Call for BG-E2/BG-E2N and/or E-1 pictures

[Sfordphoto]

Hi all,
if you've taken pics of your xxD (20, 30, 40D) with the battery grip, I'd love to see them. I'm thinking about getting a BG-E2N for my 40D, to balance out my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS. I also shoot portrait orientation a significant amount. Also, if you have the battery grip, those of you with the E-1 handstrap, please post some of those too. I am also considering the handstrap.

Any comments on the BG-E2 and/or handstrap are welcome...whether you love it or not, let me know. Also if you have a good experience with a third party grip, let me know the manufacturer and price you got it for :).

I'm especially interested in how the body + batt grip will be with the 70-200 f/2.8L, or any of the lenses I have (in my sig). I am worried about the setup being too big.

I will do my best to stop by a local store to check one out...but call me strange, I like looking at pictures of cameras, lenses, equipment :).

Thanks in advance

[DStanic]

Check out this thread:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57766&highlight=E1

I've got a grip/E-1 handstrap on my XTi and it's great. I still have the neckstrap on too but I'm not nervous at all anymore about possibly dropping the camera. That makes me able to concentrate and have more fun taking pictures :). With my 70-300 (and even 17-85 IS) it's quite front-heavy on the XTi so it makes a big difference.

[Sfordphoto]

hmmm nobody has pics of their camera with the bg-e2n on?

[Proctorr]

Google Images. Not my camera, credits to whoever took it.

40D

Image deleted as direct violation of POTN rules regarding ownership of images

Jon

[Sfordphoto]

haha, I already exhausted google. I thought some people would have pics of their equipemnt. thanks though

[valoisr]

Hi sfordphoto ...

Here are a few shots of my XTi. I purchased the grip at the same time as the camera, "intalled" it and it's never come off ... and probably never will.

Yup, L O V E it :D :p :) :lol: :eek:

Ray

[valoisr]

One minor specification: the battery grip that I purchased is the BG-E3 and you were asking about the BG-E2. I asume that they are very similar ??

Ray

[Calzinger]

Sorry for the awful lighting.

http://calzinger.net/_images3/equip/IMG_8486.jpg

http://calzinger.net/_images3/equip/IMG_8493.jpg

http://calzinger.net/_images3/equip/IMG_8496.jpg

[valoisr]

Hi Chris ...

L O V E L Y l o o o o n g lenses!! I also see the nifty fifty (someone named it in another thread) on your gear. Any comments on its performance? I'll be picking one up within the next week or so.

Ray

[Hurd]

Sorry for the awful lighting.
http://calzinger.net/_images3/equip/IMG_8496.jpg


So you can use neck and hand strap at the same time?

[timnosenzo]

So you can use neck and hand strap at the same time?

Yeah, the hand strap comes with a little do-dad so you can attach the neck strap.

[Calzinger]

Hi Chris ...

L O V E L Y l o o o o n g lenses!! I also see the nifty fifty (someone named it in another thread) on your gear. Any comments on its performance? I'll be picking one up within the next week or so.

Ray
It's kinda one of those things that you have no reason NOT to own. I'm sure you'll have already read anything I say, but it's an amazing lens for the price. Granted my cousin gave me his for free after upgrading to the 50 1.4, it's wide open performance is acceptable as it gets tack sharp only one stop down. If you can come to grips with the build quality and mediocre AF speed/accuracy, like said, there's no reason not to buy it. It delivers IQ comparable to some of the better lenses.

So you can use neck and hand strap at the same time?
Yep. I didn't quite do it right in that picture, recently attached it to the bottom corner of the camera so the neck strap doesn't get in the way when shooting in portrait. Canon includes a little metal piece which you can thread the neck strap and handstrap through.

[Sfordphoto]

Yeah, the hand strap comes with a little do-dad so you can attach the neck strap.

Borat: very nice, I like!

[Sfordphoto]

Thanks for the pics guys!

valoisr, I had the XTi with the batt grip, which was nice. Except I often took it off, because it wouldn't fit in my bag.

I really need to make a trip to the store to try the BGE2N out...I want to see if the controls on the grip feel the same as the corresponding ones on the body...esp the shutter. The third party grip i got fro the rebel kinda bugged me because the buttons felt different (as well as the grip texture). Can anyone comment on the E2N, and how its buttons feel relative to the ones on the body?

