battery grips..what's the deal?

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #14402657
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.

X 2...

Al

1. Second set of controls for verticals
   
2. Better feel and balance with my hand size and typical lenses
   

Fits my hand better and just plain feels better. Secondary advantage being that I can shoot an entire wedding without changing batteries.

I feel naked without mine-love a grip!!

CameraMan wrote in post #14402670
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.

Ditto for me.

Personally, I found the weight of the grip and overall setup to be a major disadvantage for me at this point in time. I currently just carry a spare battery for extra juice.

thanks for all the responses. might wait for a Craigslist deal to come along.

N.V.M. wrote in post #14415168
thanks for all the responses. might wait for a Craigslist deal to come along.

Watch the for sale forum here. That's where I got my grip at a reasonable price.

I got my grip because I wanted a wi-fi solution

I recieved the grip for my 5D II yesterday. I was concerned it was going to be too bulky but I adapted to it rather quickly. Portrait shots are much more comfortable now, and I seem to hold the camera steadier in landscape position with my 70-200 f/2.8 IS for some reason.

The extra battery capacity is great and beats having a lump in your pocket from carrying a spare battery. You can easily go out in a day and shoot 1400+ shots and not have to be concerned with a battery swap. Actually you will have to change your CF card long before your battery.

They're not for everyone obviously from the responses, but it works well for me. I guess you just have to give it a go and see which camp you fall into.

Good Luck!

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.

I have a T2i and a 5D2. I have grips on both. My wife, who is 5'4" and about 105lbs, can't stand to use the 5D2 with the grip, it's just too big for her hands. She doesn't mind the one on the T2i however.
For me however the bottom edge of the camera rests in the soft spot in the center of my palm without a grip, which is quite uncomfortable when you're holding the camera with one hand. Let's face it, the camera isn't always up to your eye. If your hands are the same size as my wifes you'd likely be fine (or outright better off) without the grip.