Nikon MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack for the Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera The Nikon MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack holds 2 EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion rechageable batteries, effectively doubling your total shooting time. Can also hold a AA battery holder (included), so users can use AA batteries as a power backup. The MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack provides an AF-on button, vertical firing release with lock, and front and rear command dials.
Customer Review: Good but not yet great.
The MB-D80 is a useful device but it is big and bulky and not very well tailored for the D80 Cam. The grip doesn’t match or feel like it matches the camera very well. Attaching it to the cam takes some finger power. The shutter release has no real halfway point and the release itself feels very rough. Composing and trying to halfway press the button doesn’t work at all. I need this because I shoot vertical 90% of the time, but if you don’t then I don’t recommend this as a much needed attachement. The added weight does stabalize the cam and having the backup battery is great for the 1000s of photos I take.

Pros – Extra power, easy to attach and use
Cons – Bulky, larger grip than the D80, shutter release is not as responsive as I would have expected

Customer Review: Best ergonomics for D80/D90
I originally bought an Opteka battery pack for my D80 after reading some reviews about the hair-trigger shutter button of the Nikon version. Right off I wasn’t very impressed with the Opteka – it seemed comically oversized, just goofy to hold, and the grip was smooth, not textured like the Nikon. When an opportunity came up to grab an MB-D80 used for a good price, I decided to check it out. Side by side, the ergonomics of the Nikon version are MUCH better. The control knobs feel much better – they operate smoother and are closer together thanks to the fact that the Nikon is about a half inch narrower than the Opteka. The front grip is a one-piece textured rubber instead of the smooth/slippery grip on the Opteka. The finish matches the camera better, the on-off switch is in a better spot, and overall it just fits in the hand much better.

As far as the shutter release, I’ll say this – there is no “stop” between half shutter and full release like there is on the camera (and the Opteka, for that matter). This takes some getting used to, but there is enough travel to the button that after a couple uses it’s no big deal.

Whether you’re looking to add some extra weight and bulk to your D80/D90 for better handling, or you’re just looking for the extended battery life, I definitely recommend getting the Nikon version over one of the knock-offs. I used the Opteka probably 4 times while I owned it because it just didn’t feel right, and the Nikon I’ve never even taken off the camera.

I didn’t give it 5 stars because of the shutter release, and frankly if you’ve ever held the grip for the D300 in your hand this thing will feel like a toy. BUT, it’s the best we have for the D80/D90 right now, so — 4 out of 5!

Tags: Nikon Digital Camera, Nikon Camera

This entry was posted on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 7:00 pm and is filed under Nikon Digital Camera. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.