Nikon MB-N10 Battery Grip Review for the Z6 / Z7 - Is it as bad as people make out online?

[@adtfor]

What a nice review, for some reason your style stands out among many identical KZbinrs. Subscribed!

[@HamerReviews]

Thanks for the kind comment, I'm glad you found the review useful. I hope you enjoy some of the other content too :)

[@BananasananaB]

You answered my questions on materials and feel. No other reviewer provided this info. Thank you.

[@HamerReviews]

Thanks for your kind comment - I’m glad you found it useful. Please do subscribe - it really helps me out 🙂

[@ericstephenvorm]

Thanks for the honest and thorough review! I found it quite useful in determining whether or not to buy the battery grip for my Z7. My verdict is to buy.

[@HamerReviews]

Enjoy it, I personally much prefer my Z6 with the grip!

[@mikepanick468]

@@HamerReviews I have an mcoplus grip that has a working shutter button. It also uses a radio remote to fire the shutter. It uses a jumper between grip and cam. Obviously nikon engineer idiots could not come up wth this idea. ANOTHER PEEVE. Z6 uses a completely different dc 2 VERSION 2. Totally asinine money grubbing on nikon's part. STILL looking for a jumper to fit my Vello freewave.

[@stanspb763]

I could not see what the problem was but you are right, people went crazy over the fact that Nikon did not obey their personal expectation. But a lot of people were really angry about everything with the Z cameras because they imagined a different set of features. Reviewers who were pushing other brands had a field day ragging about how stupid Nikon was. I approached the camera series differently because I had not imagined any features it had to have in order for Nikon not to be clueless and evil. When I finally tried holding one when the stores in my adopted home country received them, I was pleasantly surprised how good it felt in hand. Although small, it felt unmistakenly like a Nikon, a very good indicator. I was shooting a D850 with D800 backup, both with grips and a slew of Nikon's best primes and 2.8 zooms. I loved the feel of the larger bodies and grip and did not mind the weight at all. For lightweight, I had a gripped D7000. I used to travel a lot and a few lenses and those big bodies/grips started to become an issue as smaller regional airlines were restricting overhead bin size and weight limits and I hated the idea of buying another seat just from my camera bag. The day I returned from a month-long mid-winter visit to Turkey, I stopped by my favorite camera store and held the Z7 for the first time. I was not expecting much after so many bashing reviews by people who had not seen a production version yet. I like it, it felt really solid, confidence-inspiring, I had used a friend's Sony a72 and hated it the worst layout and feel of any camera I had touched in 25 years. I did not need the Z7, I had high mpx covered with the excellent D850 so liked the specs and price as a travel camera of the Z6 but they were not available yet and I did not want to risk mailorder from the US. So I bought the Z7 with the agreement that when the Z6 came in, I could if I still wanted it, trade it back. Within 8 hours, it became my #1 camera with D850 as a backup. The whole vision of what a camera out to be was altered and loved the feel in hand and the EVF. The Z6 was available 2 weeks later and I did trade it back in and the store manager wanted the z7 for his personal camera. She equalized the trade by throwing in the 35 1.8 prime and 50 1,8 S lenses to make up the difference in price. That is 19 month ago and even for commercial sessions, it is my camera of choice. I had grips on everything so at first wanted one but since it was so light and IBIS as so effective, holding it in portrait orientation, one of my most common positions, was fine with me. I decided no grip was needed, and when the battery holder did arrive, it made a lot of sense for the people who used it for serious video shooting. If I get into video further I will get one, but I am more than happy with the performance, handling and the growing collection of S lenses. My images are simply better because I take it everywhere with me so there are more opportunities, IQ really is great, and the body with an SB900 and 2 lenses fitting in a small sling bag means it is with me pretty much every day. My D850 sits on a shelf and only gets used if an art director insists on the larger files. It is hard to go back to DSLRs regardless of how good it is.A curious observation, despite being with me daily, I take far fewer frames, because I get what I see in the great EVF, no safety shots or bracketing, but more dead-on keepers. The S lenses are a joy, better optically than any F mount. For example, the 85 1.8 S is so good it shames my little-used 85 1.4G and Sigma 85 1.4 ART. The 24-70 f/4 and 2,8 are both superior to my 24-70 G and E versions in F mount. A light small "kit lens" that came in a bundle with the Z7 is surely the best kit lens in history and gets used more than the larger heavier 2.8 S version because it is in my sling bag. But the 2.8 is surely the best mid zoom on the planet regardless of mount. The 50 1.8 S is the best of the 6 other f mount 50-58 fast primes I have including the Sigma ART 1.4. If they ever make a grip with controls for the Z cameras, it might not sell well because people have gotten used to the small size of the body. Controls ARE possible since every function of a grip is accessible via Bluetooth. A tiny Bluetooth module that costs less than $2 in quantity would be able to add a lot of functionality to the Z cameras, besides just AF-on, Shutter release. I am surprised none of the innovative Chinese startups have not jumped on that opportunity. As long as Nikon keeps them fresh with updates I really can't think of what changed I would want in and Z8 or other versions, so upgrading is not even on my radar. I see nothing out now that betters the Z bodies and S lenses. If there was anything, it would not change the results. I might finally get rid of the F lenses and D8x0 bodies and add a Z7 for the large files some clients insist on. Even when shooting both the D850 and Z6 in a studio session the final selected shots are almost always from the Z6. What has changed by using the Z6 so long, I have far less respect or even tolerance of the YT channels "reviewers" who were so biased against these cameras, it is obvious they are trying to drive viewers to buy cameras they get kickbacks from. None of the most popular photo channels are hosted by actual photographers despite earning millions of dollars in ad and affiliate link income per year. They have a very big incentive to drive sales away from Nikon that does not have direct payment schemes.

