Help Round Out My Gear

[josh99ta]

I'm currently working on collecting gear to round out my package to be a very versatile setup as a budget-minded prosumer. I'm not turning out big time images nor using the top dollar equipment so I'm not charging big bucks but for what I have and what I do I feel like I'm spot-on, but I'd like to make sure all my equipment is up to par and that I have what I need for most any situation.

I currently have a Nikon D80, Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, Kenko Pro 1 filters (UV and circular polarizer), and a Manfrotto tripod. I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 for processing. I'm going to be picking up a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens for portrait work as well as a Hoya Pro 1 UV filter and circular polarizer and a Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 manual focus macro lens for macro work (the Hoya Pro 1 filters will work on this lens also, I'll actually have a UV filter for each that will stay on at all times to protect the lens). I'll also be picking up Capture NX for file processing duties and Noise Ninja for when I need noise reduction help soon to finish out my needed software.

I'd like to have a Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 super wide angle for automotive and landscape work and something in the 75-300 variety for telephoto work but both of these will come later...much later.

The main decision I'm faced with right now is grip vs. no grip. Obviously the grip will add battery life, weight, and size to the D80. It will make it feel more like a pro-level camera. I have average sized hands and think I can navigate the camera even with the grip so thats not a problem to me. I'd mainly be getting it for the heft, size, and balance it adds to the camera though as I dont ever currently run though the battery life of my single in the camera now. Its not that I feel the D80 is too dinky as is now and I rarely feel like my hands are cramped operating it, but there are a very few instances where I do...and there are instances where I'd really like a vertical shutter release as well.

My question is this, if you have a grip how do you like it (and what size are your hands)? Its a good little chunk of change buying the grip and the batteries when I'll never use it for its main purpose. Is it worth dropping the coin on a grip just for the size, balance, and convenience of a vertical shutter it adds to the camera if I dont need the extra battery life?

[Bob-E]

I was a grip-hater, until I got one. I never had battery problems either. The feel is so much better. It adds a nice little spot for your pinky and really balances things out especially with my main lense which is heavy as hell (77mm filter). The vert shutter is nice when you are shooting alot of vertical. When I'm shooting a mix of vert and horiz, I usually stick with the main shutter.

Downsides are:
tough to fit in some bags
sometimes draws unwanted attention

[josh99ta]

Thats the thing now, my pinky and the whole piece of the bottom of my hand hangs off the camera right now, and I think a grip would provide more to hang on to, as well as balance out the lens. A new bag is no big deal, and not really sure what unwanted attention it could draw, but the other downside I thought of was the weight and keeping it stable on a tripod, but the one I have should hold it just fine.

[northtnguy]

I got the grip for my 40D about a week after I got the camera. It adds quite a bit of bulk to the camera, but makes it more comfortable and balanced. With the grip, I could probably get about 1,800 shots, so, I didn't get it for the extra battery capacity. More weight with the camera will give you more steady hand held shots. I don't have big hands either and the extra weight makes the camera easier to carry.

I don't guess it would hurt for you to run by Dury's or Wolf Camera and have them put one on your camera just to see how it makes the camera feel in your hands. You might decide that you don't like it, or make you want one that much more.

I'm assuming that the grip for the Nikon is similar to the Canon ... you don't have to put two batteries in it to work. If you do need more batteries, Sterling Tek has the best prices for replacement batteries with a one year guarantee.

Don

[boosted01]

ive been shooting with a vertical grip on my d200 for a few months now and its wonderful. the heft of that body makes for shooting vertically without it terribly uncomfortable sometimes and the grip makes it amazingly easy.