battery grips..what's the deal?

is it worthwhile to get a grip for my 5d MkII? after owning a 1D pro body for so long i kind of miss that look and feel on this new camera. what exactly are the advantages?

it's makes it bigger and heavier. i've got one on my 5d, if i didn't have and use the RRS L bracket that is attached to it I'd flush it.

I like the look of it. But the double battery life is the biggest thing for me. I had one for my T2i but now that I have the 5D3 Im considering not getting the grip (the price helps in that decision) because the camera is pretty much feels twice as wide and heavy as what I was used to for so long. I was holding the camera today trying to imagine roughly how much bigger it would be with the grip attached (I have small hands), and I was concerned.

It's better for verticals.

Christina.DazzleByDesi​gn wrote in post #14402395
I like the look of it. But the double battery life is the biggest thing for me. I had one for my T2i but now that I have the 5D3 Im considering not getting the grip (the price helps in that decision) because the camera is pretty much feels twice as wide and heavy as what I was used to for so long. I was holding the camera today trying to imagine roughly how much bigger it would be with the grip attached (I have small hands), and I was concerned.

That's my story too, had the t2i with the grip and loved it, made it feel soooo much better then without it. Now with the 5dmkii, I'm going to pass, I think it would make the camera bigger and bulkier then I'd like it to be.

I have one on my 5D. I went back and forth a couple time about keeping it but decided I really like the way it feels in my hand. It also makes shooting portrait more comfortable and I find myself shooting portrait more since I got it.

• Some folks feel that the battery grip gives them a better place to put their little finger, especially on the nnnD bodies.
  
• Some folks like the longer battery life, but you can accomplish the same with putting the second battery in your pocket (and it does not take long to change)
  
• Some folks like the extra control buttons when the camera is rotated CCW to Portrait orientation (but this advantage is lost if you rotate the camera CW to Portrait orientation)
  
• Some folks simply like the 'more professional looking' aspect.
  

I preferred having grips for the extra mass that helped balance long lenses...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #14402635
I preferred having grips for the extra mass that helped balance long lenses...

But with a long lens mounted, the center of gravity is forward of the body. Even with a short lens (standard zoom), the center of gravity is forward of the body. If you (properly) support the center of gravity with your left hand, adding weight behind the center of gravity doesn't really improve the balance point placement, it merely moves it back along the lens a very short distance.

Wilt wrote in post #14402632

• Some folks feel that the battery grip gives them a better place to put their little finger, especially on the nnnD bodies.

This was a surprisingly big deal for me. Without the grip giving my pinky somewhere to grab, the camera just feels so small.

Wilt wrote in post #14402646
But with a long lens mounted, the center of gravity is forward of the body. Even with a short lens, the center of gravity is forward of the body. If you (properly) support the center of gravity with your left hand, adding weight behind the center of gravity doesn't really improve the balance point placement.

I don't put my left hand at the balance point... I'm actually out farther which allows a heavier body to "self damp" and not wander around as much as a lighter, grip less body.

Shot my 500mm on an ungripped 5Dc for an entire week a couple years ago. Never Again.

ETA: I've found that supporting a large prime at the balance point is, in fact, the absolute worst way to shoot. Having your left hand working as an ersatz monopod allows the entire rig to twist in really bad ways. Supporting the lens out at the AF Preset ring (or even out at the barrel/hood joint) gives much more positive control for panning. Just my $0.02. YMMV. Void where prohibited by law.

I've got big hands so it makes it more comfortable to me. Also, I like the long battery life. The 5D MII uses those batteries rather nicely.

I use battery grip on 7D for sports. I shoot a lot of vertical orientation and long zooms and like the balance and alternate shutter release position. I don't use one on my 5DII where I use shorter lenses. Difficult getting used to at first since I've always used grips. The new Canon batteries last a lot longer than the 511s on my earlier 30 and 40D models. 1000 image shoots with 5dII and still plenty of battery left. Keep a spare in my pocket.

About a year ago, I bought my first DSLR, a used 30D with grip. Having had all metal 35mm cameras in years past, the weight was not an issue. I decided to buy a Canon handstrap for it. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! It made "balancing" the camera easy to do. It also facilitated walking around with it 'attached' to my hand using the hand strap in combo with shoulder strap wrapped 'just right' for hours without a problem.

I upgraded to a 60D and did the same. I can't imagine not having the grip and hand strap. And, of course, the added battery life, makes it a perfect combination for me.

Now if only RRS would come up with an L bracket for the 60d with grip...

I like it for verticals and extra battery life.

I also like that it means I have four batteries on me at all times, so I can move one over to a different camera is a need to.