Nikon D700: Battery grip MB-D10 review and compare to Meike MK-D300

[@paperback10]

Very helpful. Now in 2024 it looks like Meike listened to your review and added the finger groove!

[@frederikboving]

Thanks for sharing this 🙏🏻👍

[@lanxxafame428]

as a fellow d700 user , i'd recommend that you buy the nikon mb-d10. yes its heavy with d700 and 24-70mm but it gives you more confidence to shoot vertically or continuous shooting.

[@frederikboving]

🙂🙏🏻

[@garymc8956]

I got the Nikon unit when I bought my D700 used on eBay and am very happy with it. However, when I bought my D500, also used on eBay, I was forced to buy a battery pack as it had none. I bought the Meike unit, new on Amazon. In comparing it with the OEM 700 version, I can say that it has few of the negative attributes shown in this video. That is, the profile, dimensions and rubberized finish are essentially the same; not as Frederik experienced. Then I compared both of these to a Neewer unit that I bought for my D7200 and that one also is essentially the same. Neither of the off-brand units rattle are feel insubstantial. Sided by side there is little difference in those two, but the fit, finish and beefiness of the mb-d10 is better. the md-d10 has larger locking wheels that is nice. I would agree that picking up a used mb-d10 would be the preferred option, if price would be reasonable. However, it must be said that the cost of the Nikon brand, especially new, compared to these after market units that do the same thing has to be considered. There is no comparison for anyone that is cost-conscious when making this decision. The two units that I have really do work quite well and very comparable to the Nikon. I would say that Frederik's experience shows that is worth a close investigation though.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you Gary for for a very comprehensive and balanced comment - much appreciated. I hope many will read and take it as input in their decision to go for either Nikon or off brand.

[@pedrotavares3555]

I'm loving your channel. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Portugal.

[@frederikboving]

THANK YOU Pedro for your kind words! Greetings from Denmark!

[@lesterbostwick9715]

Thank you for your video. Very timely for me. I'm new to photography. Just received my D700 yesterday. And, I also ordered a battery grip yesterday. I almost ordered a third party grip but found an "open box" Nikon grip for about the same price and ordered that. I have an Nikon 50mm f/1.4 D on order (used, made in Japan) and have a Tamron 28-300 AF VR f/3.5-6.3 that came with the camera. I have plenty to learn and have enjoyed your videos on the D700. Some day I would like to get 24-70mm f/2.8. After research I think it will be the Tamron 24-70 G2. In a few years hope to get an Nikon mirrorless. I think the Tamron would be a good fit for both the D700 and the mirrorless in the future. Again, thank you for your videos on the D700.

[@ilmatanela1816]

I have the VC (G1) and several other recent Tamron glasses and I am in love with it. I can only recommend it. The G2 is similar optically, but better built and, as you mentioned, compatible with Z bodies.

[@bfs5113]

@@ilmatanela1816 I had the Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical IF Macro Lens, and found the VC was a bit noisy. At least my copy did and I hated it.

[@frederikboving]

Hi Lester, and thank you for your kind words and glad you found this channel useful. Yes, if you have the budget for it, it is probably wise to get lenses with AF motors built in, so they can be used on the Z6 and Z7 going forward. I hope to join the Z6 family if the prices comes down, now they have announced the MkII of their mirrorless cameras. All the best and stay safe!

[@lesterbostwick9715]

@@ilmatanela1816 I am glad the G1 version is working for you. I haven't completely ruled out that version.

[@lesterbostwick9715]

@@frederikboving Thank you. I didn't realize until I saw your video that using the EN-EL3e in the grip will not get you to 8 frames per second. I'll probably end up using AA batteries anyhow. It will be a long time before I get a Z series camera. But no problem. I have plenty to learn using the D700.

[@frederikvanreusel]

The off-brand ones are still pretty good for the price, but you can get a used official one from Nikon at about the same price

[@frederikboving]

My recommendation is to buy the used Nikon version. It is so much better quality, which I hope is evident from the video.

