Battery Grip... when did you really need it?

[RobNYC]

I have been thinking about getting a battery grip for my 40D. But I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me with an example of a time that, say, if you didn't have it you would have run out of juice and missed shots etc. In other words, what are the advantages or reasons that might help me decide whether I need it.

I have had my 40D out for say 12-14 hours and took 1000 pictures... and at the end of the day, the lowest I have seen my battery is around 35%. So I am just wondering what the real utility is?

[DDCSD]

I had one on my 20D. Battery life had little to do with having the grip on the body. To me it was about handling. My 20D just doesn't feel the same with out it.

[1ruffryder]

i been debating the same myself. which i why i have yet to buy one. ive neever run out of juice

[RobNYC]

I was just about to edit and include the question... or is it really the grip that you're after on these?

[dandan]

For many people it isnt so much the battery life that attracts them, but how much easier it makes shooting in portrait format. I shoot slightly more then 50% of my photos in portrait format so its worth the money for just that alone.

[_aravena]

Never. Although it occasionally made shooting in portrait mode easier in the end the size was not worth it. Took up too much space, too big to just haul around my neck, especially with the 70-200 attached.

That's not to say I would never want a 1D series as at least the size of the camera balances out with the amazing photos it can produce and speed and everything else unlike other camera that just make them bigger.

[HighPlainsPhotographer]

It is not battery life for me, though I do appreciate the extra capacity. I have grips on both of my cameras because I like the way they feel and enjoy the convenience of the 2nd shutter release and other controls when shooting with the camera vertically. On the occasion that I pick up a non-gripped camera it feels as if something is missing!

Shaun

[krb]

For me it is defintely about the handling. Both for shooting in portrait and for general feel. As for battery life, I shot roughly 2000 images last week and the same pair of batteries are still in there.

[Familiaphoto]

Another vote for the benefits of portrait mode. Extended battery life is not a reason but is a benefit.

[rklepper]

For me the benefit was when shooting sports, having the release in 2 positions was a real saver.

[S.Horton]

Cold weather.

When it gets cold, battery life decreases.

It can also make the camera balance a bit better in your hands.

Or, like my wife, you'd hate it because you have small hands.

Did any of that help?

:D;)

[Mekunic]

It was more for the grip. (big hands). the battery life and extra shutter button was just a plus for me.

[ryant35]

I think it just comes down to preference. You can carry a second battery or buy a grip an keep it in the camera at all times.

I didn't buy a grip because of battery power, I bought it for the vertical shutter button after a night of holding my arm over my head shooting portraits at a party. No I wish I had a grip for my 20D too, I just don't use it enough to justify buying one.

[SQMazda6]

I have small hands and i still like the grip just for shooting in portrait. I do a lot more in portrait now than ever .. i just keep on shooting that way unless i am doing land scapes.

[Rafal_BC]

As the others have said, handling. My little finger has no place to rest on my 30D without a grip. With the grip, not only does the whole body feel better, it balances better with bigger lenses (300/2.8) and gives you more leverage to swing still bigger lenses around (400/2.8). The vertical controls are also a definite plus.

Extended battery life is irrelevant to me as I always have spare batteries around anyway.

[cdifoto]

I didn't buy one for the battery life. I bought it so my pinky has somewhere to go.

[SYS]

Okay, contrary to the most, I didn't get the battery grip primarily for the grip but for the battery life. The battery drains particularly fast when I'm doing tethered shooting in my home studio. The extra battery power is also very helpful when I'm shooting sports in burst mode, although it doesn't seem to drain as fast as tethered shooting. The rest of the time, I'd much rather have the grip off. My recent trip to a zoo with the grip on was a pain due to extra weight. I try to have it on all the time because of disconcerting reports that the plastic parts tend to break when taking it on and off the camera body frequently.

[adblink]

I would never take off my grip. Battery life, balance, size, portrait controls. Why take it off

[Heist]

second shutter button for portrait orientation is the big draw for me.

that and everyone thinks you're a pro photographer! LOL

[maverickliew]

For my pinky, balance, handling... I leave it on most of the time unless i do not really need it and need to shred some weight off.

[RobNYC]

Much thanks to all your info was very helpful!

