OMG Do NOT Buy This Grip! Look What Happened!

[EOS MAN1]

I bought the Targus battery grip: http://www.adorama.com/TGVGRXTS.html?searchinfo=rebel%20XT%20grip&item_no=1

I have had it for months now with great results. In fact I was the first one on the bottom of that page to give it a great review. After months of light to minimal use, it has failed on a LARGE SCALE!


Look at the pics:
http://mysite.verizon.net/berniesautorepair/targus01.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/berniesautorepair/targus02.jpg

I had been noicing lately that the grip has been feeling a little loose on the camera. The thread wheel wouldn't tighten anymore, so I looked at it more closely to find it was coming apart. I had no warranty that I was aware of, and well, I took it apart to find that. All but 3 of the places that the hold the thing together with screws had broken. This wasn't one or two, it was 7 out of 10 places that had broken. I use my camera about 3 times a week, for very little. I have onely had both less than a year. This has failed big time. I can't believe this thing was that bad. I am also very gentle with my camera, so I can't see how this could happen other than manufacture defect.

So far I was able to Super glue it back together somewhat. I don't know how long it will last. I don't trust it for anything now. I guess I need to save for the Canon one. I wonder if the Canon one is this poorly constructed inside.

[Hermeto]

Huh, that looks bad!
To be honest, this is the first time I’ve heard of Targus grip.

[SunTsu]

Would you mind backing up a bit and take a picture of the whole thing?

[EOS MAN1]

Sure, here it is:
http://mysite.verizon.net/berniesautorepair/targus03.jpg

[ErikM]

That is why I went with the Canon grip from the start! Mine has worked flawlessly :D

[deadpass]

wow, looks like it had been dropped or something.

[cbienlein]

one of my friends bought a Targus grip just a few weeks ago and it was Dead On Arrival

[ErikM]

Sounds like the Targus grip is a real winner!

[Paul Tinworth]

That looks surprisingly similar to the grip I have... *becomes paranoid* :|

[b1gdaddy]

Try solvent cement (polypipe adhesive) as this will weld plastic parts not merely stick them. Unlucky dude :(.

[cosworth]

snap crackle pop.

you'll need abs cement it appears.

[ray_lam5]

naah the canon one is a neat tough piece of kit, much tougher than the XT ever was. dont go cheap on the grip, i bought for £99 and sold it on for £75 a year later when i flogged my xt so it kept its value pretty well.

[jr_senator]

That is why I went with the Canon grip from the start! Mine has worked flawlessly :D

I agree.

[angryhampster]

That is why I went with the Canon grip from the start! Mine has worked flawlessly :D



My Opteka was flawless ;)

[justisnmnz]

My Opteka was flawless ;)
same. Although unfortunately after about 8 months of my incredibly rough use (i beat the crap out of my gear.) The battery tray holder thing is loose so I have to tape it. :( But that's what I get.

[deadpass]

one of my friends bought a Targus grip just a few weeks ago and it was Dead On Arrival


maybe they drop them all once at the factory, just to make sure they're crap when they get to the end user.

[DocFrankenstein]

same. Although unfortunately after about 8 months of my incredibly rough use (i beat the crap out of my gear.) The battery tray holder thing is loose so I have to tape it. :( But that's what I get.
And my canon's battery tray holder (What is that anyways) is still pristine. :lol:

[b1gdaddy]

maybe they drop them all once at the factory, just to make sure they're crap when they get to the end user.

:lol:

[justisnmnz]

And my canon's battery tray holder (What is that anyways) is still pristine. :lol:
i also saved about 70 bucks to get my nifty. :lol: which is a pretty important part of my limited kit.

[ByteTheBullet]

My Opteka was flawless ;)

Only problem with my Opteka is the 'labels' by the two vertical buttons has worn off.


ByteTheBullet (-:

[EOS MAN1]

I should have just spent the money and done it right the first time. I am a college kid(man), so I am a little on the poor side. I should have some money coming in the next few months, so I guess I'll have to waste it on another grip.

