BG E2 grip on 20d, why use it?

[rvt1000]

Just wanted to know why one would use a bg e grip? It seems to me that it just increases the amount of time you can shoot without getting into your pockets or bag to pull out new batteries. Is there another reason or is it just a convenience thing? I know it is also provides a 'balanced' feel with heavier lenses, but other then that, why buy and use a bg e?

[tim]

More shooting time.
Easier to load batteries when using some flash brackets.
Vertical shutter release (this is a big reason).
Easier to hold and ballance lenses.

[Zeke]

Makes shooting hand held portrait orientation much more comfortable. Some people just like the bigger feel, particularly hand held. If you whack a big lens on the body+grip it just feels more balanced in the hand.

The extra battery life is a bonus.

[DaveG]

Just wanted to know why one would use a bg e grip? It seems to me that it just increases the amount of time you can shoot without getting into your pockets or bag to pull out new batteries. Is there another reason or is it just a convenience thing? I know it is also provides a 'balanced' feel with heavier lenses, but other then that, why buy and use a bg e?

I use the vertical grip on bth my 10D and 20D. I also assume I'll use one on my 5D or whatever my next camera is. The reasons are multiple. First I like the feel of the vertical grip and it's MUCH more comfortable to use vertically (duh). But seriously if I'm shooting a lot of verticals I just don't want to have my wrist bent. I had to use a 20D without a vertical grip while my 20D and grip were off being "recalled" at Canon and it reminded me about how awkward the camera is without a grip.

The next thing is the battery power. Although I shot three or four weddings with a loner camera without a vertical grip (see above) and didn't go through even one battery it's reassuring to know that it's there.

Now the only downside of the vertical grip for the 20D is the build quality. It's terrible and it goes along with the bad build (and assorted problems) of the 20D. I figure that Canon tried to take about 10 cents too much off of their production costs and to revisit a book/movie from about 15 years ago it was "A dime too far". When I grab my problem free 10D/with vertical grip I can immediately feel the quality difference (as in it doesn't require constant re-tightening) & I know that Canon got too cheap for their own good.

[RikWriter]

For me, I just like the balance of the camera more with the vertical grip, particularly with a heavy tele lense.

[ddelallata]

I've bought grips for my last four Canon SLR cameras. THey just make the camera so much more comfortable to hold.

[Jakpro]

Besides all that--they just look cool!;)

[Ray Marrero]

To have a big bad camera.

[Dante King]

Chicks love BIG...cameras!

[grego]

Because size matters!!!!

[Streetshooter]

dunno.....the smaller and less obtrusive a camera is for me is important...as far as power goes...I never understood it....

I can do a complete wedding or event with one battery.....even in my Atlantic City work, the battery last for days and days...without charging......of course I hardly ever use that flash on the camera....don

[RikWriter]

dunno.....the smaller and less obtrusive a camera is for me is important...

Why?

[Inspired Photography]

I have a grip for my 20D, and also my all my old film gear. The one camera that doesn't have one, my 350D backup camera. I took it to a birthday party once with my Sigma 24-70 f2.8 attached in an attempt to not have such a pro look at such a relaxed gathering. All i can say is that the balance gets all wrong and it feels awkward trying to hold a few kilos (pounds for everyone else i guess) worth of lens up in the air with a little plastic camera attached. Just feels weird. I guess if you don't have any big glass (and i mean weight, not necessarily size), then it just isn't such a problem.

Rob

[Jon]

dunno.....the smaller and less obtrusive a camera is for me is important...as far as power goes...I never understood it....Why?
His handle's "Streetshooter". You have to ask?

[Carzee]

[ OT - Shooterboy CQDX CQDX---pls check this Sydney thread - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=104544 ]

[OceanRider]

dunno.....the smaller and less obtrusive a camera is for me is important...as far as power goes...I never understood it....

I can do a complete wedding or event with one battery.....even in my Atlantic City work, the battery last for days and days...without charging......of course I hardly ever use that flash on the camera....don

I agree steetshooter. I LOVE a small light low profile cam. My batteries last all day too. I sold my Grip, could not be happier. The camera is lighter, hangs nicer around my neck (flat to chest). Sits on a table the way is should. Comes outa my bag faster and I can fit more in the bag now! I hate people looking at my gear and wondering. Now it looks like a more "normal" camera.

That grip felt so cheap that is was not worth it. I got used to flipping verticle years ago with my rebel, and I never liked the way I had to do it with grip on.

Cheers

Joel

[WepWaWep]

Next thing on my list. Had the BG-E1 on my Rebel, made the fit much nicer.

[m3elmo]

i got the vertical grip for the 'bling' factor. now my camera looks like a 1D and i look super pro when i walk around with my camera....


... but in all seriousness, i got it 1) for the balance with heavy lens 2) the vertical shutter is really handy with portraits. and a far far 3) is for the extended battery life.

[4x4rock]

well if you have the grip and you're gonna shoot at a party or some place that big camera can be intimidated, then just remove the grip for that shooting. There's no reason why you can't do that. Put it back when you shooting other things.

[Adekeyser]

The biggest advantage is when you are going to be away from power to recharge. I was out in the woods for 9 days and took over 500 pictures and still had plenty of power. To be honest I am not sure if one battery would have been enough. That I just have big hands and it just fits better in my hand.

[richardho11]

I had one on my XT, 20D and now 5D. I LOVE the feel of it. It feels so much more secure in my hands and I can take vertical shots much more comfortably. Plus just to know that I have 2 batteries, makes me feel more secure. Also, I love the look of it with the grip! :D

[ACDCROCKS]

The canon Grip is great, it adds more balance to it, and adds an extra shutter for when you are doing Portraits. When you shoot portrait mode with it, your wrist feels a lot better.

[Jon]

Personally, I have one and almost never use it. It makes my already overloaded camera bag that little bit too fat.

[HotRodGuy]

i just don't get why it's so expensive :D

[ACDCROCKS]

$170.00 isn't bad, course then your looking at 1 extra battery and shutter, I'm both ways on that

[ddelallata]

$170.00 isn't bad, course then your looking at 1 extra battery and shutter, I'm both ways on that

It is to me...considering that the grip for the Film Rebel 2000 is ~30 dlls and ~70 dlls for the ELAN 7 (EOS 30 and 33).

[Peter White]

I spent a whole day shooting with the 20D at a Scottish games festival here in New Hampshire. I ended up making 90% of the images verticals. This was before getting the 5D. My right wrist was pretty sore by mid afternoon. When I bought the 5D I vowed to get the grip for it. It arrived yesterday and I'm very glad I have it. It's not for the extra battery as far as I'm concerned since swapping a battery takes only 10 seconds or so. It just makes holding the camera for vertical shots much more comfortable. If you'll be doing a lot of shooting in one session, that's reason enough to spend the money.

[Raphael Emond]

I buy the Battery Grip for my 350 mainly because of the small size of the camera. Now it feel much more confortable in my hand, and the portrait shutter is really a good feature, when I shoot portraits in a crowd. I don't have my arm in others faces. Much more compact for me when doing portrait. And it balance well with heavier lenses..

I don't regret my purchase... Very happy with it!