Battery Grip and Battery question

[jhock]

I am think about getting a battery grip for my Nikon D5000, I have quite big hands so it might make it a bit more comfy.

There are various one on Ebay, cheap to quite expensive.

Do Nikon do one?

So are the cheap ones worth it? Can they damage your camera?

Also I have 2 Nikon Batteries, again are the cheap ones on Ebay worth it or should I just pay the £20 for the Nikon ones?

 

[surfg1mp]

My experience of after market battery grips is good. I have a meike (spelling?) grip for my d90 and a meike grip for my d300. They are pretty much direct copies of the Nikon versions, but at a fraction of the cost. I'd imagine the originals are better quality but this isn't to say the meike ones are shoddy, they are well made.

For me they make the cameras much more comfortable to hold and given the extra controls, easier to use.

 

[modchild]

I've had 6 Canon bodies (550D, 650D, 60D, 7D, 5D2 and 5D3) and I've had, and still got, 3rd party grips on all of them. The grip for the 7D and 550D both came with 3rd party batteries and have been used in the grips since day one.

I've never had ANY problems with either the grip or the batteries. The grips fit very well and make the camera much comfier to hold in my hands and the balance is improved a lot as well. I've paid between £38 (550D grip and 4 batteries) up to £63 (5D3 grip) and I'd saved enough on the first 3 grips (550D,7d and 5D2) by buying 3rd party to get me a second hand Canon 70-200 f4 L non IS lens. The 3rd party batteries have all been excellent, charge quickly and last at least as long as the Canon original and I've paid between £4 for a 550D battery up to £8 for the 5D2-3 battery and I would highly recommend the grips and batteries to anyone.

 

[jhock]

Thanks for the replies, that sounds like it is well worth getting a grip and couple of battries to go with it.

Looking about Nikon do not seem to make one, the ones on Ebay (UK seller) are about £25 to £35, so might have to order one before I go on holiday.