[ben_r_]

I have owned the battery grip for every DSLR camera body I have owned and never once did I do it nor need the extra battery power. In fact most of the time I only used one battery in them. That being said I ultimately ended up liking the reduced weight, size and the increased stability when tripod mounted of the camera bodies without grips. So I got rid of all my grips and probably will remain gripless until I get a 1D body someday. The only time I felt it was nice to have was when shooting a lot of portrait hand held shots. But I dont do much of that so for me it wasnt an issue.

[Bobster]

every time i shoot, with my large hands my finger falls off the bottom on my 20's without it, i have 2 fingers dangling on my m8's 350..

i also don't like pulling my arm up above my head when i'm shooting portrait mode..

[silvex]

It not only gives me "peace of mind" having the extra battery. In case one of the runs out of juice or it fails. It also balances better with the heavy lenses (85L, 70-200f2.8IS and 100-400L). It also helps a LOT when using a heavy telephoto (400f/2.8, 600L) to balance it and when using portrait mode -- a must!.

[DeCeccoNET]

I have always gripped my cameras as well, mainly because the DSLRs I've owned feel and handle much better.

Another benifit I enjoyed once was when my batteries unexpectedly died in the field, I was able to slide in some spare rapid charged AA's using the included adapter.

[RobNYC]

Thanks guys! I haven't made up my mind yet but the info is very helpful. I do have two pretty heavy lenses and maybe the balance would be nice. I don't do a ton of portrait shooting but that could easily change at any given time. The extra bulk might deter me but I will bounce it around a bit and see.

[Canonymous]

I got mine to add weight to my camera. Everytime the mrs goes to pick it up, she thinks again and puts it down .. and I give a little sigh and say "phew" under my breathe.;)

[scorpio_e]

People think I am a pro *LOL*

Mine is on and off the camera. It all depends on what I am shooting. For a trip to the zoo or a festival. Ungripped. For an event and serious shooting..Gripped...
It certainly make portrait orientation easier.

[Marnault]

I have a grip for both my 400D & 40D, they never leave the camera. I shoot a lot with fairly large lenses, 17-55 F2.8, 70-200 F2.8, 400 F5.6, and without the grip the balance isn't the greatest. Big lenses realy need a big body to work well, at least for me.

I also shoot a fair bit of sports, and that's about 80% portrait orientation so it is defiantly important there.

The extra battery life is just a added bonus, on my 40D I have never had to replace the batteries when out shooting, even after over 1000 shots.

[RobNYC]

LOL Canonymous!

[davo_robbo]

helps an incredible amount when you're shooting with any lens that long/heavy
portrait orientation is a million times easier too, and its great for 2 week trips when your 4 canon 5D batteries will run out! :)

[yogestee]

I have one on both my 20D and 350D,, infact they have never been off both cameras.. The reason?? Ergonomics.. Both cameras especially the 350D feel nicer to hold.. So much easier shooting vertically too..

[RobNYC]

Thanks for the continued input all... I do have two pretty heavy lenses so I am probbaly going to go down and check one out on my 40D.

[jblaschke]

I really needed it almost as soon as I took my XTi/400D out of the box--for the extended grip more than extra power. Mild animosity turned to outright love after the grip was attached. Extra battery life was a happy bonus.

Of course, with the 40D you don't have that tiny body problem. So that makes my post pretty much irrelevant, eh? ;)

[s8langwo]

Going into an event where I know having a battery die would be unacceptable. The grip, when loaded with fully charged batteries, reduces that fear.

By the way, I made the decision to purchase mine after seeing 70+% of my images shot in portrait. Because I shoot in manual with an XTi, I like having a little less clutter around my AV+/- button. (This is held down to change the aperture in M mode).

Please add me to the list who state that once they put it on, they've never removed it.


Kevin

[wallybud]

Didn't read the others but this is my take: It all depends on how much you shoot

- I went out and shot from 6:00am - 11:00ish on Tues with my 40D nd brought two full batteries as usual.

When I left I still had all my bars left on the ONE battery I used that morning...I do landscape and don't shoot unless I setup to take a shot...I took a total of 64 shots that morning

Are you a snapper or not thats the main question

If I shoot all day it usually involves driving from location to location and in that case I have a car charger that I keep the empty battery on inbetween spots.