[@JohanTalk]

Well Said!!

[@HamerReviews]

Thank you for your long and thoughtful comment. I'm not going to reply to every point because in general, I completely agree with you. I think the Sony vs Nikon vs Canon thing is a bit brutal on youtube. I'm lucky in that I've owned a Canon EOS RP and used the Sony system too, but I look forward to renting an R5 and R6 in the near future alongside maybe a newer Sony to see for myself how they are improving. I do genuinely think Nikon might get left behind if they aren't careful BUT the current lenses are all excellent, the bodies work supremely well and I'm finding them great for video, so clearly they are getting a lot right!

[@officialMainspring]

I'm not sure why I watched this sine I have no desire for this battery pack... anyway, you got a new sub simply because of the Speedmaster poster!.......... and the review was awesome as well. :) see you on the next one.

[@HamerReviews]

Awesome, thank you! Glad you liked the poster - for what it's worth, the MB-N10 isn't as bad as people, make it out to be! The poster might not be in some of the more recent videos but will return (next year) once I've got a more permanent studio sorted again! Thanks again for subscribing!

[@albert290371]

Chris this is an exemplary review many thanks. Very helpful a I have just purchased a Z6II and which grip to buy MB10 or 11!

[@HamerReviews]

Glad it was helpful! I hope you love your Z6 II, I love mine! Please consider subscribing to help the channel, I really appreciate it.

[@glenmcdowell]

I appreciate this! While I wish this had a trigger and whatnot I agree the feel is much better with the grip and I’m going to use it. As we know video inhales batteries and I’m happy to have the grip to extend battery life and have the availability to hot swap. I bought mine used!AND...if you’re using the FTZ adapter this allows you to put a quick release plate on the body not the lens.

[@HamerReviews]

Totally agree and yeah it's well worth it as I say especially with two EN-EL15 C batteries

[@mazzith]

I actually preferred it to come this way. It’s half the price of one with the buttons and I never use them. I use a hand wrist strap so when I rotate my hand to the left to take a photo in portrait orientation the camera weight rests on the back of my hand and I don’t have to adjust my hand to go back to upright orientation.

[@HamerReviews]

Horses for courses really 🙂

[@greenmedic88]

There's no misrepresentation in saying it's a battery grip. It holds two batteries and it extends the base, which can be gripped. The problem is that the Z6 and Z7 don't have data out pins, so no shutter release or any controls on the grip, which tends to be half the reason why people buy them for vertical shooting. That's not the grip's fault; it's the Z6 and Z7 lacking data out pins, which was a bizarre design omission from Nikon, but hardly a secret when the cameras were released. On the other hand, as a battery extender, it does allow for longer video shoots, with the best feature being able to hot swap batteries as the camera is recording. So great for shooting video, but half-useless for shooting photo. The Z6s and Z7s will presumably add the data out pins as well as a second memory card slot, and Nikon will release another battery grip with the controls.

