What battery grip for my 7D?

[rebby]

I'm looking for a battery grip for my 7D. The aftermarket ones seem to get pretty good reviews but I've yet to see a good side by side comparison.

The ones that I'm currently considering include;

- Canon grip, comparatively expensive but I don't mind that so much if the quality is there. What concerns me is the (few) reports that I've read about the shutter being rather sensitive, I suppose that could retrain me to use the AF-ON instead of 1/2 shutter but this is a downside either way. Thoughts on this? Have the "reports" of a sensitive shutter been over-exaggerated? Also, is this grip made of the same material as the 7D itself?
- Zeikos grip, middle of the road as far as price is concerned but, again, w/out some sort of side-by-side comparison between this and the Canon, what are my trade offs (over than price) by going with this grip? More plastic, weather sealing not as good, etc???
- Flashpoint (Adorama) grip, winner as far as price is concerned but my concerns w/the Zeikos are echoed here as well.

Has anybody used/handled any combination of these grips (or even all 3) that can provide a comparison? My only real concern w/the Canon is the shutter, had I not read so many reviews that mention this point I likely would have already ordered it. Then again, if I can save some cash on the grip that means that I can get an additional battery and/or UDMA CF card.

Any assistance on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Scout7id]

I ordered both the Canon and Zeikos from amazon.com and after two weeks I returned the Zeikos grip. I just preferred the feel of the Canon and I did not find the shutter button on the Canon more sensitive. The Zeikos didn't really feel cheap, I guess I just like the uniformity of the Canon body/grip combo.

[Chris215]

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/4549/img00048201003051251.jpg

My 7D with flashpoint grip and I like it a lot at half the price. Works and fits perfectly.

[Morlow]

I ordered the Zeikos one for my 7D because I have Zeikos grips on both my 40D's and they are great.

[lannes]

The Canon BG-E7 has a magnesium alloy internal frame, which is similiar to the 7d body which adds to the price, I don't think the clone grips have the same frame. I've found that with my Canon BG-E6 it feels a lot firmer and stiffer due to the mg frame than the Phottix grip I also have. The phottix flexs and creaks around its joins. The canon grip has much better quality control and uses better sturdier plastics and textured surfaces.

Also the finish of the Canon grip is much better as it has exactly the same textured finish of the 5dm2 body while the phottix grip doesn't the have the textured grip in all the same places. I also found the Phottix grip fit to the body not as good as the original, it left a gap/slit between the body and grip that you could see through and if you tightened it up too much it would cause the camera to lock up and not turn on.

I recommend the canon grip for the 7d if the budget allows.

[NicolasRubio]

IMHO, there's nothing like OEM.

[FlyingPhotog]

IMHO, there's nothing like OEM.

^^^ That ^^^

[int2str]

I *have* the Zeikos grip and I voted for Canon...

[Sitting Elf]

I first bought a Zeikos grip for my 40D. It has worked perfectly, and so I bought Zeikos for my 50D, 7D, and 5D MkII. Have never had a problem and quite happy especially at the price point

[bohdank]

Had a Phottix on my 40D, a Canon on my 5D and bought a Phottix for my 5DII. I find no difference in feel and use between the Canon and the Phottix, in use. My Phottix does not creak or flex and I see no reason to pay the premium for the Canon.

[Mocows]

The Canon BG-E7 has a magnesium alloy internal frame, which is similiar to the 7d body which adds to the price, I don't think the clone grips have the same frame.

That's quite interesting, I had no idea.

[JEC]

^^^ That ^^^

I'll second that.

[rebby]

Thanks so much for everybody's input. I ended up ordering the Canon grip earlier this afternoon. I went this way mainly due to the magnesium alloy internal frame. If I end up not liking the shutter button, I'm sure that it won't be that difficult to exchange for one of the others. Thanks again!

[NicolasRubio]

Thanks so much for everybody's input. I ended up ordering the Canon grip earlier this afternoon. I went this way mainly due to the magnesium alloy internal frame. If I end up not liking the shutter button, I'm sure that it won't be that difficult to exchange for one of the others. Thanks again!

You won't regret it!

BTW, Canon's grip shutters are something I don't understand. Why can't they make it exactly the same as the normal button? In both the BG-E5 (which I used to have) and the BG-E7 it is different, although not a problem.

[yourdoinitwrong]

Thanks so much for everybody's input. I ended up ordering the Canon grip earlier this afternoon. I went this way mainly due to the magnesium alloy internal frame. If I end up not liking the shutter button, I'm sure that it won't be that difficult to exchange for one of the others. Thanks again!

I have the BG-E7 and while I have found the shutter button to be more sensitive it is something that I have adjusted to and it no longer bothers me at all. I equate it to moving from the 50D to the 7D, different buttons to get used to but after a short time it just becomes normal.

[tongsy]

I have a phottix one for my XSi, i would definitely buy another one if I had a 7d.

[rebby]

I got the Canon for my 7D today. Great grip. The shutter is more sensitive than the one on the body but it's not to bad. I think that I made the right choice with this grip. Thanks for the input!

[jcw122]

Save money for GLASS! As long as you get the same functionality, don't worry about the aesthetics.

[HighSnobility]

Go OEM you won't regret it.

[moose1971]

Go OEM you won't regret it.

I just picked up my 7D on friday from future shop, timed it perfect, fiscal yearend was saturday so they knocked over $100 off the regular price of $369 of the Canon grip. Love it feels solid but turns an already larger camera into a beast. Canon gear is expensive but like my roofing tools you get what you pay for more often than not.

[musashi]

$369 for canon grip???!!!!

I have a question about the canon grip and i dont wanna start a new thread.

If i get the canon grip, will i still maintain the weathersealing or will i lose it?

[lannes]

$369 for canon grip???!!!!

I have a question about the canon grip and i dont wanna start a new thread.

If i get the canon grip, will i still maintain the weathersealing or will i lose it?

the grip battery compartment has weather sealing, but the grip to the camera doesn't really have anything other than the tight fit.

[JTX]

I'm looking for a battery grip for my 7D. The aftermarket ones seem to get pretty good reviews but I've yet to see a good side by side comparison.



Any assistance on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Zeikos was what I went with. Have not had any problems with it and its build quality and feel is top notch.

[musashi]

the grip battery compartment has weather sealing, but the grip to the camera doesn't really have anything other than the tight fit.

The grip to camera is what im asking about. Thanks lannes. So technically, i theres really no difference between oem and 3rd party since im gonna lose the weathersealing regardless? Or am i missing something? I really just want that vertical shutter, thats why im looking into grips. Just need a confirmation again before i go aftermarket. Thanks guys.

[moose1971]

$369 for canon grip???!!!!

welcome to canadaian prIcing in a smallish town:cry: