DSLRUsers.com

Posted: **Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:57 am**

Someone has previously mentioned the apparent flimsiness of the Nikon battery grip - MB-D200. Well, after about 18 months of ownership, our grip has started to spit chips.

The two white bits that hold the batteries in place have broken and the batteries are now only held in place by the door. I can imagine that this is going to put some pressure on the door/door lever/door hinges.

Has anyone experienced this before? Should I be concerned?

I doubt I have any remedy available via warranty as, firstly, it is 18 months old and secondly, it was bought in NZ.

Cheers

Posted: **Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:33 pm**

Ha! This has just happened to mine as well Patrick, although admittedly only one of the white battery-holding lugs broke. I'm just going to superglue it back on rather than stuff around with Nikon 'service', shouldn't be a major problem I don't think.

Posted: **Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:50 pm**

hahahhaha...my one is broken too :lol:

I got it replaced last time I took my cam into nikon for service.

Posted: **Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:04 pm**

the door on the WT-3 is built properly. the MB-D200 door had an accountant design it instead of an engineer!

Posted: **Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:35 am**

one of mine broke last week as well, and only after 9 months...

what a POS

Posted: **Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:38 pm**

i guess i should not bother with one then, From the sounds of it...there nothing but trouble :shock:

Posted: **Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:00 pm**

conundrum wrote:i guess i should not bother with one then, From the sounds of it...there nothing but trouble

Not sure what you mean:

1. They provide additional battery storage for, amongst other benefits, faster FPS rate, if I am not mistaken.
2. They have a "portrait" or vertical shutter release, main and sub-command dials and AF-ON button.
3. Some argue they make the camera feel more balanced (I am in this camp).
4. In the absence of a charger/wall socket/etc, you can throw in 8 or so AA batteries for convenient battery replacement.

Yes, mine has two broken parts which have not affected operation and the door may not be as strong as it could be, but they are lot more than trouble

. I would suggest the main gripe is the amount of money Nikon want us to spend on this and anything else which has the "official" Nikon name to it.

Posted: **Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:01 pm**

Mine works just fine and hasn't got any broken bits.. Obviously I haven't been using it as a pickaxe like some of the other guys on here

I do have the RRS L-Plate on it though, which protects it somewhat against most knocks.

Posted: **Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:14 pm**

conundrum wrote:i guess i should not bother with one then, From the sounds of it...there nothing but trouble

Actually it's one of the best accessories I've bought for the D200, I'm very happy with the advantages of having one (coming from the D70 where a proper functional vertical grip wasn't a realistic option). Just perhaps not the most sturdy of constructions...

Posted: **Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:49 pm**

I was hoping people would back it up as i really want to get one and i too came from a D70

Dead D70 Pics here :oops:

Posted: **Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:21 pm**

I have 2 and like them both :wink:

No complaints to date (apart from my previous posting where I was having issues, turned out to be a battery with ratty terminals, not the grip!)

I would also rate it as the best thing I have bought to go with the D200.

Posted: **Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:28 pm**

I must have been lucky, so far! I've had mine for about 18 months and it's been fine...no sign of problems yet and I give mine a hammering.

Posted: **Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:41 pm**

I've got one too. I find if I dont use it, the lugs stay in tact. It really is a frail bit of gear...

Posted: **Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:09 pm**

No problems with mine. I do treat it very gently until it's locked into place.

Posted: **Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:13 am**

There's a compatible grip sold by third party vendor Targus. It's a recognisable brand, as far as non-OEM brands go, which retails for less than Nikon's official MB-D200. It might address some of the shortcomings of Nikon's apparently poorly constructed grip.

Posted: **Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:16 am**

Mine's in at Twin City (along with my 17-35mm) getting repaired at the moment! Picked up my camera backpack while it was half unzipped and EVERYTHING fell out - 17-35mm f2.8 out of round (plus busted hood and filter ring) and MB-D200 little grey plastic bits broke off..my laptop also died (logic board) in the same episode and insurance came thru a treat. I can definitely recommend AON/Vero - they've been brilliant.

Posted: **Wed Oct 03, 2007 1:36 pm**

I've got the generic one from Poon and from what I can see it is more sturdy than the genuine one. Its also half the price.

Posted: **Wed Oct 03, 2007 4:38 pm**

I'm the opposite, tried a Generic and it died within weeks, thought it was K-rap compared to the originals.

(Currently unpacking another new MB-D200 as I type)