Sounds like I need a grip.

[In2Photos]

Last night my wife and I were shooting some pics with her new XT and during a short time shooting my pinky and ring finger were hurting from holding the camera. All the times I held the camera at the store I did not have this problem. Is it just something I need to get used to or does it sound like the BG-E3 grip would help me here? I don't have large hands, in fact they are small with long thin fingers. All of the people who said the XT was too small complained because they have large hands. My wife mentioned that the camera was light last night so she might not mind the grips weight but if not how fast can it be removed?

By the way we are enjoying our learning of the XT and have taken some good shots and some bad ones. Still have a lot to learn and I think the wife will want a better zoom lens for indoors.

[Jon]

Large hands often implies long fingers. Long fingers with small palms will have just as much problem. As to whether the grip will help, that depends some on which fingers were cramping up. If you were running into the lens mount with your fingers, having the larger surface may help.

[defordphoto]

Yep. Get a grip.

[pault107]

I bought a grip for my 350D/XT recently and the camera is much easier to handle :-)

[wannasmaxx]

Mine live on the camera, so I've kinda attached it to the camera with the strap looped strategically, but it's easy to detach a non-josh rigged grip.

[In2Photos]

B&H has it for ~$145. Is this about the best price? I am probably going to wait about a month or so to see if it continues as well as get more familiar with the camera to see what else I might need. So far I plan on getting a grip, Tamron 28-75/2.8, and another card. Thanks for the input.

[wu_wei0]

Yep. Get a grip.

ROFL! Beat me to it!

I avoided the XT because of tis small size and weight. The DRebel, though not much heftier proved a better fit for me however I still purchased the grip used from a POTN member and love it. I have a bit of tremor and that weight of the grip actually alleviates some of that for me.

for "quick" changes I need 3 batteries with me (although I generally have all 5 on long days in the field)- 2 for the grip and one handy to slip in when I have to lose the grip. I keep the extra battery and the bay door together and easy to reach. then it is just a spin of the dial, pop in the battery and secure the door. might miss some shots but with practice it has become quicker.

[ayotnoms]

Still have a lot to learn and I think the wife will want a better zoom lens for indoors.

...and so it begins. Get ahead of the "I want/need a new lens" game and just sand down the numbers on all your credit cards.

Go on DO IT!

:) :)

Glad you're having fun. Post some pics already. Don't keep us in suspenders.

[Jackal]

If you're going to get the Tamron get the grip. Trust me. The lens is alot heavier than the kit lense and so much more heavier than your 50mm 1.8.

The grip was worth every penny to me. It makes the camera feel 100 times better.

[In2Photos]

If you're going to get the Tamron get the grip. Trust me. The lens is alot heavier than the kit lense and so much more heavier than your 50mm 1.8.

The grip was worth every penny to me. It makes the camera feel 100 times better.

I might have to take the plunge. I just found a used Tamron for $269 in near mint condition at a local shop. Might have to check it out. It looks like the cheapest grip is about $140 shipped at Amazon.

[Mike K]

Last night my wife and I were shooting some pics with her new XT and during a short time shooting my pinky and ring finger were hurting from holding the camera

Consider a hand strap
http://www.camdapter.com/

I have a 1 series camera, which essentially has a vertical grip built into the body already. The grip is really for holding the camera in the portrait mode without twisting your hand over, and to provide additional battery space. I use the Canon handstrap, which only fits the grip combination. This really helps to hold on to the camera securely without much effort at all from the fingers, even when I have a very heavy lens attached. The reference above is the only hand strap I have seen that will fit to a camera without a grip since there would not be a loop on the bottom of the camera for the handstrap to attach to.
Mike K

[In2Photos]

Consider a hand strap
http://www.camdapter.com/

I have a 1 series camera, which essentially has a vertical grip built into the body already. The grip is really for holding the camera in the portrait mode without twisting your hand over, and to provide additional battery space. I use the Canon handstrap, which only fits the grip combination. This really helps to hold on to the camera securely without much effort at all from the fingers, even when I have a very heavy lens attached. The reference above is the only hand strap I have seen that will fit to a camera without a grip since there would not be a loop on the bottom of the camera for the handstrap to attach to.
Mike K

I will look into that. Although I went tonight to pick up a new lens (used) and tried the grip. I don't know if I can resist. It was so nice.