[richardho11]

Yah, I have never heard of a Targus grip either. I know they make mice for computers and I have tried one of those out and didn't like it at all. I would have never even considered the Targus. How come you didn't get the Opteka? Seems like people are pretty happy with that one. I have the Canon grip and couldn't be happier! Never had a problem.

[metalman1010]

I bought the Opteka grip and used it on my 20D. I didn't have any problems with it when I had it. I have since sold it (I bought (3) 1D cameras) and the person who has bought it from me says it works great.

So give a +1 to the opteka grip.

Ross

[Jon]

And my canon's battery tray holder (What is that anyways) is still pristine. :lol:
You have a Rebel; the XT and XTi need a tray to hold the NB2Ls IIRC.

[DocFrankenstein]

You have a Rebel; the XT and XTi need a tray to hold the NB2Ls IIRC.
oh. :lol: lol

So canon indeed makes better oranges than taurus makes apples.

[EOS MAN1]

Well, at the time, I had read that it was made with the same mold as the Canon one. I think Not. I think that was said of the Opteka one too. I would consider getting the Opteka one, but I think I will just go to Canon. I got it because I primarily order from Adorama. It was the only off brand they had. Now I know a few other places to look, like B&H Photo. It sux that i have had to learn the hard way. I just wish It actually happened for a reason. It just happened for no apparent reason.

[Elbee19]

I should have just spent the money and done it right the first time. ...so I guess I'll have to waste it on another grip.
I had the Targus grip and mine did the exact same thing! I was like you also in the fact that I was looking for the financial easy way out. I have since gotten the Opteka grip and so far it is holding its own. I baby the heck out of my camera because for me even though it is only an 350D, it holds extreme value since I am not financially blessed to just go out and replace it if something were to happen. I mention this only to say there is no way I would recommend that Targus grip to anyone knowing how gingerly I treated it and it failed so miserably!

After what happened with the Targus grip, I am really paranoid and constantly checking the stupid thing to make sure it isn't loose!

[cdifoto]

Well, at the time, I had read that it was made with the same mold as the Canon one. I think Not. I think that was said of the Opteka one too.

Same mold doesn't mean same plastics.

[calicokat]

Ouch, thanks for sharing :eek:

[EOS MAN1]

I had the Targus grip and mine did the exact same thing! I was like you also in the fact that I was looking for the financial easy way out. I have since gotten the Opteka grip and so far it is holding its own. I baby the heck out of my camera because for me even though it is only an 350D, it holds extreme value since I am not financially blessed to just go out and replace it if something were to happen. I mention this only to say there is no way I would recommend that Targus grip to anyone knowing how gingerly I treated it and it failed so miserably!

After what happened with the Targus grip, I am really paranoid and constantly checking the stupid thing to make sure it isn't loose!

I will never recommend it. I am weary now to get the Opteka. I just don't wan't to go wrong twice.

Same mold doesn't mean same plastics.

You are quite right. In fact I should have know considering my job. I am on workmans comp right now. About a year running. I was a Plastic injection molding setup tech. I would setup plastic molds in the injection machines. Then I would get them ready for the operators and get the material set. Needless to say I was injured. It definitely isn't Engineering grade Polycarbonate(Lexan). That would have made a huge difference.

It looks like polycarbonate, but what a lot of companies do, like mine is get the cheapest recycled plastic pellets they can find. It is definitely not the same quality. Virgin Polycarb is much stronger and Makes much cleaner parts. Engineering grade is extremely strong and is usually the best looking in a finished product. The only thing stronger in plastics are glass filled plastics.

[robinpow]

OUCH!!! I've never seen an equipment failure like that.

Good news, I'll be dumping my Canon grip in a month. (I'm upgrading bodies, and the grip won't fit the new body. :confused: Interested in a Canon?

[e r y k]

opteka!

[rwong2k]

Hmm, that's unfortuante, sometimes I find myself in a similar situation, should I go for a cheaper alternative

[SunTsu]

Sure, here it is:
http://mysite.verizon.net/berniesautorepair/targus03.jpg

Holy crap. I'm sorry to see that. I'm not saying you dropped it, but it looks like it was thrown against the wall or something. If I thought it would help, I would almost write to the company and ask them for another one.