[@HamerReviews]

I agree with that and it echoes what I say in my video 🙂 - personably i use the grip all the time

[@Smoothblue90]

Years ago I had a Canon 50D that had two batteries that went into the bottom and you did not have to remove the grip to replace a battery in the body. Great design.

[@HamerReviews]

I think it depends, on some of the other Nikon’s you’ve been able to use much larger capacities in the standard ones, and you don’t have that option. Swings and roundabouts I gues

[@andre-pierreghys2156]

A battery grip that hold batteries and nothing else... Well it’s known. Thanks for the video, well done. Regards from Montréal.

[@HamerReviews]

Thanks for the comment and your support!

[@DeanJohnson67]

did exactly what I expected it to do --- given what they SAID it was and not many WISHED it was..... well fork over $400 and here ya go ;) MB-N11 Power Battery Pack

[@HamerReviews]

Yep spot on, I've got an MB-N11 on order, but will probably return it if it's not AMAZING - which it probably won't be. But I'd still like to test it out.. the MB-N10 is perfect in my opinion.

[@vaibhavravichandran]

Hi Hamer, thanks for the review! I wanted to know if the battery grip allows the batteries to be charged while the camera is working. This would be great for long time lapse shooting. Thanks!

[@HamerReviews]

It does indeed, works great for video and time lapses!

[@vaibhavravichandran]

@@HamerReviews oh wow. Thanks for responding. It seems like this is the only way to get "infinite" battery on the z series. Whish Nikon built this into the Z6 and Z7 like they did with the Z5

[@HamerReviews]

Completely agree, they do actually do an AC adapter for the Z6 etc too - it’s a bit expensive but works very well 🙂 please consider subscribing to support the Channel 🙂

[@DECKARD263354BR]

Great review, does this grip has the same weather sealing as the camera body and is it compatible with generic L brackets ?

[@jackwestcott4469]

I was curious about weather sealing as well and this is what I found straight off Nikon’s page for the grip. “The MB-N10 is designed with the same weather sealing and modern design of the Z cameras and affords photographers a well-balanced feel when a long telephoto lens is on the camera.”

[@allaneastcoast]

can you charge via USB C while camera is in use? meaning via a battery pack?

[@HamerReviews]

Not with this grip. If you have a Z6 II or Z7 II and MB-N11 you can charge in camera with the grip. The Z6 II and Z7 II can also charge the internal battery with USB C too.

[@No-qz7oz]

@@HamerReviews - So, one can't keep the batteries charged, if the grip is connected to the camera and a USB power source to the grip while the camera is in use - correct?

[@gbye007]

You make a lot of sense. Good video.

[@HamerReviews]

Thanks for your comment 🙂 I’m glad to hear you found it useful! Please consider subscribing to support the channel 🙂

[@T3RRAFORM]

Can you use the usb c charge plug when the camera is running. In other words. If I’m doing a long Timelapse. Can I have a power brick plugged into the usb c port so I don’t have to hot swap the batteries?

[@HamerReviews]

Unfortunately not.

[@andyvan5692]

the reversed battery is NOT realy an issue, as Nikon most likely designed it with an ergonomic trick in mind( to change the other side, just turn the camera on the lens axis, ie make the Left side the Right, then BOTH batteries are the same way round!!, No faffing about!).

[@HamerReviews]

I have to say I politely disagree. Months on from this video it still catches me around every time. If you think about the fact that one of the use cases Nikon touted was video, if you have your camera on a tripod and change the battery it’s the wrong way around, it’s a real faff when you don’t want to disturb the camera whilst filming.

[@Jrome719]

Yes, the same is true for the D780-no grip!

[@HamerReviews]

Yeah it was an odd choice on the D780, even more so than Z6

[@yosafking9973]

Thanks 😊

[@Dreyno]

People will buy it because mirrorless eat batteries compared to DSLRs. But it’s still pretty poor on a camera of this grade. Between that and the single card slot, you feel Nikon we’re testing the mirrorless waters with this generation.

[@HamerReviews]

I agree it could have been better - though it does work for me. I do completely agree that the Z6 Z7 were Nikon testing the waters!

