Review: Phottix 5DMk2 Grip

[EdBray]

As I was getting desperate for some form of back up battery for my 5DMk2 and being unable to source a sensibly priced and in stock Canon battery, I decided to buy a cheap grip for my 5DMk2 to enable the use of eneloops to get me through should I require further battery power.

I ordered the grip from ebay seller etefore and including shipping, cost just over £70 (Canon version circa £200). I was not expecting too much really but as it was a similar price to an unavailable Canon battery I thought I would give it a go, not knowing that I would be purchasing an additional Canon battery two days later when Amazon had them available.

It arrived yesterday in a blister pack within a jiffy bag (8 days from placing the order) and there was nothing extra to pay in the form of duty or taxes.

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First impressions are very good, with the build and feel of the grip very similar to the two previous Canon grips I had (for my 5D and 30D), no rough edges, the door opens and closes nicely and feels robust and the white latches at either side to hold the batteries in are identical to that within the Camera body. The buttons seem of a similar quality to those used on the 5DMk2 and in actual fact I prefer the slightly rubber feel of the front wheel of the grip to that of the wheel on the Camera and the shutter button on the grip has a distict 2 stage operation, soft touch to halfway and a slight microswitch type click to take the shot (very impressed with that), the On/Off switch is nicely recessed and only turns the grip buttons off/on. I was also very pleased to see the inclusion of the AF-ON button as I only use either this or manual to focus.

On attaching the grip to the camera it fits well and seems very secure with no movement at all once attached. On the battery info screen it shows that a BGM-E6 is attached and shows in what positions within the grip the batteries have been placed (I suspect this is no different to how the Canon original grip shows within the menu system).

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I tried the camera/grip combination with one Canon battery, two Canon batteries and a set of 6 brand new Eneloops in the supplied AA holder. All showed a full battery charge on the Battery Info screen although the eneloops were unable to be registered to show the number of shots taken. A nice touch (and unexpected) was that when the grip's battery door was unlatched the camera turned off and was unusable until the door was relatched.

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So, in conclusion, Great piece of kit for approximately 1/3 of the price of the Canon original version. Only time will tell if it will have the longevity that would be expected from an original Canon item, but my first impressions of build quality, ergonimics and practical use are good, I could recommend this item.

[LostShootingStar]

for some reason that first picture reminded me of a pistol, lol. Nice review though! http://entertainment-place.info/smile/img/4234/o09a0208gstn/POTNsmile.gifhttp://www.entertainment-place.info/smile/img/3200/n08d1214eybr/1by1.gif

[EdBray]

Nice review though! http://entertainment-place.info/smile/img/4234/o09a0208gstn/POTNsmile.gifhttp://www.entertainment-place.info/smile/img/3200/n08d1214eybr/1by1.gif

Thanks ;)

[dan j]

Nice review. I'm amazed at how much the BG-E6 costs compared to the BG-E2N. I guess the AF-On button is really expensive ;) Anyway, thanks for the review. Too bad you don't have long-term experience with the BG-E6 for comparison because I've read that it is very solid unlike the BG-E2N. I'm wondering how solid Phottix is.

The Phottix 5D2 kit batteries look good.

dan

[TeamSpeed]

Phottix has a very wide product line and continually revamp their products. I have used Phottix filters, grips, remotes, timers, and 1DM3 batteries. Everything was very good with exception of the last remotes I sold from Phottix, the strato. About 1 in 5 receivers seem to be bad and wouldn't trigger the flashes. Coincidentally, Phottix has since stopped manufacturing that particular remote.

Here shortly, I will be offering up the Phottix Plato wireless remote that has 2 way communication back to the transmitter, and operates at 2.4ghz good for tremendous range. Once the box comes in, I will have pics up and a sale posting.

From what I have seen, I give Phottix high marks for product, price, and R&D.

[Mark1]

I forget which brand, it may be Phottix.... but one brand is rumored to come out of the same factory as the Canon OEM. Chinese factorys are famus for doing this. They get the design from Canon/Nikon/etc... and when the order is finished they keep on making them to sell for themselves under a different name.

