5d Mark II Grip Problem

[BrazCanon]

The Canon grip for my new 5D Mark II camera arrived today from B&H. There is a lot to be said for what the grip has to offer – but I’ve run into a problem.

When the grip is attached to the camera, I consistently get a “cannot communicate with battery” indication when I try to check the battery level through the camera’s menu system. The battery still powers the camera, but I can’t find out its charge level (which is a new feature of the 5D Mark II that I was looking forward to). The battery has been “registered” per the instructions in the camera manual.

This problem occurs whether the grip is in its “on” or “off” mode.

I am operating with only one battery (since additional batteries are pretty much impossible to find right now).

Any thoughts as to why I’m having this problem?

Other than this issue I like the new grip …

[BrazCanon]

I think I can now answer my own question. Today I was able to pick up a 2nd battery and (once it was charged and placed in the grip) everything seemed to act as it should. No more "cannot communicate" message.

My assumption is that the grip must have two batteries in it to let the camera interact fully with the batteries.

The camera will run with just one battery in the grip ... but you're not going to get full information on that single battery ...

[laurent]

Glad to know about this.

[BigDaveE]

This isn't true... I have a 5D Mk II and the grip and only one battery (for now).

When you go to the battery info screen with the grip attached, it splits the screen in half - top & bottom.

You're correct in that it says "error communicating with battery" - but that's only for the empty slot. That's on the top half of the screen.

The bottom half of the screen DOES show the battery info for the one battery that is inserted in the grip...

Just FYI...