Battery Grip - Battery Life

I have a Canon 60D.

I'm looking into buying a battery grip for the extra battery life. I also recently purchased a set of 16 PowerEx 2700 mAh batteries. I'm curious, will the battery grip with 4 of these 2700 mAh batteries last longer than my standard camera battery? I notice when shooting with the 70-200is the battery drains pretty quickly. Is two canon batteries a better option? I still think it would be nice to have in my bag in a pinch to have the option to run my camera on AA's...

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

Using AA's in the grip is really only for emergencies. You're better off using the Canon batteries, or a 3rd party battery such as Sterlingtek. Personally, I'd buy a grip because I want the extra set of controls for portrait orientation, or for ergonomic reasons, not necessarily for battery life. If all I want is that, just throw an extra battery in your pocket.

Using two original battery in the battery grip will last you much longer than AA batteries. Original batteries holds a lot more juice too. AA batteries are for back up, and any of them will work.

Buchinger wrote in post #14230002
I have a Canon 60D. I'm looking into buying a battery grip for the extra battery life. I also recently purchased a set of 16 PowerEx 2700 mAh batteries. I'm curious, will the battery grip with 4 of these 2700 mAh batteries last longer than my standard camera battery? I notice when shooting with the 70-200is the battery drains pretty quickly. Is two canon batteries a better option? I still think it would be nice to have in my bag in a pinch to have the option to run my camera on AA's.

Writing as an owner of a Canon 60D and a user of a battery grip for that camera: the grip has a battery tray that uses six AA batteries. From using this equipment, it's clear that battery life with six NiMH AA's in a 60D is as long, if not longer, than with two of the camera's LP-E6 batteries.

The 60D was used extensively during the basketball season: it was easy to have a set of rechargeable AA's last for several basketball games in the camera.

Haven't tried the AA's in my 60D battery grip but I must warn you of the additional weight the grip brings - just be sure you'll find the portrait orientation and/or ergonomics useful! Perhaps test drive it at a store first?

Cheers,
Xeo

Love my grip. Bought it specifically for portrait grip and extra batteries. Currently have two Sterlingteks that work great. I recently took a trip to Denver for a week and never had to charge my batteries once. The weight/bulk is a factor you'll need to consider as the grips add substantial weight as well as lots of bags not quite fitting a gripped body in them. My grip is on pretty much all the time however if I know I'll be out and about for long periods of time, I'll leave the grip at home and just bring extra battery packs with me to help lighten the load.

Another vote for two Canon batteries. Both of my DSLRs are gripped with two Canon batteries. I have never had an issue with them draining. It does add some bulk, but for me, it is not a problem.

Buy the grip for the ergonomics, not for any increased battery life.

DC Fan wrote in post #14230543
Writing as an owner of a Canon 60D and a user of a battery grip for that camera: the grip has a battery tray that uses six AA batteries. From using this equipment, it's clear that battery life with six NiMH AA's in a 60D is as long, if not longer, than with two of the camera's LP-E6 batteries.

The 60D was used extensively during the basketball season: it was easy to have a set of rechargeable AA's last for several basketball games in the camera.

Also as an owner of a 60D with grips, and having other EOS bodies, also gripped, using 6 AA batteries will not last *nearly* as long as two LP-E6 batteries. Indeed, if that's what you're seeing, it would seem that either your grip or more likely the batteries are defective (or at least v cheap 3rd party batteries).

Rechargeable AAs are usually around 2500mAh @ 1.2V (so 6x these are 2500mAh @ 7.2V). The canon batteries are 1800mAh @ 7.4V *each*. So it's evident that two of these are going to last longer, as extensive real world testing should (and does) show.

Hope that helps!