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.

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Originally Posted by neuroanatomist

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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.
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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. ;-)

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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.

For all of the reason mentioned by the other posters and one more: I hate my pinky finger falling off of the bottom of the camera. Its a camera, not a tea cup and pinky fingers shouldn't be extended when taking pictures------So go for the grip.





Bob

Although weight is an issue, I believe for me the advantages ofhaving a battery grip far outweigh the disadvantages. I have the battery grip for both my 5D MKII and 50D. I have also never really had an issue with the weight and I believe having easier access to those controls at portrait orientation is good enough. But when I had to run out to shoot without charging my batteries, the second battery saved the day.

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Originally Posted by Mark Elberson

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;"].

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A word ofconcern, since youuse this lens.


A grip may(but does not have to) make a difference when you shoot on the tripod, because it is not as rigid as the camera body itself, and, is likely going to be theweakest element out of tripod/head/grip/camera combo. Now, since the 24-70 2.8L is heavy and not designed to be used with a tripod collar (at least to my knowledge), that grip flexibility is more likely to affect your pictures. Ideally, do your own research put your 5D2&amp;24-70L on a tripod with and without the grip, wiggle it by the lens and seeifstability of thegrip issatisfactory for you.


That is what I did and decided against the grip (for on tripod use only). All other concerns of using the grip (size, awkwardness) are not factors for me. I put the camera down on its left side as well.

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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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Yeah, well... I've a big, fat portfolio to back up my A570IS. When it comes to a d*** swinging contest, I'll win the show and tell. Nope. No battery grip envy here.

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Originally Posted by Sean Setters

I've had a battery grip on my XTi, 50D, and 7D.

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What?! Did I miss this? Sean when did you get the 7D. I think I'm upgrading my my crop to a 7D soon from my 40D. How do you like it?


To keep from completely hijacking this thread, I will probably put a grip on my 7D. I don't really feel the need on my 5D2.

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Originally Posted by Mark Elberson

1. One solution is to lay the camera on its left side. Does this work well for you?

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Yes.

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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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When I was still using an XTi with a grip I had a customer point to my camera and ask, "what makes your camera better than a Rebel?"


I answered, Me.


Mark

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Originally Posted by Keith B

What?! Did I miss this? Sean when did you get the 7D. I think I'm upgrading my my crop to a 7D soon from my 40D. How do you like it?


To keep from completely hijacking this thread, I will probably put a grip on my 7D. I don't really feel the need on my 5D2.
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I got the 7D last week--I paid for it with the money the IRS has been keeping from me this year. ;-)


So far I like it. I've been having a blast with the video functionality. I haven't quite gotten a hang of all the focus modes. I actually read some of the manual this evening and learned a few things. One thing I learned--the RC-1 that I sold with my XTi would have worked with the 7D (it didn't work with the 50D). I said a nice little curse word when I found that out...

Had the same dilemma before. I had my XT with the 24-70L and 580 EXII. I shoot a lot of portraits before, usually around 200 shots on that day. I don't have the grip on it. At the end of the day, my hand felt sore and so are my muscles on my right hand. Heck, I can't even shoot very well in portrait mode the next day! Then I've upgraded to a 50D. I started without the grip but then again, muscle pains (not to mention the 50D is heavier than the XT). Now I got a grip on my 50D and it works wonders. A bit side heavy if you tend to put the flash on the hot shoe. Sure, it's bulky and heavier, but atleast it works for me most of the time. I wish it also had the AF ON button for live view purposes. :(

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Originally Posted by MikeWhy

Yeah, well... I've a big, fat portfolio to back up my A570IS. When it comes to a d*** swinging contest, I'll win the show and tell.

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Not if I hang my 40D with battery grip off my d*** and start swinging you won't.





Personally I always use the grip.I shoot in portrait orientation a lot and it helps me stay steadier and shoot for longer periods despite the added weight.

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Originally Posted by Keith B

I think I'm upgrading my my crop to a 7D soon from my 40D. How do you like it?

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I'll add some of my thoughts after using a borrowed 7D for the weekend. Coming from the 5d II the auto focus was a joy to use and the ergonomics of the body were much improved. Having 24p video is a major plus, I'm working on a few video projects at the moments and I still waiting for the new firmware from canon for my 5D. That being said I wasdisappointedwith ISO performance and the sharpness of the images that came out of the camera when compared to my full frame body. Compared to my old 40d ISO was much much improved and sharpness was a little worse. Seems like the future $8,000 1Ds IV is the camera for meunfortunetely, too bad I want to upgrade my 70-200 to the mark II and my 24-70 to the future IS version as well.

Thanks Crosby


That is what I was afraid of. I've been really weary of the 7D image sharpness issues. Unfortunately for my wallet, I'm starting to feel the 1DmkIV is route for me to go. I'd go mkIII but 10MP doesn't leave much room for cropping.


I just had the best shoot this weekend with my 24-70. I threw the 16-35 for a few wide shots but man I love the 24-70.

I also like the grip with the canon E1 hand strap.

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Originally Posted by Keith B

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Originally Posted by Sean Setters

I've had a battery grip on my XTi, 50D, and 7D.

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What?! Did I miss this? Sean when did you get the 7D. I think I'm upgrading my my crop to a 7D soon from my 40D. How do you like it?

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I was going to say something but he slipped it in so nonchalantly that I just let it slide. I first became suspicious when in a thread last week Sean referenced how he used continuous lighting for when he shot video. I was wondering what he was using to shoot that video ;-)


To stay on track...I just sold my EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and once the cash hits my account I am going to order the Canon BG-E6 Battery G and another battery.

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Originally Posted by Mark Elberson

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"]Ifirst becamesuspicious when in a thread last week Sean referenced how he used continuous lighting for when he shot video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] I was wondering what he was using to shoot that video ;-)

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I was wondering if anyone would catch that. ;-)

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Originally Posted by Sean Setters

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Originally Posted by Mark Elberson

<span style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';color:#000000;font-size:10pt;"]Ifirst becamesuspicious when in a thread last week Sean referenced how he used continuous lighting for when he shot video.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes;"] I was wondering what he was using to shoot that video ;-)

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I was wondering if anyone would catch that. ;-)

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Yeah I saw that and thought for a minute, then I figured you borrowed someones video enabled body since I was under the notion your 50D was still your top dog.


Sneaky Bastage!


I'm probably going to hit you up with opinions and questions about the 7D since we kind of shoot similar stuff.
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Originally Posted by Keith B

I'm probably going to hit you up with opinions and questions about the 7D since we kind of shoot similar stuff.

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No problem. I'll have an experienced opinion on it after a while of shooting. ;-)