Comments on: Phottix BP-D300 Battery Pack

By: The Sports Photo Guy

The Sports Photo Guy — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:51:23 +0000

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.

By: nikos

nikos — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:43:54 +0000

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

By: Alvin

Alvin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:30:06 +0000

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..

By: Ches

Ches — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:10:13 +0000

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!

By: Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:28:08 +0000

Got myself 2 Kosmos along with the BG-D700 and its been great so far.

By: The Sports Photo Guy

The Sports Photo Guy — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:08:59 +0000

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!

By: Raico Rosenberg

Raico Rosenberg — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:51:52 +0000

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!

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:03:11 +0000

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.

By: The Sports Photo Guy

The Sports Photo Guy — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:01:09 +0000

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.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:05:10 +0000

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!