[@AaronBowser]

I believe Nikon was just listening to their consumers... The big hoopla at the time was everyone wanted smaller and lighter cameras... Well Nikon assumed if everyone wanted smaller cameras a battery grip wouldn't be needed because it makes the camera heavier and bigger.... Nikon used only xqd because the don't fail like SD cards and they have a faster read/write speed... So no need for dual card slots... This allows for a smaller and lighter camera. Nikon's design choices were influenced by what the consumer said they wanted... They have since gotten wiser

[@Paul-D-Hoff]

Boooo Hooooo, there are no control contacts were the battery goes. It only shows me how much people don't know how the hell things work.

[@HamerReviews]

I literally say that in the video regarding there being no contacts... I do think it's why people, had an issue with it but I think the grip is great.

[@NickShvelidze]

No control terminals on the bottom? What the hell. I really don't expect this on a $2000 camera. I don't really see a point in buying modern Nikon stuff when Sony exists.

[@HamerReviews]

I think it depends on what you want, I've tried a lot of the Sony cameras, I'm not into the feel of the cameras and I find the output from the Nikon's need less editing - for my workflow. I do think this was a cockup on Nikon's part, personally, it works well for me, and I don't mind it. Overall, I think Nikon needs to learn from it, the Z8/Z9 need to be better, but again, I'm very pleased with my Z6.

[@stanspb763]

You might not expect it but since you do not have Nikon you do not realize how little a grip is needed or wanted. The handling of the Z cameras is excellent, FAR better in feel and ergonomic than any Sony, and build quality is far superior. We have all tried Sony and the flimsy construction, tiny flange made of very thin pot metal and use of consumer-grade memory eliminates them from the mix. Seriously, the build and poor support Sony is infamous for only appeals to those who are influences by social media paid influencers. On ruggedness alone, an active enthusiast or professional has no reason to consider that brand. Actual photographers see plenty of reasons to stick with Nikon and in most criteria, Sony lags behind Canon, Panasonic and Nikon in the elements that count.

[@HamerReviews]

@@stanspb763 thanks for the comment, I generally agree with what you've said, - though maybe you might have come on a little strong ^^ I do agree so much on Nikon's ergonomics, though I do need a grip, I just find comfort with longer lenses is improved greatly with it. I also agree on build quality, though would warn us against getting too complacent on some of the Sony gear, which is getting much better. If they continue to improve, and Nikon doesn't innovate at the same pace, then we might have a problem, for now, I am not worried.

[@Smoothblue90]

Trigger warning. Attempt at humor ahead. Years ago there was a bunch of men who lived in their mother's basements and dressed funny. But, they would give great advice. They would say. Go to a camera store and pick up a Canon camera and pick up a Nikon camera and see which one feels better in your hands. Then there was the day that every single one of these men sold their Nikon and Canon cameras and bought Sony cameras. Everyday, these men now thank God that camera stores have disappeared, and you can no longer go to a camera store and find out how much better the Nikon Z6 feels in your hands when compaired to Sony cameras.

[@ThomasReinermallorca]

it does not work, the battery indicator dont work and it oes not have shutter buttons it is total useless

[@HamerReviews]

Thanks for your comment. I'm not entirely sure you're using it correctly in that case though? The battery indicators work perfectly on mine - what issue are you having? Also it's worth noting that it wasn't ever touted as having any control buttons / dials. Nikon always called it a battery grip, whereas Nikon call the MB-N11 a vertical grip making clear it has controls. The MB-N11 is primarily aimed at people that either want a longer grip or those that need continuous power - as you can hot-swap batteries (critical for video work if you aren't able to get power from a socket). And in that vain, the MB-N10 does everything it is supposed to. The other bonus is being able to charge both batteries in succession via the single USB-C input on the grip (whether connected to a camera or not). I know there's a lot of rhetoric around the grip, but if it's a major issue just move to the Z6 II or Z7 II and pick up the MB-N11. Personally although I've moved to the Z6 II I don't need the MB-N11 so am sticking with the MB-N10. Though that's mostly for convenience and the lengthened grip as the Z6 II / Z7 II can take direct power from USB-C to power the camera.

[@NormanZealandMalana]

I was looking to get a Z6, until I found out, about this abomination. Such backwards thinking.