[Pixel9ine]

I would almost write to the company and ask them for another one."Dear Sirs,
As you can clearly see, your company has sold me crap. Please supply me with another piece of crap by way of compensation."

Buy Canon and be done with it. I'm very happy with mine, with over 15K actuations on my XT.

[Lani Kai]

The BG-E2 has its issues too... I don't know about any of the other grips.

I had a Targus wireless mouse that died after about a week of normal use. Went back to CompUSA and exchanged it for a new one and it stopped working a few days later. I don't think I'll buy any of their stuff, ever...

[Bill Boehme]

The break pattern in the plastic is consistent with over torquing the screws.

[MikeI]

opteka!

No complaints with mine, either. Had it a few months now...it's been bumped and bruised. No problems at all.

[kn69]

Use JB weld... .it's bullet proof, but you have to act quick.. if you're not a model builder or work on cars, then just get the canon model instead.. too much to go wrong.

[Twitch1977]

Interesting, I would definitely contact the company and try and get a replacement. But for what it's worth I have the Targus grip and mine's working fine and I'm thus far very happy with it.

For the little time it would take to contact Targus though I would be calling.

Kurt

[EOS MAN1]

The break pattern in the plastic is consistent with over torquing the screws.


I don't know if it is possible that I over torqued the screw to the camera. I can't imagine that I did. Itsn' not like I took pliers to attach it. Like I said, I am very gentle with my equiptment.

[Bill Boehme]

I don't know if it is possible that I over torqued the screw to the camera. I can't imagine that I did. Itsn' not like I took pliers to attach it. Like I said, I am very gentle with my equiptment.

I did not mean to indicate that it was your fault. If the plastic is weak, it would not take much stress to cause it to break. I have had a few plastic housings break around the screw holes on various things and I know that it was because of the inadequate strength of the plastic.

[JWright]

Huh, that looks bad!
To be honest, this is the first time I’ve heard of Targus grip.

I've seen them at Fry's... To my way of thinking, this is just another argument to use the Canon grips instead of some cheaply made third-party product.

Do you really feel the price difference was worth it now?

[EOS MAN1]

I did not mean to indicate that it was your fault. If the plastic is weak, it would not take much stress to cause it to break. I have had a few plastic housings break around the screw holes on various things and I know that it was because of the inadequate strength of the plastic.

I know you weren't saying it was my fault. I am just wondering if it could have been somehow. I have never really heard of anyone else having a problem like this except another Targus. I am almost sure it is the type of plastic they used. After looking at the plastic extensively, I think it is actually ABS Plastic. It does not looks like Polycarb. Polycarb, even low grade does not simply break like this. I has an extremely high tolerance. It can be bent at exreme angle and it will merely stretch a little without breaking. It doesn't even turn white like most plastics do when they are bent. I think it is a good example of taking short cuts.


I am so mad I didn't get the Canon one originally. I wish I had just for the better wheel feel to. Oh well, now I know. And well, at least one good thing comes out of this. Someone had to be a guinea pig for their product. Now everyone else will know not to get it and hopefully many people will be saved from a crappy product.

[Lightstream]

I've seen them at Fry's... To my way of thinking, this is just another argument to use the Canon grips instead of some cheaply made third-party product.

Do you really feel the price difference was worth it now?

If only I was told this before I invested in a cheap crap third party grip. You see, the 'groupthink' mentality is that "third party is just fine" - any dissenters get shot down by the "MINE WORKS JUST FINE!!!!!" crowd. It happens so often. "oooh but but but I bought one cheap one off ebay and it is wonderful I will never pay for a BG-E2".

The BG-E2 owners keep quiet because they know there is nothing to be gained (well, for themselves) by contradicting those who do not believe. I was surprised to see so many BG-E2 owners come out of the woodwork in my 'battery grips cause resistance' thread telling me that their grips work just fine.. I was annoyed at not having asked earlier, or having had a mechanism to obtain such information (because the real owners would be out-shouted as explained earlier).

It seems that he who yells loudest gets heard. This is not always a good thing.

