Opteka vs. Zeikos Battery Grip

I am thinking of purchasing a battery grip for my 40d. I don't really want to spend 160 for a cannon. Out of these two choices which grip do you all prefer and is there anything that I need to be aware of when using a third party grip. Thanks.

First of all there are many after market grips available under different names, but if you look closely at them you may find the only difference is the name. Both of what you have listed here are good grips. I am using a phottix grip right now and if I was to put it side by side with the zeikos grip it is identical. One word of caution make sure the shut off is working properly. If it is faulty it will drain your batteries even while camera is not in use.

Good Luck:

Brady

I have an opteka on my 1000D. It stays in the on position all the time and I haven't had a dead battery yet. I know for the XS the opteka looks and feels like it came in the box with my camera. And it just works.

Thanks for the info!!! Is there any one 3rd party brand that is better or has a better track record among photographers?

I had an Opteka on my T2i. I wanted to like it but I didn't. The battery tray slid in very cheesy and a couple of screws came off somehow in the underside so it wouldn't seat sometimes. I would have to press it into the camera even though it was fully screwed in. Shame really because I really like my Opteka intervalometer.

Now on my 7D I have a Zeikos. It is much better quality in my opinion. Just solid and little things like having a tray built in that holds your battery door so you don't misplace it. The thing lives on my camera and hasn't let me down.

I have both opteka and zeikos, they both work fine.

I have zeikos on both my cameras . 50d and 5dmkll and have had no problem with either grip . If I was to purchase another grip it would be zeikos based on past experience .. good luck with choice .. this is based on never having a opteka ..

Is it true that the canon's battery grip have a magnesium alloy frame?

rsboag wrote in post #12207116
Is it true that the canon's battery grip have a magnesium alloy frame?

High end one are magnesium, 7D etc

ones for 550D etc are still plastic

I do not like to say what I have not personally experienced. I have experienced using the Zeikos battery grip. If there is a way to save a little money here and there to be able to use towards a lens or camera body, that is what I do. So, with a some trepidation I bought the zeikos grip for my 7D. It has worked out so well, that I do not even notice it on my camera. Then I purchased one for my 5DII. Again I do not even notice it, and I am one who "uses" my cameras in extreme conditions of weather.
I can safely say to take the chance and save some money.

I had a zeikos for my xs before and it worked fine. Quality is good and definitely was worth it. Hope that helps.

You have to add Phottix to this discussion as well - been using one for more than a year on my 30D and the thing is just bulletproof. Well built and matches up to my camera like a glove. I have total faith in it.

http://www.phottix.com …-pack/phottix-bg-40d.html

A mini-review of the Phottix Grip.....

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/73358​2/0

I have a zeikos for my 7d, problem I have is, once in a while the dial on the camera doesn't work, i forgot which dial (either top or back dial). If I switch the grip to off, then the dial start working again. I had to turn camera off, remove batteries, then it would be working again.

psxindo wrote in post #12209224
I have a zeikos for my 7d, problem I have is, once in a while the dial on the camera doesn't work, i forgot which dial (either top or back dial). If I switch the grip to off, then the dial start working again. I had to turn camera off, remove batteries, then it would be working again.

I have zeikos and did not have that problem, try holding the shutter half way and turning the dial if you are having that problem.

I had a Zeikos on my T2i worked great and you can't beat the price. Would have purchased a Zeikos for my 7D but came across a great deal on Craigslist. I will say I like the magnesium material on the grip for the 7D rather than plastic.