Battery Grip BG-E2N or without?

[staceyann]

Do you like it or do you like it better without the battery grip?

What are the pros and cons?

Mine is on the way. I hope I am happy with it. My friend said it's heavy and bulky. I can always return it if I don't like it.

[Riff Raff]

I don't use my 40D without it. I tried it briefly for a couple of days while I was waiting for it to arrive from B&H (I had ordered the 40D separately from NewEgg). I'm just one of the people that likes battery grips and will probably always use them. Others feel the opposite.

[staceyann]

I don't use my 40D without it. I tried it briefly for a couple of days while I was waiting for it to arrive from B&H (I had ordered the 40D separately from NewEgg). I'm just one of the people that likes battery grips and will probably always use them. Others feel the opposite.

What's your disadvantage without it?

[PEnGUiN188]

I love mine, the grip fits my hands perfectly as w/o it, I used to get a rash of my pinkie finger. Also could do w/o it for its vertical shutter button, makes holding the camera still so much easier.

What I do is I only put a battery on the right side of the grip, its still balanced and cuts down on the weight some.

[hawk911]

I just got mine last week and LOVE IT!!!!! It does add a bit of weight, but the flexibility to shoot in either mode and keep your hands is fantastic. I shoot a LOT of HS sports and this is so much more natural now with the grip on it.

Battery isn't so much an issue for me, as I've taken 1400 shots on 1 battery at one event. I imagine I could shoot for 2 full days with the grip and 2 fully charged batteries.

[Jon]

I don't use it. I had one, but sold it on. It gets in the way if you're using a longish lens and trying to support the camera/lens combo properly (from underneath, with your left hand). I suspect the people who find it makes the camera easier to hold are using a death-grip with their right hand on the grip portion of the camera, which will wear your arm out over prolonged shooting. A grip was almost a necessity in the old film days since it was the only way to get motor drive, but IMO it's not needed any more.

[hawk911]

I don't use it. I had one, but sold it on. It gets in the way if you're using a longish lens and trying to support the camera/lens combo properly (from underneath, with your left hand). I suspect the people who find it makes the camera easier to hold are using a death-grip with their right hand on the grip portion of the camera, which will wear your arm out over prolonged shooting. A grip was almost a necessity in the old film days since it was the only way to get motor drive, but IMO it's not needed any more.

the only problem I've had with the grip on now is I can't leave the tripod collar on my 70-200 and swap the lens. I have to take the collar off, put the lens on, then collar back on.

Another note, since weight was mentioned. With my 40D, siggy 70-200 f2.8 and a 550ex mounted, both batteries in the grip, I came in at 6 lbs, 13 ounces.

[Steve Beck]

I can't shoot a body comfortably without it now. After shooting with 1d bodies for so long then getting a 40d as a backup body, it is annoying shooting without a grip. For me it provides stability in my longer lens's and balanced weight. Plus it allows you to slap a e1 handstrap on.

[stathunter]

I shot weddings with my 20D's for several years---- then I recently upgraded and put grips on the new cameras. I like the grips--much better feel to the camera. Although I have a 5D without a grip and thought I would use it for more stealth photos---becasue with the grip the camera stands out in the crowd---not sure if it will be without a grip very long--- the grip makes the camera in my opinion feel much better.
The grip offers many advantages of my Mark2 but with a 5D or 40D it does not really add that much more weight.

[timnosenzo]

I used grips religiously for about a year or so... then one day I just got sick of having a HUGE camera, so I took it off and never went back! The only time I'll ever use the grip these days is if I know I'll be shooting a lot in portrait orientation... having the extra button is nice in that situation. Otherwise, it adds a lot of bulk and weight that really isn't necessary.

[staceyann]

Another note, since weight was mentioned. With my 40D, siggy 70-200 f2.8 and a 550ex mounted, both batteries in the grip, I came in at 6 lbs, 13 ounces.[/quote]

Thats almost as much weight as my daughter was born (6 lbs 14 oz)!

[OneMac]

For a whole fortnight now I have shot with the grip and love it - can't really see me doing without one. Today I shot for the first time with the E-1 handstrap and that made all the difference as well. Mind you - panning with a 100-400 lens is not that difficult but it felt more secure with the grip and strap. Must try it with smaller lenses....... :rolleyes:

Al

[hawk911]

For a whole fortnight now I have shot with the grip and love it - can't really see me doing without one. Today I shot for the first time with the E-1 handstrap and that made all the difference as well. Mind you - panning with a 100-400 lens is not that difficult but it felt more secure with the grip and strap. Must try it with smaller lenses....... :rolleyes:

Al

A fortnight? Now there's something you don't hear everyday over on this side the pond.

[ben_r_]

This is def a topic that has been beaten to death! Just buy it and try it and decide for yourself. Thats really the ONLY way you are ever going to decide. That being said I have had them on all the bodies I have owned.

[Mark1]

I wish the grips had more volume in the right hand. I am used to a GR10 grip on my film cameras. Now I feel like im pinching my camera to hold it. Id love to get a grip like a gr10 on my digital bodies.
Stock grip...
http://pondriv.sunnyday.jp/camera/camera/eos650_grip/gr30.png

GR10...
http://pondriv.sunnyday.jp/camera/camera/eos650_grip/gr10.png

[Magic_Puzzle]

I always order the grip at the same time I buy the camera. I just like the heft and feel of the grip in my hand. I take a lot of "portrait" shots and have an "L" bracket from RRS so my 40D is a sizable piece of gear, but I wouldn't even think about not having the grip on it. I have found that my grip gives me a much more secure handle than just the camera body. To me it isn't an option, either attach the grip, or don't pick up the camera. The weight isn't that much and the second battery adds hundreds of shots to my camera without being required to change or re-charge the battery. I use a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L lens as my "walking around glass", so my camera weighs in a a couple of ounces over five pounds, so it isn't light, but it isn't noticeably heavy either.

[spyraling]

When I first got the grip for my camera, I wondered why I didn't get one sooner. I was in love with how it felt and thought I would never take it off. But then months later my camera started acting crazy and I took it off so I could send my camera in to get fixed. Once my camera came back, I remembered how light and compact it was without the grip. My grip hasn't been back on my camera since.

One con to using the grip was that it took up a lot of room in my camera bags.

[philip maddalena]

After i started shooting with them that was it for me. Had to have it on the camera. Plus never had low battery issues with the grip and extended battery time.

[claybuster]

I love my grip! It was a must on the XTI. As far as my 40d goes I wasn't sure I would need it,I got it and love it on the 40d. And the weight thing,well the heavier it is means less recoil;) Oh,sorry about the recoil thing,thats about my other hobby(sporting clays shooting)
Mike

[Lowner]

What sold me on battery/power packs is the ease with which I can replace defunct and very specialist batteries with a set of simple AA's even in the most out of the way places. And I've got big hands which need a larger body.

The issue with supporting the lens in my left hand is easy, because my left hand is attached to my left arm, like other peoples? and it tends to come in from left field, not around the camera pack. How others manage to get tangled up with the battery pack I have no idea.

Richard

[Mr.TP]

I dont see any problem with lenses without the grip, as we all hold the camera with 1 hand and the lens with the other. But when it comes to having a my 580ex flash mounted, I find the camera constantly wanting to tilt forward, so I think the grip will help in centre the weight vertically, even with 1 battery.