Nikon D100 SLR Review

The optional MB-D100 Multi Function Battery Pack gives you more camera to grip when using large or heavy lenses and flash units. It also adds voice-memo capability, a vertical shutter release button with command and sub-command dials, an AF start button and a 10-pin remote terminal. And the ability to use one or two of the EN-EL3 battery packs or six AA-size batteries to power the camera.

Although we like our cameras as small and light as possible, the MB-D100 "completes" the D100 perfectly. The additional substance it provides makes the camera very easy to hold steady and helps to counter balance the weight of long zoom or large and heavy prime telephoto lenses. And the addition of a portrait grip, shutter release and secondary controls is priceless when using it in the vertical orientation.

If you're a serious user of the D100 then make the MB-D100 a "must have" accessory. Once you use the D100 and a zoom lens with the MB-D100, you'll have a difficult time using the camera again without it ...

The MB-D100 is a lightweight (7.4 oz excluding batteries) addition for your D100 camera. Installation is quick and simple. Open the battery door, remove the EN-EL3 battery pack and then remove the battery door. On the other side of the bottom of the D100 is a small rubber cap that covers the electrical contacts used by the MB-D100. Both the battery door and rubber cap have special "keeper" locations on the MB-D100 that prevent their loss.

The MB-D100 slides up into the empty battery chamber and screws onto the D100's tripod socket. Attach it snugly by turning the large knurled mounting screw.

You do not lose the ability to mount the camera on a tripod, there is a centrally located tripod socket on the flat bottom of the MB-D100.

Once attached you can now place one or two of the EN-EL3 lithium battery packs in the MB-D100. The EN-EL3 can yield up to 1600 shots per charge depending on LCD and flash useage. Alternately you can use the supplied MS-D100 battery carrier that holds six AA-size batteries. Alkaline, lithium or NiMH type cells can be used. Nikon claims that alkaline batteries can yield up to 400 shots.

On the back of the MB-D100 is the battery door latch, on the left is the microphone and the voice memo record/playback lamp. On the right is the portrait mode AE/AF lock button and main command dial.

On the right side is the lock lever for the portrait mode shutter release button and on the front corner is the sub-command dial.

On the left side is the voice memo record/playback button, speaker and the 10-pin connector for attaching: MC-20, MC-22 and MC-30 remote cords, MC21 extension cord, MC-23 connecting cord, MC-25 adapter cord, ML-2 and ML-3 modulite remote control sets.

Custom Setting 25 Batt PK AF Btn - Set the function of the AE-L/AF-L and focus area selector button as follows:

CSM 14 + Focus Area (default) - Performs same function as AE-L/AF-L button and selects focus area.

Same as CSM 14 - Performs same function as AE-L/AF-L button

Focus Area Only - Selects only focus area, does not function as AE-L/AF-L button.

Voice memos are "attached" to images during playback. Press and hold the Voice Memo button and record the desired notation. These memos can be from one to twenty seconds in length, depends on how long you keep the button pressed.

When you review captured images you will see a small "musical note" icon in the upper lefthand corner of those that have memos. Press the voice memo button to play the associated memo.

While viewing an image with a voice memo attached, when you press the delete button this is the on-screen prompt. You can delete the image and sound file or just the sound file.