I have never in my history of shooting ran out of two batteries because of this (then again I don't have time to go on week long hikes :()

[jblaschke]

Please add me to the list who state that once they put it on, they've never removed it.

In all honesty, I take it off when I'm doing astrophotography. The extra weight is a bear to balance on my scope. But for regular shooting it's always on. :)

[Maxdave]

It is not battery life for me, though I do appreciate the extra capacity. I have grips on both of my cameras because I like the way they feel and enjoy the convenience of the 2nd shutter release and other controls when shooting with the camera vertically. On the occasion that I pick up a non-gripped camera it feels as if something is missing!

Shaun

Exactly!

I bought a grip post sale for my 300D, and after that, I bought the grips with both the XTi and the 40D when I purchased the bodies. I think there is a reason why the 1-series has the shape that you get when put a grip on their smaller brothers .....

Maxdave

[SYS]

I may be hallucinating, but I could swear that my photos off the 40D with the grip are sharper than without the grip. My theory is that the 40D's shutter (more precisely the mirror slapping), which I've found to be more "jarring" or "vibrating" than my 20D, can produce "softer" images especially under lower speed. I think the grip adds a great degree of "stability" to the 40D, and therefore, better image results.

[wallybud]

I think your hallucinating ;) how much does the grip weight btw? I always see that like 5 pound ball in the back of photo mags that screws into the tripod part on the bottom of the body...Its suppose to allow you to take handheld shots up to 1 second...but thats a LOT more weight haha

[S-S]

i have never run out of power/missed shots even during weddings with only one battery installed... BUT... i use grips 24-7 on both my bodies because i have permanent E1 hand straps attached which i LOVE.

i never use the grip controls.

[SYS]

I think your hallucinating ;) how much does the grip weight btw? I always see that like 5 pound ball in the back of photo mags that screws into the tripod part on the bottom of the body...Its suppose to allow you to take handheld shots up to 1 second...but thats a LOT more weight haha

Oh, I forgot to mention that I ALSO had my 70-200 on the 40D with the grip. :)

[wallybud]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I ALSO had my 70-200 on the 40D with the grip. :)

Your sure you can't take 3 second exposures with that setup hehe :p
man that's a heavy rig to carry about I traded away my 2.8 IS for the F4 IS and I don't even use the grip :shock:
but then again I weigh 130LBS hahaha
how is the non IS 2.8 compared to the IS version...are they far apart in weight?

[SYS]

Non IS 2.8 or IS, the darn set up with the grip is heavy. I'm glad I got the Gitzo GM-3550 monopod that can handle the weight!

[adblink]

i have never run out of power/missed shots even during weddings with only one battery installed... BUT... i use grips 24-7 on both my bodies because i have permanent E1 hand straps attached which i LOVE.

i never use the grip controls.

ah **** thats another HUGE thing I forgot, is my E1. I just got my 40D and just realized I wont be able to use my E1 until I get a new grip. I hate neck straps and would rather have it on my hand, ready to go

[ALaS]

battery life is extended by SO much. The feel is much better too, especially if you have big hands. It's a must on a rebel.

[adblink]

side question while talking about battery life. Is the battery indicator any better on the 40D then it was on my XTI? It would show full for 95% of the time, and then when i lost a bar, the battery would go dead a short time later, there was really no warning.

[RobNYC]

I don't rely on the 40D's battery meter too much. It seems to always be on full. I've been out shooting for long days and when I get home to charge it, it is down to 48% or 52%, yet the 40D's meter always read full.

[Eyies]

40D's battery meter is bad imo. You have three notches: full, half, and could die any second. Nikon is much better in this aspect.

[dave_bass5]

I didn't buy one for the battery life. I bought it so my pinky has somewhere to go.

That was my thinking as well.
I've been debating whether to get a grip since i had a 350D three years ago (then 400D, 30D and now 40D). I gave in a couple of weeks ago and got a Canon one.
It stayed on my 40D for about 3 days and ive not used it since. Ill be keeping it but whiel i know i can get used to it i would need a bigger bag, to start using a strap and its more a two handed job to hold up now.

