Grips...

swldstn wrote in post #14536687
It's not about being smarter than others IMO, it's about having a contingency. I can get AA cells anywhere and can't always find a plug and several hours to recharge if I decide to branch out and not return home when originally planned. It like water. You can't always carry enough to complete a trip, the load is too great. Sometimes you have to find it along the way.

If you could plan everything you would ever need a backup body. You woul plan for your primary one not to fail.

Okay...how many times has the AA tray saved your ass? You seem to be missing the point. I get it. I understand the THEORETICAL advantages. All I'm saying...is that the stories of "Wow, that AA tray really saved my butt today" vs. "Yeah...never used it...in fact, couldn't tell you where the hell I put that damn thing" are roughly 1 for every 5,000 and thus, in my opinion, not really a deciding factor in whether one should or shouldn't get a grip.

Its super useful if you do video. I had the mkIII cut out in a middle of an event since the battery went out. I was actually hoping that my bg-e11 would arrive on time prior but the fact that I missed a good shot since I was wasting time slapping a new battery on makes the grip a vital part of my photo/video rig.

PLUS the grip gives you an option to have a heavier full body setup for important gigs or a lighter setup for hiking / traveling. You can't have that option in a 1D series and that alone makes a huge difference. Clients take you more seriously when they've seen you lugging around a honkin' bigass camera (to them, large = pro), which means better paying gigs. With the grip removed, it looks like a normal camera and its easier to blend in with the crowd if you dont want to bring unnecessary attention to yourself.

I only use the AA tray if im traveling. Batteries are more universal than power outlets

Lowner wrote in post #14534023
I well remember having dead batteries in France on a motor racing Sunday with absolutely no chance of buying new ones and completely unable to recharge the ones I had. The reassurance of having a cassette loaded with AA batteries as an emergency stand-by is heaven.

That was the same year that all the pro 'togs packed up and were walking away on the last lap when the race leader drifted wide near the end of the lap and the second place man took the lead. I've never seen as many angry photographers in one place before or since! Without batteries I could not grab it either.

I went on a trip and forgot the charger on at least three occasions. The first time, luckily, I was in NYC and went to Adorama for a new charger. The second time, it was out in the wild & I was toast after my batteries ran out. The third time, I just switched to the insert. As a matter of fact, the next time I go abroad, I will probably use the insert as a main mean of powering the camera, this way I don't have to worry about yet another device that needs to use the power converter.

panicatnabisco wrote in post #14537843
Its super useful if you do video.

Absolutely. Video eats up batteries like crazy. 2x is better than one.

Another great advantage of a grip, at least on Rebels, is that it makes camera much more comfortable to hold, without adding any noticeable weight. Actually, it would be beneficial on a XXD as well, they are not that much bigger. Plus, it's great when you hold the camera in portrait orientation, all the frequently used controls and the shutter button are duplicated on the grip and are much easier to get to.

panicatnabisco wrote in post #14537843
Its super useful if you do video. I had the mkIII cut out in a middle of an event since the battery went out. I was actually hoping that my bg-e11 would arrive on time prior but the fact that I missed a good shot since I was wasting time slapping a new battery on makes the grip a vital part of my photo/video rig.

PLUS the grip gives you an option to have a heavier full body setup for important gigs or a lighter setup for hiking / traveling. You can't have that option in a 1D series and that alone makes a huge difference. Clients take you more seriously when they've seen you lugging around a honkin' bigass camera (to them, large = pro), which means better paying gigs. With the grip removed, it looks like a normal camera and its easier to blend in with the crowd if you dont want to bring unnecessary attention to yourself.

I only use the AA tray if im traveling. Batteries are more universal than power outlets

haha that's actually true...the reason I started using grips was to look more impressive/fit in with the other shooters when I was in newspapers...big camera + notebook = a lot of doors opened.

You have some good points, however you kind of contradicted yourself haha...you said only AA trays (ie: grips) for travelling but a few lines up you say no grip for travelling hmmm...

As for converters...I don't see them as being a big deal...since all Canon chargers are dual voltage, it's just a matter of tossing a 50 cent plug adapter in your bag that weights nothing and takes up no room...

Good point about the video, though...didn't think of that...

I'll be travelling Europe for a month this summer and I'm going grip-less...I think if you're not in the jungle you don't have to worry about outlets...back in Canada I used to go on 2+ week roadtrips and sleep in the car...which meant I had to get inventive with recharging cameras/phones/etc...y​ou go to a cafe, eat breakfast, drink a coffee and boom...everything's charged...easy peasy

Apart from the weight distribution, extra power, ease of portrait photos (specially when BBF) and the fact that it fits better in large hands (like mine) and the fact that it makes the camera look complete, rather than half built IMO how many other reasons do you need to get a grip. And if you look about you can find a 3rd party equivalent for around a fifth of the price and a few extra batteries to make it worthwhile.
I have a 60D as backup as well, and apart from the fact that the 60D is a great camera in its own right, it also uses the same battery and charger as the 5D3 and that's why I've got 8 batteries at the moment.

As an aside, what if you have small hands and the grip is just too big. I put a grip on my 60D for about 2 minutes to try and took it right off. It just doesn't fit my hand.

If someone made a smaller thingy I could slap on my camera and get the portrait shooting benefits without all the bulk, I'd buy it in a minute.

LowriderS10 wrote in post #14538673
haha that's actually true...the reason I started using grips was to look more impressive/fit in with the other shooters when I was in newspapers...big camera + notebook = a lot of doors opened.

Absolutely, It instills my client's confidence in my work (along with a good portfolio) plus impress potential ones. To me, its just another tool in my arsenal, but its nice that it serves another purpose

LowriderS10 wrote in post #14538673
You have some good points, however you kind of contradicted yourself haha...you said only AA trays (ie: grips) for travelling but a few lines up you say no grip for travelling hmmm...

I like to keep my options open than have no options at all Id take it with me if I get a gut feeling that I'd need it, depends on the situation and/or destination.

LowriderS10 wrote in post #14537829
Okay...how many times has the AA tray saved your ass? You seem to be missing the point. I get it. I understand the THEORETICAL advantages. All I'm saying...is that the stories of "Wow, that AA tray really saved my butt today" vs. "Yeah...never used it...in fact, couldn't tell you where the hell I put that damn thing" are roughly 1 for every 5,000 and thus, in my opinion, not really a deciding factor in whether one should or shouldn't get a grip.

For me its worked out to have the spares 3 times. I should mention that the batteries I put in the AA tray also can double to be used for my flash Instead of caring around extras in those neet little battery holders I use the grips battery magazine to do double duty. So I always have 8 cells. Sometimes they are rechargeable that work for the camera and the flash and some time they are alkaline or lithium cells if I havent had a chance to charge the cells.

It feels more secure and sturdy to hold onto when I am walking around. It gives the Rebel series a much needed weight addition, so they do not feel so "toyish".

Shooting portrait with an ungripped body isn't as stable when handholding, at least for me. With a gripped body, I can shoot portrait orientation and keep my right elbow close to the body for better support.

BTW: Just received my BG-E11 the other day: http://www.ocabj.net/?​p=2451

IMAGE LINK: http://www.ocabj.net/?​p=2451