"Dear Sirs,
As you can clearly see, your company has sold me crap. Please supply me with another piece of crap by way of compensation."

Buy Canon and be done with it. I'm very happy with mine, with over 15K actuations on my XT.

Amen.

I handled a real BG-E4 (I am a 5D owner too) the other day and was so pleasantly surprised to note that it simply does not budge or wiggle at all, nor does it give 'low battery' indicators where there is none. I sent my generic BG-E2 equivalent in for replacement, when they give me a fixed copy I am simply going to sell it - I am not even going to use it.

Anyway I've now learned that a battery grip IS JUST ONE MORE thing to break or go wrong. I now shoot the cameras grip-less again. I've said it before and I will say it again, the only grip I've ever liked is the hewn-from-granite 1D series grips. Won't find that mag alloy chassis coming apart unless you rip a 500/4.5 off the camera.

[Ogrt48]

Opteka grip is the best. Had it since last April and it's never left my camera. Works and looks brand new after heavy use. Never heard of this grip the for xt before though.

[DocFrankenstein]

If only I was told this before I invested in a cheap crap third party grip. You see, the 'groupthink' mentality is that "third party is just fine" - any dissenters get shot down by the "MINE WORKS JUST FINE!!!!!" crowd. It happens so often. "oooh but but but I bought one cheap one off ebay and it is wonderful I will never pay for a BG-E2".

The BG-E2 owners keep quiet because they know there is nothing to be gained (well, for themselves) by contradicting those who do not believe. I was surprised to see so many BG-E2 owners come out of the woodwork in my 'battery grips cause resistance' thread telling me that their grips work just fine.. I was annoyed at not having asked earlier, or having had a mechanism to obtain such information (because the real owners would be out-shouted as explained earlier).

It seems that he who yells loudest gets heard. This is not always a good thing.
You ever seen a tripod "advice" ?

Or the popularity of the bees... The "great customer service"

If I have to use the customer service I don't want the product in the first place. lol

[Lightstream]

You ever seen a tripod "advice" ?

Or the popularity of the bees... The "great customer service"

If I have to use the customer service I don't want the product in the first place. lol

Some good points here. I would rather be called pigheaded (but enjoy the benefits of proven reliability) and stick with name-brand equipment.

[phocalphobe]

Same mold doesn't mean same plastics.

agreed. i come from the plastics injection molding industry. i can say that each batch of plastic is always different from another, no matter how strict QA is on it.

however, by looking at the damage that eos man1 showed in the shots he posted, it looks possible that the screws were over-tightened at the factory to the point where the plastic experienced catastrophic failure from shear.

if so, i'd be inclined to advise all users with the targus grip to back off those screws and gently re-tighten with minimal effective torque.

*edit* - in most instances, self-tapping screws are used in plastics where repeated assembly/disassembly is not required. if such is the case, targus owners may experience a situation where when loosening those screws, inital resistance to backing the screw out may be considerable. care should be taken to prevent the screw from stripping the threads that the screw created or stripping the screw head. i'd suggest that if the user is not mechanically inclined, the user should seek experienced assistance. too, messing with those screws may void existing warranties. (how's that for a lame disclaimer ;))

edit #2: bill boehme, sorry to repeat your suspicions, you posted as i was authoring my response. ;)

[W3C]

Theres actually a Targus Grip? lol

[RobBrenner]

Thank you for sharing this EOS MAN1!!! I really appreciate it. I ordered the Canon grip today. I've also read some bad stories about that Opteka grip. Not worth the little bit of savings to me. Fork out all that money for a 30D and then try to save a few bucks?

[joeflux]

That is why I went with the Canon grip from the start! Mine has worked flawlessly :D

That is why? How did you know that the grip was going to break?

[MDJAK]

I went with the canon grip too. Mine is so sturdy, it feels like it's part of the camera. ;)

[mbellot]

I went with the canon grip too. Mine is so sturdy, it feels like it's part of the camera. ;)

Nonsense. I bet I could remove the grip from you 1DsMkII with nothing more than my Sawzall.

