third party battery grip for d3100

[Basalt]

I'm thinking of getting a battery grip, are there any to definitely avoid?

I was wondering about one that takes standard AA batteries alongside the Nikon battery for the convenience of having easy access to more power when out and about.

 

[jrizal]

Avoid the more expensive ones (Photive, Vivitar, Polaroid, etc) as they seem to be rebranded Meike/Neewwr units. D note that there is no official grip for the D3100/D3200/D5100. These third party grips can be bought for $25 in Amazon. There is another type which has a remote and a bit smaller than the Meike brand. Again avoid the branded ones, the generic unit goes for $35 while the so called branded ones go for $75. Both types of grip can use 3rd party batteries but not AA batteries. Grips for other models can use AAs.

 

[Basalt]

Cheers, I thought I'd found one that took AAs but on closer inspection the cartridge to hold them replaces both batteries so yep, the d3100 won't run with it. Cheap generics, here I come...

 

[jrizal]

Do note that there is a trick to use generic batteries with a grip on the Nikon D3100/5100. These models can detect 3rd party batteries and will not work if inserted direct to the camera.