5D and Battery Grip.....Who uses One?

[mrclark321]

Just wondering how many 5D users also use the battery grip. Just traded my 1DMKII for a 5D and miss the feel of the built in grip. The reduded weight is a blessing but what I really miss is being able to use the hand strap. Yes I know the battery grip and 5D together puts it close to the weight of the 1D but with the battery grip I can still remove it especially on our up-coming trip to Disney. The reduced weight will be great. :)

Dan

[awad]

i use one with the hand strap.

[Quad]

I got one and find it has helped me hold more steady. i took it off last week but did not like the feel of the camera. Of course it is probably just what I have become used to. Also I made a hand strap and find it easier on the hand as I do not need to hold on with a death grip. That makes for a more rested hand and counteracts the increased weight.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

I use my grip all the time unless its on the stroboframe bracket. I love it.

[mrclark321]

Thanks everyone, might have to pick one up. Was trying to go light but it's still lighter than the 1DMKII :)

Dan

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I tried a grip with my 5D. However, with how much I change my focus point (don't care for focus/recompose), it just seemed stupid to have to keep taking my hand off the grip to hit the joystick every few shots. I didn't like the feel of it.

[sjafari]

i have one, and using it pretty much comes down to whether or not weight is an issue. If im hiking or biking, the grip stays at home. Anything else and the grip is attached.. it feels so small without it! Ill be ordering the handstrap soon.

[fivegallon]

I purchased them both together so the BG has been on from the beginning...and it stays on.
The weight is no issue to me, feels very comfortable

[mrclark321]

Weight can be an issue for me with the 1DMKII so thats why I traded. Gets heavy when you have the 1DMKII, 580EX, 100-400L and the better beemer

[Doom1701e]

I do, wouldnt have it any other way.

[rustylewis]

I also use the 5D with the grip.

[Carzee]

I also use the 5D withOUT grip. I have a handstrap on the camdapter plate.
Since I'm not doing studio portraits I don't miss it. Its not the money, its the weight and streetability for me. A 5D and a little wideangle... is not too bulky.

[Lightstream]

No grip and refuse to use one. Which is odd considering that I am a 1D owner and like the grip.. but only the 1-series grips. Never liked the others.

[calicokat]

When I had a 5D, I used the grip and liked it, but its nothing like the 1 series with the built in grip, feels like a toy in comparison

[Jussuff]

I use one with the hand strap and it really is comfortable. I like my 5D with the grip! :)

[Jon]

I'm another 5D/no grip user and very happy with how it handles that way.

[Quad]

I tried a grip with my 5D. However, with how much I change my focus point (don't care for focus/recompose), it just seemed stupid to have to keep taking my hand off the grip to hit the joystick every few shots. I didn't like the feel of it.


I haven't done it but I remember being able to change the focus points to the wheel that might have made it more useable. Of course I am not sure what that would do for exposure compensation.

I still think I should try to get used to no grip as it does make for a much smaller unit but laziness will likely prevail.

[Blue S2]

I only use the 5D with grip. So often I want to take it off and carry a light lens around, but I just always go back to the grip. Actually I have a grip and a QR plate. My camera is huge, and annoying in some situations where you want to be discreet...but the feel is so much better. I can hold the camera way better with the grip too. I take a lot of shots in portrait orientation too, so I love having the buttons up top.

[SimonG]

I'm also in the no-grip camp, as I find that the camera is plenty comfortable without it, and I've no real need for the portrait controls or the extra battery power.

[RAitch]

LOL, I have one for my 30D Dan... so I guess you better pick one up. ;)

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I haven't done it but I remember being able to change the focus points to the wheel that might have made it more useable. Of course I am not sure what that would do for exposure compensation.

I still think I should try to get used to no grip as it does make for a much smaller unit but laziness will likely prevail.

When I shoot as I said, I'm in manual mode, and the wheel is my aperture. Can't move that. Stuck on the stick.

[::John::]

When I shoot as I said, I'm in manual mode, and the wheel is my aperture. Can't move that. Stuck on the stick.

Not quite right.

In manual mode on my 5D I press the focal point button with my thumb (to the right of the * button) and scroll the wheel to change focal points.

If I haven't thumbpressed the focus point button then, you are correct, the wheel changes the aperture.

[tommykjensen]

I don't have a grip yet. But I will most likely buy one because this weekend when I used CFN-04 1 with focus on * I found it difficult to keep the camera steady in portrait mode with the thumb on * and index finger on the shutter.

[::John::]

Yeah, it takes a lot of getting used to, Tommy. The grip can take a bit, too. For the first short while I found myself rotating the camera - but keeping my hands in the same position as pre-grip.

What I really like about it, though, is the increased battery storage - on an IS lens with AI-SERVO running and my thumb on the * button, the single battery gets a beating. With 2 batteries I still get around 1000 images before reaching for another set.

[tommykjensen]

I am used to a grip so that won't be a problem. I had it when I had a 300D I have it for my 20D and of course I have the builtin grip on my 1 DMK IIN.

[Win]

I put the grip on when I got the camera and have never thought about removing it. I do mostly hiking and that's with the 24-70. I wouldn't recognize my camera if it didn't have the grip and the brick.;)

Win

[Palladium]

... better beemer

I also have a Better Beemer for the 580ex and havn't had a chance to use it yet - anyway can you give me your impressions and thoughts, etc.

Thanks :D

[spcalan]

I also have one, and it never comes off.. Feels like a piece of equipment, not a toy..

[JohnJ80]

I just bought one for my sports shooting with primes - meaning in portrait orientation. After 200 or so shots, I felt like my wrist was going to break. I'm looking forward to the portrait controls in a more sane place when on the monopod with the L bracket.

j

[-MasterChief-]

I change my focus point (don't care for focus/recompose), it just seemed stupid to have to keep taking my hand off the grip to hit the joystick every few shots.

my 5D always has the grip on it, but i do HATE having to change focus points when holding it vertically! yo canon! why not put a joystick on the BG-E4?

[Blue S2]

And an ISO button!

[RAitch]

my 5D always has the grip on it, but i do HATE having to change focus points when holding it vertically! yo canon! why not put a joystick on the BG-E4?
Here here!! Or at least drop it down a bit somewhere where it can be reached from both positions.

[Richard_Miami]

5D with grip from day one - I have large hands - so it is more comfortable (and thus more stable)..and I love being able to shift to portrait mode without breaking my wrist. I came up from a 350D - which felt like a toy until I put a grip on that one. Good thing I sold it before getting the 5D.. even with the grip it would be a toy feeling in comparison!

Just to point out that this is not only a Canon question -- LOL -- I even had to put larger diameter grips on the Harley - I felt like I was holding pencils in my fists with the stock grips.