[JMitchell]

Pro Battery Grip for Nikon D50 +2x EN-EL3 + Remote B3D - (eBay item 200157815456 end time Oct-06-07 13:35:17 PDT)

Me wantee, the only apparent grip with a portrait shutter release, but it's from China, with about a million pound postage....is there anywhere else I can get it?

[stepheno]

Have a look here.

[fionaB]

Nikon D50 Battery Grip, Replacement Nikon D50 Battery Grip

[Dave]

Originally Posted by JMitchell

....the only apparent grip with a portrait shutter release,....

Ah, but have they got the above feature

[JMitchell]

Yup, thanks for the links Fi and Stepheno, but as Dave says.....

[JMitchell]

Or should I just buy it from there? Is this the same place people got their lambency diffusers from?

[silkstone]

Warning from another forum - not necessarily about the same supplier.......

>It was advertised as being for the D50, and having a
>vertical shutter release. That's all I'm saying until I
>receive said item, at which time, I'll give a full report!
>
>-Tim

I was lied to!!!

Not only is it strictly a battery holder, it's made of cheap plastic that could very easily be cracked or broken. The manufacturer is Merkury, and I've demanaded a full refund to include return shipping!

If the D50 does not have internal contacts within the battery housing for a second shutter release, it is difficult to see now a battery grip could incorporate a 'portrait' button except by means of a cable that plugged into the remote release socket.

[silkstone]

Ah, just looked at your original link and it says there's an IR remote release in the grip. Mmmm... well I guess that might work as long as the receiver can see it, since there has to be line-of-sight between the two.

[JMitchell]

Thanks Silky. Not the same manufac., this one's TXME or something like that,, and by my reckoning there should be a clear line of sight for the IR reciever....still not sure about it though, as the quote you posted mentioned, it's probably badly made and easily broken...

[orangepeel]

be aware the IR version will be quite annoying. You won't have continuous shooting. You won't have the half shutter press. Plus the IR switches off after a set time (up to 5 mins iirc)

plus afaik the IR version is only available from the chinese manufacturers. I don't think Hahnel make a IR version.

I thought about getting one but decided to plump for the cheap "copy".

Another issue with these grips is the placement of the tripod mount. They don't tend to align with the original which can mean your central point is affected - kinda relevant if your doing pano's.

Because they are not exactly solidly mounted they tend to add a fair bit of wobble when on the tripod. I guess that's swings and roundabout tho depending on the make.

Have to say tho, I've got big hands and it feels GREAT handheld

[JMitchell]

Thankns OP, yeh I did kind of figure about the limitations of IR. Will probably get the Hahnel when I can afford it, and just make believe that there's a second shutter release