Canon 450D battery grip - worth it?

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trencheel303

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ive got the same grip...and i think that its fantastic! make portrait work much easier, makes the camera feel more comfortable. as for your questions,
1. yes it will add weight to the camera but i dont think it unbalances it.
2.no i dont think it will.
3.yes you can, there is the same threaded hole in the bottom of the grip.
4.i think it is very well made, very sturdy and certainly not loose.

the extra battery life is fantastic!
 
Thanks Jamie and chilliz
 
Have it on the 1000D, can't live without it, it's a must have accessory;)
 
I have one for the 400D and couldn't live without it, with an external flash I find it almost impossible not to use it due to the better balance with the extra weight.

trencheel303 said:
-Does it add considerable weight to the camera?
You notice the difference but not so noticeable unless you carry it around all day imo
-Does it make it more uncomfortable for landscape shots? (I often rest the lens and body on my other wrist)
Makes it more comfy for me (easier to hold)
-Can you use a tripod with the grip fitted?
As long as you have a good enough quality tripod to cope with the extra weight

-Is it good quality, sturdy and generally worth the price? I've read some reports that it seems a little loose.
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I would go for one of the imitation ones off ebay as the difference is minimal according to reviews (I only got an official one as it was very cheap secondhand) and they are half the price. :)
 
I reckon a grip is a great addition to any camera, I have the Opteka from Amazon, I think it was cheaper than the one you linked, the battery life is good too, came from USA in 3 days, no extra duty, search for it, I'd recommend it.
 
I added a grip to my 450D about 6 months after buying the camera. I purchased a "Phottix" grip and have been very pleased with construction/quality, etc. Sorry I can't comment on the Canon grip.
1) the grip adds just under 280 grams to my camera (assuming I only use 1 battery). If I use the second battery, then it adds a little more weight but not really noticeable.
2) in my opinion, the grip provides me with a better overall "balance" to my camera, irrespective of the type of shooting I do.
3) Although I have never used a tripod with my camera, my grip has a tripod socket.
4) Re your point about portraits, I particularly like the fact that my grip has a second shutter button.
Hope these comments might be of some help.
 
Added a grip to my 450d several weeks ago, i find the camera much more stable with it on. Easier to use when turned for portraits. Yes a little heavier, but not a problem.
Would not be without it now.

regards
Steve
 
I'm gonna buck the trend here. Take your £100 and use some of that to buy a couple of spare batteries from Kerso at something like a tennner each and keep them in your bag/pocket for when you need it. Spend what you have left on something useful like a nifty fifty.

Although I'm a 40D owner now, used a 400D before and after carrying my 40D round for a few hours do look enviably sometimes at the 400D cos it was so light. Why add weight to it?

This is my opinion of course and not looking to offend anyone so please excuse me.
 
I have one for my 5D and it depends what I'm going to use it for. If I want light weight, one handed shooting I leave it off, if I want extended battery life and the ability to use the portrait shutter then I put it on.

It's worth every penny for the sheer versatility, you don't have to keep it on all the time :)
 
I'm with Ali on this one... I've got a battery grip for the EOS340D - it gets attached when I'm shooting lots of portrait orientation stuff (for the portrait shutter), or if i'm going to be using primarily longer lenses (as the extra weight balances out the weight of the lens). If i'm just going for a walk with the camera, I stuff a couple of extra batteries in the case instead and enjoy the camera being lighter.

Strangely enough, with the EOS-3 35mm camera i've never felt the need to get the battery grip - mainly I suppose because the EOS-3 is such a great solid chunk of a camera in its own right and it fits these great big paws I have!
 
Got a grip off ebay before Xmas for my 500D, it's great. The bonus if you do want the lighter option any time you can just take it off.

See this thread
 
Can't help you out about a Canon grip specifically being a Nikon owner, but I have a Nikon genuine grip for my camera. Why? well first and formost there could be a repair problem with the camera should it go wrong if using a 3rd party grip if Canon found out. Second quite often 3rd party grips arn't always produced to the same standard as genuine Canon/Nikon makes, the plastic housing may be of an inferior material. Weather sealing between camera and grip on non Canon/Nikon genuine grips may not even exist.

I debated the same problem when I was purchasing a grip for my camera, weighing it up I decided to go for the real thing for the reasons just mentioned.

