5D3 Owners- Has anyone tried the Vello BG-C9?

LPMM wrote in post #15336203
Could you post some pics of the 5D3 with the grip on? Thanks

I can take pictures on Tuesday when mine arrives.

Ok-

I cannot write a proper review of the grip since I only received it today. I would prefer to spend more time with it with legit experience. I don't ever say, "This is awesome!" That doesn't help anyone.

For now-

It is unnecessary to regurgitate all the details from B&H but I will mention these-

In my opinion- The color matches next to perfect with the 5D3. The grip pattern is also very close enough that nobody wouldn't ever notice that it's not the OEM Canon BG-E11.

(Forgive the phone camera pictures which does the job, for now)

OverSpun - thanks man! I ordered mine the other day and I am really glad to see it has a full metal plate in the bottom and that the grip matches aesthetically. Awesome!

Just received mine yesterday from the good people of B&H. It is a thing of beauty - only drawback I have is that I am still awaiting delivery of my 5DMKIII so cannot say much of performance. But it is by far the sturdiest of the three grips I have.

As mentioned already - metal plate on bottom gives a little more heft and reassurance that the tripod mount has a secure home. Will share more once I have the body and get some miles on it!

npompei wrote in post #15356887
OverSpun - thanks man! I ordered mine the other day and I am really glad to see it has a full metal plate in the bottom and that the grip matches aesthetically. Awesome!

No problem! I'm satisfied with it, so far.

Justaddwata wrote in post #15357903
Just received mine yesterday from the good people of B&H. It is a thing of beauty - only drawback I have is that I am still awaiting delivery of my 5DMKIII so cannot say much of performance. But it is by far the sturdiest of the three grips I have.

As mentioned already - metal plate on bottom gives a little more heft and reassurance that the tripod mount has a secure home. Will share more once I have the body and get some miles on it!

You're right. I think a few battery grips for the 5D3 don't have a metal plate. I'd be skeptical if the mount falls off the grip? I don't even have a tripod, I just have a monopod since I've always mounted on my 100-400L's mount.

I had the OEM Canon BG-E2 for my 20D and I had the Zeikos Battery Grip for my 5D2. You'll have to wait for your 5D3 to test it out.

I left my batteries in the grip overnight so I can check to see if the batteries drain. It seemed my batteries only lost 1% in ~12hrs. Not bad. I'll eventually fully charge both batteries and leave them for a week and see if they drain.

OverSpun - Thanks for the pics and details, much appreciated.

Just got the 5D Mark III and decided to go with a non-Canon grip. I read several reviews and decided on the Vello. I am very pleased with the quality of the construction. I used it on tripods and it is good and solid. Buttons feel good but haven't had the Canon version for the 5D Mark III to compare to. Sale price was $79.95, so what the heck go for it.
Here are a couple shots I did in prep for adding to my web site:
NOTE: The grip photo(1st one) was shot with the 5D Mark III, 24-105L @ f22 Ambient office light

keith breazeal wrote in post #15372132
Just got the 5D Mark III and decided to go with a non-Canon grip. I read several reviews and decided on the Vello. I am very pleased with the quality of the construction. I used it on tripods and it is good and solid. Buttons feel good but haven't had the Canon version for the 5D Mark III to compare to. Sale price was $79.95, so what the heck go for it.
Here are a couple shots I did in prep for adding to my web site:
NOTE: The grip photo(1st one) was shot with the 5D Mark III, 24-105L @ f22 Ambient office light

Impressive. Wish they would have put as much emphasis on quality for the T2i/550D version.

I have been shooting in portait mode with the grip and I have found that the buttons are a bit hard to press compared with the camera's buttons.

Has anyone else noticed this unless mine has an issue? If this may be common, I may exchange it for the OEM Canon BG-E11.

A thought on battery drainage...
The black in plastics comes from using carbon black.(carbon is a conductor) Wonder if there is a dielectric(though small) resistance that will slowly leak current from the batteries. Best answer(always do this) is to remove batteries when not in use.

