$%&# BG-E2!

Most of you have probably heard me complain about the BG-E2 numerous times in this forum.
To make a long story not quite that long, I bought a BG-E2 for my flawless 20D in the spring. It fit very loosely and had the well known "flex" problem.
Canon told me it's an easy fix, so I sent it in, waited a month, discovered they sent me a replacement instead of fix. Same problem with 2nd grip. Called Canon, said it's an easy, known fix, sent it in, one month later, recieved a replacement. Same problem, back to Canon again, they just sent me a new one....

This last grip is one of the new serial #109xxx , and it fits nice and snug. I can still make it flex and cause a power loss, but it's more difficult... so I decided to live with it because Canon told me I would have to send in my camera too next time.

Well, I've had this 4th grip for a couple months, and haven't used it much, but when I have, I had this sneaking suspicion that the battery indicator came on prematurely. Finally this morning I got a good chance to test it out.
I was using a newly charged BP-511 by itself in the right chamber.

After about 20 mintues, the battery indicator said half full! So I popped out the battery and put it back, and the indicator said full again.
20 minutes later, the battery indicator does it again. But this time I continue to shoot.
After 10 minutes, the camera goes dead, and the battery indicator is blinking (meaning the battery is dead). I pop it out and try it again.... it's fully charged!
So, I decided to try the BP-511A that came with the camera (slightly higher mah). I went for about 30 minutes I think, and the battery indicator seemed fine. I didnt have more time to test it.

I know MANY people have had similar problems with this grip. My question is, those who have had this problem, was it only with the older BP-511's?

The annoying thing is that I called Canon support last week and told them I think the grip is killing batteries, and this is my fourth grip. They said I would have to send in the camera with the grip! I asked them WHY because the other grips never had this problem, so it's not the camera. They said "well, you can just send in the grip I guess, but chances are they are going to need the camera". I couldnt get it thru their skulls that the other 3 grips never had this problem.

The irony is that this is one of the new "fixed" grips, and yet it is the only one that exhibited the battery problem that the "fix" was intended!

Sounds like a lame excuse by Canon and I would tend to forget about using the grip..........it will make a nice paper-weight on a desk though!!

I'm sorry to hear this different grip problem of yours. I have noticed all the good things about 20D except the battery grip. Canon finally released the fix but it seems another bug is also introduced. Hope Canon resolves this soon.

I have a faint memory of it being documented somewhere that the correct way to fit the grip is to attach the grip to the camera, with no batteries in the grip, then add the battery or batteries. Supposedly, fitting the grip with batteries already inside can cause problems with the battery indicator.

I wish I knew where I'd picked this up from, and whether it's correct or not. Unfortunately my BG-E2 manual is in the box in the loft, where I can't easily get to it. I have to say that I have no problems with the battery indicator with my grip - mine is one of the 'new' ones, and I'm using two genuine Canon BP-511A batteries, one at a time.

David

Hi, I had a BG-E2 for almost a week before returning it, it was the new type according to the serial number and I had the same problem as you with it saying the battery was dead when it was in fact almost fully charged, this was with the 20D's original BP-511A used on its own, I never got around to testing with 2 batteries.

Terry

Thanks guys. I will mention this to Canon when I send mine back.
DavidW, you are correct. The manual says you have to add the batteries after installing the grip, which I did.

Sounds frustrating to me

I should get round to sending my grip to Canon, stuff like this puts me off though

Ho hum, mine has the flex & battery issues so if one gets fixed it is a bonus!

Hope you get your sorted mate

I had no problems with mine at all but have taken it off as I find the camera is too bulky with it. Its for sale if any interested. 150 usd i pay shipping.

Joel

Good luck to you Richard, and all those with a finicky grip.

I bought one a few weeks ago from someone that accidently bought the wrong grip for their 300D. As soon as I put it on, it had problems, so I had to send it in to Canon. I didnt mind so much because I got it for very cheap. I just got it back from Canon, and it seems to work fine. I dont really use it that often, im thinking maybe I should put it on more often just to check it out.

I had/have the grip with my 20D and have had zero problems (newer design terminals). I have run with two batteries (BP511A) since day one and everthing has been flawless. It was a permenent fixture on the camera. I'm wondering if it's the grip or camera related? Four different units failing seems like a long shot. If you really want the grip I would send it with the camera as they requested.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

I have one of the "old" versions, and I have had it give me an "ERR 99" message twice, along with showing the wrong battery level. Popping out the battery worked for me as well, but the problem doesn't come back again till some other day. Luckily for me, it hasn't been more than a minor nuisance, so I'm not willing to go thru Canon's customer service yet. The grip doesn't really seem to flex. If it weren't for all the other complaints from people on this forum, I'd have suspected dirty contacts somewhere...

Since my 20D has been flawless for over a year now, I don't trust Canon service to have it. Not to mention I would be without a camera for a month.
The reason I dont trust Canon Service is because they told me 3 times over the phone that the knew about my problem with the grip, and if I sent it in there was a "quick fix" they could apply. Well, each time they just sent me a whole different one.
Also, my previous grips didnt have battery indicator problem, only the new one.
And Toogy who is also in this forum has gone thru 4 grips as well, after sending them in to the same service centre.

I can almost guarantee that if I sent in the grip and camera, at best I would get them back working just like they did when I sent them (after having them for one month). At worst, they would screw up my perfectly functioning camera.

My newest one doesn't seem to flex like my previous 3.
However, it does flex JUST enough to cause a power disruption.
That is probably what is happening in your case. However, since the power comes back on immediately afterward, you may not have noticed.
If the camera turns off/on repeatedly like this, it will sometimes result in an ERR99.
Turn on your LCD, and try pulling the grip away from the camera near the top.
The LCD will turn off if you have the "flex" problem.

I was thinking of buying a grip but now you guys have scared me a little. Does the battery brand have anything to do with it? I have two generic batteries and they both work great directly in the camera.