I do like it but for me it means too many other changes. I will use it for things like School plays etc but that would be mainly to make my 40D look bigger than the other parents camera's and to make me look like a pro.
Shallow i know:rolleyes:

[RobNYC]

LOL at least you're honest Dave!

[dave_bass5]

LOL at least you're honest Dave!

Seriously though, i find it alters the feel of my 40D and while many people say for the better i find it more awkward to hold. saying that i will use it every once in a while and it does seem to help me get strighter shots.

[Edgar in ATL]

I bought a BG-E1 for my 300D. For me the main advantage was the better fit for my hands. I eventually stopped using it with the 300D, and I have not purchased a grip for my 30D. The added weight "outweighed" the better fit in the long run. Also, I never felt like the second battery actually gave me twice the number of shots. The 300D seemed to give premature low battery warnings with the grip, and I generally do not take more than a single battery worth of shots in a day anyway, especially with the 30D. Because the 30D fits my hands better than the 300D, all of the above contributed to my decision not to buy a BG-E2 for the 30D. I will say other photographers gave me more approving looks when I showed up with the black 300D with the grip!

[DDCSD]

40D's battery meter is bad imo. You have three notches: full, half, and could die any second. Nikon is much better in this aspect.

Do a quick search of "nikon battery meter problems" Nikon isn't any better. It is a problem that is inherent in batteries in general. The in-camera meters usually go by voltage, which isn't a good indicator with today's rechargeable batteries.

[pixel_junkie]

That was my thinking as well.
I've been debating whether to get a grip since i had a 350D three years ago (then 400D, 30D and now 40D). I gave in a couple of weeks ago and got a Canon one.
It stayed on my 40D for about 3 days and ive not used it since. Ill be keeping it but whiel i know i can get used to it i would need a bigger bag, to start using a strap and its more a two handed job to hold up now.

I do like it but for me it means too many other changes. I will use it for things like School plays etc but that would be mainly to make my 40D look bigger than the other parents camera's and to make me look like a pro.
Shallow i know:rolleyes:

I bet you're not a minority when it comes to this particular justification to owning a grip. Why not tho, if you like the feel and look, go for it. I've stayed away from using a grip for the same exact reason, to eliminate the "look at me" factor. The grip looks to me like one of those giant performance spoilers some guys like to put on the back of their little economy sedan cars :lol:

[RobNYC]

Yeah... and I think the giant white lens is enough of a look at me factor already without the grip!

[Wilt]

I have been thinking about getting a battery grip for my 40D. But I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me with an example of a time that, say, if you didn't have it you would have run out of juice and missed shots etc. In other words, what are the advantages or reasons that might help me decide whether I need it.

I have had my 40D out for say 12-14 hours and took 1000 pictures... and at the end of the day, the lowest I have seen my battery is around 35%. So I am just wondering what the real utility is?

In the days of film cameras, the add-on grip provided motor drive for faster advancing the film and winding the shutter, film magazines permitted 250' and longer spools of film for longer uninterrupted shooting. Modern dSLRs have fast advance even without a BG, and they shoot hundreds of shots without a BG. It is not difficult to merely carry a battery or four in a pocket, and swap them at a brief lull in the shooting. It is not difficult but a convenience having the buttons on the BG for portrait orientation, as photographers did without added buttons for decades. It is not a difficulty but a convenience in having more grip area, as again decades of photographers managed quite well with much smaller SLRs!

So do you need one, NO. Is it nice to have one, yes, for some.

[RobNYC]

Thanks Wilt. I remember when I was a little kid I had a Canon AE-1 Program film SLR. I always wanted the grip/winder. But naturally, when you are around 13, you don't have your own funds so you aren't getting whatever you want!

[Wilt]

I have and love the winders for my OM SLR and for my medium format film SLR. Add to the list of benefits the remote triggering of a camera (which again does not require use of a BG for a dSLR). When I got my first dSLR I initially had a lust for the BG, once again. Yet after analyzing the value of the BG for the dSLR, as I outlined in my message, I determined it was a waste of my money and merely excess bulk and weight to lug around; while once in a while I rethink the decision, my mind has not changed yet about the utility of the BG.

