grip or no grip?? that is the question

[bphillips330]

Ok, I have a gift certificate to best buy from the holidays and want to get something for the camera. They have some lenses, but i can't afford any L glass right now. I saw that best buy carries the grip for the xti and was really curious if the grip is really that handy. I see alot of people use them. I tend to shoot alot in manual and use the wheel by the shutter release along with hitting the +/- button to adj the f stop. I know with the grip that the wheel is there but i don't know how easy it will be to adj the fstop with the grip. Any advice.

[Ron Lacey]

Ok, I have a gift certificate to best buy from the holidays and want to get something for the camera. They have some lenses, but i can't afford any L glass right now. I saw that best buy carries the grip for the xti and was really curious if the grip is really that handy. I see alot of people use them. I tend to shoot alot in manual and use the wheel by the shutter release along with hitting the +/- button to adj the f stop. I know with the grip that the wheel is there but i don't know how easy it will be to adj the fstop with the grip. Any advice.

The wheel and controls on the grip feel pretty much the same as the ones on the camera and are as easy to use when holding the camera in portrait orientation. The grip does add weight to the camera which I don't like and bulk which some people do like. I generally only use mine when I know Im going to be doing a lot of shooting with the camera in portrait orientation.

Ron

[sirsloop]

The grip is AWESOME! Not only do you get twice the battery, you also get vertical controls, a place to put your pinkey when you are shooting normally, and it definitly gives the camera a little more menacing appearance (if that matters to you). It also protects the camera's tripod mount threads, and eliminates the battery door... just incase...

The only improvement that they could make it adding the EV button on there. If you are shooting and want to add in 1/3rd EV you gotta press the body button. Can't have it all I guess....

[boclcown]

any pics of the XTi with the grip?

[August 15 Photography]

I have bigger hands, so the grip is great for me. Personally I like the bulk and weight it adds as well.

[Hawg Hanner]

I purchased the grip for both my 20D and my 5D because "it seemed like the thing to do." Unfortunately both are collecting dust and I seldom use them. The only time I use the grip is when (1) I know I'm going to be doing a lot shooting away from my camera bag where the extra battery can be useful (and this is very seldom) or (2) I'm doing some long exposure shots in the cold, when battery power more quickly diminishes.

If you don't yet have a lot of gear I think it might be more prudent to purchase some accessories that will prove more useful, such as a good, sturdy tripod, nice camera bag, Giottos rocket blower(s), the Canon TC80N3 remote switch, extra battery or two, larger compact flash card(s), etc. If you are missing any of these other accessories I might recommend getting them before you worry about the battery grip.

Just my two cents...

[Hawg Hanner]

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/rebelxt/xt_bge3_grip.jpg

[PhtoBriT]

The canon grip never comes off my XTi.

[Mark_Cohran]

I've always bought grips for my SLR's (film and digital) as I find them to be invaluable when shooting in the portrait orientation (which I do quite a lot). I also find them to make the camera steadier and easier to hold/handle. But it's a personal preference. Some people don't like grips at all.

Mark

[Jason77]

i'm a big fan of the grip. it makes the xt body sturdier and more meatier to me, resulting in less camera shake as i'm trying to shoot (so if you drink alot of starbucks, you'll want the grip ;) ) and it does have buttons for EV compensation. i highly reccomend one.

[cowpix]

The grips never come off my cameras, but I never use the grip controls. I need the extra battery power, and with big hands, need more to hang onto.

[jevidon]

some people don't want the added bulk and weight, which I can fully appreciate. However, I can't possibly imagine ever using my camera without the grip. Great for counterbalancing heavier lenses, reducing the top-heavy feeling of the lens. Also, and this might just be me, but when I have removed the grip for cleaning I find my pinky finger doesn't have anywhere to rest...

[superdiver]

Grip!

[Charlya]

any pics of the XTi with the grip?

It is quite heavy with the grip for me but I am small and have small hands.

[jevidon]

Here's mine......
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/charlya/CharlyaandCamera.jpg

It is quite heavy with the grip for me but I am small and have small hands.The grip suits you quite well... :)

[bildeb0rg]

The grip suits you quite well... :)

I'm movin' to Texas!;)

On a serious note, I got mine purely to give me the optoin of using AAs if I have to.

[sageone]

love the grips...have one for each of my 30Ds. The extra battery life and vertical controls are great as well. I'm a big guy and love the weight and size it adds to the body. Though the 30D is a heavy camera anyways, I like the heavy, well-built feel it gives me with the grip on. Having the vertical controls is the biggest benefit I think because having to shoot portraits and holding the camera in an awkward position bugs the crap out of me.

[narlus]

i bought a grip because i found myself using portrait orientation a lot, and if you use the * button for focus lock, it can get very awkward w/o a grip.

[sageone]

i bought a grip because i found myself using portrait orientation a lot, and if you use the * button for focus lock, it can get very awkward w/o a grip.

Another good point...I focus with the * button all the time. Can't shoot without using it...feels unnatural to me now.

[sti jaguar]

The grip makes the camera look cool but I still have not justified buying it yet. Longer battery life??? Nah, the single battery lasts way long enough. And never had trouble shooting vertical.

It just makes the camera bigger and heavier.

[Knightshade]

I very recently shot with a rebel xt & 30D w/o the grip and hated it. I don't have "big" hands, but appreciate the extra bulk that the grip gave my 30D

Especially when I put one of my larger lenses on, helps balance it out.

