Nikon MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Pack for Nikon D300 & D700 Digital SLR Cameras
August 4th, 2010 | 
Author: Nikon MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Pack for Nikon D300 & D700 Digital SLR Cameras
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 List Price: $299.95 Sale Price: $238.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 months Eligible For Free Shipping 
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Product Description
MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pac
Details
- Allows for shooting as quick as eight frames per second
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Tags: 8 Responses to “Nikon MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Pack for Nikon D300 & D700 Digital SLR Cameras”
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Rating
The MB-D10 is really nice.
Battery Options:
It comes with two battery trays: one holds an EN-EL3e 7.4v 1500mAh lith-ion battery (same as what the camera holds). The other tray takes eight, AA batteries. Depending on which AA cells you install (Ni-MH, lithium, Ni-MN or alkaline) you can have 9.6 (NiMH at 2500mAh or more) or 12 volts. That voltage can crank the motor to its rated limit of 8 fps…at least until the buffer fills up and its frame rate slows while it writes to the card. You also tell the D300 via the menu which type of battery you have installed. It keeps track of charge for you based on the type. Very smart.
The gray EN-EL3e is an update to the D70′s black EN-EL3. The EN-EL3e can power the D70 but the older D70 batteries cannot power the D300. That’s because the newer EN-EL3e has three contacts on it as opposed to the EN-EL3′s two contacts. That extra contact allows the D300 to track the entire life of the EN-EL3e. Fascinatingly, the D70′s older MH-18 charger can charge the newer EN-EL3e as can the D300′s newer MH-18a charger.
With an EN-EL3e in the camera body and another in the MB-D10, the D300 tracks and remembers how many shots you’ve taken on each battery, it’s percentage of charge remaining and even how many times the battery has been charged. When the battery as reached its design limit for recharges (years from now) the D300 will tell you.
The grip will also take the larger 11.1v/1900mAh EN-EL4 or EN-EL4a battery [...]
but you have to buy a BL-3 cover, which is really just the end of the battery trays mentioned above but without the tray. The cover clips to the end of the EN-EL4 and has a twist lock to hold and seal it into the MB-D10. [...]
I bought the MB-D10 because I had bought a second EN-EL3e knowing full well I’d probably never use it. (My second D70 battery was rarely used because one battery powered the thing about forever.) So, to get some use out of my second D300 battery, I don’t leave it in the camera bag…I carry it on the camera as a built-in backup battery. The D300 also allows you to pick which battery you want to use first: the one in the MB-D10 or the one in the camera. I tend to use the MB-D10 battery because it’s simpler to remove for charging. You have to unscrew the MB-D10 from the D300 to get the internal EN-EL3e out of the camera body. But even then the large thumb wheel allows quick and simple removal.
There is a solid rubber L-shaped plug on the camera body’s bottom that protects the multiple contacts between camera and MB-D10. That plug stores in a special area on the MB-D10 so you won’t lose it. And if you remove the MB-D10 for some reason to use the camera without the MB-D10, you can plug up the contacts on the camera immediately.
Controls:
The MB-D10 has a complete alternate set of controls on it for when you are shooting verticals: an end-mounted focus/release button with lock ring to prevent accidentally hitting it; an AF-ON button; Master (rear) and Secondary (front) selector wheels for changing program and other functions; and a four-way selector/navigation switch. It’s a lot more than a battery back. The same controls your forefinger and thumb access when holding the camera horizontally are there when holding the camera vertically. And it really is more comfortable to hold vertically this way, even though you do have to get used to regripping the camera. I’ve shot verticals for so many years I’m still getting used to holding the camera in such a foreign way.
The MB-D10 fits the D300 like it was molded in one piece: seamless and very ergonomic.
It makes the camera quite large and much heavier, but it has a solid feel and for sure I’m not going to run low on power. It’s also comforting to know I can buy some AA’s anywhere in the world and be able to keep shooting should the EN-EL3e’s not have available power for recharging. It’s also nice to crank the camera to max frame rate if needed. Some say it also helps balance the camera when you have a really large lens on a tripod.
And it’s just so…manly. Point-and-shoots are cute and handy but this thing really dresses up the D300 in a useful manner, adds performance and extends power enough for any conceivable assignment.
And in a crisis, you can swing the thing like a mace. It probably would not break even then….
Rating
It’s solidly built. It shoots 8fps with the right batteries. It turns D300 into a rapid firing tool; well, it’s truly quicker…
It fits well with the camera, and it’s that much heavier. Let’s face it, if you shoot portraits mostly, the D300 with 6fps is more than enough. But, it will deliver, if you need the extra fps.
If you’re going for it, my suggestion is getting a couple of sets of NiMH batteries with charger for less than $50, and you’re up and running with this. There are claims of generic EN-EL4 and EN-EL4a not compatible with this, so be aware if you chose to go down that path.
ADDED 07/14 – After reading online about the batter grip helping with AF motor (more juice) for certain longer zoom lenses, I place this notion to the test and behold it’s no BS. Having more juice to drive AF motor may be another reason to get the battery grip.
Rating
Nikon MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Pack for Nikon D300 DSLR Cameras
I got too excited to read all the materials and details before ordering the product. I didn’t realized I needed to buy the higher performance / priced EN-EL4 batteries and $200 charger + additional compartment cap to get 8fps until after I recieved the product. But, I was surprised to read 8 AA batteries can get you 8fps, and even more delighted to see the AA tray included. Nice!
This definately gives the camera much more power, a more stable and comfortable feel for a better shooting experience. My wife says it also makes it harder for me to misplace the camera!
You can choose which battery is used first in the camera setup. But, you will notice there is a trickle being used from the battery that is secondary when checking the battery status in the camera’s menu. No huge deal.
