I don't know how popular the D5000 is as a camera since it's pretty pricey for an entry level, but it's what I've got.

I was pretty excited to have received the Zeikos ZE-NGB5000 vertical grip for xmas. The ability to tote around dual batteries and have that extra reinforcement made me very happy with my camera. But alot of that excitement went away as soon as I got a second battery. The camera gives an error message if I run both batteries in the grip at the same time, but works perfectly fine with one or the other, in either location of the grip.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has this combination, or experience with Zeikos, or at least has come across someone else (internet or otherwise) with a similar situation. All of my googles return reviews and product information and nothing else.

I've been in communication with Zeikos and they didn't seem to really recognize that there might be a problem (or admitted to anything being documented) but is sending me a new one after I had to send mine in.

So here's to hoping that the new grip works.

lol @ member #1 with a generic +1 response. thanks for your support! lol!

personally i never understood the need to make your camera more bulky, but the D5000's body is small enough that the grip is a huge improvement. the biggest problem i have now is that it doesn't fit in my bag as well as it used to. the extra cable on the side is a bummer, but the feel, stability, side button and dual battery is a huge plus (obviously). i just hope this fixes the issue. it kind of defeats the purpose if i can't run two batteries.

I actually really enjoy the grip and will always get one with whatever body im using...

different strokes!

Got the grip today. Still no dice. I've sent an email out to Adorama too. The batteries I have each have their own identification number on them. I'm assuming it's some sort of serial number, but if it's a model number, it could be the cause for incompatibility. I'm also going to contact Nikon to see if they have any insight into the matter.

welp i just got off of the phone with Nikon and after speaking to three different people:

• 1st person said that there was an "official" grip for the D40, that works with the D5000 and to call the Mall for more info.
• (2nd person) Mall said that there is no such thing and my search on their site also showed nothing. Malls gives me "correct" technical support phone number (that leads me to the exact same menu tree).
• 3rd person said that the comment on an official grip for the D40, D3000 and D5000 is completely wrong and that there is no grip and that there is no support. He also said that because Nikon doesn't have a grip, there's no reason to support it with documentation stating that aftermarket grips will not work.

Now it comes down to Zeikos and/or Adorama. So many manufs. sell these grips, yet none of them actually work. So disappointing.

Originally Posted by a.hoglen

ahhh, it's one of those corded grips... both batteries are en-el3es... so it should work.

it should definitely work. not sure what the technology is behind this, but my camera "sometimes" works with both batteries. i'd say 1/10 times it works. i've tried all sorts of combinations of using the cable, not using the cable, etc., etc. i just can't get it to consistently work.

but the fact that it sometimes works intriques me. it makes me wonder if something is missing or just needs to be configured...

fwiw, there's a Chinese brand out there called Meike with an identical grip to the Zeikos that can be found at linkdelight: Vertical Shutter Battery Grip for Nikon D5000 Camera

i've sent them an email to find out more information about the grip, but now i'm curious if they're identical. early d5000 adopters have been using the Meike brand with great success. i'm really put off that my camera wants to act retarded about the whole situation. why can't it just work?

no and i wish. lol. what i'd like to try is a non "a" battery to see if that makes a difference. both of the batteries work independently, so whatever the problem may be, i'm not able to identify it.

fyi to everyone who's responded any anyone else that might be interested in additional information; this is straight from Zeikos:

Sorry for the delay. We are working on a good fix. In the meantime, the factory told us that if you hold the shutter release button for 3-4 seconds, it will recognize the 2 batteries. This is temporary, but it should work.

nikon doesn't want to hear it. since it's not their product and they don't make a specific grip, they don't support, nor will they offer to troubleshoot it. if anything, i wouldn't be surprised if they claimed the use of two batteries would void warranty, etc., etc.