Ebay battery grip ok?

[43 North]

So I am not usually one to skimp on my equipment but I really need to get a battery grip for my 7D. Are some of the "knock" off brand grips ok to use rather than pay the extra for the genuine Canon grip?

[felixapproach]

I use a Flashpoint from Adorama on my 40d and it work great. It was about 60 dollars.

[43 North]

I use a Flashpoint from Adorama on my 40d and it work great. It was about 60 dollars.

Oh wow I just looked it up for my 7D and it is on $89 with free shipping. Sounds like a heck of a deal to me!

[felixapproach]

The free shipping only took 3 days. Not too bad.

[JWright]

I learned a long time ago about skimping on gear and I won't have anything but the Canon product on my bodies...

[43 North]

I learned a long time ago about skimping on gear and I won't have anything but the Canon product on my bodies...

What happened?

[viper42391]

I bought one on ebay about 6 months ago, and it is still going strong.. I've had no problems with it, and it included 2 batteries that are still going strong. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190298090580&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123 It came out to only $55!

[Creepy Crawler]

I had bought the grip for my 50d from amazon the grip and 2 batteries for 79.00. I like the grip the batteries are ok. The 2 things I am not fond of when mounted on the camera and then mounted on the tri-pod seems loose to much play and I have the grip as tight as I can get it. And when in the vertical position seems the grip doesn't always make contact and work.
http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Battery-Vertical-Shutter-Batteries/dp/B001MUN5FE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1262447675&sr=8-4

[CW Jones]

I got the canon one used from this site or another... I can't remember and I couldn't be happier. I heard a few to many horror stories of the non-canon brand ones getting stuck on bodies and I really didn't want to risk it. Especially for the price I paid used from mine.

[jdvass]

I learned a long time ago about skimping on gear and I won't have anything but the Canon product on my bodies...

I agree. I never had any problems but then again I never used one of the other grips. I figure better safe then sorry and both my grips are Canon. Just my humble opinion. Never having used the other ones I guess it doesnt mean much.............. okay, I'll shut up now:D

[43 North]

Well I ordered the Flashpoint....... will see how it goes. If push comes to shove I will sell it and get the Canon if it doesn't work well. Thanks for all the responses. I will post up in a few weeks with how I like the Flashpoint.

[bohdank]

I used a Phottix on my 40D for a year and 7k+ shots. Had a Canon one on my 5D and when I got the 5DII, got a Phottix, again. I guess I'm happy with the Phottix :-)

[klr.b]

i think if you know that you're going to keep it and take care of your equipment, a third party product is fine. if you think you'll sell it down the road, you'll lose a lot of money with an third party product compared to canon. i learned that the hard way.

[JWright]

What happened?

A number of junk tripods and one cheap lens horror story... Suffice it to say I'll never buy another Samyang/Phoenix product.

[S30L28]

I have a Phottix BP-5D on my 5D. Was skeptical about buying a third party brand, but works just as well as a BG-E4 grip, without the white Canon lettering.

I didn't like the idea of a grip at first, but I don't think I can live without one now! It's so comfortable t hold! :D

[tvphotog]

Well I ordered the Flashpoint....... will see how it goes. If push comes to shove I will sell it and get the Canon if it doesn't work well. Thanks for all the responses. I will post up in a few weeks with how I like the Flashpoint.

I think you did the right thing. I use ebay for small things such as bubble levels and lens caps, but for things that directly affect the camera or imaging, I stick with a known store with service backup.

[felixapproach]

Well I ordered the Flashpoint....... will see how it goes. If push comes to shove I will sell it and get the Canon if it doesn't work well. Thanks for all the responses. I will post up in a few weeks with how I like the Flashpoint.
I hope you like it as much as I like mine.

[43 North]

Got my Flashpoint grip today for my 7D. I am VERY impressed. It fits like a glove with no slop or spacing between the camera. Functions great and the finger grooves are perfect. Very comfortable to shoot with. Has all the buttons and comes with the AA battery magazine. I am very pleased and glad that I went with it. Price was $89, can't beat it.

[felixapproach]

Got my Flashpoint grip today for my 7D. I am VERY impressed. It fits like a glove with no slop or spacing between the camera. Functions great and the finger grooves are perfect. Very comfortable to shoot with. Has all the buttons and comes with the AA battery magazine. I am very pleased and glad that I went with it. Price was $89, can't beat it.
Happy for you.

[yogestee]

I've been using Phottix grips for a few years now.. I have two.. One for my 20D and one for my 50D,, no problems..

[dizzye36m3]

Sorry to bump this old thread but can anyone recommend a seller for Phottix grips? The sellers on ebay seem to be located overseas.

[Golden Hunter]

Yes, they are in Hong Kong but they offer free shipping. I have bought a couple of things from HK supplies, one being a grip and would highly recommend them, based on my experience (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=823673 ,thread #33).

[dizzye36m3]

Yes, they are in Hong Kong but they offer free shipping. I have bought a couple of things from HK supplies, one being a grip and would highly recommend them, based on my experience (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=823673 ,thread #33).

Thanks Brent. I placed an order this morning.

[abbadon31]

I use Flashpoint from Adorama on my 7D works great.

[mr_et]

For those with a Flashpoint grip, is the screw mount well constructed such that the possibility of stripping threads is minimal? There was an earlier thread that described a grip getting stuck due to stripped/damaged screw mount.

[43 North]

Been using mine for a couple of months now and have had no problems with it. Screw threads suck on tight and no problems with stripping.

[lannes]

I've got a Phottix and the Canon BG-E6 for my 5dm2, the Canon is much better for the following reasons.

1) Canon has a magnesium chassis like the camera body so it feels sturdier and does not flex when gripped.
2) Phottix doesn't fit well, leaving a gap between the base of the camera and grip.
3) If you tighten the Phottix grip too tight, it causes the camera to malfunction.
4) Patterned material on the Phottix is not good quality and the smooth parts of the grip scratch easily. I don't think it will be as durable, quality of plastics is not up to the canon standard on the 5dm2 body.

But the Phottix grip is signficantly cheaper and ultimately achieves the same outcome.