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Vertical Power-Booster Grips

The VPB‑XH1 vertical power-booster grip can be used to supplement the camera battery or when holding the camera rotated to take pictures in portrait (“tall”) orientation.

[Q] (quick menu) button

Shutter button

Control lock

Front command dial/
role selection button

Lock screw knob

Tripod socket

Eyelet for camera strap

[Fn1] (function 1) button

9 V DC-IN connector

Headphone jack socket

Connector

Lock screw

Compartment for connector cover supplied with camera

[AF-ON] button

[AF-L] button

Rear command dial/
focus assist button

Focus stick (focus lever)

Indicator lamps

Performance selector

Battery tray

Battery-chamber cover latch

Connector cover

All controls perform the same function as the matching controls on the camera.

Attaching the Power-Booster Grip

Check that the camera is off before attaching or removing the power-booster grip. The camera vertical power-booster grip contact cover (A) can be stored in the grip. Keep the grip contact cap (B) in a safe place when not in use.

Fully tighten the lock screw knob after attaching the grip. After removing the grip, replace the grip contact cover (A) and contact cap (B). Do not touch the contacts.

The grip is not waterproof, and caution is required to prevent the entry of dirt, dust, water, noxious gases, salt, and other foreign matter. Do not place the grip on wet surfaces. Before use, be sure that the battery tray and battery-chamber cover are fully closed.

Inserting and Removing Batteries

Insert the batteries as shown.

The batteries can be removed as shown.

Use only NP-W126S batteries. Be sure the camera is off before exchanging batteries.

Battery Level

When the VPB‑XH1 is connected, the camera battery level display shows the camera battery level and the level of the batteries inserted in the VPB‑XH1. When a full complement of batteries are inserted in the camera and the VPB-XH1, the left battery in the VPB-XH1 () will be used until no charge remains, followed by the right battery () and finally by the camera battery ().

A “checking battery level” indicator will be displayed when the camera detects that charge remains in the grip batteries. The display changes to the battery level once the camera has determined the amount of charge remaining.

Using the VPB-XH1

When a power-booster grip is attached, the performance selector can be used to improve shutter response and boost the frame advance rate in continuous (burst) mode.

Position Maximum frame rate * Release lag
[BOOST] (boosted) 11 fps † 45 ms †
[NORMAL] (normal) 8.0 fps 50 ms

* Regardless of the option chosen with the performance selector, the maximum frame rate with electronic shutter is 14 fps.

† Requires at least two batteries with some charge remaining, or if an AC power adapter is connected, a battery with some charge remaining inserted in the camera. Maximum frame rate if these conditions are not met is 8.0 fps.

Movie recording, long time-exposures, or burst or interval timer photography may end unexpectedly depending on the battery level or temperature.

The performance selector takes priority over the option chosen for [POWER MANAGEMENT] > [PERFORMANCE].

Charging the Batteries

The batteries in the VPB‑XH1 can be charged when the camera is off or the grip is removed from the camera. Connect the grip’s supplied AC‑9VS AC power adapter to the 9V DC-IN connector. The indicator lamps will light green while the battery charges; the lamp on the left shows the status of the left battery, the lamp on the right the status of the right battery.

Indicator lamp Battery status
Off Charging complete
On Charging in progress
Blinks Charging fault

The batteries charge simultaneously; charging takes about two hours. The batteries will not charge while the camera is on, but power will be supplied to the camera. For more information, see “Charging the Battery” and “For Your Safety”.

Use only the supplied AC power adapter.

Using the AC-9VS Power Adapter

Connect the power cable to the AC-9VS and plug it into a power outlet.

The supplied power cable is for use exclusively with the AC-9VS. Do not the adapter with other cords or the cable with other devices.