Quick fix for BG-E2

[pfogle]

I just received my grip for the 20D - and like other people I find it somewhat poor in finish. Also, people have reported loss of power when the grip flexes, a problem I found too.

A quick fix that worked for me was to put a few layers of gaffer taper as a spacer between the grip and the body at the far left end of the grip, looking from the back. This acts like a thin wedge, and levers the contacts into the battery compartment on the body, and effectively stops the flexing. The tape is black and invisible when installed.

[drisley]

I still can't believe Canon could put out a grip like this and then charge SO much for it.
I still refuse to buy the 20D grip until Canon puts out one that is better quality (which may never happen).

[FlipsidE]

Yeah, drisley, I wouldn't hold your breath on that one. I gotta say that I absolutely LOVE my grip for my DRebel. I'm not sure I could live w/out a grip anymore. So, I'm starting to be rather tentative about upgrading to a 20D these days. I think I'll just hold onto my DReb until there's a better grip or the successor to the 20D arrives.

FlipsidE

[Tomasz Dziechciarz]

Hi,

I have the similar problem mainly being in action. Moreover what are your suggestion about using AA batteries instead of 511. My problem is that even with completely new one I lost power after 5 shots. What is it going on????

[drisley]

Flipside,
I too had the Grip for the 300D and found it a necessary piece of equipment.
When I bought the 20D the grip wasn't available readily.
Then I started reading story after story about problems with it, and the fact that it isn't even the same quality as the 10D grip. Then I saw that the 20D grip cost a lot more than the one for the 10D. Really a sad state of affairs. I thought I read somewhere that Canon was supposed to be fixing the current problems with grip (although not improving it's quality).

[Jon]

I got the grip with my 20D. Aside from the faulty handling of battery power indicator (2-3 shots, no matter what or how many batteries in it, and I get a low battery indicator), it handles OK, but it doesn't improve the 20D enough that I'd consider it an essential. I didn't get the grip for my D60, but both F-1s have power winders (give the "vertical shutter release" button), so I'm used to either way and, frankly, I find working without the grip just as easy as with, plus the 20D sans grip doesn't take up such inordinate amounts of space in my bag. Given the improved battery life with the 511A, support for 2 batteries isn't a big deal, either. I routinely got 400ish shots on my D60 with the old BP511, and the 20D's more efficient even with the same battery, never mind higher-rated ones. The biggest plus about the grip on the 20D, in my view, is the crisis mode support for AA cells (which I haven't tried, I'll admit), but since you've got to have the AA holder for it somewhere handy, that's an arguable advantage. Now if it allowed you to plug the aux. power socket on the 550 or 580 in somewhere, that might be handy. And if it didn't require you to remove and stow the battery compartment door to mount it (as opposed to the grip for the Elan 7/7e) that would be absolutely great! As it is, it offers marginal usefulness with offsetting disadvantages.

When I called Canon about the false low battery situation, the guy on the phone told me that was going to be taken care of in the next firmware upgrade (that would be post-1.1.0). He also told me about a really good message-board on Canon digital cameras that he hangs out at (you already know about it - here!) so I think it's safe to assume he's an informed source.

[cmM]

umm, I thought Canon fixed their mistake and now are sellin grips that don't lose power when flexing :).
...... A missing washer seems to have been the problem with the initial design. I talked to Canon and they told me to send it in and they'll fix it... that was a little while ago, still haven't sent it in.

[pfogle]

Like most of you seem too, I prefer the grip on the 10D, and mostly use the 20D as a light walk-round with a 28 f2.8, which makes it very discreet (apart from the shutter noise ;-))

However, when I do want a grip, I'm prepared to put up with next-best, as long as it gets the job done! Anyway, apart from the battery meter, it works fine now.

Funny, I've owned heaps of different cameras over the years, and I've never found one that didn't need some hacking...

[gramps]

umm, I thought Canon fixed their mistake and now are sellin grips that don't lose power when flexing :).
...... A missing washer seems to have been the problem with the initial design. I talked to Canon and they told me to send it in and they'll fix it... that was a little while ago, still haven't sent it in.

I read the same thing somewhere also. I think that Canon is putting a "stick on" dot in the battery compartment of the new version.

[gramps]

I just found this on another site..................

Any BG-E2 with a serial # 05xxx and higher with a red dot after the number
of applied to the battery door, has had the countermeasures added. Meaning
that if your grip is series 5000 and higher and has a red dot, it means
that is was stripped apart, 2 washers have been added and the contact pins
extended as well as having a switch contact enlarged.

[[blur]]

I too find the grip of poor quality, especially compared to the grip for my EOS3(sweet). I don't like the finish on it which is identical to the finish on the 20D. Why must they screw with a good thing?
I think I got a goodish deal as it came with a canon gadget bag and a spare 511.
My serial starts #03xxx and I've noticed that the grip will work itself loose after awhile and kind of jiggles in the mount. Very annoying but has not caused battery power loss that I've noticed.

[Jon]

umm, I thought Canon fixed their mistake and now are sellin grips that don't lose power when flexing :).
...... A missing washer seems to have been the problem with the initial design. I talked to Canon and they told me to send it in and they'll fix it... that was a little while ago, still haven't sent it in.

That wasn't what I was referring to - With one or two batteries, original, BP511A, or 3rd-party, after only a few pictures, I get a false "Low Battery" warning after a half dozen or so shots from fully charged batteries. Putting either battery into the 20D shows the whole battery; going back to the grip, only the bottom (low power level) indicator's showing. This is supposed to be in an upcoming firmware fix for the camera. Other people have posted about this here, too.

[cmM]

Jon: yes, you're right, I've read about that. Haven't had that issue though. The battery indicator seems to be correct, it's only the flexing and power losses I've experienced.

[[blur]]

That wasn't what I was referring to - With one or two batteries, original, BP511A, or 3rd-party, after only a few pictures, I get a false "Low Battery" warning after a half dozen or so shots from fully charged batteries. Putting either battery into the 20D shows the whole battery; going back to the grip, only the bottom (low power level) indicator's showing. This is supposed to be in an upcoming firmware fix for the camera. Other people have posted about this here, too.

I now believe I am having the same problem with mine.
I have just registered my 20D body on the Canon Canada site and there was a check box that will allow me to be notified of any forthcoming firmware updates.
Surely they'd have this on any countries site.
Also inquired about a fix for the looseness. Will post any reply.