Vello BG-N1 User manual

BG-N1
BATTERY GRIP
Designed For The Nikon D300,
D300s And D700 SLR Cameras
USER
’
S MANUAL

Introduction
Thank you for choosing Vello and congratulations
on your new BG-N1battery grip purchase. Enjoy
the many benefits that a battery grip offers, such as
extended shooting time and more control and comfort
when shooting in a vertical (portrait) orientation.
The Vello BG-N1is compatible with the Nikon
D300, D300s and D700 DSLR cameras. The BG-N1
accepts one Nikon EN-EL3e, EN-EL4a, or EN-EL4
rechargeable battery, in addition to the camera’s
internal battery. Eight AA batteries (alkaline, Ni-MH,
lithium, or nickel-manganese) can be used instead for
added convenience. The BG-N1is equipped with an
alternate shutter-release button, AF-ON button, multi
selector, and main and sub-command dials for shooting
in a vertical position. Please read through this entire manual before using the
BG-N1battery grip.
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Precautions
1. The BG-N1should only be used with compatible
devices specified in this manual.
2. Only use with batteries and battery holders
recommended in this manual. The BG-N1can
not be used with Nikon EN-EL3a/EN-EL3 Li-ion
batteries or other battery holders.
3. Cover the power terminals with the contact cap
when the BG-N1is not in use. This prevents
electrical shorts caused by metal objects touching
the power terminals.
4. When the battery holder is removed from the
grip, remove the batteries or place the holder in
a container to prevent electrical shorts caused by
contact with other metal objects.
5. The memory card access lamp may light up when
the BG-N1is mounted or removed from the
camera. This is part of the normal operation.
6. If you notice smoke, an unusual smell or noise from
the battery pack, discontinue use immediately.
Remove the batteries and take the device to a
Vello authorized reseller.
7. The BG-N1does not have a power switch.
Instead, use the camera power switch to turn the
power on or off.
8. The battery level may not display properly if
batteries are inserted before mounting the grip.
9. Remove batteries from the grip when not in use.
10. Do not attempt to disassemble.
11. Avoid water or extreme humidity and keep in a
dry and cool place.
12 . Keep out of reach of children.
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OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION

Overview
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OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION
1Sub-Command Dial *
2Shutter-Release Button *
3Control Lock Switch
To prevent accidental triggering, the
control lock switch locks the shutter-
release button, AE-ON button, multi
selector dial, as well as the main and
sub-command dials on the BG-N1.
Unlock prior to use by switching to
the position. The control lock is not
a power switch.
4Tripod Socket
5Mounting Screw
6Power Terminals
7Contact Cap
8Camera Contact Cover Holder
9Signal Contacts
10 AF-ON Button *
11 Main Command Dial *
12 Multi Selector *
13 Attachment Wheel
14 Battery Chamber Cover
15 Battery Chamber Latch
16 Battery Chamber
17 BC-N1Battery Holder
For Nikon EN-EL4a or EN-EL4
batteries.
18 EN-EL3eBattery Holder
Holder for Nikon EN-EL3e batteries.
19 Power Terminals (EN-EL3e Holder)
20 AA Battery Holder
Holder for eight AA batteries.
21 Power Terminals (AA Holder)
* These controls perform the same
function as their on-camera equivalents
and are affected by changes to the
Custom Settings menu (Group a for
the AF-ON button, Group f for other
controls). See camera manual for
details.
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Attaching The Grip
1. Ensure that the power is
turned off on the camera
and that the Control Lock
on the BG-N1is in the L
position before attaching
the grip.
2. Remove the contact cap
from the BG-N1battery
grip. Replace the cap when
not in use to protect the
contacts.
3. The contacts for the BG-
N1are on the bottom of
the camera where they
are protected by a contact
cover. Remove the contact
cover before mounting the
grip.
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4. To prevent loss, place the
camera contact cover in
the contact cover holder
on the BG-N1.
5. Connect the BG-N1
grip to the camera,
while aligning the grip’s
mounting screw with the
camera’s tripod socket.
6. Rotate the attachment
wheel in the direction
shown by the LOCK arrow
until it is firmly tightened.
Removing the battery from
the camera before mounting
the grip is not required.
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OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION

Inserting Batteries
1. Ensure that the power is
turned off on the camera
and the Control Lock on
the BG-N1is in the L
position. Turn the battery-
chamber latch counter-
clockwise to open the
battery chamber door.
2. Remove the battery
holder from the BG-N1
grip. The EN-EL3e battery
holder comes pre-installed
when shipped.
3. Nikon EN-EL3e Batteries:
Matching the indentations
on the battery with the
EN-EL3e holder, press
the battery down and
slide it in the direction of
the arrow until the power
terminals click into place.
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4. Nikon EN-EL4a/EN-EL4:
Slide the battery release
latch toward the arrow.
Insert the two projections
from the battery into the
matching slots on the BC-
N1holder and slide the
release latch to lock.
5. AA Batteries: Place eight
AA batteries of the same
type in the AA battery
holder as shown, while
ensuring that they are in
the correct orientation.
6. Insert the battery holder
into the grip. Close the
battery chamber and then
turn the latch clockwise
to lock. Turn the camera
on and check the battery
level in the control panel
or viewfinder.
OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION
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The camera displays the following battery levels .
Nikon EN-EL3e, EN-EL4a, and EN-EL4 Batteries:
Control Panel Viewfinder Description
Battery fully
charged.
Battery partially
discharged.
Low battery.
Prepare spare
batteries.
(blinking) (blinking)
Battery
exhausted.
Shutter release is
disabled.
AA Batteries:
Control Panel Viewfinder Description
Battery fully
charged.
Low battery.
Prepare spare
batteries.
(blinking) (blinking)
Battery
exhausted.
Shutter release is
disabled.
Battery Info
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AA Battery Settings
To ensure that the
camera shows the
correct battery level
when AA batteries
are used, choose the
appropriate setting in
the Custom Settings
menu (Group d).
Nikon Rechargeable
Batteries
The camera can display
information (including
calibration information)
for Nikon EN-EL3e,
EN-EL4a and EN-
EL4 batteries via the
Battery Info option in the Setup Menu. Only battery
levels are displayed for AA batteries.
Battery Order
Set the order in which the
internal camera and BG-N1
batteries are used via the
Custom Settings menu (Group d). When the camera is
drawing power from the BG-N1, a icon is displayed
in the control panel.
Battery Type Menu Option To Select
AA alkaline (LR6) LR6 (AA alkaline)
AA Ni-MH (HR6) HR6 (AA Ni-MH)
AA Lithium (FR6) FR6 (AA lithium)
AA nickel-manganese (ZR6) ZR6 (AA Ni-Mn)
Note: The menu screens on this page are from the D300.
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OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION

1. EN-EL3e Holder: While
pressing and holding the
PUSH button on the
holder, slide the battery
toward the button and lift
up to remove.
2. BC-N1Holder: Slide the
battery release in the
direction indicated by the
arrow and remove the
battery.
3. AA Holder: Remove the
batteries one row at a
time (as shown). Ensure
that the batteries do not
drop during this process.
Removing The Batteries
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EN-EL3e Batteries
At low temperatures of about 50° F (10° C) and
below, the Nikon EN-EL3e batteries will decrease in
performance. Warming up a cold battery can recover
some of the lost charge. AA batteries have less capacity
and lose more performance at low temperatures.
EN-EL4a/EN-EL4/AA Batteries
EN-EL4a/EN-EL4 and AA batteries support higher
frame advance rates than the EN-EL3e. See the camera
manual for more information on frame advance rates.
AA Batteries
In most cases, Nikon EN-EL4a, EN-EL4, and EN-EL3e
batteries will provide better performance than AA
batteries when used in the Vello BG-N1. AA LR6
alkaline and ZR6 nickel- manganese batteries have
limited capacity and therefore should only be used
when there is no other alternative. Performance of AA
batteries decreases significantly at temperatures below
68 °F (20 °C) and is therefore not recommended.
Remove the batteries when the BG-N1 is not in use.
Battery & Power
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OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION

Specifications
Power Source One EN-EL3e, EN-EL4a, or EN-EL4 rechargeable Li-ion battery or eight LR6
Alkaline, HR6 Ni-MH, FR6 Lithium, or ZR6 Nickel-Manganese AA batteries
Operating Temperature 32 – 104 °F (0 – 40 °C)
Dimensions Approximately 150.5 x 52 x 75.5 mm/5.9 x 2.0 x 3.0 in.
Weight Approximately 290 g (10.2 oz.), with EN-EL3e battery holder (excluding batteries)
* Approximate measurements.
Specifications and design are subject to change without notice.
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Warranty
Vello provides a limited warranty that this product is free from defects in materials and work-
manship to the original purchaser under normal use for a period of one (1) year from the
original purchase date.Vello’s responsibility with respect to this limited warranty shall be lim-
ited solely to repair or replacement, at its option, of any product which fails during normal
consumer use.This warranty does not extend to damage or failure which results from misuse,
neglect, accident, alteration, abuse, improper installation or maintenance. To obtain a replace-
ment during the time of this warranty, please return the defective item with proof of purchase
along with an RMA number to the place of purchase. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

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