what's the benefit of using a grip?

[slyone]

I've never had any problem with battery life though I do carry a spare. I've read it will balance the camera better. More importantly for me though is that I've started using the * button for AF but find it somewhat awkward on my wrist when shooting sports using portrait orientation. I thought I had read the grip also has the * button and was wondering if it might be easier using it from the grip rather than the camera?

[nutsnbolts]

With a grip, you can go portrait and hold the camera as if it was landscape.

Here is what you get with the grip:

Buttons available on the grip.
Extra battery (2 battery usage) longer life.
More stability and handle.
Can use the double AA battery attachment.

[Familiaphoto]

Battery life is a perk but the real selling point is balance with larger lenses and ease of use in portrait mode.

[_aravena]

^Yeah, battery life, meh. It's easier to change them when there's no grip though. Aniwho, I've gotten used to not having one on mine. Makes my bag seem roomier. Although once I get the 40D, I'm sure I'll pick up the BG-E2N

[Jon]

Haven't used one since early in my 20D days; haven't missed it, to be honest. I don't find that my 20D or 5D are out of balance with large lenses (70-200 2.8 IS, 100-400 IS or 24-70 2.8, for example) or that I need the extra buttons for portrait orientation.

[Kuma]

Depending on the size of your hands a grip can sometimes add to the ergonomic feeling for your camera. And depending on your technique it can also lend to holding your camera more stable. The extra battery life is just a perk. It does help a little with portrait holding. Having owned other camera's with grips I didn't find the 30D grip all that well designed but it works ok. It kinda reminds me of my old manual focus stuff.

[cowpix]

There are 2 reasons I use grips:

1. I have big hands. I want something my whole hand can grip, not 3 fingers and a thumb, like holding a tea cup.
2. Extended battery power.

[slyone]

Thanks everyone for your opinions.:D

[squiress]

I like the feel of the grip on my 20D, however the 5D seems chunky enough without it. Extra battery is nice for shooting alot and not worrying about it, but if you carry a spare, it doesn't add. Finally, I think it can help in balancing camera lens combination or hinder depending on lens and especially how things are attached to tripod. Pretty much what's already been said. Certainly am not going to stop using it on the 20D, but there are times (macro shooting) when I want a lighter camera out on the boom of my cross arm tripod.

Stew

[nutsnbolts]

1. I have big hands. I want something my whole hand can grip, not 3 fingers and a thumb, like holding a tea cup.


If you think about it, you'd be taking pictures gracefully. Just don't forget to flare your pinky!

[adblink]

I wouldnt trade my grip for anything, I love it

[cowpix]

If you think about it, you'd be taking pictures gracefully. Just don't forget to flare your pinky!

Hehehe :lol:

[TMR Design]

It seems everyone determines whether they need/want one and what it does or doesn't do for them.

In my case the primary reason for me was to replicate the * (AF) and shutter button for vertical (portrait orientation) shooting.

Battery life and balance were never issues for me.

It's all about the convenience for shooting portraits and I do like the added mass.

I have to also say that at times I like to take the grip off and just go back to the smaller lighter feel for a dayhike or just walking around shooting outside.

99% of the time I want the grip is when I'm in the studio.

[kevie]

I got one for when i shoot paintball type photos im able to keep my elbows tucked in so i dont get tagged in the ribs.

[Sam442]

You're all forgetting the most important reason for using a grip,

It makes you look like you have a pro body :D

[jbone]

You're all forgetting the most important reason for using a grip,

It makes you look like you have a pro body :D


LOL. Its so true!!!

Im sure it really depends on the camera. I have the xti and I love it with the grip and couldnt imagine not having it. Its very convenient

[Sam442]

Despite how much more comfortable it makes the 30D to use in my bigfoot esque hands, I think the fact I haven't paid for entrance to a gig since I got it is the best feature :cool:

[RPCrowe]

I use the 10D; 30D and 350D. The only camera I use with a grip is the 350D. Not because of battery life - that camera gives fantastic battery life; nor because of the extra shutter release button for portrait mode.

I use the battery grip to give the camera a larger profile and heavier weight so I can balance a long or heavy lens better...

It works very well but., I would have no use for the grip on larger body cameras.

[rdsmith3]

You're all forgetting the most important reason for using a grip,

It makes you look like you have a pro body :D

You got that right! When people see my 300D with a grip and my Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, they go ooh and aah! ;)


I like the convenience for portrait orientation -- that is why I use one.

[nadtz]

I had a grip I rarely used for my 350d, and havent bothered yet for my 30d. A grip that was a bit more ergonomic (like the sony) might tempt me into trying one again, but I doubt that will ever happen.

[Bamamike]

I love the grips on my 20D and 5D, they give you one advantage thaat wasn't mentioned before: The use of a hand strap to hold your cam with the right hand. I missed that when I was on a trip to Europe and didn't pack the power grip for light travelling issues.

[boubou]

I just order a grip for my 400 D. Can I use 2 batteries with different power, like a 900 and a 1700? Thanks

[Big WIll]

I would not trade my grip for anything other than say a 1d!

[tdodd]

I had a 30D and found the BG-E2 grip to be a very nice addition. I've now bought a 40D and it feels a good deal better in the hand than the 30D did so I've not bothered to transfer the grip over. In fact I've removed it from the 30D and I'm no longer using it at all.

I've walked around for hours with the 40D and a 100-400 lens dangling from my hand with my fingers just curled around the grip and it's been fine. I never took advantage of the portrait orientation because, with an RC2 tripod plate on the bottom of the camera, that was just plain uncomfortable. Now my 40D will get the big lenses and, like I say, that feels good without the grip, and my 30D will be used for macro and wide angle stuff so the grip isn't really a benefit with small lenses. I prefer to save the weight.

[sparcd]

Yeah, I use a grip on my 350d and I have it for the extra controls. Also, it makes the camera feel better in my hands. When I upgrade to the 40D I will get a grip for that too.

[r.morales]

Advantages - extra battery life , easier to change battery You can also use double AA's in extra tray , easier to hold -bigger , makes camera less top heavy with flash ,flash on camera seems to charge/recharge a little faster when batteries are over 1/2 charged , easily add a hand strap and adds a landscape mode button .
Disadvantages - more weight , when batteries start going dead they do so faster , nobody makes a cover for camera with it , can make camera fell funny with smaller lens [ me - the 50 and 28 mm lens .] makes camera bigger and most bags aren't designed for the larger size .

[Sam442]

Advantages - ... You can also use double AA's in extra tray ,

this has turned out to be incredibly useful, ran through 4 battery's in a shoot (because I'd forgotten to recharge them) nip to the shop across the road, problem solved :D