Accessories for 20 D

[sugar_babygirli]

Sorry to have 2 questions posted the same day.

Is it necessary to buy a battery grip (to be honest I haven't the slightest idea of what these are)? They are supposed to enable easy access to the shutter button when tipped vertically or something like that? Can they be attached to a tripod? If not, this brings me to my next question....

Is there a way to attach the 20 D to a tripod vertically? Most of my images are going to be vertical, so I need a way to have it on the tripod that format.

Thanks for helping out this terribly desparate newbie :lol:

[Tapeman]

Almost tripods will allow the camera to be positoned in the portrit mode (vertical).

The battery grip's main advantage is more power for more shots. The other advantages are more a mater of preferance, feel, balance, etc.

[mdr]

The grip is not needed. In fact, don't have one.

For the 'always' portrait format tripod shooting I would suggest a remote release and bracket allowing the camera to be mounted vertically. any reputable camera dealer with a large (professional) catalogue of tripods and tripods accessories would be able to provide these. The grip would be more a hindrance than a benefit.

For handheld portrait format shooting, the grip would be very usefull with is additional shutter button and control.

[Ikinaa]

A tripod with a standard ballhead will allow you to tilt the camera more than 90° to the left or right or up or down.
Just be sure that your tripod and ballhead support the weight of the camera and lens.

I have a Manfrotto 055PROB tripod and 486rc2 head and it works fine with my 20D and lenses...

[mdr]

Correct, but if you're always shooting portrait format on the tripod as suggested in the original question, a bracket such as the custom fit Kirk for the 20D would be much more stable and a lot easier to use. You can get them in the UK from http://www.warehouseexpress.com/index.cfm?photo/kirk/brackets.html.

I also find that an off centre ball head such as the Gitzo G1176M that I use is actually easier for regular vertical shooting than an ordinary ball head.

[Fills]

What is the most weight someone has put on a tripod shooting vertically? I assume shooting with a 70-200 or 100-400 wouldn't be possible (not that I have a reason to do so)???

[mdr]

The big lenses should be mounted on a tripod using the tripod mount of the lens and not using the tripod bush on the camera. These mounts rotate, so it doesn't matter for the stability whether the camera behind the lens is in horizontal or vertical mode!