Comments on: Battery Grips for DSLRS

By: richarquis

richarquis — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:12:53 +0000

The battery grip on my 60D is marvellous. I agree with the above reasons, but extra to those, I’d say the most valuable aspect is comfort. Shooting in portrait is not only easier, it’s less tiring. I don’t have to angle my arm up at the shoulder anymore. This not only helps with balance, but also fatigue. I’m buying one for my 5D asap. As far as the weight of carrying extra (believe me, I know this one… I carry both around, with a bag of lenses, pretty much all the time) – I just got one of the Black Rapid RS DR-2 twin harnesses, and what a difference it makes. Neck straps have been removed, and now all extra lenses stay in a Lowepro backpack, not a standard Canon shoulder bag. So, all weight is off my neck, and spread across shoulders and torso. People who don’t carry that kind of gear around might look at it as gear-whoring, just another fancy doodad to show off, but anyone who does carry that kind of weight around knows how important it is to have a system that is comfortable. We’re in it to enjoy ourselves, so why wander around tired and sore?

By: Bukka Levy

Bukka Levy — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:11:06 +0000

I bought one thinking it just made sense but ended up taking it off because I didn’t need the battery life and the size made me feel like I was trying to look like a big deal. I’ve only had it a few weeks and was thinking about returning it but there are some great points made here. I prefer to be as stealth as possible but I’ll have to take it out again and reconsider these ideas.

By: Bill Kauffman

Bill Kauffman — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:59:23 +0000

I have a D700 and a D90. both of them have battery grips, and I don’t think I have taken them of except the D700 to change the camera battery. I find that battery grips help me stabilize my camera. I also do a lot of portrait photography and the shutter release and controls on the grips are invaluable in this situation.

By: silva

silva — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:03:28 +0000

I am using the 1Ds Mk III which has a sort of built in battery grip which I find excellent, I also have a 5D body as a second back, I am a bird photographer and find I drag so much equipment around that already feels heavy, the 1Ds Mk III with a 400mm and 1.4x converter and I am now also carrying a second camera the 5D with a 300mm zoom, – feeling already like a pack-horse I am loathed to put the battery grip on the 5D, it is just easier and lighter to drop in a new battery from my pocket. I got a free battery grip with the 5D when I bought it and I’ve never used it! – But having said that – the 1Ds Mk III design with the built in battery grip is my favourite and I wouldn’t be without it.

By: Jim Peterson

Jim Peterson — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:39:33 +0000

I never leave home without it…have one for both my 20D and 50D. Improves the balance I feel in my hands.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:00:02 +0000

I recently bought an Opteka Professional Battery Grip for Canon XS/XSI/450D/1000D DSLR’s. I use it on my Canon T1-i (500D). It came with 2 1500 ma batteries. I looked at the Canon grip and decided on this one for one reason – the total cost was less than $70.00 (new) from Amazon.

I happen to love it. The case matches the T1-i perfectly and although it adds weight and bulk, I find holding and shooting much more comfortable. These batteries last incredibly long. It works well with the tripod and remote shutter cable. I found that the original battery did not last long enough for use with the remote shutter cable. Now there is no problem.

By: James

James — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:38:47 +0000

I have a grip in my 1000D and it works really great. The grip is fixed to the body all the time. Never removed it!
Part of it is the weight it adds on the body and fits my palms perfectly.

By: R Melanson

R Melanson — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:04:02 +0000

I want to like my battery grip but find it uncomfortable to hold and could never quite get used to it. I bought one three years ago used it a few times and then tossed it in my bag. I pull it out every so often as a curiosity but never end up using it. If Canon or Nikon could make a battery grip more comfortable matching the contours of the primary grip I’d use it more often.

By: george

george — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:41:11 +0000

when i bought the battery grip for my 500D (same for the 450D) i knew i needed it. primarily, my purpose is for flexibility in power supply aside from the other benefits (and disadvantages) it provides.

the grip allows you to use 2 battery packs. meaning twice the portable power supply vs no grip. being able to use penlight AA batteries as another advantage since i bring plenty of recharged AA’s which i also use for other devices (portable speakers, flashlight, etc) when traveling.

the extra buttons on the grip are very useful when taking when taking pictures at the ‘portrait’ position. the grip also seem to give my very light 500D better balance and stability specially when using long lenses.

my main problem is when i take it out and shift back to a single battery i don’t seem to have a place for it in my bag. the protruding part that fits into the battery slot makes it an object difficult to tuck in a small and semi-full storage space. i don’t like lugging a bigger bag than what i have now which allows me to bring along 2 extra lenses and some small objects (memcards, extra AA’s and a small tripod).

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:13:01 +0000

I found that the battery grip only for some DSLR camera as EOS 5D 20D 30D.
I saw some battery grip replacement in http://www.digitalcamerabattery.us/dslr-battery-grip.htm

I dont know what is the battery box? If i should buy a DSLR camera has the battery grip, maybe it can work for longer as the normal camera.