:lol:

[joeflux]

I had a Sony Hi8 video camera with a sony strap that came with it. The loop was part of the camera attached to camera that was holding the strap broke off while I was walking. The camera took a straight dive to the pavement. Sony did not repair, did not care, I was out a camera as it did not record anymore. And because it was 14 months old and had a 12 month warranty.

[photobitz]

Does indeed look like a failure due to inferior materials, especially at such a catastrophic level. I would not expect so many screw mounts to break just from normal use. How do you store your camera? Do you keep it in a bag? Do you leave the grip attached? There may be some un-anticipated stresses placed on the grip if you say went hiking with it in a tight backpack...

I myself bought the BG-E3 about a year and a half ago out of necessity (that 350D handgrip is so tiny!) and I haven't had any issue with it. Now that I see this (and I am assuming the physical construction of the Canon is similar) I am a little wary of mine since I generally do not have a strap attached to my camera. If it were to break, more than likely my camera would end up in pieces too.

[EOS MAN1]

Thank you for sharing this EOS MAN1!!! I really appreciate it. I ordered the Canon grip today. I've also read some bad stories about that Opteka grip. Not worth the little bit of savings to me. Fork out all that money for a 30D and then try to save a few bucks?

You're welcome. I am glad to help.

Does indeed look like a failure due to inferior materials, especially at such a catastrophic level. I would not expect so many screw mounts to break just from normal use. How do you store your camera? Do you keep it in a bag? Do you leave the grip attached? There may be some un-anticipated stresses placed on the grip if you say went hiking with it in a tight backpack...


My routine is very gentle with my camera. It looks like brand new because of the care I take with it. I place it in my bag with the grip on. I have setup my bag in such a way to relieve stress of an attached lens on the camera. Basically I have a space for the camera with a piece of seperator that I put under where the lens would sit. The camera sits upright with the grip touching the bottom of the bag and then the seperator sits under the lens to support it . It sits in a natural position.

[tdaugharty]

I bought one for the XTI and just replaced it with a canon grip b/c the outer covering started peeling off. Cheap design .. should of bought a canon grip to begin with.

[rklepper]

I went with the canon grip too. Mine is so sturdy, it feels like it's part of the camera. ;)

That is the grip I want next.:D

[joeflux]

IMHO The 10D grip I have from Canon is the best designed. It flows and it makes it look like the 1D style because it looks like it's part of it. They re-designed it on the 20D and 30D and it doesn't look like it's part of it. It looks like an attachment. It has a bulge on the right side. Weird change. Maybe Canon wanted people to differentiate when they have the PRO look or the other look on the 30D. The 1D if they want the flow as one piece look.

10D: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0302/pma2003/canon/10d-04.jpg
20D: http://www.digiphotos.fr/images/materiel/Canon_EOS20D_GripBG-E2.jpg
30D: http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/hk/hksupplies/canon30d10.jpg
1DMk2N: http://www.cnphotos.net/news/news/images/canon_eos1d-iin-fb-big.jpg

[Lightstream]

That is the grip I want next.:D


Me too! And I heard it is free as part of any 1DM3 kit.

[r.morales]

I would email Targus with pictures AND tell them you post here . The worse that will happen is they will thumb their nose at you .
Would not hurt to tell Adorama either . They have you on their list and you are not going back if the stuff they sell falls apart . Why pay their premium if they will not stand behind the stuff they sell ?

[rklepper]

Yeah. And if that isn't incentive, what is?:D


Me too! And I heard it is free as part of any 1DM3 kit.

[EOS MAN1]

Well, apparently they have a one year warranty on their product. I wish I could have found that earlier. Oh well, I don't want to deal with another on of their garbage grips. Plus since I glued it back together I am sure that they won't warranty it. I will just get a Canon one.

[goatee]

Holy maloney. Because one non-Canon accessory has proved to break, everyone tuts and goes "See, you should have bought Canon". When the BG-E2 came out, there were countless problems with it. Yes, I mainly have Canon gear, but for the kit I wanted, it happened that the Canon gear came closest to my requirements (including budget).

