Battery Grips - Worth it?

D

Danny133

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,530
Name
Daniel
Edit My Images
Yes
I cant make my mind up whether there ugly or useful!

Personally i like big chunky things (no jokes please!)

And the grip will chunky up the camera but will it make it ugly? :S

I personally also dont mind changing batterys - its no hassle to me so the grip wont solve any problems i have there .. but i can get a brand new BG-E2N from argos for £79.99 minus vouchers etc so is it worth it :S hmmmm
 
If you like them use them if not don't.

I like them some her don't. It's all down to preference.:)
 
I never used to think much of grips,but after getting one for doing motorsport i found it really helped balancing the camera with a 300mmL attached or other long lenses.:):thumbs:
 
shouldn't really be about 'looks'. It's whether you find them useful or not. Some like them for the doubled up battery life, some prefer to change batteries. Some like them for the additional shutter button in portrait mode, some are happy to 'reach over'. Some people have big hands so need the extra grip, some have small hands and don't need any more body. Some like the additional fps for sports etc, some don't need it. Some have big, long lenses so need to balance it out, others don't.

I've got mine because I found reaching over for the shutter button in portrait mode annoying when doing it a lot.
 
Danny133 said:
I cant make my mind up whether there ugly or useful!

Personally i like big chunky things (no jokes please!)

And the grip will chunky up the camera but will it make it ugly? :S

I personally also dont mind changing batterys - its no hassle to me so the grip wont solve any problems i have there .. but i can get a brand new BG-E2N from argos for £79.99 minus vouchers etc so is it worth it :S hmmmm
Click to expand...

Camera aesthetics and ergonomics are important to me. personally I think most Canon cameras look absolutely butt ugly with a grip on, and my 30D personally isn't that bad for me without one, so I don't bother. It also helps to keep things light without the grip. I use a grip with my OM-10 because without it, the camera really is very small in the hands, plus the grip actually serves a purpose as a film winder. Obviously the grip on the 1Ds is built in, and despite being the heaviest camera it is by far the most comfortable to hold.

At the end of the day we can't make the decision for you, try a grip and see if you like it.
 
Last edited:
Personally - I would get one, I'm trying to get one for my 60D now, but I just can not justify £140 for the Canon one. So until they come down in price or an after market grip comes out I'll make do.

But for the money you quoted, I would get one. Its just easier in general.

P.S - Plus I love a bigger camera, just cant afford one
 
Do the battery grips on the Canons help to charge the [internal] flash faster?

(thought I had seen that the Nikons do)
 
Danny133 said:
im sure argos have the 60d ones on sale too :S ??
Click to expand...

I'll have a look and come back to you. As far as I've seen recently - Its going for around £140 on average.
 
It appears, that Argos, are selling Canon grips, but non of them are for the 60D - Even the 550D is still selling for £158!!

That's just really to much money for what it is.
 
deano12 said:
It appears, that Argos, are selling Canon grips, but non of them are for the 60D - Even the 550D is still selling for £158!!

That's just really to much money for what it is.
Click to expand...

thats a shame :(

in clearance 30/40/50D and 5D grips are all £79.99!
 
my 2 cents: yes on the smaller cameras (400d/450d/500d/550d/60d), maybe on medium sized (40d/50d), no on the larger ones (7d/5d/5dii)
 
tomqh said:
my 2 cents: yes on the smaller cameras (400d/450d/500d/550d/60d), maybe on medium sized (40d/50d), no on the larger ones (7d/5d/5dii)
Click to expand...

I feel gutted that you put the 60D with the XXXD range... :( lol
 
I have one on my 5d II, and love it! the fact it has all the dials and buttons to make portrait shooting easier is a godsend!!

I wouldnt have a camera without one now,
 
I recently removed my 7d grip to take a lighter camera to a party and it felt horrible without it. I reckon its worth trying from Argos as they're normally easy going with refunds if you decide after a few days its not for you.
 
As has been said, for portrait orientation they're great, but for general use I'd rather have a smaller and less obtrusive camera. Instead of a grip I'd rather have a camera with a second shutter button orientated for portrait shooting.

I suppose another advantage of grips is that you can fit additional batteries to them but in reality I'd rather just keep a spare in my pocket.
 
I am not sure how they feel on a 50d but I am very happy with my cheap one on my 450d. Wouldn't be without one now. So much easier to hold the camera now and the control buttons make shooting a lot easier.
For asthetics, you could always glue on some swarovski diamonds but not the pink ones as they would just be tacky.
 