[@Richard_Ashton]

I have one by DSTE (Amazon UK). It looks identical to the Nikon in shape (as you pointed out here) and it comes with an IR shutter release and two 2200mAh batteries - a significant upgrade in power over the standard one. Apart from finding that the grip needs to have the battery in when attached in order to show up properly, I have no issues. No loose or noisy doors, contacts or other fittings and my fingers miss the attachment wheel too.

[@UnusSedLeo-w5l]

Excellent video! Got the original one on my D700 and a Meike one on my D7200. Meike delivers for a good price, but quality is the best on the original. Softer rubbers, better buttons.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you! Yes, when you think about how many hours you spend holding the camera, the extra quality from Nikon is worth it IMHO!

[@33antonius]

Interesting video, I did not know about this batterypack. In this way it becomes a sort of D3. Of course, always buy the original.

[@eugeniocoseriu9884]

Thanks for these videos about the D700

[@frederikboving]

Glad you like them! 🙏🏻

[@slv5102]

Great video. What kind of AA batteries have you used with your MB-D10? How long does they last?

[@frederikboving]

I don't use AA's but Nikons rechargeable ones: ENEL3e's.

[@JonnyEnglish-gu1cs]

Just bought the MB-D10 for my D700 feels so much like my D3 agree it’s not lightweight but it feels solid in my hand

[@frederikboving]

The MB-D10 is a solid piece of gear! I love mine!

[@2klember]

Hi Jonny. I do own D3s and I wondering if is the point to buy D700. Which output do you prefer? Is it the same or there is some differences?

[@JonnyEnglish-gu1cs]

@@2klember I like the D700 it for me produces similar results to my D3 but it’s a little more compact when travelling and carrying a reduced kit and the are both similar to use that’s why I use the two together it gives me options hope that helps 👍🏻

[@2klember]

@@JonnyEnglish-gu1cs thanks for the reply. I was curious to find out if D700 have a unique output as some shooters reported. If the output is similar then I will stick to my D3s. I don’t mind the size. Thank you Jonny.

[@JonnyEnglish-gu1cs]

@@2klember totally understand the sensor is excellent colours are great as I said IMO similar to my D3 I believe the sensors are the same or very similar i always wanted one so I bought one and very happy with it if you get a chance give it a go for it price it give a Big Bang for the money it renders colours lovely

[@asahi.w]

Wow that's a meaty shutter. Sounds like gun shots going off at 4:00 mark.

[@frederikboving]

😂

[@ilmatanela1816]

I agree with you, if possible it's always better to go with original accessories. Also, for the D700 they can be found at good prices nowadays. They don't cost a fortune like for example those of the D850. I found one BG new for € 120, from an online photo store . It was the last, I bought it immediately.

[@frederikboving]

Thanks for sharing! EUR 120 brand new sounds like a good deal!

[@ilmatanela1816]

@@frederikboving I agree! I found it three months ago, I guess it was a fund of store. Brand new! Didn't think twice and bought it immediately. Io have some compatible grips for my old D90 and D7000, and the build quality is definitely not comparable.

[@bfs5113]

I bought the MB-D10 for my D300 but it needed warranty service a few months later. I disliked optional battery grip in general (functional but not in design, structural integrity & features), but it offers faster fps when using my existing EN-EL4a battery and the potential use of the camera if the EN-EL3e isn't available, with AA. I also found its design, cumbersome when I needed to charge the in camera battery, when compared with those that held both batteries in the grip.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you for sharing BFS!

[@Dogdogdoga]

Thank you

[@frederikboving]

🙏🏻🙂

[@anthonymiller8979]

If you use the 8 AA insert in the battery grip do you still use the Nikon battery in the camera body at the same time ?

[@frederikboving]

Hi, I have not tried the AA insert, as there are too many AA's in my life, but if it works like when you use the regular battery, then yes.