[i_will]

Get the Grip + Hand Strap, you won't regret it

[Dan GSR]

for me, its not the length of the grip that is the problem, its the girth

its just a bit skinny

i have the bg-e3 on my xt, and i love it , especially with the e1 handstrap

the handstrap is what helped the most, it just allows your and muscles to relax, instead of always clenching the camera

[In2Photos]

for me, its not the length of the grip that is the problem, its the girth

its just a bit skinny

i have the bg-e3 on my xt, and i love it , especially with the e1 handstrap

the handstrap is what helped the most, it just allows your and muscles to relax, instead of always clenching the camera

I played around with the BG-E3 at a local shop today. It will most likely be my next purchase, probably when I get my rebates back from canon.

[TeamSpeed]

Check out Page Computer too, they are under $140 shipped for the grip.

[twalker294]

Hakuba makes a handstrap that is much cheaper than the one above and works great:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=194968&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

I have one for my 10D and it works both with and without the grip. I remove the grip sometimes when a more compact and lighter camera is what I want and the Hakuba strap works great. The Canon strap requires that the grip be mounted.

Todd

[Mike K]

The camdapter hand strap I referenced in my post earlier in this thread looks way more comfortable. Better yet, the bottom plate can be purchased with Arca Swiss style dovetail, so that it doubles as the camera plate for Arca Swiss style tripod clamps. Too bad its not an L plate too!
The hakuba strap mentioned above looks flexible, in that it can be readily removed. However, you will have to remove it everytime you use a tripod/monopod as it uses up the tripod socket and doesn't provide another means of tripod attachment.
Mike K

[twalker294]

The camdapter hand strap I referenced in my post earlier in this thread looks way more comfortable. Better yet, the bottom plate can be purchased with Arca Swiss style dovetail, so that it doubles as the camera plate for Arca Swiss style tripod clamps. Too bad its not an L plate too!
The hakuba strap mentioned above looks flexible, in that it can be readily removed. However, you will have to remove it everytime you use a tripod/monopod as it uses up the tripod socket and doesn't provide another means of tripod attachment.
Mike K

Actually the Hakuba does have a tripod socket on the bottom as well, but it's not extremely rigid and I unscrew my Hakuba strap when using a tripod. The strap you referenced does look like it's of higher quality -- I just wanted the OP to know that there is another alternative out there.

[ACDCROCKS]

I love the grips, it's a lot of ease on your wrist when you have one, it's well worth the money

[Peter White]

The Hakuba strap precludes use of a L bracket arca-swiss mounting plate. I have yet to find a hand strap that works with an L bracket on a body without the vertical grip. Sometimes I want the grip and sometimes I don't, just to save weight.

Life is so complicated. ;-)

[JohnCollins]

The grip is awesome. Camera feels much better, I leave mine on permanently, have never taken it off.

I like the confidence having the extra battery power gives me, too. I set the camera for 8 second photo review instead of the default 4, and the power down time is 4 minutes. I usually carry another 6 AAs in the included sled, so at a long Christmas party or karate tournament, I simply do not worry about power outages at all.

I will echo, get a grip! very worthwhile.

John

[felix21685]

i agree the grip helps a ton..wish i could have just bought it when i bought the camera !
make sure you get the E-1 strap too :)

[Jman13]

Grips are great. I was wary the first time I attached mine, due to the extra weight, but just attaching my flash made me realize I made the right decision (it's no longer top heavy with the flash on). The grip is really essential for me as well, since I shoot easily as much in the vertical orientation as I do horizontal, if not more, so the vertical controls are actually the most important thing for me. Looking through my photos I have a thing for wide-angle vertical landscapes. :)

[dgcorner]

It starts with the grip... then the 2nd hand lens... then a brand new one... then an L...

[JohnCollins]

And I don't think there is an antidote. Then the accessories, the brackets, the alien bees. . .

I better get my wife interested in this hobby or I'm going to be in big trouble.

[In2Photos]

And I don't think there is an antidote. Then the accessories, the brackets, the alien bees. . .

I better get my wife interested in this hobby or I'm going to be in big trouble.
Lucky for me my wife is the main reason I am into this hobby, but we just started so I want to slowly move into it or we will be out of it faster than we started. The grip is definately my next purchase, along with a strap.

[InskiP]

What if you have small delicate hands, would the battery grip be too much? I don't find shooting in portrait ackward w/ my 20D. My finger stays in the same spot, rotating isn't a problem, I'm used to it. But I was wondering if it would help stablize my camera w/ the flash and softbox attached, or will the bracket stablize it enough? Never used a grip or bracket before...

[In2Photos]

What if you have small delicate hands, would the battery grip be too much? I don't find shooting in portrait ackward w/ my 20D. My finger stays in the same spot, rotating isn't a problem, I'm used to it. But I was wondering if it would help stablize my camera w/ the flash and softbox attached, or will the bracket stablize it enough? Never used a grip or bracket before...

