Product Review: MeiKe Battery grip for the D3100

MeiKe pronounce M K released their D3100 battery grip.


I received it today and tested it out. It is made of the same plastic as the body of the D3100. The body lines are perfect for the D3100 body, with a rubber grip on the vertical hand surface for shooting protrait. The shutter release is smooth with distinct detent points for AF and release. In continuous mode, it works perfectly.


The locking wheel appears to be loose when the grip is locked to the body, but that is only the wheel on the shaft. The grip stays locked, even though the wheel does rattle a bit. the battery door is tight on my grip. I have heard of others saying the door is loose and rattles.


Because there is not IR on the D3100, the only way to have a protrait shutter button was to use the DC-MC-2 port with a 3N connector. There is a short communications cable from the battery grip to the body on the left side.


I mounted my body, grip, and 55-300mm on my tripod to see how balance was effected. The tripod mount on the bottom of the grip is just slightly to the right of the body mount, but I found not effect in balance on the tripod.


Pros:
•Lightweight body, but feels and appears sturdy
•Veritcal (Portrait) shutter release
•Easy battery installation and removal
•Matches body lines


Cons:
•Due to the comm cable the other ports are left open to the elements. Covering with the open ports with tape or inserting plug covers will help
•Locking wheel rattles on the mounting shaft


I did not test with two batteries, as I am still waiting for my second battery to arrive. I will post an adendum to this review when I can test with both batteries. This test will be an extensive field test, as I want to see how it monitors and draws from both batteries.

My second battery arrived today. I charged it up and had my original fully charged. I loaded both and set the Live View on, and recorded 10 segments of video. After 100 minutes (10 X 10 minute clips) the battery indicator went red and showed 1/3. I stopped at this point and turned the camera off. I pulled the right battery and turned the camera back on to check left battery. It showed 2/3. Camera off, and pull left, load right, and camera on. This one showed 2/3. Pulled the grip and inserted into camera direct. Both showed full batteries. Regripped, loaded both batteries and now it shows full charge. Pulled the batteries and put on charger, one at a time. Both took the same charge, and the time was about equal to what a 2/3 battery needs to charge to full.

I dont know what to make of this. I guess to refesh the battery level, I would need to turn off and pull the batteries and reinsert. This is something I will be watching and working on.