As for the 50 nifty, its performance is pretty awesome. I have the 50 1.4 as well, and other than the smoother bokeh, to be honest haven't noticed a huge difference in image quality. The 1.4 is better built and smoother focusing though...the 1.8 sounds like its throwing a tantrum, haha. Anyways, its nifty for a reason, and thats because the images are pretty darn good.

Dang, I'm pretty set on a battery grip now, plus the handstrap. Looks really comfortable. Any comments on the weight?

Also, I leave you guys with a picture of my XTi + batt grip + f/1.8
http://stanford.edu/~yanong/IMG_1983.JPG

[Wrench115]

Hi sfordphoto ...

Here are a few shots of my XTi. I purchased the grip at the same time as the camera, "intalled" it and it's never come off ... and probably never will.

Yup, L O V E it :D :p :) :lol: :eek:

Ray

Damn, I was putting off ordering mine till next month than I saw how cool the camera looks with it on. Just ordered mine lol. 140 off amazon with free 2 day shipping cant beat it. Thanks man :D

[Calzinger]

Thanks for the pics guys!

valoisr, I had the XTi with the batt grip, which was nice. Except I often took it off, because it wouldn't fit in my bag.

I really need to make a trip to the store to try the BGE2N out...I want to see if the controls on the grip feel the same as the corresponding ones on the body...esp the shutter. The third party grip i got fro the rebel kinda bugged me because the buttons felt different (as well as the grip texture). Can anyone comment on the E2N, and how its buttons feel relative to the ones on the body?

As for the 50 nifty, its performance is pretty awesome. I have the 50 1.4 as well, and other than the smoother bokeh, to be honest haven't noticed a huge difference in image quality. The 1.4 is better built and smoother focusing though...the 1.8 sounds like its throwing a tantrum, haha. Anyways, its nifty for a reason, and thats because the images are pretty darn good.

Dang, I'm pretty set on a battery grip now, plus the handstrap. Looks really comfortable. Any comments on the weight?

Also, I leave you guys with a picture of my XTi + batt grip + f/1.8
http://stanford.edu/~yanong/IMG_1983.JPG
The combo is definitely heavier with the battery grip, especially with an additional battery. I'm fine with it though, matter of fact I always liked the extra weight on the camera.

As far as the handstrap goes, it's a nice addition and I don't see much reason not to get it for the price. It's definitely something you could live without though, while I'd say the battery grip is almost an essential addition, especially on a small camera like the XT/XTi. I've found that the handstrap makes carrying the camera much more comfortable while you're just walking around with it. You'll have to adjust it appropriately to fit your hand though.

It's a Canon battery grip so the shutter on the grip should accurately resemble that of the camera's. I'm too lazy to go and check, but I'm confident in saying so. That shouldn't stop you from trying it at a camera store though. I had the Opteka grip on my XT and the shutter on the grip was dramatically different than the one on the camera. It was pretty awful to be honest.

[Hurd]

Does hand strap (E1) get in the way when you are taking vertical portrait shoots?

[The Ghost of FM]

I'm cheating a bit by posting my BG-E4 and 5D but figured it was close enough to be on theme! :p

Cheers! :)

[Calzinger]

Does hand strap (E1) get in the way when you are taking vertical portrait shoots?
Good question. It becomes a little more difficult to move from landscape to portrait orientation while you're shooting, especially if you have it on pretty tight. I've found that I actually end up just leaving my hand on the top of the camera when I'm shooting portrait as I can use the handstrap to handle a bulk of the weight.

[Hurd]

Good question. It becomes a little more difficult to move from landscape to portrait orientation while you're shooting, especially if you have it on pretty tight. I've found that I actually end up just leaving my hand on the top of the camera when I'm shooting portrait as I can use the handstrap to handle a bulk of the weight.

Thanks for the info.

[Mark001]

My trusty 20D with the BG-E2...

http://www.pbase.com/markjahn/image/94233986/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/markjahn/image/94233990/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/markjahn/image/94233999/original.jpg
(http://www.pbase.com/markjahn/image/94233999/original.jpg)

[juancedeno]

Hi, maybe this isn't important, but I don't like the way the grip is on the left side of the camera, I saw a picture of the grip on the 10D and it doesn't have that notch between the camera and the grip. Maybe is just me.

