Nikon D800 and MB-D12, definitely a "must have", but ...

. Nikon D800 and corresponding lenses, particularly zoom lenses - such as Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 24-70mm 1: 2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm and 1: 2.8G ED VR II - are now well known to all owners of this absolutely fantastic "photo machine". This type of lenses will now be moved again and therefore also consume a lot of energy, ie electricity.

So to get relatively quickly to the point where you wonder whether it would not be sensible to acquire an appropriate battery grip, which doubles the amount of energy available and in addition, the possibility opens up an alternative to use AA batteries / accumulators - can on vacation already times be the last chance to come to "power".

Perhaps also an important note regarding the used batteries, in addition to the use of the original batteries. I use two more Bundle Star quality batteries for Nikon EN-EL15 and am absolutely satisfied, everything works fine. The batteries are accepted without complaint both in the battery grip and in the camera and the Info Display are also working properly.

Preliminary perhaps once the quintessence of this purchase. I would buy this battery grip over again, but for a 5-star rating there are just a point of criticism, which does not justify such action.

But once the positive aspects. In some reviews I've read that this battery grip deteriorating the optics respectively handling the camera. I find it really always interesting how subjective the perception of different people is yet. I personally feel that the camera definitely wins regarding the optics using this battery grip. But, more importantly, the duo is simply much better in the hand and especially when working in portrait mode the battery grip irritates its strengths to the full. The availability of appropriate controls on the Battery Grip makes a work in this camera position simply for pleasure.

I very often use even a fairly large flash (Metz MB 58 AF-2 Nikon Speedlight), which again drives the weight of a corresponding combination of camera body, lens and flash upwards; since you have already grip tightly. If you remove the battery grip and then you hold the camera (with mounted flash for example) in his hands, I have the impression that a lot of lack of grip surface; My personal impression, although the D800 really does not have a small camera body.

Processing and used material of the battery grip; as for the D800 used for the Nikon MB-D12 also has a magnesium alloy, which is obviously a very big difference to the plastic used by corresponding replicas. The optics are of course tailored to the D800, which leads to an absolutely uniform image of the combination. The battery grip feels definitely very valuable, and suggests a fairly long life.

The battery grip is absolutely properly matching and merging completely with the camera body to an absolute unit. It shakes and creaks nothing, you'd think both parts form an indivisible whole.

So a perfect couple? Unfortunately, not really. Let's talk about the price of the battery grip. For a technical component of this functional class, even if you once pulls the materials used into account, we come to the conclusion that it is once again asked here really hard to pay, you could also say "is taken to the cleaners." True to the motto that has already D800 a premium price, and you should then also please continue to feel the accessories.

Of course there are plenty of other examples in the orbit of the label fetishism and are subject to identical functional models. Nevertheless, it in no way justifies this price, along the lines of the other actions but also. Such a price is easy to interpret just as outrageous.

Last but not least I would like to mention a point which also can lead to hardship regarding this battery grip u. U., namely when you At length up a new body, the Battery Grip MB-D12 may not suit the new Body more suitable and it needs to be purchased, if necessary, a new battery grip.

I have long wondered what score I feel for this battery grip than justified. In my opinion, would be 3.5 star adequately, but this is at a 5-star system, of course, not possible, therefore, despite my criticisms 4 stars.