[TeamSpeed]

I forget which brand, it may be Phottix.... but one brand is rumored to come out of the same factory as the Canon OEM. Chinese factorys are famus for doing this. They get the design from Canon/Nikon/etc... and when the order is finished they keep on making them to sell for themselves under a different name.

That was the opteka brand I believe.

[JChin]

I do not think it is Opteka because I've heard that the Opteka models have a lot more problems than the Canon model. If they came from the same plant, I would assume the design is the same and not have that high of a problem rate.

Phottix on the other hand looks very much like the genuine Canon product. My friend bought the Phottix timer cable release for his 30D, it looks and feels just like my original Canon one.

[Rocktoe]

That was the opteka brand I believe.

Yeah, at least Opteka says that they use the same mold and factory as Canon.

[JChin]

Oh my ... is Opteka dumping their camera grips or has the price of the aftermarket grips dropped that much? I just found on their website that they are selling the 20D/30D/40D/50D grip for only $69.95, see http://www.opteka.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=33

If Opteka is made by the same plant as Canon ones, then at this price it is a steal if there are no more problems with them.

[TeamSpeed]

About the same price it was 2 or more years ago when I first did a review on the Opteka grip. And yes, it was Opteka that advertised that they were the same grip as canon.

Here is the BP-XT description:

Opteka is proud to be allowed to use the same factory and mold as Canon uses for their BG-E3. Opteka is one of the world's leading producer of high-performance batteries and accessories. Opteka believes there is no limit to the potential of portable power and as a company they will always strive to find innovative and efficient ways to power your life in the future! The Opteka BG-RXT holds 6 AA Batteries or 2 NB-2LH batteries. This provides a extremely extended shooting time. The vertical shutter release also makes shooting with the camera in a vertical position just as comfortable as shooting horizontally. Compatible with the Canon Digital Rebel XTi and XT SLR only.


Here was the Amazon review I did back in 2006:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A11VDZL2EQYHDO/ref=cm_cr_dp_auth_rev?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview

[bohdank]

I had a Phottix grip on my 40D for almost a year before I sold the 40D. If I needed another grip I would not hesitate to buy a Phottix, again.

[Kuma]

Nice review. Eye opening really that this seems to be well made.

[mellofelow]

Here shortly, I will be offering up the Phottix Plato wireless remote that has 2 way communication back to the transmitter, and operates at 2.4ghz good for tremendous range. Once the box comes in, I will have pics up and a sale posting.

+1 for Phottix Plato triggers. I used them a couple of days ago for vacation night shots and very pleased with the function and results.

[TeamSpeed]

+1 for Phottix Plato triggers. I used them a couple of days ago for vacation night shots and very pleased with the function and results.

Great to hear, I am glad I ended up ordering a batch of those. The Stratos were okay, just an occasional bad apple in the mix, and I still have several spare receivers left over from the last sale. The Platos looked better this time around.

[kpnaar]

Phottix has a very wide product line and continually revamp their products. I have used Phottix filters, grips, remotes, timers, and 1DM3 batteries. Everything was very good with exception of the last remotes I sold from Phottix, the strato. About 1 in 5 receivers seem to be bad and wouldn't trigger the flashes. Coincidentally, Phottix has since stopped manufacturing that particular remote.

Here shortly, I will be offering up the Phottix Plato wireless remote that has 2 way communication back to the transmitter, and operates at 2.4ghz good for tremendous range. Once the box comes in, I will have pics up and a sale posting.

From what I have seen, I give Phottix high marks for product, price, and R&D.
Hi

I was searching the net to see if Phottix filters were any good. I have had a few bad experiences with shops selling me crap filters ( I am new to photography!!)
I saw a few comments that it is not good. - But I see you seem to use it ?

Also what do you know about Steinzeiser ?
Thanks

[TeamSpeed]

I tried using the Phottix filters, and I was not happy with them. Their electronic items were quite good (haven't tried them in a while), but the filters caused IQ issues.

I would look at maxsaver.net and buy the filters from there, I have since bought some and have been very happy.

[kpnaar]

Thanks !!