OMD battery grip ... a little overkill maybe?

Keith · 06-28-2012

The battery grip for my OMD finally arrived to day and I have to say I'm a little underwhelmed.

With just the grip section fiitted it improves the handling markedly and makes the camera look very balanced and feels so. Add the battery pack on top of that and it becomes a bit of a monster IMO.

Not that I'm suggesting some extra battery capacity plus the added advantage of the extra shutter release for comfortable portait orientation shooting isn't worthwhile ... I just don't think it does much for the dainty looks of the little Oly and it's really not a hard camera to use in portrait orientation in the first place.

What do others who have this setup think?

CVickery · 06-28-2012

I haven't even taken mine out of it's bag. The grip section is a big plus to the handling, but the extra battery slice/portrait grip is something I may never use. I've never been a big user of portrait orientation grips though ... often didn't even use it on my 1DsII, so maybe I'm not a typical user.

jpfisher · 06-28-2012

I was a big fan of the body + grip only when I was shooting it. Adding the battery holder section was just too much. It's a shame that Olympus doesn't sell the two separately.

The one time I'd see it as being useful is when using a flash bracket for an event or the like. I shot some stills at the office talent show last night with the Sony a77, 16-50mm, and 70-300mm along with a bracket and it was quite awkward not having the vertical shutter release in that situation.

gilpen123 · 06-28-2012

Can be useful as you start to use portrait and longer lenses beginning with the 45 1.8 and soon 75 1.8. I actually haven't removed it from mine. I've been to an event coverage a few weeks ago and I find it helped a lot as I don't have to worry too much on battery running out of juice and keeps the camera firmly in my grasp. It's nice to have an option to make the camera small when needed, just remove that battery holder or even the grip itself and you're back to the small profile of the OMD. Btw, also makes it easier to grab the camera from the bag no matter what orientation it is inside.

Keith · 06-28-2012

I think Olympus would be wise to offer the grip on it's own ... it's a shame they dont currently because three hundred dollars is quite a hit for a camera that costs a little over a grand.

I can see the use for the battery section and will use mine occasionally but as said a less expensive choice to balance the handling would be nice.

kuzano · 06-28-2012

Olympus has been a creative company, developing new ideas since the 70's. The OM series, The XA with it's interesting internal focus travel within the lens.

Many new ideas, departing from conventional (read hum drum) digital technology.

The new two part grip gives the user/owner a chance to choose which configuration works for him/her. How many other DSLR or EVIL camera manufacturer's have you seen offer a two part dual configuration battery grip.

Like Keith, I would probably only use the grip, as using one battery in any DSLR or EVIL has sufficed for me.

But, on a side note, and probably of some importance, Olympus owners who have an inventory of Olympus Standard, HG, and SHG 4/3 lenses may benefit by increased focus speed, which has commonly been the case with most manufacturer DSLR cameras/lenses when a battery pack with reserve power has been added. It would be interesting to see if actually using the battery portion of the grip would increase the focusing of standard 4/3 lenses when used on the EM-5, which is a complaint of users with a heavy investment in the lenses built on the same mount during the 4/3 DSLR era of Olympus? Most of you must be aware that the actuall mount and autofocus mechanisms of the 4/3 and micro 4/3 are the same, using an adaptor from standard 4/3 to micro 4.3

However, here again Olympus has done what Olympus does best. Offered buyers more choices in the product configuration.

I will say in defense of this thread that it might have been nice if Olympus had priced each piece of the grip and battery package separately and sold them either individually or togethe, It's entirely possible that may happen in the future if they got enough requests for just one of the pieces. But I think each piece may have ended up being more expensive individually than half the total price of the grip/battery units as a package.

When I had Canons smallest full frame, the 5D and screwed the grip/battery unit to the camera, it literally became a monster not much smaller than the other monstrous full frame DSLR's out there.

I personally liked and almost always used the grip on my OM bodies. and remember that the OM bodies are only 1 (one) centimeter bigger in width than the EM-5 and quite the same in other dimensions. The grip on the OM's had a largish bottom, so I think the EM-5 grip and battery units combined do not make the EM-5 bigger than the OM's with a grip/drive unit, other than the 1 (one) centimeter width.

kuzano · 06-28-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

I think Olympus would be wise to offer the grip on it's own ... it's a shame they dont currently because three hundred dollars is quite a hit for a camera that costs a little over a grand.

I can see the use for the battery section and will use mine occasionally but as said a less expensive choice to balance the handling would be nice.

I was writing my post, I think, as you were writing this one, or I missed it.

GOOD IDEA!!!!!

Keith · 06-29-2012

I have to admit ... after using the camera today with the grip and battery pack fitted the handling really is very good.

Though I still think it spoils the looks somewhat ... but as Kuzano said Olympus really do come up with the goods when they build a system!

Johnmcd · 06-29-2012

I love the full grip. Not interested in using it without. With it, it feels solid, competent and tough. I'm in the 'it's a little too small without the grip' camp.

By using the battery pack I can take the battery out to charge it without taking the grip off as it is not necessary to have a battery in the camera as well. Nice touch

gavinlg · 06-29-2012

I really liked the grip by itself when I played with it. The battery pack defeats the purpose of the camera in the first place - I'd rather just take an extra battery with me. But if I had an om-d I'd probably still get the whole grip - just love that it's two pieces.

