Grip BG-E2 and batteries...

Kinda off topic. I have the BG-E2 for my 20D, I have had it since before Canon started fixing them. I have never encountered any problem with it, should I send it in for the "fixes"?

If it works, no. If you do send it in, you'll be out the cost of shipping, plus it may come back worse than when you sent it in.

I'm not sure if you're talking about the AAs or the 511s when you say left to right. I'm pretty sure that's not the case, because if I use the camera for an hour or two then charge the batteries, both need to be charged.

Actually do a test run. I do not believe the batteries are utilized in a parallel fasion (drawing from both). I believe they are utilized in a serial fasion (first one, then the second one).

Easy to test, once you have the grip. Put both batteries in and use the camera all day. Once you get the "half" battery symbol, charge the batteries, one at a time (or on two separate chargers) and not the time difference.

Based on my casual observance, I have definitely noticed one battery really low vs the other, when I recharge the Bp's after a day of use.

What this means, in general, is that the "camera" does not know there are two DIFFERENT batteries (1390 vs 1800), but that there is a battery available.

The grip also works on one battery which also supports the serial nature of the grip.

But, I like to keep my batteries together in common. 2x1800; 2x1500; 2x1900 (1x1390).

The AA's are a joke. I tried it once and within 10-15 minutes, the camera was crying low battery...the AA's haven't touched my grip since.

My experience has been the opposite.

Could you be a little more explicit, Todd? I'm still juggling the idea of living with mine the way it is versus sending it in. I called the repair center today and they refused to tell me what the "fix" really entails.

Sorry Skip.

I was referring to your experience with the grip using the batteries in parallel. I've noted (no scientific but repeatable) large differences in recharge time for my batteries once I reach the 1/2 battery marker (which is my indication to swap out batteries). Since I keep my batteries in sets (so I can assess battery loss based on origination source - Sterlintek, Hong Kong, etc), my batteries have similar amp levels. If the batteries were used in parallel, I should see identical repower times, I don't.

I do know that once the first battery dies, the camera goes to 1/2 power immediately. It makes sense, but since 1/2 power is the ONLY power indication, outside of NO POWER, I always use this indication to swap and recharge.

I agree. From all my times of use, when I recharged my batteries from the grip, sometimes one battery had to charge for a long time and the other was completely full of juice still, even though my led(not that accurate) was at half.

But see, that makes sense. You have 2 batteries, one goes dead, you only have one left, so you have HALF your battery life left...

I haven't done a study to determine whether or not the camera lets you stay at half battery life TWICE as long, as say, one battery setup. Or for that matter, if I'm at FULL power twice as long.

Because 1/2 is the only indication on the camera of battery drain - prior to NO POWER, I haven't considered it prudent to push it. I just change and refill.

Is there a "date" on the grip?

Will that tell you if there has been an "upgrade" to the grip?

Thanks!

There's a serial number after which the power warning problem was reportedly fixed. The affected range is reportedly 000001 - 096000. These will also have the AA holder with silver (colour) contacts whereas the newer ones have gold.

Thanks!

So, if my aa pak has "gold" contacts, then I should be o k?

Should be.