[Sfordphoto]

The combo is definitely heavier with the battery grip, especially with an additional battery. I'm fine with it though, matter of fact I always liked the extra weight on the camera.

As far as the handstrap goes, it's a nice addition and I don't see much reason not to get it for the price. It's definitely something you could live without though, while I'd say the battery grip is almost an essential addition, especially on a small camera like the XT/XTi. I've found that the handstrap makes carrying the camera much more comfortable while you're just walking around with it. You'll have to adjust it appropriately to fit your hand though.

It's a Canon battery grip so the shutter on the grip should accurately resemble that of the camera's. I'm too lazy to go and check, but I'm confident in saying so. That shouldn't stop you from trying it at a camera store though. I had the Opteka grip on my XT and the shutter on the grip was dramatically different than the one on the camera. It was pretty awful to be honest.

Yeah, except adding the handstrap also costs almost $200 (when figuring in that you need the battery grip for it to work on the camera). I'm a bit iffy, since it doesn't add to the picture being taken :). It will add something to comfort though, from what I'm hearing. I think I will get it soon.

As for the Opteka grip, that is exactly what I had on my XTi...and yeah the shutter release felt different.

[Sfordphoto]

I'm cheating a bit by posting my BG-E4 and 5D but figured it was close enough to be on theme! :p

Cheers! :)

no prob, thanks... love seeing equipment :)

[Sfordphoto]

My trusty 20D with the BG-E2...







did you shoot those in monochrome...or did you paint the red stripe and blue labels white?? haha

[Sfordphoto]

Hi, maybe this isn't important, but I don't like the way the grip is on the left side of the camera, I saw a picture of the grip on the 10D and it doesn't have that notch between the camera and the grip. Maybe is just me.


it does look weird, and I'm sure Canon did it so that you don't look pro :)

It should be about the function though

[Sfordphoto]

Good question. It becomes a little more difficult to move from landscape to portrait orientation while you're shooting, especially if you have it on pretty tight. I've found that I actually end up just leaving my hand on the top of the camera when I'm shooting portrait as I can use the handstrap to handle a bulk of the weight.

thanks, had the same question. Doesn't look like it gets in the way when you shoot portrait..but can't say from experience.

[Calzinger]

thanks, had the same question. Doesn't look like it gets in the way when you shoot portrait..but can't say from experience.
Well it's not like you're going to miss the shot because the handstrap got in the way. There's just an extra motion: move your hand out of the handstrap and then onto the vertical grip rather than just the later. You'd be losing nothing more than a second.

Yeah, except adding the handstrap also costs almost $200 (when figuring in that you need the battery grip for it to work on the camera). I'm a bit iffy, since it doesn't add to the picture being taken :). It will add something to comfort though, from what I'm hearing. I think I will get it soon.

As for the Opteka grip, that is exactly what I had on my XTi...and yeah the shutter release felt different.
Once I got the grip on my XT, I swore to myself that I'd get a grip for any camera I get in the future. Granted this was on the XT which is obviously a lot smaller than the 40D, not sure if the 40D really demands I battery grip. I got it anyway just to maximize comfort, but hey, if you can live without it, I don't see much reason to spend that much. I can say in confidence though that the difference in weight and balance is significantly different. It's much more essential on the heavier lenses though, like the 70-200 2.8.

[Sfordphoto]

yeah the 70-200 2.8 is pretty dang front heavy.

I felt that the 17-55 was front heavy on my XTi, but now it balances perfectly on my 40D.

Now I'm thinking that the batt grip will help me balance the 70-200

[dave kadolph]

Heres a pair.

Quick shot for someone that wanted to see my basketball rig

[Calzinger]

yeah the 70-200 2.8 is pretty dang front heavy.

I felt that the 17-55 was front heavy on my XTi, but now it balances perfectly on my 40D.

Now I'm thinking that the batt grip will help me balance the 70-200
It'll definitely improve balance, that's not the question. The subjective downside is that it adds some weight. Like said, I personally prefer the weight. Though I must admit that it makes handling smaller lenses a bit wierd, especially something as small as the 50 1.8.

[valoisr]

Hi sfordphoto ...

I found the Canon grip excellent from the word go. The grip handles and feels just like the controls on the camera.

