Nikon D70 3rd Party Grip Review

So the time has finally come where I have both grips in hand to review. I have both grips with me as I am typing this. This is not a professional review, however all details specified are to the best of my knowledge after holding, testing and using these two very different grips.

I have NOT provided any pictures for these grips. There have been many pictures circulating around on the net and on CS with VERY detailed pictures of the grips. No reason for me to post more here IMO.

If you wanna see and feel the grip, I will be in Singapore between the 4th - 12th and I'll probably be at NUG (Nikon User Group) to meet up with fellow Nikonians for a coffee and a good chat *hint* and I will have the grip/s with me - Planning to sell one off! Not telling which here - Find out for yourself! heehee alrighty here it goes!

Introduction
Since Nikon's launch of the D70, many hobbyist's, amateurs and some professionals who have used the D70 have asked for a portrait/vertical/battery grip. Name it whatever you wish, but I shall call it a battery grip throughout this review.

Nikon has not and will not release a grip for the D70 as it is a consumer DSLR; an entry-level camera in it's consumer DSLR lineup which has been expanded with the D70s and the newer D50.

There have been many attempts to build a battery grip for the D70, some successful, but none that were made for mass produce for the market until Harbortronics (www.harbortronics.com) and HKJenis (www.hkjenis.com) released battery grips compatible with the Nikon D70.

Nikon from the beginning had no intention of having a battery grip for the D70 and this has been irritating for some people. The D70 has no contact terminals on the outside (D100) or inside (Canon 300D) to provide controls from a battery grip. The D70 has only an Infra-Red receiver located on the top right side of the body (when you look at it from the front) which triggers the shutter release via an IR Remote-Control unit.

Both the Harbortronics and HKJenis grips make use of the IR receiver built into the D70 to trigger the shutter.

Specifications

Harbortronics VGD-70
• Molded 1 piece (resin?) - Very solid
• Street Price US$165 without shipping
• Steel tripod mount at base
• Excellent ergonomics
• Color matching is perfect - Looks OEM
• 2-step vertical shutter release button
• Batteries linked in series
• Accepts up to 2 EN-EL3 batteries only
• Provides socket for external power source
• Provides socket for wired remote shutter release
• Provides 1/2 press shutter release *with D70s or modified D70
HKJenis JND70S
• Assembled high-impact plastic - Feels a little plasticky
• Street Price US$150 - US$189 without shipping
• Steel tripod mount at base
• Excellent ergonomics
• Color matching is off, lighter than D70 body
• 1-step vertical shutter release button
• Batteries linked in series (I think)
• Accepts up to 2 EN-EL3 batteries or 6 AA batteries
• Provides "On/Off" switch for vertical shutter release button

Body and Design

Both these grips are well made, but they both have their pro’s and con’s.

Harbortronics VGD-70
This grip as some have described, looks hideous. To others, it’s a magnificent piece of art. This is up to you to decide. To me, it looks pretty decent but definitely not very ‘professional’ looking. The build of this grip is solid and it feels as solid as a rock.

The color matching is simply fantastic. Kudo’s to Harbortronics for matching the color and texture so well. Knurling is slightly different and noticeable only when viewed up close.

The VGD-70 is made such that the batteries are slotted into the grip from the top. There is no opening at the side/bottom/back to insert or remove the batteries. Insertion and removal of batteries will require the grip to be taken off. Think of this grip as a ‘boat’ where the sides and bottom are covered and the top is open. (Download the manual with detailed images on battery installation at www.harbortronics.com)

The fit of this grip to the body is so-so. My grip fit pretty snug, but I’ve heard others who own this grip say that they’ve had to send theirs back for a replacement as theirs didn’t fit too snugly.

Handling of this grip is excellent – the ergonomics have certainly been thought of and designed well for a one-piece molded grip.

If you have sweaty hands like me however, it can get a little slippery – there is no rubber coating on the grip to improve your grip on the battery grip.

HKJenis JND70S
This grip looks fantastic! Assembled parts make up this ‘professional’ looking grip. I wouldn’t press or twist this grip around too much as it feels a little plasticky – doesn’t feel too hardy – think of a nokia handphone with the removable case.

Color matching is a little off and I’m surprised that HKJenis didn’t take the time to try and match the color of the grip with the D70 body.