Hope this is of some help

Realspeed
 
realspeed said:
Second quite often 3rd party grips arn't always produced to the same standard as genuine Canon/Nikon makes, the plastic housing may be of an inferior material. Weather sealing between camera and grip on non Canon/Nikon genuine grips may not even exist.
Click to expand...

Mine has been on for ages with no issues whatsoever (Ebay purchase).

I can understand what you mean regarding quality, but there is/was a thread
around somewhere regarding a Canon grip that had to be forcefully removed
from the body rendering the grip useless.

I think if you make periodic checks & unscrew the grip a couple of times a ]month, you should be ok.
 
450D due to the size and the extra weight of a lens and flash, the short hand grip, and my big hands I cant live without it!

Its seriously worth the money, and you can pick up off eBay for around £65 official.
 
Snoop

Thanks for your comment on my reply, I find the more information on what to watch out for and the possible pitfalls is usually helpful when making any decision on a purchase.

Having a grip attached to any camera makes one look more "professional" even if like me one doesn't have a clue.
Realspeed
 
I absolutely love battery grips and my 3 bodies all sport their respective grips. The camera feels better, balances better on most lenses, has better battery life, feels more natural when in portrait format and you can always take one off if you want to travel light.

Phil
 
realspeed said:
Having a grip attached to any camera makes one look more "professional" even if like me one doesn't have a clue.
Realspeed
Click to expand...

I think this aspect is underrated. I've got some of my best portraits from carrying around a 'serious' looking camera in public - some people have started conversations with me because of it & I'm sure I've got away with posed portraits of strangers because I looked like I had a serious bit of kit.

Phil
 
Yep I have one on my 500D, its excelent. The camera is miles better ballanced when I use it with heavier lenses. I haven't taken it off since I got it, and the extra battery life is really good with 2 batteries I have been taking photos since before christmas about 600 shots just playing and the battery level finally dropped a bar last night while transfering the images to the laptop.

If your looking for batteries I have the original canon one and 2 Energizer CA-LPE5 which are in there at the moment. I ordered another 3 yesterday so I now have 6 batteries should last me a while now. be careful some sellers claim 1080mAh others claim 800mAh I have the 1080 ones.
 
I'm sorry, but all those who say it makes you "look" more professional and is a "serious" bit of kit. You are having a laugh aren't you?

If not then you fall into the "all the gear and no idea" brigade.

tencheel303: I bought mine new from linkedelight off fleabay - arrived within 4 days and half the price you are going to get off amazon - you can put the savings towards a 50mm.

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/LinkDelight-Photography-Shop_Canon-450D_W0QQ_fsubZ20942142QQ_sidZ235489574QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

They do all sorts of variations - including with and without spare batteries. I opted for the grip with 2 unbranded batteries, a AA battery cradle and a free cable release. Postage is free as well

Its non canon branded and works just fine. What it adds to the camera is that extra battery power if you are away from the mains for a long period - and it gives you the backup of having the AA battery cradle, which you can keep on standby if your main batteries die.

It also adds the grip and functions to be used in portrait mode - a real asset when I am doing a lot of portrait style shooting.

I seriously recommend this purchase - but not from amazon, the unbranded one from linkedelight is just as good - unless of course you are a name whore.
 
i got one yesterday from on here
it is a linkdelight one from ebay and i am very pleased with it seems to be of a very good quality
if you need a couple of spare batteries anyway the grip is costing you 20-00 a real bargain
 
mgdaviso said:
I'm sorry, but all those who say it makes you "look" more professional and is a "serious" bit of kit. You are having a laugh aren't you?

If not then you fall into the "all the gear and no idea" brigade.
Click to expand...

How rude.

No & no.

Whilst it 'looking pro' is not the central reason I'd buy the grip it has definitely helped me to get shots of members of the public and paid work I wouldn't have otherwise had.

I take great offense at the 'All the gear...' comment.

Phil
 
I was merely stating my opinion and it was not directed at you in particular, so calm down.

If there is one thing that annoys me, it is dimwits who buy all the gear at great expense and either a) don't have a clue how to use it or b) think they are better than you or c) are trying to be something they are not.

I've seen it countless times in the climbing/mountaineering fraternity to which I belong as well. All North face/Gucci kit but can't use a compass or go out in conditions beyond their experience....

