K-5 Grip

Actually that bit made me smile (just a little)

Smeggy, in vertical the grip on the K7/5 is much nicer to hold then that of the K10/20, I often found myself just rotating the camera and using the body controls on the K20 too.

One thing I miss with the brand x grip for the K5 is the lack of a slot to hold the wireless remote, can anyone confirm if the genuine grip has it?

I had the genuine Pentax grip for the K10D but bought a cheapo copy for the K-7. Slushy wheels: true. Thin paint: true.

But I like it for the shape and the position of the shutter button for verticals. Nowt else. I don't even put batteries in it.

I got the original Pentax Grip and just checked. There is NO SLOT that can hold the remote as far as I can see, but having only the wired remote I can not say that it would be not there with 100%, I just can not see anywhere where the remote would fit.

Apart from the above uses, all of which I use, they're really handy for holding the camera upside down, which I do a lot, or high above your head.
I love the feel of having all those edges to hold and stabilise the camera.
Last and not insignificant - I keep getting asked to do weddings which I hate, but I've learnt to charge accordingly and the grip just looks a bit more professional and reassuring in this sort of situation.

i've got big hands got a £40 quid jobby of fleabay , its ok has said in other posts dials a bit weak but i find on off switch worst not much resistance have to watch you don't turn it on when putting in bag , 0verall though ok ,adds a bit of weight and makes me look like i know what i'm doing :lol

Thanks for all the replies.

The main reason for looking at a grip is for the extra battery capacity/life.

Having gone from a DLII to a K5, I was dismayed to find that the K5 battery lasted a couple of weeks on one charge, whereas the DLII will go for months on one set of CRV-3s or lithium AA's.

I've run the K5 with all enhancements on, let the battery discharge and then gone through the same steps with all enhancements off, the latter provided a day or so more life, but in the scheme of things, it's negligible.

As to which grip, I've spoken to a couple of Pentax dealers and there seems to be some doubt as to the warranty on the camera if 3rd party kit is used and causes a fault; I doubt any of the Chinese suppliers will be too interested either.

£200 for a grip I can afford, £100 for a grip plus a potential £1,000 for a new camera, I can't!

All fair comments

Actually that's a very good point.