Grips - what's the point?

For me:
2 batterys
Extra "camera" to grip a-hold of
Portrait mode
Adds weight to hold the god damn thing still
 
For me with a 350d, 40d & a 5d MK2:

The added grip!
The ability to use a hand strap
The portrait functionality

Sometimes the added battery life within camera helps, instead of in your pocket.
 
I have a grip on both of my 40Ds because for me they are more comfortable to hold. I can't say I've noticed any benefit in the extra battery life because I carry spares anyway. Vertical shooting is easier when I remember to use the second release, I often turn the camera the opposite way for verticals. I'm surprised people think the grips look 'cool' though, I think they look a bit naff - cheap and not quite fitting properly.
 
OneTen said:
I'm surprised people think the grips look 'cool' though, I think they look a bit naff - cheap and not quite fitting properly.
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Try out a gripped D300 or D700 - they're awesome :thumbs:

Rock solid and look great :D
 
The grip can add a lot of weight especially over the course of a days shooting. Being left handed there is more for me to get a grip of. The grip doesn't have to be a permanent fixture, it can be removed should you wish. Having two batteries is a good idea, although that is the point of it isn't it, or does it just look good?

Paul
 
I bought one for my previous 40D, thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread but eventually found it to be a bit cumbersome and sold it on.

Then I bought myself a 70-200 F4 IS and found that when I am carrying the camera around my neck the control buttons under the LCD screen were being accidentally switched on against my body owing to the effect the increased weight had on the 40D. This would not happen if I had kept the grip:cuckoo:
 
To be honest, I got one because since getting my camera and snapping away constantly around the house my kids told me I had to get a grip :thinking:
 
I really dislike grips - Nikon makes some lovely ergonically beautiful cameras, and also sells glorified overpriced battery holders that manage to completely spoil the handling for the "bargain" price of £150+.

Detest the bloody things.
 
I just dont see the point of adding more weight to carry around,spare batteries are lighter.:)
 
I took mine off my 5D to save weight whilst on holiday and didn't bother putting it back on last night for my first gig since returning.

Trying to hold a 70-200 f2.8 steady in portrait on an ungripped body is almost impossible.
 
TBH i have a grip and it stays on all the time but only use it for 15-20 mins a day when at a track all day but for the 15-20 mins of not having to wrap arms around my head it worth every penny.
 
I'm like most of the 'fors'...

2 batteries
portrait capability
and because its a 1000D.. the grip I've got has infrared shutter release, no need to use cables etc. great on a tripod.
 
StewartR said:
I've never understood this business about a grip helping to balance the lens. But only yesterday I discovered that it's really all about technique.

One of my colleagues specialises in low-light gig photography, and I casually commented that I didn't think his grip (ie the way he holds the camera) was necessarily ideal for the slow shutter speeds he's often using, especially with telephoto lenses. So we compared the ways we held our cameras and they were totally different.

I naturally put my left hand under the lens, palm facing up, so I'm supporting the lens at its centre of gravity. My right hand isn't taking any weight at all. Whether or not the camera has a grip makes a very slight difference to exactly where I put my hand, but it's hardly noticeable at all. By contrast his method of holding the lens was completely different, and the presence or absence of the grip had a bigger effect for him.
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I think this is exactly the point. I hold the camera mainly by the lens, palm facing up, so a battery grip does nothing for me except make it heavier. I purchased one when I got my 450d because everyone said it was essential :cuckoo:, but I just couldn't hold the camera as easily as it got in the way of my wrist/palm.

Not had an issue with battery life from a single battery either.

Horses for courses really. :)
 
I think grips work better on some cameras than others. I always found my old 450D a bit too small and the grip gave it some weight and balance. On the other hand, adding a grip to the already chunky D700 with 24-70 and sb600 is not something I'd want to do. Bloody heavy as it is.
 
Tried a Nikon grip on my D200 and didn't like it. Have no intention of getting one for my D700 as I think it's heavy enough already. 5 FPS is plenty for me and I can get the best part of 1000 shots out of a battery, of which I have 4.:thumbsdown:
 
andy_fozzy said:
They are horrible things. They add more weight, look ugly and just generally get in the way.

I HATE THEM!

Unless........
You have a very small body, such as the D40 where they are needed as there's just not enough grip on the body!
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The grip transformed my D40, it's made it so much easier to get a good grip on it. It only comes off once in a while now to make sure the screw thread doesn't sieze.
 
ChrisMClark said:
The grip transformed my D40, it's made it so much easier to get a good grip on it. It only comes off once in a while now to make sure the screw thread doesn't sieze.
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Sacrilege - putting a grip on a D40 is like going to the supermarket dressed just in your underpants.

Sort of.
 
68lbs said:
Damned right it is. One swing and you can blind a trio of mythological Greek creatures with the legs!
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:lol: That actually made me laugh out loud (he was talking about using a tripod). :D

As for the grip issue, it's funny such a thread like this came up as I've been thinking about buying one for my D40 after a lot of recommendations.
I've never used one, but I have to take into account my limited budget (I'm only a low paid greenhouse farmer), so, such an item is still classed as a luxury item in my case, even though the cheapest one I've seen on the internet is £69.
 
I personally think using a grip helps me a lot.

Especially when i'm shooting in portrait mode with a 580EX2 on top. without the grip, it'd be a pain to hold the camera easily. Flashguns aint that light.
 
I have a grip for the 5D but stopped using after a few weeks. Don't like the bulk of it and don't have a problem finding the shutter button in portrait without a grip. Keeping it in case I ever decide to upgrade as it may help sell the camera. No plans to do that yet though.
 
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