MB-D10 (l) and BP-D300 (r)
In a word, yes.
Phottix BP-D300 Battery Pack (MB-D10 Replacement) on eBay
I’ve used a BP-D300 on my second D300 body alongside a D300 equipped with the MB-D10 for several weeks now, and I’ve found no performance differences whatsoever. While differences exist in fit and finish, and one very minor control difference, the BP-D300 works great.
Viewed from the front (above), the BP-D300 is readily distinguishable from the MB-D10 by virtue of the hand grip – three “finger grooves” versus soft rubber on the Nikon. Functionally controls are identical, although the Nikon’s superior construction is evident in two areas. First, the the thumbwheel screw on the Nikon provides a more precise, snug fit to the camera body; the BP-D300 can wobble slightly from front to back. In use, this has been unnoticeable, however, even handholding the grip with a good-sized lens like the 80-200/f2.8 AF-S attached. The battery drawer on the BP-D300–whether one of the included for AA batteries or a single EN-EL3e, or a Nikon counterpart–sometimes needs a little bit of a jiggle to seat properly.
MB-D10 (l) and BP-D300 (r)
Turning to the back of the grip, we see the one functional difference: a sliding switch to lock/unlock the vertical shutter release button, in contrast to the circular switch surrounding the button on the MB-D10. (Nikon’s switch placement is slightly more convenient.) The remaining controls are largely the same; significantly, the 5-way directional button on the BP-D300 provides good feedback and control.
The BP-D300 comes with battery drawers for an EN-EL3e battery, or 8 AAs; a Phottix-branded EN-EL3e equivalent battery; and a car charger that can be used to recharge an EN-EL3e battery in the included drawer. (This is a feature not shared by Nikon’s MS-D10EN drawer.)
If you’re looking for 8 fps performance and don’t want to resort to secret tricks, I would recommend a look at the BP-D300.
16 responses so far ↓
1 Owen Heuston // Oct 28, 2008 at 2:22 pm
So how is the phottix grip on a tripod. Can it handle having say a Sigma 50-500 on it even though it is plastic? Are you getting 8fps easily?
2 The Sports Photo Guy // Oct 28, 2008 at 4:34 pm
8 fps performance is reliable. I would not use the tripod mount on on the grip to support a heavy lens like the 50-500, though.
3 Dave Rodvold // Nov 14, 2008 at 10:15 pm
To get 8 FPS with the Phottix, do you have to use the 8 AA’s? Any comment on how rechargeable AA’s hold up to 8 FPS? I sometimes cover 5 high school basketball games in an afternoon, and wonder how many sets of batteries I should carry…
4 The Sports Photo Guy // Nov 15, 2008 at 7:34 am
8 AA’s, a Nikon EN-EL4/EN-EL-4a, or one of Phottix’s new EN-EL4a replacements. A set of AA’s is generally good for one entire game, assuming you use good batteries (Maha or Energizer 2300mah or higher), but that’s not to say they might not stretch a little farther; I only use AA’s as backup for my EN-EL4′s, so I’m not the best judge.
5 Marc Molloy // Dec 2, 2008 at 5:12 am
I purchased my BP-D300 grip last week, and I’m finding the response time on startup takes a few seconds used with a genuine EN-EL 4 battery.
The battery meter gauge on top lcd screen “cycles” 2 or 3 times before the camera turns ON, I have 2 D300′s and it happens on both bodies. This does not happen on the genuine MB-D10 on the other body. Have you found this same thing on yours?
6 The Sports Photo Guy // Dec 2, 2008 at 6:21 am
Never had that issue. Only anomaly I have seen is it takes a half second or so for the battery gauge to come up when checking battery status the first time via the Setup menu.
7 Dave // Dec 2, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I used my new BP-D300 tonight for the first time – 2 basketball games, 617 shots. It worked flawlessly, providing 8 fps. A very noticeable difference from the D80 I used last year… I used a Sigma 30mm f/1.4, which also impressed me.
For the battery, I used a Phottix Kosmo, which is a clone of the Nikon EN-EL4a specifically for use with the BP-D300. It has the battery chamber cover permanently attached, so you don’t have to buy an additional part like you do for the Nikon grip. The Kosmo cost $50 shipped (from Hong Kong), including a charger. And get this – after those 617 shots, it still shows 93% full on the battery meter!
8 The Sports Photo Guy // Dec 3, 2008 at 1:01 am
I’ve been using the Kosmo EN-EL4a clone for a couple of weeks now; if I ever get the time to do a proper write-up, I plan to add it to the battery compatibility page.
9 Steve // Dec 11, 2008 at 5:03 am
I beleive there is even another Chinese brand. I have seen it at the local pohoto mall. I have to get a couple of filters this weekend. I will let you know the brand. Last time I was there it was labeled as the Canon D300 batery grip – LOL.
10 Raico Rosenberg // Sep 27, 2009 at 9:51 am
Great review and very accurate there. I bought my BP-D300 quite a while ago and used it succesfully for quite a while till…
The only thing worth pointing out is that the materials used really do give it a weak construction. My grip broke during a concert i was taking photos at. I had overexerted the thumbwheel and the mechanics inside broke.
Back home i disassembled the grip and found that a small, feeble plastic cogwheel drove the thumbwheel. It wasnt even solid plastic, it had hollow bits… very frustrating!
11 The Sports Photo Guy // Sep 27, 2009 at 10:08 am
Good advice. Since the grip has a tendency to come loose (Nikon’s MB-D10 has the same problem in my experience), I’ve had a tendency to try to compensate by tightening the wheel as much as possible. Your experience is a warning to us all!
12 Thomas // Oct 6, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Got myself 2 Kosmos along with the BG-D700 and its been great so far.
13 Ches // Mar 11, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Nice article on boosting the frame rate; I have a D300 with the SB800 flash- great combination- now my question.I want to capture the bride tossing the bouqet, using flash- hopefully get several shots of the flower in mid flight. How would you set the camera to do that? If I am using a continuous release mode, will the flash have time to recharge between those quick exposures?
I appreciate ANYBODY’S comments form personal experience- thanks!
14 Alvin // Jun 16, 2010 at 11:30 am
Hi Ches,
Put your Sb-800 to repeating flash mode at 2hz that will answer your question you wont missed a petal flying off the boquet..
15 nikos // Jan 10, 2011 at 3:43 pm
I used a chinese immitation of MB-D10 battery pack to a D700 with 2 lenses. Now the first one (24-120mm VR) appears a F– to the camera and the other one (18-200mm DX) can’t auto focus.Any suggestions?
Thanks
Nikos
16 The Sports Photo Guy // Jan 10, 2011 at 7:51 pm
I have found low or weak batteries to be the cause of a number of errors with Nikon bodies, even with genuine Nikon products. I can think of several things off the top of my head:
- First, make sure whatever batteries you are using are fully charged
- Make sure the grip is securely attached
- Does the error persist when the grip is removed, or only when attached?
- Try a different battery or batteries if possible
- Have you contacted the seller? The Phottix equipment I use is backed by good customer service; I’ve had one battery replaced under warranty at reasonable return shipping cost.
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