Nikon MB-40 Multi-Power Battery Pack for F6 Camera USA

Comments about Nikon MB-40 Multi-Power Battery Pack:

I purchased the MB-40 in order to use my F6 with larger lenses. Recently on a full day commercial job (using the heavy 70-200 VRII), shooting vertical was smooth and efficient. It was great to use my D3's EN-EL4 batteries in the field as well.

The MB-40 adds some bulk but fits nicely in the your hands. I am not a fan of grips from past experiences (D300) but this definitely is on another level of comfort and quality.

Comments about Nikon MB-40 Multi-Power Battery Pack:

The previous reviewer gave a 4 star rating on MB-40 NOT because the product itself had any known problems or inconvenience to complain about, BUT because he thought the optional chamber cover BL-3 SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS A FREEBEE!

That's not a correct reason to give such a useful and well crafted MB-40 a 4-star rating!

At first, I thought F-6 body alone was a perfect fit in my little hand. But in the field with some Nikkor lenses on it, MB-40 made the whole body+ lens well-balanced in my hand.

I opted to use EN-EL4 battery(left over from my D2X arsenals) instead of AA batteries with the optional BL-3 cover that I purchased separately. BL-3 is a bit pricey, yet works so well as intended. Yes, AA batteries can come in handy in pinch, though.

Under extremely cold weather conditions, when armed with MB-40 & EN-EL4, the Nikon F-6 will be your joy to hold and a very reliable masterpiece to shoot with.

Comments about Nikon MB-40 Multi-Power Battery Pack:

I use this on my F6 most of the time. I fit it with the EN-EL4 battery (with the BL-3 cover). The grip gives vertical controls and increases frame rate to 8 fps. The power options are either AA cells or an EL-EL4 or EN-EL4a.

I never use the AA cells, but they have the advantage of being available nearly everywhere you might go, as opposed to the CR-123's, as well as being cheaper.

The grip construction is first rate, and has a solid feel to it. The fit to the camera is nearly perfect, although the F6 becomes larger and taller then the F5 when used with the grip.

Battery life with the EN-EL4 is great, and I haven't had an issue with it yet. I don't shoot too much film in volume, but the battery life lasts roll after roll and I tend to periodically charge the battery because too much time has elapsed rather then low battery indications.

My biggest gripe about the pack is that Nikon didn't see fit to add the BL-3 as a standard accessory, and it was rarer then a hen's tooth until the MB-D10 was introduced with the D300. I was literally looking for the cover for over a year. Fortunately they are in plentiful supply now.