[@northlightphotography7891]

So you were able to get the 8fps with the AA batteries?

[@frederikboving]

Sorry, I have not tried it, as my position is that there are far too many AA and AAA batteries in my life already so I try to use rechargeables whenever I can (AA and AAA also come as rechargeables, but I think you know what I mean). It should work with an array of AA's though - even though I have not tried it I am pretty sure it works, but mind you that the number of batteries is significant (8 If my memory serves me well).

[@foxterrain]

Another Great Video!

[@frederikboving]

Thanks again!

[@MateuMatheu]

Very timely video, thank you. I thought of doing this route myself without ruling out the Meike option. Inside the original Nikon MB-D10 battery handle I guess it shouldn’t matter that the two batteries, either EN-EL3e or EN-EL4a with the BL3 cover adapter, are third-party, not original from Nikon. I find the latter more harder to find and too expensive. Another good addition to the D700 maybe is the Viewfinder DK-17M 1.2 Magnifier. A little extra vision in manual focus and macro counts a lot. Especially if you wear glasses Otherwise it’s inevitable that the 180mm Nikkor (mine, f2.8D ED-IF AF) won’t want to get rid of your D700. It's too good. Except for macro I use it for almost everything. Especially family portraits, with the small inconvenience that I sometimes have to take steps back and there is a wall.

[@frederikboving]

Hi Mateu, and thank you for sharing! Yes, I think that if I go for the EN-EL4a+BL3 then it will be 3rd party also. Will look for the viewfinder - thanks for the tip! And glad that you also love your 180 mm - I have the same issue with walls being there all of a sudden; maybe a bigger flat is the answer? :-D Take care and stay safe.

[@lesterbostwick9715]

After seeing your comment the Nikon DK-17M viewfinder I looked up and read an article about it. I put it on my list to buy in the near future. Thanks for the tip.

[@MateuMatheu]

The DK-17M magnifying eyepiece may be accompanied with the DK-19 rubber eyecup -yes, another extra!- that protects from the sunlight. Because if you simply place the DK-19 rubber cup on the DK-17M it will easily come free and you will likely lose it, the correct installation is a bit cumbersome. The youtuber *Dragos Ion* has a didactic video in this regard applicable to the Nikon D810 but which also works for the D700. Afterwards, aside from magnifying and allowing to move your eye around, because protrudes a little your nose no longer hits the lcd screen as much as before.

[@blizzbee]

I might ask you in the wrong video but as a year is past from your first impression with the D700. How do you feel about the picture quality/ color rendition/ microcontrast/ sharpness etc... those the D700 "cult" is talking about? Or it's still not so much different from your D750 or D4? Just wanna hear your honest update 🙂😉

[@frederikboving]

If you want a second opinion, take a look at this video from M. Burling: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZSWlHSoaq2efJo - he seems to give the D700 a good review. Quite funny, he gives it bad review where I think it shines: the black and white images ( flic.kr/p/2mPWMUd ). The only other quality that I have noticed with the D700 is its ability to produce images that look more like paintings: flic.kr/p/2mtgpuJ . Due to the large pixels ("eyes of the sensor"), it should give very clean images with excellent micro contrast, but for me that part of the magic has not yet materialized.

[@blizzbee]

@@frederikboving Oh, those pictures really illustrate what you said here. Really nice scenery indeed. I have yet shot b&w much with it. The painting result is what i always experienced. Generally, 700 gives warmer tone than my other nikons (600&800). Thanks for sharing your updates and inspiring photos. 👍 🏔️🌿 I'm getting the mb-d10 in a couple days. Will shoot more with it of course. It will become my main workout also 😅

[@garyrielly1955]

I have a Nikon MB-D10 for my D300. I don’t know if you were aware is of the MB-D10 is a magnesium alloy construction hence the added weight. I am looking at getting myself a D700 to go with my D300 that I have had since new in 2009.