Just received the Meike MK-5D3 v2 yesterday which was suggested on these forums but the grip pattern is finer and it doesn't match the 5d's body like the Vello. Also the tripod mount on the Meike is plastic.

If I had seen this thread earlier, I would've probably bought this Vello one instead.

keith breazeal wrote in post #15409540
A thought on battery drainage...
The black in plastics comes from using carbon black.(carbon is a conductor) Wonder if there is a dielectric(though small) resistance that will slowly leak current from the batteries. Best answer(always do this) is to remove batteries when not in use.

I think dranage is usually from electronics rather the plastic. I know there was an issue with drainage on the older Vertax Pixel grips and I'm sure it was electronic/wiring issues that caused it but I didn't find any real serious drainage in the Vello.

OverSpun wrote in post #15406755
I have been shooting in portait mode with the grip and I have found that the buttons are a bit hard to press compared with the camera's buttons.

Has anyone else noticed this unless mine has an issue? If this may be common, I may exchange it for the OEM Canon BG-E11.

Just to update this with a bit extra experience-

I bought the Canon OEM BG-E11 since I was mainly interested to compare both, myself.

The OEM BG-E11 vs. the Vello BG-C9-

1- They are basically 100% physically the same. There is only a small 'bump' before the AF-ON button and * button which doesn't matter too much.

2- The "On-Off" switches are in different spots (BG-E11 is on the side that we all knew, already) and the Vello is on the back which is a bit similar how the predecessor grips that had a flap to remove/insert batteries but they likely just placed the "on-off" switch where there used to be that flap switched used to be, years back. I'm sure they would prefer to not completely copy the OEM BG-E11.

3- The inside of the BG-E11 vs. the Vello, they obviously have metal plates inside them but, of course, the BG-E11 is already magnesium+ that plate.

4- My main issue that made me stick with the BG-E11 and it may or may not bother anyone else which is- I did not like that the Vello's buttons were a bit distracting since I thought they traveled a lot different from the camera's buttons when you're in portrait mode. It felt like I was using a different camera and I kept having to look at the displays to make sure the button presses actually did what I needed.
-Yes, the BG-E11's stick button actually feels better than the Vello's too.

In other news- The Vello Grip is perfect for most people who don't care about the portrait mode and just want a grip for extra battery and something else to hold on to which is a big part for me for all of it but the buttons bothered me and I have decided to return the Vello back to B&H.

(I even have the Zeiko's battery grip from my 5D2 and the buttons were 100% perfect without any issues with it and I wish the Vello felt better) I just didn't feel like returning and trying other 3rd party grips and just went for the OEM BG-E11 and this will work better for me.

I guess, I can't deny this... I ran into these pictures after I bought my Vello...

If you haven't seen the 5D3 and the BG-E11 how they are both magnesium-

Does anyone know if the L-brackets (ex. RRS) work with the Vello? Seems like no from what I can find. Only one universal I found will but it isn't what I need.

Nice review
Wonder if pixel is metal constructed too

Just received mine along with the Vello glass screen protector. Quality seems pretty good with the grip. Not OEM and the buttons aren't quite as nice. For me, this option was all about the portrait shooting style and long battery life. Joystick and multi-function buttons work flawlessly. This was well worth the $80. Canon's is a better built unit but for me, a hobbist with occasional gigs, not 3x+$$$.

I should mention I had a 5DII with Vello grip and this MkIII version has improved in quality and overall feel.

As for the screen protector, pretty nice. You don't even notice it and it looks like if you want to remove it down the line, it won't be a problem. Just held on with adhesive. Crystal clear, easy install and should be a way better option than a film protection. I felt this was worth the price of admission to protect the LCD. On both my 60D and 5DII, I had very light scratches you could see in the glare eventually and I'm quite careful with my stuff. Trying to keep this one mint.