One of the exciting accessories Panasonic has brought with the new GH3 is an official battery grip. Since the new Panasonic DMC-GH3 is targeting more professional shooters, they are offering this Panasonic Battery Grip for Lumix DMC-GH3 Digital Camera (found here). Finally, longer run times with dual batteries, but it comes with a near $300 dollar price tag.
The grip attaches under the Panasonic DMC-GH3 camera body and uses an 18 pin connection for communication. One neat feature is that the original battery door can remain on the camera, so you can quickly move from 'gripped' body to 'non-gripped' body simply by unscrewing the grip.
The grip can only house one battery, so if you're looking for additional run-time you would leave one battery in the camera body and one in the battery grip. This will take just a few seconds more to swap out the internal battery, but nothing overly cumbersome for the benefit of more battery life. Note: If you only plan to run one battery, it can be store either in the camera or in the grip, and the camera will still power on.
The grip will add a bit more balance to the Panasonic DMC-GH3 along with some quick function buttons, and scroll wheels when holding in portrait orientation. Mostly photographers will benefit from a grip like this, but video shooters looking for more area to grip on the small camera, or looking to double their battery life will find this a must have also. Price is high on this grip, but let's hope there are more affordable aftermarket versions available soon.
Panasonic Battery Grip for DMC-GH3
Ben
I have the Grip but have not been able to get the can to switch to the bat grip for power, Notice this?
jefef
Not perfect, but I am able to get the Carry Speed VF-3 to work on my GH-3 and Battery Grip.
I took off one of the two bottom screws on the Carry Speed so that I could move the loupe over enough to the left. (For some weird reason, Panasonic put the Battery Grip's bottom hole off axis, far to the right).
In this setup, the VF-3 cuts off the left side of the GH-3's LCD by a small bit when set to 16:9. It doesn't seem to be a big deal, but its not perfect.
Jon
@Emm - Great! Thanks for testing it out.
Emm
Post author@Jon - Funny you ask. I was just flying the Gh3 on Skyler with no grip. Used the 12-35mm. Works great.
Jon
Emm- Random question but will the GH3 be difficult to fly on the Skyler Minicam since its already so light? Would added weight like a battery grip be necessary for it to stabilize better? Im really looking forward to getting this camera.
Thanks
Lee Mullen
I'm trying to get some information out of Panasonic Australia as to why the GH3 still has not been released in our country despite the strong Aussie $ and a booming economy! Seems Panasonic do nothing but shoot themselves in the foot quite often!
You can even buy the GH3 is an almost BANKRUPT nation like Greece or Ireland!! Pathetic.
Al Dolega
I don't get why the tripod mount is off-center on the grip. I want to use the grip when shooting video, to extend battery life, but it looks like I won't be able to mount my QR plate in the right place; it would be off to the right side of the camera.
Ron Baselice
I know , it's just convincing my editors that I need one is the issue,lol
Emm
Post author@Ron @Ed - The EVF on the GH3 is pretty amazing, but if you need all the articulation, I might suggest an external HDMI EVF over an LCD View Finder. The touch screen is very handy on the GH3 so you probably don't want to block it. Another note is that it will display on the LCD screen at the same time it displays through HDMI. Canon DSLRs don't offer this.
Ron Baselice
I guess that also means the Zucato Z-frames won't work either
Ed
bummer
Emm
Post author@Ed - It does not line up correctly to the GH3 even with the grip. I just tried it.
Ed
Emm- could you confirm if the Carry Speed VF-3 works any better with the GH3 with this battery grip? Love that VF but it doesn't seem to work with any stock GH cams.
thanks :^)
Emm
Post author@Henry - Yes it would fit with headroom, but the tripod mount is re-located on the grip. Will have to see how far it shifts.
Henry
Hi Emm, will the GH3 [battery grip attached] fit in the P&C GearBox? Is there enough Headroom?
thanks.