Vello BG-N2 User manual

BG-N2
BATTERY GRIP
Designed For The Nikon D80
And D90 Cameras
USER
’
S MANUAL

Introduction
Thank you for choosing Vello and congratulations
on your new BG-N2 battery 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-N2 is compatible with the Nikon D80
and D90 DSLR cameras. Up to (2) Nikon EN-EL3e
rechargeable batteries may be used to increase your
shooting time, or six AA batteries (alkaline, Ni-MH,
lithium, or nickel-manganese) for added convenience.
The BG-N2 is equipped with an alternate shutter-
release button, an AE-L/AF-L button, and main
and sub-command dials for shooting in a vertical
orientation.
Please read through this entire manual before
using the BG-N2 battery grip.
2

Precautions
1. The BG-N2 should only be used with compatible
devices specified in this manual.
2. Only use with batteries and battery holders
recommended in this manual. The BG-N2 can
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-N2 is not in use. This prevents
electrical shorts caused by metal objects touching
the power terminals.
4. When the AA battery holder is removed from the
BG-N2, remove the batteries or place the holder
in a container to prevent electrical shorts caused
by contact with other metal objects.
5. 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.
6. The BG-N2 does not have a power switch.
Instead, use the camera power switch to turn the
power on or off.
7. The battery level may not display properly if
batteries are inserted before mounting the grip.
8. Remove batteries from the grip when not in use.
9. Do not attempt to disassemble.
10. Avoid water or extreme humidity and keep in a
dry and cool place.
11. Keep out of reach of children.
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OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION

Overview
Battery Chamber
15
1
4
2
3
5
6
7
8
10
9
111213
14
16
17 18
19
20
4

OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION
1Battery Chamber Cover Holder
2Sub-Command Dial *
The sub-command dial performs the
same function as on the camera.
3Tripod Socket
4Shutter-Release Button
The BG-N2 provides an alternate
shutter-release button which
performs the same functions as the
shutter-release on the camera.
5Control Lock Switch
To prevent accidental triggering, the
control lock switch locks the shutter-
release button, AE-L/AF-L button, as
well as the main and sub-command
dials on the BG-N2. Unlock prior to
use by switching to the position.
The control lock is not a power
switch.
6Contact Cap
7Signal Contacts
8Power Terminals
9AE-L/AF-L Button
The BG-N2 provides an alternate
AE-L/AF-L button. On the Nikon
D90, the AE-L/AF-L button can be
customized using Custom Setting a6.
10 Main Command Dial *
The main command dial performs
the same function as on the camera.
11 Battery Chamber Cover
12 Battery Chamber Latch
13 Attachment Wheel
14 Mounting Screw
15 Battery Chamber
16 Battery Latches
17 Left Battery Slot
18 Right Battery Slot
19 AA Battery Holder
20 Battery Holder Power Terminals
* Changes to Custom Setting 15 on the D80
or to Custom Setting f5 on the D90 also affect
the main and sub-command dials on the BG-
N2 (See camera manual for details).
5

Attaching The Grip
1. Ensure that the power is
turned off on the camera
and that the Control Lock
on the BG-N2 is in the L
position before attaching
the grip.
2. Remove the contact cap
from the BG-N2 grip.
This cap can slide onto
the camera strap when
removed from the grip.
Replace the cap when not
in use to protect the metal
contacts.
3. Open and remove the
battery-chamber cover
from the bottom of the
camera handgrip and
remove battery, if present.
6

4. To prevent loss, slide
the cover into the cover
holder on the BG-N2.
5. Insert the BG-N2 grip
into the camera’s battery
chamber (as shown).
6. Rotate the attachment
wheel in the direction
shown by the LOCK arrow
until it is firmly tightened.
The BG-N2 grip can also be
inserted in the camera after
the battery or battery holder
is inserted.
7
OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION

Inserting Batteries
1. Ensure that the power is
turned off on the camera
and that the Control Lock
on the BG-N2 is in the L
position.
2. Turn the battery-chamber
latch counter-clockwise to
open the BG-N2 battery
chamber door.
3. Nikon EN-EL3e Batteries:
Insert one or two batteries
into either of the battery
chambers. The battery
latch will slide aside during
insertion and pop up to
lock the battery in place
when fully inserted.
A
A
B
B
C
8

4. AA Batteries: Place six AA
batteries in the AA battery holder
as shown and slide the holder
into the battery chamber. Two
battery latches lock the battery
holder in place when fully inserted.
Note: When using AA batteries, all six
batteries must be of the same type.
5. Close the battery chamber
and then turn the latch
clockwise to lock it.
Turn the camera on and
check the battery level
in the control panel or
viewfinder.
A
B
B
9
OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION

The camera displays the following battery levels .
Nikon EN-EL3e 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
10

AA Battery Settings
To ensure that the
camera shows the
correct battery level
when AA batteries
are used, choose the
appropriate setting for
Custom Setting 32 in
the Custom Settings menu for the D80, or for Custom
Setting d12 in the Custom Settings menu for the D90.
EN-EL3e Battery Info
The camera can
display information
on the Nikon EN-
EL3e batteries via the
Battery info option
in the Setup Menu.
Battery information is
listed separately for each battery slot. The Nikon D80
does not display battery information for AA batteries,
while the D90 only displays the battery level. (See
camera manual for details)
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 D80.
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OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION

Removing The Batteries
1. Being careful not to drop the battery or holder, remove them as shown below.
2. Remove the AA batteries using the holes on the back of the battery holder. Ensure that
the batteries do not fall when removing them.
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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. Use EN-EL3e batteries if
possible. AA batteries have less capacity and lose more
performance at low temperatures.
AA Batteries
In most cases, Nikon EN-EL3e batteries will provide
more performance than AA batteries when used in
the Vello BG-N2. 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 20 °C (68 °F) and
is not recommended. The AA battery holder is pre-
inserted at the time of shipment.
Using an AC Adapter
Remove the AA batteries before connecting an AC
adapter, if the BG-N2 is inserted in the camera. Failure
to observe this precaution may shorten the life of AA
batteries.
Remove the batteries when the BG-N2 is not in use.
Battery & Power
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OVERVIEW INTRODUCTIONASSEMBLYOPERATION

Specifications
Power Source One or two Nikon EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion batteries; six LR6 alkaline, HR6 Ni-MH,
FR6 lithium, or ZR6 nickel-manganese AA batteries
Battery Life Nikon D80: Approximately 5000 shots (two EN-EL3e batteries), 2500 shots (one EN-
EL3e battery), or 480 shots (alkaline batteries). *
Nikon D90: Approximately 8400 shots (two EN-EL3e batteries), 4200 shots (one EN-
EL3e battery), or 1900 shots (alkaline batteries). *
Operating Temperature 32 – 104 °F (0 – 40 °C)
Dimensions Approximately 138 (W) x 73.5 (D) x 110 (H) mm/5.4 x 2.9 × 4.3 in.
Weight Approximately 230 g (7.4 oz.) (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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