Pentax BG4 Battery Grip for Pentax K-7 User Review

[rei_vilo]

Bonjour,

I'm back with this new user review 

The battery grip is usually recommended for portait shooting and for enhanced handling even in landscape mode, as well as for extended autonomy.

But one of the key feature of the Pentax K-7 is its compactness. And this comes at a price: the camera body could be too short for large or even medium-sized hands. So the battery grip is worth considering.

At first, I didn't want to spend extra money on a grip, but after playing for a while the K-7 for a while, it became obvious the grip was a must.



The grip shares the same nice plastic and metal cover, with dust- and water-sealing just as the Pentax K-7.

Pros

• The BG4 grip fits perfectly on the K-7, with the same water-proof protection
• The real benefit is for portrait pictures. The camera fits firmly at hand and all the controls are available at the right place under the fingers: shutter, depth of field preview, front and rear dials, green button, +/- compensation, AE-L button.
• Nice feature, the grip controls could be switched off and on, avoiding unwanted pictures.
• Even in landscape mode, the grip provides extra stability. I was somehow surprised by this feature, making the use of the camera with the grip even nicer.
• The special tray for standard AA battery is a real opportunity for savings and safety.

Cons

• The tripod mount is no longer centered on the axis of the lens.
• Replacement of the battery inside the K-7 needs to detach the grip, change the K-7 battery, attach the grip.
• The K-7 plus the BG4 appears bulkier and heavier, and requires a bigger camera bag.

Wrap-up

• Once again, ergonomics play an important role. The grip provides extra stability, on both portrait and landscape mode.
• Second battery, wireless IR remote are not included, so consider extra spending for the full kit.
• AA batteries provide saving and safety.

More details and pictures available here. Enjoy 

[rei_vilo]

Pentax K-7 compactness may raise an ergonomic issue for large and even medium-sized hands. So the battery grip is worth considering. See before and after 

Front views: before without the grip (left), and after with the grip attached (right)


 
Rear views: before (left), and after (right)



 

[Sammy Sung]

good review but heres a tip to speed up battery access

if you only use a single battery but leave your grip on all the time

just use the grip battery and leave the camera chamber empty

then you save unscrewing your grip every battery charge

thanks
rob

[rei_vilo]

Rob,

Thank you for the tip .

I haven't mentionned it in my post but I'm currently using it.

I called it he comfort profile 

the camera with the grip and one LI-90 battery placed on the grip for easy change

Best regards,  

[tcom]

Bonsoir rei

Exactly like me, at first, I thought I can use the K-7 without grip, then I tried it with the grip and it does really improve the handling of the camera, especially with larger lenses such as the DA*60-250. The additional buttons for vertical shooting are also very handy.

My only regret is that there is no grip for the K-x.

[Sammy Sung]

i find when i switch from my 20d with the grip to the gx 10 with no grip it feels funny and flimsy

the grip i find makes the camera so stable and solid

my 20d with both batterys and the grip is a solid platform

it lets me catch fast moving musicians in low light without even having to use the anti shake a lot of times

is there not even a third party grip or a 100d grip that fits the k m ?

anyhow happy new year to you both

rob

[Mike Pearson]

rei,

Thanks for the information and review.  

Rob,

I recently bought the K20D - I used it for two days and bought the grip and I agree that it transforms the feel and usability of the camera  

Mike

[JIMBO]

I wouldn't have any SLR without a battery grip. As Domique mentioned, with the larger lenses, the grip is a must. Even the 16-50, which is a slightly heavier lens, feels better with the grip on. Then there the Manly look, which scores big points with others!! Nice review. I am really hoping a K30 comes out [no video] soon with improve low light focus and lower noice at higher ISO's. Would love a few different options at the higher end!! We can now pray! JIM

[Rick Clark]

It think Pentax needs to put a built in charger in the grip that would charge both batteries at the same time. :-)  :--}  :>)