The fit of this is almost perfect – a slight gap that is noticeable only up close at the battery compartment is a nit-pick of mine!

Handling of this grip is excellent – ergonomically speaking, it’s got the right curves.

The JND70S comes with a battery compartment at the back. Pull apart two buttons and the door pops open, revealing either a battery tray for 6 AA batteries and with the tray removed, 2 slots for 2 EN-EL3’s. Very well made if you asked me. Battery changing is a cinch and this is definitely a plus point for the JND70S.

A nice rubber coating is supplied to give you better grip – thumbs up for HKJenis on this one!

A thumb wheel is also provided to screw/unscrew the grip to the D70 body, unlike the little screw which requires a 20cent coin for the Harbortronics grip.

Operation and controls

Harbortronics VGD-70

The VGD-70’s battery installation takes a little time to get used to. There is a flexible lead with contacts that you have to pull over a battery that sits, balancing on a flat surface on the grip. The second battery can be slotted into a hole that has been provided.

There is a steel tripod socket at the bottom of the grip that doubles up as the screw that attaches the grip to the D70 body. You’ll have to use a 20 cent coin to tighten this; it’ll make it difficult to remove when you have to – you’ll have to find a 20cent coin or something of it’s equivalent!

With the grip installed with batteries, you’ll have to insert the fiber-optic cable that is provided, into the front of the grip (it fits pretty well and won’t drop out. A rubber ‘o’ ring is in the hole to grip the cable)– this will allow the grip’s shutter release to communicate with the D70.

Set your D70 to ‘remote’ mode and start firing away.

The feel of the 2-step shutter release is very smooth and nice. A half-press however, won’t focus for you – only a full press will work with the infra-red working.

*If you own a D70s, you can use the cord that Harbortronics sells for US$25 and attach it to the wire-remote socket to get ½ press shutter release on your battery grip.
*You can get ½ press also if you send in your camera to Harbortronics and have it modified for US$135. This will however, void your warranty on your D70.

*Many people ask if it will focus lock and fire. The answer is YES. On pressing the shutter release, the camera focus locks on the object in the middle of your finder (or closest subject… depending on where your focus lock is preset to and what mode you are in) and fires. There is a delay time of about 1 second during this whole process. If you set your camera to MF, the firing is almost instantaneous.

HKJenis JND70S

Installation of batteries is very simple. Either 1 or 2 EN-EL3’s can be slot in at the back or using the provided battery tray, 6 AA sized batteries can be installed. The 6 AA’s give you another option should you run out of battery power!

Installation of this battery grip is simple and easy – Slot the grip in place and use the thumbscrew provided to tighten the grip onto the body of your D70.

A fiber-optic cable is supplied, just like the Harbortronics grip, but this is slightly different. There is a plastic piece to attach over your D70’s IR receiver. This will allow your fiber-optic cable to attach itself securely (no dropping out) when you are using it.

Like the Harbortronics grip, the JND70S makes use of the IR receiver in your D70 to focus and fire.

*Many people ask if it will focus lock and fire. The answer is YES. On pressing the shutter release, the camera focus locks on the object in the middle of your finder (or closest subject… depending on where your focus lock is preset to and what mode you are in) and fires. There is a delay time of about 1 second during this whole process. If you set your camera to MF, the firing is almost instantaneous.

Comparison between the two grips

[img]http://nathanieltan.com/testgrip.jpg[/img]

Conclusion

Many people have asked me which grip is better and if they should purchase a grip. It’s very difficult to answer these questions but I shall still conclude with my recommendations.

If you own a D70S, the Harbortronics grip is for you. Although, not as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as the JND70S grip by Jenis, it has more functions as compared to it’s counterpart.

If you want a grip to ‘enhance the looks’ of your camera, or wish to have a heavier camera to balance out your long lenses, either grip will do, just a matter of what you’re looking for in a grip.

The Harbortronics grip is definitely more advanced, technologically speaking, with more advanced circuitry and provision for a wired remote as well as external power source, as compared to the HKJenis grip which only provides a 1-step shutter release and provision of AA battery use in conjunction with the flexibility of using 2 EN-EL3’s instead.

I hope that this review has been useful to you all! Take Care!

Nathaniel Tan
April 28, 2005