[@frederikboving]

Hi Gary, thank you for sharing! No, I was not aware of the magnesium alloy construction. The original feels so much more solid and now you have explained why, so thank you! If you go for a D700 and you can find a copy that is not too beaten up, you will not regret it. Stay safe!

[@garyrielly1955]

@@frederikboving I was only too happy to share this info with you Frederik. If you can go onto the Nikon and download the “D700 Sales Brochure” it actually shows the MB-D10 in that brochure. Upon seeing your video I would not go out and buy the aftermarket MK-D300. Cheers If my MB-D10 stopped working tomorrow I would buy another.

[@frederikboving]

@@garyrielly1955 Thanks Gary!

[@alexblaze8878]

I don’t have a battery grip on my 700 but if I did I’d opt for the 8 AA batteries versus having to buy a second battery and special charger for it. I have no use for 8 frames/second speed as I shoot landscape mainly but if I did then the AA batteries seem the simpler choice.

[@frederikboving]

Right, I guess we are into personal preference territory here. I have too many AA (and AAA) batteries in my life already, and love the fact that the grip can take the same battery as sits in the body (EN-EL3). So no new charger for me. I loose the 8 fps, but not a big thing for me.

[@alexblaze8878]

@@frederikboving if you don’t need the 8 frames per second then why not just carry an extra EN-EL3e battery in your bag? Why bother with the grip? Is it because of the sheer convenience it affords in shooting vertically? I’d rather do without the grip (and the bulkiness/weight it adds) and just adjust when I have to shoot vertically.

[@frederikboving]

@@alexblaze8878 Hi Alex, it "completes" the camera. There is much more real estate if you like me have big hands. When shooting in vertical, your pinky has much better grip. And your hand can "rest" on the corner created by the grip much more comfortably. And then I feel the camera is better balanced. But all this is in the personal preference territory. In the beginning I could not see the point, but once you get used to it, you don't want to go back. That is the best way I can explain it.

[@alexblaze8878]

@@frederikboving I get it. I have big hands also so the F5 felt good whereas the d700 seems a bit small for me. I totally understand your point now.

[@alexblaze8878]

@@frederikboving well I’m now convinced after all. I did some portrait shots for some friends of mine and my battery went dead near the end of the shoot. I’m now looking online for a good battery grip...though I think I’d rather buy a used MB-D10 than bother with a 3rd party one. So, you were right. Thanks.

[@dominicwroblewski5832]

Through trial and error I found out that a battery grip for my Pentax K3 and K5 cameras is great because those bodies are small and light weight. I started out using high capacity rechargeable AA but soon realized that changing out a camera battery is easier than all those AA's in the grip.I also found out that a battery grip on a Nikon d600 just weighs too much for extended shooting. It is easier just to put a fully charged battery in the camera than deal with extra weight around my neck. I found out that a battery grip is good for a light camera body to give me more stability, were as a heavy body like a D600 doesn't need it. On a side note I did just order a battery grip for one of my D300's just last night. Not that I needed it but wanted to see if it improves handling. Also that fact I got it for only $26 and could not pass up a good deal. Nice thing is that the grip for the D300 will also work on a D700 if I can get a good deal on one.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you for sharing Dominic!

[@deingewissen_official]

Paid 19,99€ for mine. Cant wait

[@frederikboving]

Hope you'll love it. I find it makes the camera more complete and better balanced. 👍

[@dandruff9244]

8 lithium batteries in a 3rd party grip,seconds from disaster,got the grip off just in time ,bad short and a lot of heat phew!

[@frederikboving]

Wow! Glad I recommended the original grip then! =:-o

[@dandruff9244]

@@frederikboving got a MB10 for 30 uk 5 yrs ago with my D300s and its now on my D700 with bl3 and en-el4

[@MycroftMobil]

Weight weenie. Now that's funny.