Battery grip vs. hand grip

[bruisergirl]

What are the advantages of having a battery grip over a hand grip (or vice versa)? Besides the extra batteries, of course. ;) I'm still very new to photography, and I was thinking that maybe a hand grip would be enough for me, plus less expensive.

Thanks for the input!

[Antz_Marchin]

I'm pretty sure that you need to attach the battery grip to something like an XT or 30D, etc in order for the hand strap to be able to be used to begin with...otherwise the body is too short for the hand strap. I think for an XT the battery grip will make the body feel more substantial and more comfortable for those without small hands.

[Vermin87]

It's really nice being able to shoot portrait without your elbow up in the air either.

[nutsnbolts]

Battery grip:
Provides more power
Provides ability to use AA batteries
Provides ability to shoot portrait without having to have the hand on top
Provides better grip to camera and stability

Hand Strap
Provides more security when holding the camera

I have handstraps on both my cameras including battery grip. If you are just going to use a handstrap alone, you need an adapter to attach it. Something like >>THIS<< (http://www.camdapter.com/index.html)

[bruisergirl]

So even with, say, the Hakuba (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=194968&is=REG) grip, I'll definitely need an adapter for the XT?

This may be a silly question :oops:, but how does the battery grip provide more power?

Finally, nutsnbolts, you mentioned you have both a battery grip and a hand strap. Is it better/necessary to have both? I think I may have to go to a camera shop and actually feel what it's like.

[Jon]

It's not definitely necessary. There are devices like the Camdapter which fasten to the tripod socket of your camera and offer an attachment point for the hand strap.

A battery grip has room for two batteries. If you find yourself changing batteries all the time, it may offer an advantage (or you may need to replace some worn out batteries).

[shack]

I'm perfectly comfortable shooting the XT without the grip and I like the compact size better. I don't have particularly large hands and yours are probably smaller than mine. Battery life is not an issue for me as I carry 2 spares charged up and it takes 10 sec. to change it.

[nutsnbolts]

The straps and battery grip are all not necessary items. As for me, I consider them necessary because I hate holding the camera thinking that I may get bumped by someone and accidentally drop it. With the strap it provides me the "extra" ability to loosely hold the camera while the strap makes you feel more secure. In addition, the strap also helps with hand fatigue where you're always holding the camera tightly without the strap. With it, you can loosely grip the camera and the camera will still sit well on your hand. There are many benefits.

On the other hand, the battery grip is another necessary item. I like the camera a bit larger which gives a solid feel which leads to assisting me to have more support for stability. The XTI/400D is small in comparison to the other series even with the grip. Shooting in portrait mode is "easier" because you also have the controls on the grip in itself.

There will be people who will list the disadvantages which is usually the following:
1. Makes the camera more bulky.
2. Makes the camera heavier.
3. Not necessary when you can quickly change batteries (single).

As you can see, it's best to try and understand how you shoot? Perhaps don't think about these things and go out and have fun with your camera. Then, if you encounter that you feel you need one of these "accessories" because of realizing how you shoot, then now you are armed with some knowledge as to how to make your life easier.

[bruisergirl]

Thank you so much for all the info. I do feel that I need at least some kind of grip to make shooting feel more stable, plus I definitely don't want to drop it (and I've been close). All I have now is the neck strap that came with it, which I can't really use because I usually have kid #2 strapped to my chest (while I'm trying to take photos of papa and kid #1).

In any case, I think the battery grip and hand strap combination might be good for me. Yet another thing to buy! The 85mm 1.8 will have to wait. :)

Thanks again for all the help!