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

[bob williams]

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

[dj 7th]

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.

[piiooo]

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;"].

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.

[MikeWhy]

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.
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

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.

[Keith B]

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

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.

[clemmb]

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

<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

Yes.

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.

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

[Sean Setters]

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.
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

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...

[Ralph]

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.

[btaylor]

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.

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.

[crosbyharbison]

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

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.