My recomendation would be to hit your local shop and try it out. That is how i decided i needed one. now i am just saving for it.

[Mike K]

What if you have small delicate hands, would the battery grip be too much? I don't find shooting in portrait ackward w/ my 20D. My finger stays in the same spot, rotating isn't a problem, I'm used to it. But I was wondering if it would help stablize my camera w/ the flash and softbox attached, or will the bracket stablize it enough? Never used a grip or bracket before...

I would consider a hand strap, that takes the weight off of your fingers (don't have to clench your fingers as much to hold the camera). I use one for the much heavier 1D series camera and heavy L lenses. Canon sells one and an alternative source I listed earlier in this thread.
Mike K

[kwsanders]

My wife got the BG-E3 for me for Christmas. I am 6'5" tall and I have pretty large hands, so the extra surface is great for me. Overall, the entire camera feels a lot more balanced now, especially with the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM on the front of it. Someone remarked today that it looks like a 1D Mark II with the battery grip on the camera. :)

[Macavity]

I got the grip and handstrap from my wife for Christmas. My hands aren't that big, but holding the camera with the Tamron and Speedlite attached is much easier now. The balance is great. Oh, and having the grip and extra buttons for portrait shooting is wonderful!

[In2Photos]

I got the grip and handstrap from my wife for Christmas. My hands aren't that big, but holding the camera with the Tamron and Speedlite attached is much easier now. The balance is great. Oh, and having the grip and extra buttons for portrait shooting is wonderful!

Quit teasing me! I'm working on it, already!:D lol. The torture is horrible!

[Laffctx]

I got the grip and to me it is great........I advise everyone that has larger hands to get the grip.

[Steve Parr]

I love grips. I have big hands, and find that they're a neccesity for me...

Steve

[StealthLude]

I bought a grip for my 20D, it wasnt that thrilled when i got it. So expenvice for what it actually is... Regardless, im keeping it and i really dont know why haha.

Its not like some amazing device thats gona make you a profesional, its a crap peice of plastic with some more juice in it. Camera looks bigger, give it a profesional look. And also increasing your chances of getting stabed and robbed in a bad area..

Yes, and im still keeping mine. Not saying it worth the $, my first responce after getting it was what a waste of $. Considering that ammount of $ ive already spent, its just another accessory thats part of my bag now.

[vjack]

I got the grip and to me it is great........I advise everyone that has larger hands to get the grip.

After reading about the many problems the 20D grip has had, I decided to pass on the grip. My big hands issue was at least partly resolved through the addition of a quick-release L-bracket for tripod mounting. It increases the camera's dimensions slightly but seems to help a bit.

[Steve Parr]

After reading about the many problems the 20D grip has had, I decided to pass on the grip. My big hands issue was at least partly resolved through the addition of a quick-release L-bracket for tripod mounting. It increases the camera's dimensions slightly but seems to help a bit.

My understanding is that Canon has rectified the problems with the grip...

Steve

[vjack]

Someone posted in another thread that he's sent his recently purchased grip in 5 times and Canon still hasn't fixed it. See http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=92697&highlight=grip

[SYS]

Likewise, I've been waiting for Canon to rectify the grip problems that I've been reading about. I'll give Canon another year before I decide to purchase one. For now, Canon hasn't earned my confidence yet with the grip.

[bones]

I enjoy the grip as I have bigger hands. It feels good and well balanced. I believe the problems were corrected with the firmware upgrade and basically from what I heard it applied only to certain serial numbered Grips.:oops:

[SYS]

Get a grip on yourself before you think about getting the grip. :lol:

[Bass Ackwards]

I got the grip for the extra battery power supply, the size is nice, and makes it more balanced, but in reality, I hate having to stop and switch batteries. And since the battery life leaves a little to be desired on the XT, I love the grip.

[Neilyb]

Got the grip at Christmas....how did I live without it? It is great...everyone should have one.

[denMAR]

I'm grip free and I have no problems. But I rather have it anwyays.

[brivett]

Can't imaging using the camera without a grip... It really should be part of the camera.

[Lester Wareham]

A hand strap (Canon Camera Hand Strap E1) will probably be more effective. The problem is the Canon ones seem to require a grip to be fitted. There are independents that screew into the tripod mount at one end.

[JesseJames]

I managed to buy a brand new grip on Ebay last week for $110.00, and I love it. It definitly makes the camera easier to handle

[Tyger]

I had the same problem with my pinky, since getting the grip i haven't had any aches whatsoever.