Lss · 06-29-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinlg

The battery pack defeats the purpose of the camera in the first place

I take it you mean it is too big, not that it stops making pictures.

I haven't seen the grip live yet, but based on pictures and looking at other cameras I have at hand - no, it should not defeat the purpose of the camera.

gavinlg · 06-29-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lss

I take it you mean it is too big, not that it stops making pictures.

I haven't seen the grip live yet, but based on pictures and looking at other cameras I have at hand - no, it should not defeat the purpose of the camera.

Yeah I mean it makes it a lot bigger. The grip is two pieces just the grip itself is lovely. Makes the camera feel less cramped. Add the 'pack' down the bottom and it makes it quite a bit bigger.

Just grip:

Grip + battery pack:

fireblade · 06-29-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

What do others who have this setup think?

i went in store to try it and found it too big, not thats its big per se, but i like the OMD at the size it is. The Gariz half case makes it a lot easier to hold.
Then i saw this and ordered it, arriving this week, for a third of the price.....a lot smaller, yet with a decent grip.

Let you know hopefully earlier this week about it functionality

Keith · 06-29-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireblade

i went in store to try it and found it too big, not thats its big per se, but i like the OMD at the size it is. The Gariz half case makes it a lot easier to hold.
Then i saw this and ordered it, arriving this week, for a third of the price.....a lot smaller, yet with a decent grip.

Let you know hopefully earlier this week about it functionality

That's also very nice ... anything that adds a little depth to the camera and provides the grip at the front is an improvement. In it's naked form it's a slippery little bugger IMO.

KEH · 06-29-2012

I held my nose and bought the grip plus battery pack, but I almost certainly will only use the grip. Makes a huge difference to handling. Here it is with the Sigma 30/2.8:

Cheers,
Kirk

oris642 · 07-05-2012

Who makes this grip and how much was it?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireblade

i went in store to try it and found it too big, not thats its big per se, but i like the OMD at the size it is. The Gariz half case makes it a lot easier to hold.
Then i saw this and ordered it, arriving this week, for a third of the price.....a lot smaller, yet with a decent grip.

Let you know hopefully earlier this week about it functionality

Keith · 07-05-2012

The grip is permanently attached to my OMD minus the battery pack ... I suspected this would be the case.

Soooo .... I paid three hundred dollars for a grip!

They (Olympus) definitely need to split these two items up and offer them individually. To me the advantage of the grip (on its own) is the relocation forward of the shutter button .... this really makes a big difference IMO.

plummerl · 07-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

The grip is permanently attached to my OMD minus the battery pack ... I suspected this would be the case.

Soooo .... I paid three hundred dollars for a grip!

They (Olympus) definitely need to split these two items up and offer them individually. To me the advantage of the grip (on its own) is the relocation forward of the shutter button .... this really makes a big difference IMO.

Except now you have a really nice spare battery carrying case!

gavinlg · 07-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

The grip is permanently attached to my OMD minus the battery pack ... I suspected this would be the case.

Soooo .... I paid three hundred dollars for a grip!

They (Olympus) definitely need to split these two items up and offer them individually. To me the advantage of the grip (on its own) is the relocation forward of the shutter button .... this really makes a big difference IMO.

Keith - does the battery pack fix to the camera without the grip? If so, maybe chuck it on ebay?

Keith · 07-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by plummerl

Except now you have a really nice spare battery carrying case!

I'm thinking of giving the little Oly a whirl at the next gallery opening I photograph and I would defnitely use the extra battery on the camera for that.

So it won't be useless for me!

Though I do think it's a bit of a shame that it makes the camera look like a miniature version of one of the monstrous pro DSLRs ... that was obviously their intention though!

Keith · 07-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinlg

Keith - does the battery pack fix to the camera without the grip? If so, maybe chuck it on ebay?

I do have a use for it Gav as I said in my previous post ^ ... if the Oly performs as I suspect it may the D700 will be getting considerably less use.

I'm hanging out for my 17.5mm f.95 at the moment (back ordered) and the next gallery gig is a couple of weeks away.

bgb · 07-05-2012

I had a good look at this camera in a local store the other day and I had two thoughts, firstly it really is very pretty and secondly it's tiny. ok I can explain ... my hands need xxl gloves and even the OM-2 feels small sometimes.
With the extra size of the grip I tnink i could us the OM-D.
Further testing in other stores and some counting of pennies needs to be done.

Keith · 07-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgb

I had a good look at this camera in a local store the other day and I had two thoughts, firstly it really is very pretty and secondly it's tiny. ok I can explain ... my hands need xxl gloves and even the OM-2 feels small sometimes.
With the extra size of the grip I tnink i could us the OM-D.
Further testing in other stores and some counting of pennies needs to be done.

I think for really big hands the extra size the battery attachment offers would really help! My hands are pretty average and I found the diminutive size of the naked (gripless) OMD to be a little tedious.

DNG · 07-05-2012

@fireblade

Yes, who makes it?
Have a link?

Keith · 07-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNG

@fireblade

Yes, who makes it?
Have a link?

As nice as that grip is it doesn't address the shutter location which is too far to the rear of the camera IMO and it was one of the criticisms I read in a review I stumbled over somewhere. If you wrap your three fingers around the grip on the OMD you cannot reach the shutter release with your index finger unless you remove your middle finger from the grip!