Minor point: you mention you remove the grip to fit your gear in your camera bag. I might be wrong, but I would be very concerned about the disconnecting and connecting of the grip repeatedly as I'm not sure that it's built for that kind of use/abuse. Given the combined price of the camera and grip, I would definitely consider a new gear bag.

Ray

[Mark001]

did you shoot those in monochrome...or did you paint the red stripe and blue labels white?? haha

They got converted to monochrome to try and hide some ugly lighting :)

[kensei]

canon battery grips just look horrible, it looks liek canon acualy tried to make them look liek they arent supposed to match up to their cameras. I still think pentax has the best vert grip out there.

[Sfordphoto]

Heres a pair.

Quick shot for someone that wanted to see my basketball rig

thanks, nice!

[Sfordphoto]

It'll definitely improve balance, that's not the question. The subjective downside is that it adds some weight. Like said, I personally prefer the weight. Though I must admit that it makes handling smaller lenses a bit wierd, especially something as small as the 50 1.8.

yeah, thought so :)

[Sfordphoto]

Hi sfordphoto ...

I found the Canon grip excellent from the word go. The grip handles and feels just like the controls on the camera.

Minor point: you mention you remove the grip to fit your gear in your camera bag. I might be wrong, but I would be very concerned about the disconnecting and connecting of the grip repeatedly as I'm not sure that it's built for that kind of use/abuse. Given the combined price of the camera and grip, I would definitely consider a new gear bag.

Ray

true true. I have a new, bigger bag right now. However, I would have to restructure it to fit the battery grip inside, since right now the camera fits snugly :)

[Sfordphoto]

I'll be trying one soon, if the store has it in stock.

[Sfordphoto]

Man...I was pretty much disappointed. It doesn't feel anything like the parts on the actual body...in all honestly feels cheaply made. I think if anything I'll just get third party

[valoisr]

Hi kensei and sfordphtoo ...

Are you guys absolutely sure you tried the BG-E3 CANON battery grip ???? I simply don't know how they could have made it a better match or have it feel as close to the actual camera controls as it does.

Ray

[timnosenzo]

Man...I was pretty much disappointed. It doesn't feel anything like the parts on the actual body...in all honestly feels cheaply made. I think if anything I'll just get third party

I'm not sure a 3rd party is going to feel much better. But yeah, I agree they're definitely not great.

I actually think Canon could learn something from Nikon when it comes wo making grips. Look how much nicer the D300 grip is shaped and how much more ergonomic it looks.

http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD300/Images/withgrip02.jpg

[TomTomTuning]

That does look alot better then the Canon Grip... Gosh i wish there was a better 3rd party one at least.. but not to my knowledge

[galahad]

agreed on the nikon grip. I'd like to have that multi-controller also on the canon grip.

[timnosenzo]

agreed on the nikon grip. I'd like to have that multi-controller also on the canon grip.

Yeah, they really did a nice job with it. I also like how they didn't let the batteries dictate the shape. What I mean is, Canon sets it up so you have to have those batteries going in from the back of the camera, so it really dictates the shape since the batteries are big. Nikon has it so you can either use 1 battery in a tray (and it looks like you can keep the other battery in the body), or you can get the larger capacity rechargeable battery.

This was they are able to make the shape of the grip more ergonomic, instead of like a big brick like the Canon grip. Just seems like a better design IMHO.

http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD300/Images/gripbatteries-001.jpg

[Harleypugs]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2329824372_af10743264.jpg

[Rehuel]

Here is my addition to this thread. Love my grip and hand strap :D

[The Fox]

Thanks for the pics guys!
As for the 50 nifty, its performance is pretty awesome. I have the 50 1.4 as well, and other than the smoother bokeh, to be honest haven't noticed a huge difference in image quality. The 1.4 is better built and smoother focusing though...the 1.8 sounds like its throwing a tantrum, haha. Anyways, its nifty for a reason, and thats because the images are pretty darn good.

Here is mine with a 100% crop.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f228/nicolas41390/_MG_2831copy.jpg

100% crop.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f228/nicolas41390/_MG_2831100crop.jpg

[Lani Kai]

While we're on the subject of grips, am I the only one that thinks the grip on the Sony A700 looks absolutely hideous?
http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/SonyDSLRA700/images/grip1.jpg

[timnosenzo]

While we're on the subject of grips, am I the only one that thinks the grip on the Sony A700 looks absolutely hideous?

Nope, that's pretty freaking ugly.