SPR Photos said:
If you have large hands the battery grip seems to balance the camera better.
That my view.
Click to expand...

:agree: I'm in the same boat (with large hands) & have had a grip fitted to all Nikon bodies that I've had & thats the D40,D60,D80,D90,D300s & now on my D700...

In my eyes - it does compliment the camera & looks & feels a lot better with a grip fitted than a body without...

Like many - each to their own.... Go & try one would be the best way of doing it & see how it feels in YOUR hands....

I'm not sure about it being a Canon as I've owned Nikon bodies & all my grips have been original Nikon except for the D40/D60 (which Nikon didn't do)
 
Last edited:
I think many people buy battery grips just to try and make their cameras look more professional, which is pretty lame. :shrug:
 
Last edited:
I am thinking of getting a battery grip for my 450 as I like taking longer exposures and think it would be beneficial. how many batteries in total would be held with the grip - 2?

thanks!
 
Jackwow said:
I think many people buy battery grips just to try and make their cameras look more professional, which is pretty lame. :shrug:
Click to expand...
If you have not really tested one out thoroughly then how can you judge.:shrug:
 
Shutter said:
I am thinking of getting a battery grip for my 450 as I like taking longer exposures and think it would be beneficial. how many batteries in total would be held with the grip - 2?

thanks!
Click to expand...
Yep:thumbs:
 
Im thinking of buying one myself for the 500D.

I won't be buying it for extra battery power as it's just as convenient to keep a battery or two (warm) in an inside pocket.

I will buying it for portrait shooting, people or landscapes (UWA). I find it awkward and imagine its more difficult to steady the camera with your arms in that awkward position without the additional vertical shutter release.


Andy
 
The additional vertical shutter release is brilliant.:):thumbs:
 
jockwav said:
The additional vertical shutter release is brilliant.:):thumbs:
Click to expand...

Esp when you forget to lock it out - as if you do what I do you seem to take pictures at weird angle's because your palm has managed to press the grips shutter release :$ :lol:
 
I wasn't that bothered about them until I had the opportunity to pick one up for a silly cheap price for my F100. As I tend to shoot so many of my pics in portrait format, I found it a revelation to use thanks to the extra shutter release button.

I've just got one today for my D700, and with a 28-70 lens on the body it's a right lump! I'll try it and see how I get on, the additional weight and size on an already substantial setup is noticeable. Hey, it's easy enough to take off and use as and when I know it'll be an advantage to have on!
 
jockwav said:
Yep:thumbs:
Click to expand...


thanks! sorry to hijack the thread, but the OP might also find this useful too..:shrug:

what happens to the original battery flap with the grip on? :thinking:
sowwy! :bang:
 
Shutter said:
thanks! sorry to hijack the thread, but the OP might also find this useful too..:shrug:

what happens to the original battery flap with the grip on? :thinking:
sowwy! :bang:
Click to expand...

Theres a little slot on the insert leg of the grip... Goes in there
 
i use one to help balance 40D with a 100 -400mm L lens on it. also the extra shutter release is a god send.

I personally think having two batteries is good however it does work with just one.

my two pennies
 
jockwav said:
If you have not really tested one out thoroughly then how can you judge.:shrug:
Click to expand...

It was a statement and unfortunately it happens to be true. :shake:

PS I did have a battery grip for my old 40D so I have "tested one out thoroughly" thank you. :shake:
 
Last edited:
See if you can find one branded Phottix, they are meant to be good quality. I got a cheap unbranded one off ebay for my 5d and it doesn't fit properly.
 
Last edited:
PerfectSpeed said:
Jackwow said:
Jackwow said:
I think many people buy battery grips just to try and make their cameras look more professional, which is pretty lame. :shrug:
Click to expand...

It was a statement and unfortunately it happens to be true. :shake:
Click to expand...
Total rubbish mate :thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

If you really think that's rubbish, then I'm afraid that you're wearing blinkers. Whilst there are several good reasons for using a battery pack (higher fps in the case of some Nikons for example), there is absolutely no doubt that vanity is also high on the list.
 
Danny133 said:
I cant make my mind up whether there ugly or useful!

Personally i like big chunky things (no jokes please!)

And the grip will chunky up the camera but will it make it ugly? :S

I personally also dont mind changing batterys - its no hassle to me so the grip wont solve any problems i have there .. but i can get a brand new BG-E2N from argos for £79.99 minus vouchers etc so is it worth it :S hmmmm
Click to expand...

Right, that's it. You know you want one. Get on and do it! :thumbs::clap:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top