Not every 3rd party manufacturer is rubbish, and just because one manufacturer made two defective grips (the OP, and the DOA one), doesn't mean they're all rubbish. If I had the choice of getting just a grip, or a grip and a 50mm lens, (and I wanted both), I'd probably go for the grip + the lens.

This isn't about who's got the biggest / baddest etc - anyway, if it was Belmondo would win hands down.

[EOS MAN1]

I am not saying all companies. I have no experience with the opteka. I hear very good things about them. I have just learned my lesson with this grip and will buy the canon grip and be done with it.

[Lightstream]

This isn't about who's got the biggest / baddest etc - anyway, if it was Belmondo would win hands down.

psst....don't look now but I think Belmondo has already won ;)

[EOS MAN1]

I guess I am out of the loop on this one. What is Belmondo?

[Lightstream]

This is the Belmondo:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3132017&postcount=41438

:mrgreen:

[photobitz]

Yes, I'm sure he has more "L" than sense lol :) (or should that be cents now)

[Lightstream]

Do not offend the Great Belmondo :D

He has Strange Devices ;)

http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/albums/Hot-August-Nights/Ban_Button.sized.gif

[goatee]

I am not saying all companies. I have no experience with the opteka. I hear very good things about them. I have just learned my lesson with this grip and will buy the canon grip and be done with it.

Hi, sorry, I didn't mean my comment to be directed to you - it was all the people who pipe up "well what do you expect, it's not Canon" whenever anything goes wrong with anything that isn't Canon even if they've never used the product (or Canon equivalent) in question.

[photobitz]

Do not offend the Great Belmondo :D

He has Strange Devices ;)



ROFL!

[photobitz]

Hi, sorry, I didn't mean my comment to be directed to you - it was all the people who pipe up "well what do you expect, it's not Canon" whenever anything goes wrong with anything that isn't Canon even if they've never used the product (or Canon equivalent) in question.

Agreed, it's not like Canon haven't produced some dud equipment... e.g EF 75-300mm is held together with 3 screws. I've seen a couple of them just crack in half.

[goatee]

This is the Belmondo:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3132017&postcount=41438

:mrgreen:

THIS is Belmondo - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=970338&postcount=322 :D

[Lightstream]

THIS is Belmondo - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=970338&postcount=322 :D


:shock: :shock: :shock: http://pix.lightrefineries.org/img/bow.gifhttp://pix.lightrefineries.org/img/bow.gifhttp://pix.lightrefineries.org/img/bow.gif

[goatee]

hehe, that post normally has that effect on people! I'm sure a few boxes have left, and a few more joined the pile since then, but it's a fairly comprehensive set up that he has :D.

[Lightstream]

It's one thing to read his sig, it's another thing to see his kitchen table looking like my camera shop! :shock: :D

Nice one, thanks for digging it up for us...

The 500/4 ISL is now a 600/4 ISL. That change was recent, think it was last week.

[goatee]

Hehe, yeah, it is quite awesome to see all those boxes - I know he has more than most camera shops I've been to!

Just trying to imagine a 600mm f/4 lens is quite boggling for me - I like the weight of my 24-105mm f/4, but that one's focal length is 6 x longer. Must be an absolute beast!

[EOS MAN1]

Goatee--I know it wasn't directed at me. No offense taken. I just figured I would answer. Now that is insane how much equipment he has. The question is does he have as much skill as equipment( I hope I didn't just offend the great Belmondo)? One day my collection will be that big. I will always be broke, but I will have a camera.

[goatee]

What I like about Belmondo is that he freely admits that he is the limiting factor, but, if he has the money to spend, and he enjoys it, why shouldn't he amass a collection big enough to supply a medium sized country ;).

[Lightstream]

Well said! Some of us enjoy acquiring and playing with the hardware as much as taking photos. I don't see anything wrong with that.....

I just had lunch with a friend who threw away $1500 at a roulette table the other day. He's a nice guy and all, but sometimes it gets out of control.

If I dumped $1.5K into a lens I get called an Lcoholic, gearhead, measurebator, whatever. Still, it seems preferable to losing it all. I would still have some resale value, it would benefit another photog further down the line who gets a quality pre-loved item that has never been abused in the field (and who knows, second photog may really need the price break on it too), and it harms nobody.