[tdodd]

I have a 30D and a grip for it and a 40D and the wireless grip for that. I don't use the grip for the 30D at all and I only use the wireless grip on the 40D when I want to make use of the wireless function. If you shoot a lot of portrait orientation then the grip makes sense.

At any other time, adding the grip simply adds weight and bulk. I don't mind the weight especially, but the bulk is the killer. I mostly cart around both my cameras, each with a mounted lens, in my Slingshot 200. Without the grips I can fit both cameras easily and can have my 100-400 and 70-200 f/2.8 IS mounted and stored at the same time - good for a wildlife trip, or the 70-200 and 17-55 mounted and a 10-22 for good measure when I shoot weddings. My Nifty, macro tubes and teleconverter sit in the outside pocket and my 2 x 580EX fit in the top compartment.

If I was to fit even one grip it would severely cramp my ability to travel well kitted out and compactly at the same time. I would have to dump one body for a start, or break down my kit into individual components and probably lose a lens or two, or a flash, from the bag. I generally mix up portrait and landscape shooting quite a bit, so a grip would have me changing my hold on the camera from one shot to the next, and all in all it's really not worth the hassle. For me, the grips are not beneficial in my day to day photography.

As for battery life, I know you can run the grips with a single battery, but if you have both batteries fitted at the same time, what are you going to be charging while they are both being slowly run down equally. You may as well have one battery in the pipe and one on the charger, or in your pocket keeping warm.

[Jimmer411]

I shoot portrait style almost as much as normal. So its always a must.

[gary88]

I needed a place for my ring and pinky finger to go on my XTi.

[yogestee]

I needed a place for my ring and pinky finger to go on my XTi.

Gary,, that was a major gripe with the XT series,, too small for "normal" male hands.. Without a grip my pinky and ring fingers would flap in the beeze..

[adblink]

I'm even finding my pinky is on the verge of falling off my 40D. Can't wait for my grip to arrive :D

[JCH77Yanks]

I shoot portrait style almost as much as normal. So its always a must.

So do I. That coupled with the fact that the Rebel series bodies feel pretty unbalanced and uncomfortable w/o the grip attatched.

[JWright]

I think your hallucinating ;) how much does the grip weight btw? I always see that like 5 pound ball in the back of photo mags that screws into the tripod part on the bottom of the body...Its suppose to allow you to take handheld shots up to 1 second...but thats a LOT more weight haha

I think what you're referring to here is a gyroscopic stabilizer, rather than just a weight that hangs under the camera.

In the days of film cameras, the add-on grip provided motor drive for faster advancing the film and winding the shutter,

This is how I got started with grips on cameras back in the 1980's. I added motor drives to my Minolta X-700s for the rapid shooting (and because they made me look more like a pro :rolleyes:) but soon discovered the drive made the camera easier to hold and there was a vertical button. When I switched to Canon in 1999 I bought a pair of A2 cameras. The grip on the A2 was not a battery grip but only gave vertical controls. By this time I was so used to the grip it seemed only natural to add them to the A2's.

Shortly therafter I bought a used EOS 1 (the ancestor of all the Series 1 cameras) which had the grip included. BTW, the grip did not become an integral part of the Series 1 cameras until the release of the first 1D. Throughout the entire run of EOS 1 cameras (EOS 1, 1N, 1N RS and 1V) it was an added accessory that gave vertical controls and added fps. It wasn't even called a grip but was known as a power booster.

I have gotten so used to the grips that it is the first accessory I buy for a camera. I never remove them from the cameras except for cleaning. I just can't see shooting without them...

[adblink]

everyday, because I love my E1 handstrap and couldnt be with out it :D

[dave_bass5]

Is it normal for the battery to show as almost empty, very quickly when using the grip?
Im sure its not supposed to be this way but i also think its not reflecting the correct charge so im not too worried.
I put my grip on yesterday and within a few shots noticed the indicator was showing low. Took the grip off and the battery is showing full again.