I absolutely recommend this as a necessary accessory.
Rating
The battery grip to the D200 and D80 felt flimsy. They also only provided a vertical grip and an extra battery. You needed to take off the battery door and screw it on, continuously for the contacts sometimes did not connect.
This grip on the other hand is made out of metal and rubber, just like the D300 and has the same feel to it. It gives the body a more D2h feel, something canon shooters with a 40d often complain about. The grip with the high capacity D3 and earlier pro model battery gives the D300 the ability to shooter for hours on end and at 8fps. This grip feels much less like an accessory than as a part of the body. It may look expensive compared to the D200 grip, but worth it.
Rating
5 stars because this product is nearly all PROs and very few CONS.
PROs:
-solid mag-alloy construction with rubber molded handholds make this very ergonomic, especially for folks with huge hands.
- takes AAs as well as EN-EL4a’s.
-fits the d300 perfectly
-has AF-ON button, multi-selector, and secondary shutter
-you don’t have to take the battery out of the camera to use this
-improves shooting from vertical orientation
-balances the camera better with heavy lenses
-increases FPS rate
-’pro’ look distinguishes you from entry-level DSLR crowd
CONs:
-honestly expensive
-EN-EL4a and BL-3 battery cover even more expensive (fortunately 8 NiMH AAs and a charger are honestly cheap — cameta even has a kit for an extra $30 or so)
-adds weight (but then you have the option to leave it off, unlike the D2X)
-using EN-EL3e in grip doesnt increase FPS rate (you need 8 AAs or 1 EN-EL4a to achieve 8fps)
as you can see, the downsides to this are extremely minor. perhaps the largest reason to get it is your D300 will look underdressed and incomplete without it.
Rating
You might be wondering why this grip costs $235 from Amazon, when previous grips (like the MB-D200 for the D200) are nearly $100 less.
The images can’t convey it, but once you hold it grip in your hand, you know. Instead of using high-grade plastic to make this (like they did for the MB-D200), Nikon made this grip out of the same magnesium alloy and rubber that was used to make the D300. The MB-D10 also has the same weather seals on the buttons, and has the same robust, indestructible feel that the D300 body has.
It attaches tightly, with no flex or shake. You can flick it back and forth from portrait to landscape as much as you want; it doesn’t matter if you have a huge heavy flash in the hot-shoe or a huge lens out front, the grip never gives you the impression that it was ever separated from the body.
Because of the hefty, solid construction, this grip is heavy too. If you thought the D300 was too heavy before, this grip is not for you. But if you can handle the weight, the MB-D10 really makes the D300 more comfortable to hold in both portrait and landscape orientations. It adds surface area, which distributes the weight more evenly across your entire palm (the D300 body alone concentrated most of the weight on the top-half of my palm).
Battery life is stellar. I loaded my MB-D10 with 8xAA Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable batteries, and the battery gauge has not went at all in over two weeks of casual shooting. I estimate it will last at least 3000-4000 shots, but I won’t know the final total for a while.
I also like the addition of the second multi-selector switch on the MB-D10. Not even the Nikon D3 has one of those! Perfect for flipping through images/menus while holding the camera in portrait mode.
Rating
I’ve used similar battery grips with the F100 and D100 and just like those cameras, I have come to really like the handling of the camera with the grip when you’re using large or heavy lenses (like the 17-35 and 70-200VR which I typically use). What is probably the best feature is the shutter release that’s placed on the end for vertical shots, once you get used to it you’ll wonder why every camera doesn’t have it. Others will comment on the ability to use AA batteries or to bump up the shooting rate (fps) with the higher power battery, while valuable those features aren’t as needed for my work. Likewise the joystick control duplicates the control on the back of the camera but adds better tactile touch. The shutter release is slightly lighter than that of the camera, but after the first few shots one gets accustomed to it quickly.
Rating
Like most photo accessories, the MB-D10 is essential IF you really need the features it offers. I’m not going to argue the justification for it’s exorbitant price – let’s face it, it’s absurdly expensive. But, if you need expanded battery capacity and/or the extra speed it is capable of providing (using AA or the optional EN-EL4a battery), there really is no viable alternative.
I bought the MB-D10 for my D300 for a couple of reasons. While I don’t particularly need the extra speed it is capable of providing, I do need the extra battery capacity and strongly prefer the additional grip surface area, which makes handling the camera with a 70-200 f2.8 attached a small simpler and more stable. The additional weight it adds is honestly inconsequential in my opinion.
I use it primarily for outdoor sports photography, and while I could simply carry an extra battery or two with me, I like not having to worry about it running out in the midst of a shoot and potentially missing a shot. By default, the camera uses the MB-D10 battery first, then automatically switches to the camera battery. It provides the flexibility of powering the camera using AA batteries in an emergency. It also provides a vertical shutter release and additional auxiliary controls. I should also point out that unlike a few other reviewers, I have not found the shutter release on the MB-D10 to be any more sensitive than the one on the camera (I keep my camera in CH mode).
Pros: Minimal additional weight, very solid magnesium construction, very well designed battery compartment and release mechanism. Provides additional battery capacity, quicker frames/sec., emergency AA battery functionality, vertical shutter release, and auxiliary controls.
Cons: Stupid expensive, neither the standard EN-EL3e nor the EN-EL4a battery is included, must remove the MB-D10 to access the camera battery.
Bottom line: Either your need for the MB-D10 justifies the cost or it doesn’t. For $35 you can simply buy a second battery to carry. But if you need the flexibility of extended uninterrupted shooting, 8 frames per second speed, or simply prefer the additional grip area, this is a fantastic accessory for your D300 or D700. I use it, like it, and have no regrets.