20D/BG-E2 grip issue

[photog]

Two weeks ago I purchased the BG-E2 grip for my 20D. It worked fine, or so I thought until after about 150 shots on a fresh battery (Canon) the camera suddenly showed low power and then shutdown on the next shot.

Thinking it was just a low battery I had forgotten to charge, I charged it and noticed it didn't require charging (3 light blink shortly after I plugged it in). I finished the charge cycle anyway and tried it again with the same results...about 150 shots and then low power followed by shutdown. It happened several more times as well.

This last time I figured I had nothing to lose so I removed the BG-E2 and just installed the same battery into the camera and it showed a full charge and I've been shooting with it for the last few days with no problems.

I returned the grip to the shop and they called Canon service in Jamesburg (about a half hour from the shop). They have a mod which involves extending one of the contact pins on the grip. The shop guy also found out that Canon is now supposedly shipping the BG-E2 with the mod already performed as indicated by a red dot inside the battery compartment.

The shop guy checked the 3 grips he just received from Canon and found they had no dot and required modding so he's shipping them and mine to Jamesburg for the mod...no charge to me, which is great.

So if anyone is having similar issues wth the grip you may want to check it out.

[cmM]

yes I do, and everyone else it seems. That pin is indeed too short and causes temporary power losses when the grip flexes away from the camera. I'm gonna call Canon one of these days see if they wanna fix mine, it bothers me.

[Sheermadness]

I have the BG-E2 grip and so far haven't had any power problems of course I haven't been using it very long. The pins all look the same length. Should it be obvious that one is short? I checked and couldn't find a red dot in the battery compartment so I'm guessing it hasn't been modified. Can I take the grip to an authorized Canon repair facility for the modification? Without charge or only if I'm having a problem with it?

[VonClev]

I stopped in to visit the Canon rep during a "Canon Days" at Calumet as I consider upgrading my 10D for a 20D. Since I like the battery grip, I voiced this exact concern to the rep about the BG-E2- he indicated that Canons fix for the problem is to place a longer locking screw with lock washers on the defective BG-E2. Supposedly the updated versions of the BG-E2 will have this to prevent the flexing and loss of power

[photog]

I'm supposed to get my grip back next week sometime, when I do I'll report on what mod was done.

[donlavange]

On a few occasions, the BG-E2 has become loose and I had intermittant power or none. I have made a concious effort to keep checking its tightness and so far it has not repeated.

[planesh00ter]

I stopped in to visit the Canon rep during a "Canon Days" at Calumet as I consider upgrading my 10D for a 20D. Since I like the battery grip, I voiced this exact concern to the rep about the BG-E2- he indicated that Canons fix for the problem is to place a longer locking screw with lock washers on the defective BG-E2. Supposedly the updated versions of the BG-E2 will have this to prevent the flexing and loss of power


How do you know that the one you buy is updated?????
holding off on my purchase....

[digitalfailure]

As far as i'm aware the original canon design drawing had a washer missing from a crucial part, meaning that they were produced incorrectly.
Grips returned to Canon service centres will be upgraded free of charge as long as they are still within the warranty period.

The fault seems to be even more apprant if used with an off camera flash bracket where the twisting of the grip is accentuated.

Canon now produce correctly built grips

[JATPhotos]

I had the same problem just one time, I thougth I had forgoten to charge the batteries too. As soon as I put them in the charger they indicated full charge after a couple of minutes.
I have been checking the tightness of the grip and I have not had that problem again, and I do a lot of shooting. I will check into the upgrade as soon as possible also.

[perror]

Hi photog, was wondering if there's any pic of the red dot on the corrected grips?:) Might be purchasing one soon and it would certainly help if I know where to look for it..:) Thanks..:D

[evilenglishman]

bought mine about a month-2 months ago. No problems with mine, it doesn't come lose, all pins are the same length, no red dot.