[tdodd]

It is not normal and it is not correct, but it is not unheard of. Apparently, Canon had a problem a good while back with their grip and they had to be recalled to be fixed in some way. It's anybody's guess what the situation is with third party grips. AIUI the problem is poor contact between the power supply from the grip and the contacts in the camera. I don't know what the ordinary mortal can do to resolve that, other than make sure the grip is attached firmly - not overtightened as you can strip the tightening thumbwheel altogether and create more problems for yourself.

You may find the power comes up if you wriggle/jiggle or twist the grip a bit, or push it more firmly up against the camera. That would be a fairly sure sign of poor contacts, I think. AFAIK the resolution is to get a replacement grip that is designed and manufactured properly.

FWIW I have a grip for my 30D and have never ever had this problem.

EDIT : Actually, another thought - there has been talk recently of problems of vanishing battery power with the 40D and a Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens attached, when the camera works for a few shots - maybe 5 or 20 or so - and then the battery seems to crash and burn. This has been attributed to a poor contact being made when you close the lid to the battery compartment. There is a little recess in the body, into which a nub on the flap is inserted when you colse the lid. This re-enables power to the camera after you have opened the lid. The solution to the lens problem is to put some tape over the recess (you'll need to find pictures) to create more positive physical pressure on this switch mechanism when the lid is closed and the nub goes into the hole. Maybe the same design applies with the grip, and there is a nub on the grip that needs a little encouragement to more strongly push into the recess. Just an idea.

EDIT : Picture down this page - http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/661416

[AdamC]

I'd always felt that shooting in portrait mode was awkward, but when I really started wanting one was when I started shooting my son's soccer match. Twisting your wrist for an hour at a time really hurts..

[jms_uk]

Throughout the entire run of EOS 1 cameras (EOS 1, 1N, 1N RS and 1V) it was an added accessory that gave vertical controls and added fps. It wasn't even called a grip but was known as a power booster.

EOS 1n RS had a power drive booster E1 permanently attached.

[dave_bass5]

It is not normal and it is not correct, but it is not unheard of. Apparently, Canon had a problem a good while back with their grip and they had to be recalled to be fixed in some way. It's anybody's guess what the situation is with third party grips. AIUI the problem is poor contact between the power supply from the grip and the contacts in the camera. I don't know what the ordinary mortal can do to resolve that, other than make sure the grip is attached firmly - not overtightened as you can strip the tightening thumbwheel altogether and create more problems for yourself.

You may find the power comes up if you wriggle/jiggle or twist the grip a bit, or push it more firmly up against the camera. That would be a fairly sure sign of poor contacts, I think. AFAIK the resolution is to get a replacement grip that is designed and manufactured properly.

FWIW I have a grip for my 30D and have never ever had this problem.

EDIT : Actually, another thought - there has been talk recently of problems of vanishing battery power with the 40D and a Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens attached, when the camera works for a few shots - maybe 5 or 20 or so - and then the battery seems to crash and burn. This has been attributed to a poor contact being made when you close the lid to the battery compartment. There is a little recess in the body, into which a nub on the flap is inserted when you colse the lid. This re-enables power to the camera after you have opened the lid. The solution to the lens problem is to put some tape over the recess (you'll need to find pictures) to create more positive physical pressure on this switch mechanism when the lid is closed and the nub goes into the hole. Maybe the same design applies with the grip, and there is a nub on the grip that needs a little encouragement to more strongly push into the recess. Just an idea.

EDIT : Picture down this page - http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/661416

Thanks for posting that reply and link.
Funny thing, when i put my new 24-105L on my 40D (no grip attached) and left it over night on a fully charged battery the next day it was showing as nearly empty. I put it down to either i hadn't charged it full (not likely as i saw the fully charged light on on the charger) or the lens might have drained the battery. I re charged it and have left the camera on for three days (going in to standby after 2 mins) and the problem never came back.
After using my 17-55IS last night i got home and put my grip and 24-105L back on and within a few mins the indicator was showing low. took the grip off (its a genuine Canon one) and left the camera in standby again and this morning its still showing full.
Not sure what to make off all this but it could well be battery itself i guess.

[Wilt]

I'd always felt that shooting in portrait mode was awkward, but when I really started wanting one was when I started shooting my son's soccer match. Twisting your wrist for an hour at a time really hurts..

