To grip, or not to grip....

A point not fully described yet, is that the camera hangs so naturally on your shoulder, at your side with the camera strap through the grip and the right side of camera body as opposed to the top two points normally used at the top of the camera body. Also it's much easier to swing the camera into position for a shot without the straps hanging in your face. Once you try it you'll never go back.

T2i4me wrote in post #15475050
Also with a grip you should carry 2 extra batteries so you have back-up's when the 2 in the grip die.

How many thousand pictures are you shooting? Cannot speak for the rebels but I know all my gripped bodies (40D, 7D, and 5D-3) will likely be into the 5000 - 6000 shot range from a pair of batteries. When I go out with a grip I rarely carry a single spare battery - I already have 2.

For me the grip makes holding the camera far easier and more comfortable. Bigger hands means my pinky ends up under the body when there is no grip. I have always purchased the two at the same time and have not used my 7D and 5D-3 without one.

1KIND wrote in post #15474692
Benefit of the grip is extra battery and the ability to shoot in portrait mode without having to lift your arms over your head

That. Shooting in portrait mode is the biggest advantage of a grip.

While I've pondered the same question from time to time (because others are using and swearing by them), I've never been able to convince myself that its truly to my advantage....discounti​ng the "looking professional" factor. I've shot without a grip for 35+ years of SLR/DSLR usage and do NOT see any compelling need for it, but readily accept that it does for others. I feel neither the need to defend my usage or correct that of others (much like my position on use of UV filters). I shoot an array of modes, ie landscape and portrait on an array of lenses, mostly a 24-105 and 100-400. I have size L or XL gloves (thus presumably large hands!) and again don't miss the "balance" or heft of a grip....but then I've never really used one for a sustained period. I suspect we're creatures of habit and if you're used to one thing OR the other...then that's what you prefer.

The reasons I never took the leap was:
1. they aren't cheap, ie money that could be invested in other gear (lens, upgraded body, etc)
2. I don't buy the value of the extra onboard battery. I carry 2-3 spares with me (depending on their age/capacity) BUT in my pack where the weight is much less tiring. Changing batteries is a non issue, ie seconds!
3. I do a lot of photography while hiking. Weight/bulk are important issues. Grips are a disadvantage in that regard.
4. I use L-brackets. The one that fits on an ungripped body is different than one that fits on a gripped. While I could "unmount" the grip, I don't want to incur the expense of a 2nd L-bracket or futz with changing it over as well.

I've seen online polls re who, how many use a gripped body and WHY (discounting the "me-too'ers"). On sites where the predominate lens usage is super telephotos, gripped bodies predominate. Otherwise, they appear to be in a minority. If it meets a REAL need, use it. If it doesn't, why would you? EVERYTHING comes at a cost....which can you better afford ($$$, weight, inconvenience, etc)?

A Rebel is a smaller bodied camera and perhaps a grip would improve its feel. Me, I'd rather upgrade to a larger body (ungripped).

http://www.amazon.com …XQH&coliid=I1MV​LNO2YSF8TU

Love my new purchase. The price ($39) fit and finish make it a very nice addition to my 60D.

fishinfool wrote in post #15477878
Once you go grip -- you'll never go back.

I went grip, and went back.

vrjosh wrote in post #15480215
I went grip, and went back.

I went back, then went grip...
If you go all the way back to motor drives acting as the grip, I have had grips on all these:

Nikon F3
Nikon F4
Canon 10D
Canon 20D
Canon 40 D
Canon 50D
Canon 5D MKII

I tried a second MKII without a grip and now have that also gripped.
It's not only for the extra battery, but better grip, better portrait changeover, and when I am hand holding my camera with a 300MM, it makes it easier.

Tried saving the $$$ but am never happy.

booja wrote in post #15474724
pro:

- shooting in portrait feels better
- more battery life
- feels more balanced
- i like them for using the e1 hand straps

con

- bulky
- heavier
- takes up more space in your bag

on rebels i like having a grip on the camera. it feels better to hold and more balanced. on the bigger bodies i do not like using grips.

Same here. Gripped T2i works great, but gripped 7D is too big for me.

After using a grip for ~7+ years, I recently stopped using mine. I'd been a grip user since my 300D (yes, there was a grip you could get) and lately I've just decided they're too bulky and with a camera that big, it can actually intimidate some people when you're shooting them. The cameras are just so much more portable and lighter without them.

Studio work I could see, but even in vertical orientation, I still found myself using the regular buttons most of the time anyway.

fishinfool wrote in post #15477878
Once you go grip -- you'll never go back.

I went back. Unnecessarily heavy and way to bulky for me. And I have place for those extra batteries in my pocket, or inside my shirt in the coldest winter.

Let's be serious here-no one ever runs out of battery life in one day and rotating the camera to shoot portrait is hardly uncomfartable. It is really just a wank so people can feel like they have a 1d...

Plus in australia you are looking at $560 for a grip with batteries-crazy!!

Depends really. I went gripped on all my canon body's. I prefer having the extra battery if you are out late doing really long exposures. Plus you can change out one battery leaving one in whilst still taking a photo on grips with the rear door opening.

Shooting portrait is also a main advantage.

Also grips can be had cheap as chips if you go for copy's. There are a lot of good copy's out there.
Th only thing I didn't like on my 5d2 was it felt rather flimsy on the camera. I only buy genuine grips. But when I upgraded to the 5d3 and the bg-e11 grip I was surprised just how sturdy it is on the camera.

Ps, just a tip, don't over tighten the grip to the camera, some can actually damage the cogs inside the grips fastening wheel and be stuck on the battery and the only way to get it off is rather daunting.

No real need for comments like the one above blogs, none at all.

I have largish hands and always find the normal SLR too small. A grip simply makes the camera manageable, its as simple as that.

I shoot 3/4 of my stuff vertical (portrait), and use the grip's button. woth it to me for that alone.

I will also offer, that a rebel is a smallish camera (actually a good thing) and a grip really improves the handling for me. This is somewhat less true on my 7D (much larger camera), but I use one there as well.

Jim

I don't have a grip now but find the original one quite expensive. Which one would you recommend for a 7D? (live in EU).