For me - adding a battery grip is about two things - extra power and the extra functionality that comes with it in terms of handling. It is not about "making your camera look good" - Go down that route and you'll be comparing lens lengths next.....
 
realspeed said:
Snoop

Thanks for your comment on my reply, I find the more information on what to watch out for and the possible pitfalls is usually helpful when making any decision on a purchase.

Having a grip attached to any camera makes one look more "professional" even if like me one doesn't have a clue.
Realspeed
Click to expand...

Hey no worries, thats what these forums are for :D :thumbs:

mgdaviso said:
I'm sorry, but all those who say it makes you "look" more professional and is a "serious" bit of kit. You are having a laugh aren't you?

If not then you fall into the "all the gear and no idea" brigade.
Click to expand...

Ive had many a comment whilst using a gripped 450d & Sigma 70-200.

'That looks like an expensive bit of kit mate'. :lol:

mgdaviso said:
If there is one thing that annoys me, it is dimwits who buy all the gear at great expense and either a) don't have a clue how to use it

For me - adding a battery grip is about two things - extra power and the extra functionality that comes with it in terms of handling.
Click to expand...

Thats me on both counts having purchased a 1dmkII :)

The comments about the size of kit when using the 450d are an ego boost though :cool:
 
goffski said:
The bonus if you do want the lighter option any time you can just take it off.

See this thread
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I think this is the best comment I have seen in this thread..... its not about what looks good or even if it has to stay attached but what you need it for.

As the OP said he did lots of portrait then imho it sounds like a good idea.... you can always take it off later.

Another thought though re getting one ( which I will when I get a camera to go with it ) is that you can go to Ebay or even http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/?gclid=COrci8bXkp8CFcts4wodik09KA who advertise above and get a recon / 2nd hand one.... if you dont like it put it on the classifieds.... what have you lost ;)

Terran
 
if you do intend removing it from the camera - remember where you put the little battery door for the camera.....:thinking: (you know, the fiddly little bit of plastic you had to remove to fit it!) ;)
 
Mgdaviso

Thanks for calling me a dimwit, and quote " you fall into the "all the gear and no idea" brigade " unquote

I would suggest you read the rules

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Disagree by all means, but criticise the thought, not the thinker. Healthy discussion is welcomed and encouraged, but we can all do so without being rude or using nastiness towards each other.
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Oh and by the way this dimwit once came joint 6th place in a world wide competition where thousands of photos were submitted.


Realspeed
 
Realspeed, I didn't call YOU a dimwit did I?

I didn't say "realspeed is a dimwit" did I?

Please reread my post, climb down from your high horse and calm down.
 
By inference yes, quote " If there is one thing that annoys me, it is dimwits who buy all the gear at great expense and either a) don't have a clue how to use it" unquote

May I respectively suggest you consider what you post in future and try and help the original poster with the question, and not criticise others who are doing their best to help . I am not the only one you have upset on this thread



Realspeed
 
mgdaviso said:
I was merely stating my opinion and it was not directed at you in particular, so calm down.
Click to expand...

The tone of my response was a reaction to the nature of the post. Either you are 'joking or have no idea' to paraphrase.

Let's keep it civil....

I actually understand the point 'spending a ton on gear doesn't make you a pro' & I can understand your irritation, especially in the context of irresponsible mountaneers.

What I feel you don't understand is looking like a pro can open conversations that lead to opportunities. In my personal experience I have taken some good portraits, earned some cash & been invited to photograph events (paid gigs) all as a result of wielding a impressive looking bit of kit. Had I not had the kit, I'd not have had the conversations that led to the situations. I repeat, it's not why I buy grips for all my cameras, but a definite positive aspect.

Had I had a 1000D without grip + the 35mm f2 mounted I suspect my other shots may have been just as good, but the specific opportunities would not have arisen...

Phil
 
Might be an idea for everyone to calm down and consider posting styles :)
 
I love the portrait grip - I don't know why but handholding a bigger lens using the camera ungripped is really almost painfull and I find myslef needing a higerh shutter speed about 1.5x compared to normal orientation but with the grip not only does the camera balance better it also feels better.

And of course the grip can be removed. For me that never really happens unless for example this week I went out for a walk and didi a few portraits of family in the snow. I took a 50mm lens and no-grip. Then there is NO-BULK at all.
 
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