D70 grip - latest from Harbortronics

[simpo two]

As Nikon don't make a grip for the D70, Harbortronics is.

Check the pdf manual - what do you think?

Harbortronics said:

Greetings, The VG-D70 is in final production. The designs are all complete, materials have been approved, and we have several vendors making various parts of the grip for us. They will trickle in slowly at first as everything gets ramped up, but we anticipate being able to start shipping on the week of Feb 14.... sorry it's taken so much time, it's been a long process! In the meantime, there is a manual for the VG-D70 posted online at www.Harbortronics.com/news.htm . The price is $165, and we will accept orders for the VG-D70 immediately by check. We will ship in the order checks are received. We anticipate a large demand, so there may be a wait for some customers. Shipping will be offered as follows: Individual grips will be shipped via Priority mail within the US for $10. Additional grips in shipment add $5. Global Express mail will be used to ship to Canada and overseas. Canada $20 and other countries range from $20 to $35 per grip. Additional grips in an order add $5. Please e-mail [e-mail] for a shipping quote.

[_dobbo_]

Looks pretty good quality - I suppose I'm lucky in that I've never had a vertical grip so don't know what I'm missing. So that's another £120 odd I don't need to spend!

[rico]

They could have least got the colour to match...

Personally i'd rather just have a spare battery in my pocket instead of an additional weight on the body.

[-DeaDLocK-]

Once you hold a camera body in portrait mode with a second shutter button right by your index finger you'll never look back! There's a reason why this has been so anticipated, and the lack of a Nikon one is one of the biggest criticisms levelled against the D70.

I'm Looking forward to it.

>> Edited by -DeaDLocK- on Thursday 27th January 18:40

[_dobbo_]

To save my wallet from another bashing, I'm going to avoid holding a camera in portrait mode with a vertical grip.

Then I can continue to not know what all the fuss is aboot!

[simpo two]

Frankly I don't like it. The D70 wasn't designed with a grip in mind so there's no way to fire the shutter apart from using the R/C facility (that's what the fibreoptic wire does) or modifying the body.

In short, no half-depressed stage - which would seriously hinder function.

Pity.

[nighthawk]

I used to love the feel of my battery grip on my 300d, but i think if i'd have bought a d70 i'd be steering clear of that grip.
It looks very crude and devalues the appearence of the camera body.

good job the grip for the 20d looks better

[-DeaDLocK-]

simpo two said:

In short, no half-depressed stage...

- ok, maybe not...

[cliff123]

Shame it's so plastic and cheap looking. And then with the IR cable or jumper cable for full shutter control sticking out, you can be sure that they will get broken fairly soon. Nikon really did know they didnt want to offer a VG for the D70 so that pro's would buy pro camera's, as this does seem a bit of a mess. Pity. Look forward to seeing other similar but better versions on the market sooner rather than later. (PS. the shutter release button looks very very small on their VGrip).

[beano500]

-DeaDLocK- said:

...the lack of a Nikon one is one of the biggest criticisms levelled against the D70.

Don't see why Nikon couldn't have done a proper job in the first place!

This aftermarket is a good initiative but it's hardly very useful if there's connectors all over the place. The IR remote looks to me like it might be a source of potential trouble.