very helpful. The MB-D10 retains the same function dial, command dial, shutter release button, and AF-ON button found on the MB-D200. All of these buttons are located in the same position so Nikon D200 users will find this a smooth transition.
I've already heard several complaints that this new design has a significant flaw. You can no longer access both batteries simply by opening a single door. Instead, you need to remove the MB-D10 from the D300 to access the battery inside the camera's grip. This can be time consuming and inconvenient. At first, I was sympathetic to these complaints, but no longer. Nikon's response was to make the EN-EL4a battery usable with this vertical grip, which allows for almost as many shots as two EN-EL3e batteries. In other words, if lots of battery power is essential for your shooting, just use the same single battery solution found in the Nikon D3. Of course, to do so you'll need to purchase both an EN-EL4a battery (about $100) and a BL-3 battery chamber cover (about $35).
My only complaint, and it's a small one, is that the MB-D10's shutter release button is much more sensitive than the same button on the D300 body. The first few times I used it, depressing halfway to activate the autofocus actually activated the shutter release. I've made the adjustment, and it feels comfortable now. However, when I'm doing a lot of back-and-forth between portrait and landscape shooting, I need to think about the difference between the two buttons. This is something I don't want to do because I need to think about my image and what's happening around me, not button sensitivity. As of yet, I can't find any way to adjust this sensitivity in either the camera or on the MB-D10.
Build Quality
Unlike its predecessor, the MB-D10 is constructed mostly of metal. Nikon has clearly made an effort to match the build quality of the MB-D10 to that of the D300 body itself, and I couldn't be happier. This is a substantial unit, designed to withstand the rigors of professional use. The next best redesigned element of the MB-D10 is the battery chamber. On the MB-D200, a flimsy single-latch door covered both batteries. Unfortunately, this door was located exactly where my palm gripped the MB-D200 and it was slippery and not sturdy. I suggested that Nikon address this issue by going back to the design of the F100's vertical grip, which is about as good as vertical grips get. Whether Nikon took my advice or one of their designer's advice, I don't really care because they did exactly that. Now, the MB-D10 has much more real estate covered by rubber and is much more sturdy. This has also increased the security of the connection between grip and camera. Finally, Nikon has secured the MB-D10 with weather sealing comparable to the D300 so as to not make it a weak link in the chain. This weather sealing can be seen around the battery compartment when the battery is removed. Overall, the build quality of the MB-D10 is substantially better than that of the MB-D200. With the impressive redesign of this vertical grip, I think Nikon is finally building a digital F100 here.
Conclusions
With its greatly enhanced ergonomics, build quality, and functionality, the D300's vertical grip is a much needed improvement to the D200's vertical grip. The cost has increased by about $100, but that's a price I'm more than happy to pay to get what the MB-D10 offers. This vertical grip is probably the best grip made, and is highly recommended.
