To grip or not to grip? That is the question...

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GEH007

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When I got my 40d, it came with a new Canon battery grip.

I have never used a camera with a grip before, so attached it to give it a go. Felt very strange and a little unwieldy, perhaps not unsurprisingly as a grip novice. I can see the advantage with portrait but still feels odd in use to me.

I keep taking it off, putting it back on, have play, back off and so on.

The battery advantage is irrelevant as I can just keep the spare in my pocket and change over.

My question. Should I just leave it on and persevere as I will feel the benefits in time when Im used to it, balance, handling etc leading to better photographs. Or are they a bit of a marmite item, love or hate?

Edit, the other thing is when fitted, it makes using the bean bag almost impossible.
 
I think they're almost certainly a "Marmite" thing. personally I love mine, it seems to balance everything up, especially with the bigger lenses. 95% of my usage is with either the 24-70mm f2.8 or the 70-200mm f2.8 so it's a must for me. I also find the portrait orientation a big bonus, especially as most of the camera's function buttons are repeated on the grip.
 
Wouldn't be without mine on either the D300 or S5 Pro but then I have used grips from when they were called Motordrives (a long, long, time ago)
 
Hate them. Allows you to turn your beautifully designed, ergonomically delightful camera, into an ugly duckling monstrosity at a cost of about £80-£100 pounds.

Bargain :D
 
Use one all the time but then I'm old enough to remember motor drives which were similar in a way:)
 
i recently broke mine on my 400D and i havent really used the camera since, I am yet to get a new one. However i am gettinga new camera and wil lbe buying a grip for thte new one first.

most of my shots i do are portrait orientated.
 
I recently sold my grip. It's hideous! It spoils to look of the camera. It's dead easy to carry spare batteries in your pocket.
It certainly comes into its own when you use the camera in portrait mode, but that's the only advantage I saw.
As has been said before - it's a Marmite thing - love it or hate it.

Keith.
 
i love mine on my 400 and looking to buy one for my 40d

GEH007 if you want to sell it PM me

Mike
 
Love them but hated it on the 40D - No AF-On button on the grip, grrrrr
 
When I shot with a Canon 350D, I used a battery grip since that camera body was relatively small. The grip allowed better balance when using large heavy lenses like the 24-70mm f/2.8L or 70-200mm f/4L IS.

However; now that I shoot with Canon 30D and 40D cameras, I don't use battery grips because the cameras are a comfortable size and balance very well with even heavy lenses.

I don't need the extra power of the dual battery grip bbecause I always have a spare charged battery or two in my shooting vest.

Although, I do like the extra shutter release button which makes it a bit more comfortable to shoot vertical images; I don't need that button. IMO, it is not worth the weight and cost of a battery grip on my 30D and 40D cameras.

By the way, I always shoot with two cameras so that would mean a battery grip for each....
 
Thanks for all the replies and views, interesting stuff.

I'm still none the wiser as to what to do, typically!! :D

I suppose one point to bear in mind is that the highest end cameras such as the 1D and D3 etc have a "grip" as part of the body, so in those models you dont get the choice. Perhaps I should deduce from that, that the "grip" addition/style bottom should assist you in taking better photographs as the pros use these bodies? :shrug:
 
puddleduck said:
Hate them. Allows you to turn your beautifully designed, ergonomically delightful camera, into an ugly duckling monstrosity at a cost of about £80-£100 pounds.

Bargain :D
Click to expand...

Couldnt agree more, they are ugly, get in the way and i find it much quicker to just turn the camera for portrait shots than have to move my hand to a different part of the camera to get a shot.

IMO they are a throwback to film days when they were motordrives rather than an extra way to hold the camera.

I would only ever use one on my D300 if i really really needed to get the 8 fps out of it, which i cant see i ever will.
 
I'd love the chance to try one, but nobody makes one for my iddle biddle E420 :(
 
Monkey said:
Couldnt agree more, they are ugly, get in the way and i find it much quicker to just turn the camera for portrait shots than have to move my hand to a different part of the camera to get a shot.

IMO they are a throwback to film days when they were motordrives rather than an extra way to hold the camera.

I would only ever use one on my D300 if i really really needed to get the 8 fps out of it, which i cant see i ever will.
Click to expand...

So why are the modern day highest spec cameras built with a grip style body if they have no real benefit?
 
My grip stays on my 40D all the time. Wouldn't be without it. Gives the whole unit a solid feel and makes it much easier to hold especially when I don't have a strap which is a lot of the time. I forget how long it is between battery charges and I find the ability to to shoot portrait invaluable.
 
When I bought my D80 it came with the grip and I was going to sell the grip as I thought it was too big and heavy.
How times change, its constantly connected to the camera and I'm getting used to it.
I don't like Marmite.
Bill
 
I use a grip with my 40D if using a long lens, it really makes the whole setup more balanced. I take it off when doing street photography with the standard and wide lenses, it's just a little less obtrusive.
 
GEH007 said:
So why are the modern day highest spec cameras built with a grip style body if they have no real benefit?
Click to expand...

I didnt say there was no benefit, i said they were ugly, and of no benefit to me.

The High end bodys look ok with it inbuilt, but my preference is without.

Im not saying im right, its all about feel, some prefer the grip, some dont.
 
GEH007 said:
Thanks for all the replies and views, interesting stuff.

I'm still none the wiser as to what to do, typically!! :D

I suppose one point to bear in mind is that the highest end cameras such as the 1D and D3 etc have a "grip" as part of the body, so in those models you dont get the choice. Perhaps I should deduce from that, that the "grip" addition/style bottom should assist you in taking better photographs as the pros use these bodies? :shrug:
Click to expand...


When you use the camera in its normal (landscape) position the control buttons are all in the right place for your fingers. A grip, as well as using two batteries or having an extra gadget to use AA batteries or similar if your camera ones run out, has an extra set of buttons that are in the natural place for your fingers when in a portrait position.

Hope this helps.
 
Recently got one for the D300 and I personally love it. Like others have said; it really balances things nicely, especially with the heavier lenses.

(Does look a bit silly with the 50mm attached though...)
 
It all depends on the camera,my 350D without the grip is decidedly iffy with the grip (Hahnel not Canon) it is one of the best balanced cameras I have ever used,it was the same years ago with my Nikon FA
 
A grip every time on 400D:thumbs:
and Marmite every time!!:woot:
 
I have one on my 40D and I am still getting use to it. I agree it gives the camera a much more solid feel, it's the extra weight that surprised me a little. I do find it great for portrait but wish Canon could have incorporated a few more controls on it. I tend to agree that they do spoil the look of the camera, but I beginning to like my grip the more I use it.:thumbs:
 
I love the MBD10 grip on my D300, feels perfect now.
 
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