[goatee]

(and if you ever feel like sending some glass to me, I would gladly give it a home :D)

[Lightstream]

Watch Buy/Sell when I dump glass :D

Although my collection seems to have stabilized to a large extent over the past few months..

[goatee]

Prices over here seem to have come down, so despite the strong sterling against the dollar, once you factor in tax and import duty, prices aren't better than the UK :(. Actually, I'm happy with what I've got - I'm getting the 70-200 f/4 in the summer, and then I'll be done - the only thing I'd like different, is I'd like the 70-200 f/4 IS, but funds won't permit. I know I'm really lucky - sure I don't have a 5D, and I'd like one, but other than that I have all the kit I want (not that I'd say no to a few L primes if anyone sent me them as a gift :))

[Lightstream]

Add an ultrawide and you are ALL set.. :)

[EOS MAN1]

I was just messin with Belmondo. I am sure he is one of the greats in photography. I know for sure I am the limiting factor in my photography. Thats why I am going to school for it.

[goatee]

Add an ultrawide and you are ALL set.. :)
I wouldn't mind one, but it would offer the least bang for buck of any lens I could get - it would be something I'd like to mess with every now and again, but for the fairly insane prices, I just can't justify it - maybe I'll rent / borrow one one day :).

I was just messin with Belmondo. I am sure he is one of the greats in photography. I know for sure I am the limiting factor in my photography. Thats why I am going to school for it.
Belmondo has thick skin, I'm sure :). We all have our comfort zones - things we know we're good at, but there are so many talented people on here to learn from (or drool at their gear lists :))

[Lightstream]

I wouldn't mind one, but it would offer the least bang for buck of any lens I could get - it would be something I'd like to mess with every now and again, but for the fairly insane prices, I just can't justify it - maybe I'll rent / borrow one one day :).


That's cool :) for me, the ultrawide is a staple - my 2nd most heavily used lens, the most frequently used being my standard zoom (24-105 on 5D, or 17-85 on EF-S. I almost never shoot the 24-105 on a crop - just don't like the focal length). Hence my recommendation. But we all have different things we want from a system.

[goatee]

Funnily enough, my first DSLR was a 300D that I put a 28-80 nasty kit lens on, and I really missed the wide angle, so swapped it for an 18-55 kit lens. After a while I sold that and got a 10D and Sigma 18-50 EX, and I found I wanted to do portraits, and the 50 wasn't long enough. Then I got the 85mm f/1.8 (pressie from the Mrs :)), and then I took the plunge and sold the 18-50 and got the 24-105. I don't miss the wide angle at all - 'scapes aren't my thing, and when I go to the country etc, if I want a panoramic shot, I'll just stitch shots together :D.

[mojo300]

My Targus grip just arrived today. I wish that I would have stumbled onto this post a few days ago. My XTI is on the way so I had my good friend bring his XTI over and compare his Cannon grip to my new cheepie. He installed my grip on his camera and it worked great. The buttons felt a little different, but they felt good. The grip fit good and tight on the camera. He said that he thought I would be OK. We will have to see. When I get my first camera in a few days I will give this new grip a hell of a workout. If it shoots craps I will try to take advantage of the 1 year warranty and go get me a Cannon grip. I am a newbie and I appreciate all of the good info I am reading since I joined this forum a few days ago. Thanks to all.

[Clint]

Opteka grip is the best. Had it since last April and it's never left my camera. Works and looks brand new after heavy use. Never heard of this grip the for xt before though.


Canon grip is acually the best, also, you get what you pay for. I am sorry this happened to you, I think everyone has made poor discissions in our lives. SEND IT BACK!

[Elbee19]

My Targus grip just arrived today...

The grip itself worked fine. The only problem I had and apparently others too had was the lack of quality in its construction. I didn't have any problems with it as far as functionality though. I'm sure it will work fine for you just don't be surprised if it breaks for no apparent reason. FWIW!

[waylandcool]

I bought the Canon grip after checking out a couple of the aftermarket grips. It came down to about a $30.00 difference so I went with the Canon grip and I've had no regrets so far.