Am I crazy for wanting to buy this?

[Abyssgh0st]

Hey all,

I shoot with a Canon 450D, and I've been planning on getting a battery grip (especially when I get my 70-200mm f/2.8), and I've already got two official Canon batteries.

I found this one here, from Link Delight (http://www.linkdelight.com/index.php/LCD-Battery-Grip/LCD-Battery-Grip-for-Canon-BG-E5-450D-500D-1000D/Detailed-product-flyer.html) and it looks sweet! seems to offer many features, including a remote shutter release (which I ordered last week from Amazon for $22, so I could return/resell that and this thing would be like $60 after shipping.

I know some off brand grips can be alright, but is this a bad one to buy?

[CafeRacer808]

My only concern about the grip you link to are the extra controls to the right of the LCD display -- I imagine it will be quite easy to accidentally press those buttons while holding the camera in portrait.

[SMP_Homer]

friend of mine has this for his 30D
other than the novelty of it, he never used the LCD or its functions
the first few months, he did struggle with the grip maintaining proper contact (and function) - had to jam all kinds of 'spacers' between the grip and body to make it work... when he'd finally get it working, it would work great for a few days, but eventually, he had to fight with it again
he rarely uses it anymore... I know he does try to revive it from time to time

[Abyssgh0st]

Hm.. I've read good reviews and bad reviews (SMP_Homer being one).. Still not sure what to do!

[themadman]

Do they have a return policy? If so, I would give it a try, looks cool!

[Abyssgh0st]

They do.. But they are located in China, so it'd be on helluva ordeal to return something.

[klr.b]

it'd be nice if that lcd screen was like the one on 50D's and showed exposure details and whatnot. also, it'd be nice if the arrows on the grip could emulate the arrows on the back of the camera. IIRC previous grips like this one only used the lcd for a clock and timer function. that's not that useful for me, personally.

[klr.b]

also, they really should have put that IR sensor on the right side instead of on the left. there's already one on the left side that can be blocked by the lens. if they put it on the right side you'd be good in most situations.