It sounds like you must rotate your camera clockwise rather than counterclockwise to Portrait position...putting the hand in a quasi military hand salute position doesn't distort the wrist into painful positions. There are other advantages from counterclockwise, too!

[AdamC]

It sounds like you must rotate your camera clockwise rather than counterclockwise to Portrait position...putting the hand in a quasi military hand salute position doesn't distort the wrist into painful positions. There are other advantages from counterclockwise, too!

Well I wouldn't call it distorting into a painful position exactly, but it does get very tiresome to do for an hour at a time. I shoot soccer 100% in portrait mode.

I used to rotate CW with my P&S but can't do it at all with my SLR.

[Wilt]

I used to rotate CW with my P&S but can't do it at all with my SLR.

P&S usage starts people off with all sorts of very BAD habits...like holding the dammed camera at arm's length in front of you. CW rotation is another one!

You mentioned 'twisting wrist...hurts',not 'holding arm up for a long time hurts', which mislead me about your complaint. Keep doing it and your upper arm will become stronger and stop hurting! :D

[Jon]

In the days of film cameras, the add-on grip provided motor drive for faster advancing the film and winding the shutter, film magazines permitted 250' and longer spools of film for longer uninterrupted shooting. Modern dSLRs have fast advance even without a BG, and they shoot hundreds of shots without a BG. It is not difficult to merely carry a battery or four in a pocket, and swap them at a brief lull in the shooting. It is not difficult but a convenience having the buttons on the BG for portrait orientation, as photographers did without added buttons for decades. It is not a difficulty but a convenience in having more grip area, as again decades of photographers managed quite well with much smaller SLRs!

So do you need one, NO. Is it nice to have one, yes, for some.True. About the only advantage of grip that I can see is that you can use AA cells in a pinch. I had, and sold on, a grip for my 20D. All my film SLRs had them to give me power advance.

If you think the grip helps you balance a big lens, you're holding things wrong. You should be supporting the camera by the balance point in the lens, not gripping the camera for dear life to keep the lens from pulling it down. Left hand under the lens to support; right hand on the camera to steer.

[yogestee]

If you think the grip helps you balance a big lens, you're holding things wrong. You should be supporting the camera by the balance point in the lens, not gripping the camera for dear life to keep the lens from pulling it down. Left hand under the lens to support; right hand on the camera to steer.

Jon,,,I would never attempt to balance a lens like a 70-200mm F/2.8 on my 350D or even my 20D without a grip,, even with a grip on my 350D a 70-200mm F/2.8 feels totally out of balance and I'm no 100lb weakling.. And do you think after 30 years of pro-photography I've learned how to hold a camera??

[Wilt]

And do you think after 30 years of pro-photography I've learned how to hold a camera??

slow learner? ;)

[yogestee]

slow learner? ;)

Yeah Wilt.. Spent too many years shooting 4x5 and medium format on a 3pod :rolleyes:

[AdamC]

You mentioned 'twisting wrist...hurts',not 'holding arm up for a long time hurts', which mislead me about your complaint. Keep doing it and your upper arm will become stronger and stop hurting! :D

Not at all - it's an issue with my wrist, not the forearm.


Jon,,,I would never attempt to balance a lens like a 70-200mm F/2.8 on my 350D or even my 20D without a grip,, even with a grip on my 350D a 70-200mm F/2.8 feels totally out of balance and I'm no 100lb weakling.. And do you think after 30 years of pro-photography I've learned how to hold a camera??

I don't get that at all. I spent a lot of hours holding my 400D + 70-200/4 before I got the grip, and never once felt it was 'unbalanced.' As Jon said, I support the lens at about the balance point with my left hand, and steer with the right. Convenient portrait-mode shooting and extended battery life are the only benefits, for me.

[DDCSD]

Not at all - it's an issue with my wrist, not the forearm.




I don't get that at all. I spent a lot of hours holding my 400D + 70-200/4 before I got the grip, and never once felt it was 'unbalanced.' As Jon said, I support the lens at about the balance point with my left hand, and steer with the right. Convenient portrait-mode shooting and extended battery life are the only benefits, for me.

The f/2.8 version of the 70-200 does weigh twice as much as the f/4 version.