[bphillips330]

I purchased the grip for both my 20D and my 5D because "it seemed like the thing to do." Unfortunately both are collecting dust and I seldom use them. The only time I use the grip is when (1) I know I'm going to be doing a lot shooting away from my camera bag where the extra battery can be useful (and this is very seldom) or (2) I'm doing some long exposure shots in the cold, when battery power more quickly diminishes.

If you don't yet have a lot of gear I think it might be more prudent to purchase some accessories that will prove more useful, such as a good, sturdy tripod, nice camera bag, Giottos rocket blower(s), the Canon TC80N3 remote switch, extra battery or two, larger compact flash card(s), etc. If you are missing any of these other accessories I might recommend getting them before you worry about the battery grip.

Just my two cents...


I already have all those accesorries. Exept the rocket blower. This is used primarily for sensor cleaning correct?

[bphillips330]

Another good point...I focus with the * button all the time. Can't shoot without using it...feels unnatural to me now.

with the xti, in the FN menu (function menu) how to i program the button to be a focus instead of half holding down the shutter release?

Also with the grip, I have two batteries. I tend to get alot of time out of the battery by it self. Has it ever happened that you had both batteries in camera, and the battery dies? The charger only holds one battery and if both are dead, then i guess you could use aa's while the camera batteries charge? I guess you have to be more on top of making sure you batteries are charged

[Jon]

I don't use a grip - doesn't help the balance of any of my lenses (must be tiny, since everyone claims it helps balance their large lenses) - 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8 IS or 100-400 IS. Your left hand's there to support the lens and camera; your right hand shouldn't be trying to do the work of holding the camera up while also trying to release the shutter smoothly.

Edit - I had one for the 20D; it had the false low battery problems which amplified its worthlessness to me, so I stopped using it. It's since been repaired, and I sold it to SuzyView.

[Bill Roberts]

It does make the camera bigger and slightly heavier. But that's more than offset by the much better balance it gives when using longer lenses. There were quality issues with early versions but as far as I know that's long since fixed. I used one with a 20D and it rarely came off the camera, I never regretted buying it.

[tsaraleksi]

I've found that it helps when hand holding longish lenses, and it just makes the camera more comfortable, I think. Though I dunno, maybe it's just because I got one with my first EOS slr because I thought it the thing to do, and now I'm used to it.

[gcogger]

I think the claim that a grip gives you extra battery life is misleading. Just keep another battery in your pocket and you have the same advantage!

Personally, I can't see the point of a grip unless it's for the portrait orientation controls. My 400D does not have a 'balance' problem even with the heaviest lenses - the left hand simply supports the camera/lens at the point of balance, wherever that happens to be. In fact, from the pics, it looks like the grip would prevent your left hand from holding the camera comfortably with shorter lenses...

[Ron Lacey]

with the xti, in the FN menu (function menu) how to i program the button to be a focus instead of half holding down the shutter release?

Not sure if it's different on the XTi but on a 5D its; custom funtion 04, set it to 1:AE lock/AF

Ron

[tsaraleksi]

I think the claim that a grip gives you extra battery life is misleading. Just keep another battery in your pocket and you have the same advantage!


Speaking as someone who cannot keep track of keys, flash cards, hands, etc, having to carry the battery would mean not carrying the battery. It's nice to have it always there :).

[Jon]

Speaking as someone who cannot keep track of keys, flash cards, hands, etc, having to carry the battery would mean not carrying the battery. It's nice to have it always there :).
Can I follow you around? I could use a couple of more lenses!

:{)#

[andydajo]

Grip for me definately, my 30D doesn't leave the house without it and I'd have to saw the one off the 1D mk II coming my way at the weekend.

[Charlya]

with the xti, in the FN menu (function menu) how to i program the button to be a focus instead of half holding down the shutter release?

Also with the grip, I have two batteries. I tend to get alot of time out of the battery by it self. Has it ever happened that you had both batteries in camera, and the battery dies? The charger only holds one battery and if both are dead, then i guess you could use aa's while the camera batteries charge? I guess you have to be more on top of making sure you batteries are charged


I have the XTi and have read a lot and even watched a 3 hour instruction video on the controls. I haven't seen where you can use the function menu to make a button be a focus button instead of the standard pressing the shutter half way down. If you find out how let us know!

[Jon]

I have the XTi and have read a lot and even watched a 3 hour instruction video on the controls. I haven't seen where you can use the function menu to make a button be a focus button instead of the standard pressing the shutter half way down. If you find out how let us know!
Setting CF 4 to 1 will let you focus with the "*" (exposure lock) button instead of the shutter release.

[murtaugh]

i must admit getting used to a grip took me a little bit of time, but the more i use it the more it the more i like it. it is my beliefe also that it adds a certain level of balance as well

[steved110]

A grip will probably be my next purchase, as having just bought a 580EX flash, I found the 20d with 17-40 and a 580EX quite combersome and unwieldy. I hope that the grip will improve the balance. As well as look cool....

The other advantage of the grip is that as accessories go, it is relatively inexpensive....and I have spent too much just lately...:(

[Shutter22]

I'm very small and have extremely tiny hands, but I love my grip. With a large lens it doesn't make much of a difference in weight whether I have it on or not. I onlyhave one smallish lens and it's still great.

It does make my camera look a little more intimidating as well. I'm small, so I always get second glances with my massive camera. I also get more respect as a photographer at school sporting events from people who think my slr is better than the people at the paper because mine is bigger.(most of them don't have grips)

It's more of an ego thing for me, but I love it to death.