To Grip Or Not To Grip (Canon BG-E6 Battery Grip)....

It seems that both proponents and opponents of battery grips feel strongly about their use. I'd like to hearwhat both sides have to say.


My generalusekitis a 5D Mark II with a 24-70mm f/2.8 <span style="color: #ff0000;"]L attached. Although I findthis setup quite well balanced,I am considering a battery grip for two reasons:

1. I shoot in portrait orientation at least 50% of the time.
2. Heavier lenses (EF 70-200mm f/2.8 <span style="color: #ff0000;"]L IS, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 <span style="color: #ff0000;"]L IS) are quite front heavy and I'd like to balance them out

Battery life has not proven to be an issue for me but if I got a grip I would more times than not install two batteries in it. I am really hoping to improve the overall ergonomics of my setup (especially when shooting in portrait orientation).


Concerns are:

1. Cumbersome -Putting the camera down...with a grip the camera/lens combo no longer sits nicely on its base. One solution is to lay the camera on its left side. Does this work well for you?
2. Bulk - Does the added size/weight detract from theutility of the battery grip? Many people complain of the weight of the 24-70mm f/2.8 <span style="color: #ff0000;"]L <span style="color: #000000;"]alone<span style="color: #000000;"]. I am not one of those people. I think it compliments the 5D perfectly. When I put my EF 50mm f/1.4 on I feel like my camera is going to float away!

That's all that I can think of for now. I'm looking forward to your feedback.


Thanks!

If size and weight doesn't bother you (as it doesn't bother me), then once you use a camera with a battery grip you'll insist on always having one. I've had a battery grip on my XTi, 50D, and 7D. The battery grip lets you shoot longer as you're doubling your battery capacity. The grip makes the camera more substantial in your hands; it simply feels better. And there's no comparison when shooting in portrait orientation. In addition to all those pros, I'd like to add one more--an indication of professionalism. When you have a battery grip on your camera, you distinguish yourself from every Joe Bob who has a Rebel series camera. That goes a long way in justifying a professional price when charging for your services.

Thanks Sean. All good points. I've been leaning in the direction of adding a grip for quite some time now. I guess I was just fishing for some reassurance. What I don't want to hear is, "I thought it was great when I first bought it but it sits in my bag more than on my camera."

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Originally Posted by Mark Elberson

What I don't want to hear is, "I thought it was great when I first bought it but it sits in my bag more than on my camera."

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I thought it was great when I first bought it, and I still do, and since the day I first put it on the camera it hasn't been taken off, not even once. That sounds more like what you want to here, and at least in my case, it's absolutely true.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by neuroanatomist

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mark Elberson

What I don't want to hear is, "I thought it was great when I first bought it but it sits in my bag more than on my camera."

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I thought it was great when I first bought it, and I still do, and since the day I first put it on the camera it hasn't been taken off, not even once. That sounds more like what you want to here, and at least in my case, it's absolutely true.
<div style="CLEAR: both"]</div>

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[Y] [;)] [Y]

I've got one for my XTi and I love it, it doesn't ever leave my camera. I haven't found that setting it down and letting it lean on the front of thens to be an issue, usually rests on the lens hood actually. And like Sean said it helps out very much when shooting portrait orientation, much more comfortable, looks better that way too. IF you go with it I'm sure you'll love it.

There's only one circumstance in which I would take off the battery grip--and that's if I were shooting this shot again:


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/...ebddcf73e6.jpg


Apparently, having the battery grip on the camera added just a little too much weight for (or rather, distributed the weight to put excess strain on) the Fat Gecko suction cup camera mount. The mounting arm slowly started moving downward just after this shot. My heart sunkinto the floorboard because I thought the camera was going to fall onto the ground while I was driving. Fortunately, it was just the arm joint that loosened--the suction cups held firm. I decided from that point on I wouldn't use my 50D with the battery grip in that particular setup. ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sean Setters

In addition to all those pros, I'd like to add one more--an indication of professionalism. When you have a battery grip on your camera, you distinguish yourself from every Joe Bob who has a Rebel series camera. That goes a long way in justifying a professional price when charging for your services.

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I have never thought of this one, but it DOES make sense [Y]

I remember when I was first debating the battery grip. I bought it and havn't doubted it since. It has only been removed from my camera maybe three times at the most. Twice to show people what it was all about and once because I was going biking and wanted less wait (it was just draped over my shoulder.) OTherwise there really is no reason to take it off and have it sit in the bag. The whole thought of it, and I mean the grip not other accessorieds, sitting in the bag is foregin to me. There is almost no reason for it to be there. ONce it goes on, it stays on. You will not regret it. And oh yeah, the weight issue, I love the extra weight. It adds a solid feeling to the camera.

Mark-


I use my 5DII both with and without the grip. I'm not a pro- I just shoot for fun. I tend to don't use the grip when I take the camera on family trips in which photography is not the main focus. Not so much the weight, but the bulk can get in the way. (Also, I have to admit I feel like a bit of a geek taking serious looking equipment to say, the La Brea Tar Pits with the kids) I also take the grip off for astrophotography: the less weight the better for astro and the grip gives no advantage there.


In situations where non-astro photography is the focus, I use the grip. I like it enough that if it happens to be off in a scenario in which I prefer to use it, I almost always take the trouble to put it on. Weight, feel, stability, battery life, and vertical grip/button are all advantages.


If you're looking to improve ergonomics in portrait orientation, IMO the grip will do that very well.