Battery grip.. why?

I have a question about battery grip, why does one choose to use them?

To my understanding the battery grip allows the user to use 4 AA batteries aswell as the original inside the battery grip.

A battery grip costs between $150-$300
Original Canon battery range from $40-$100

So people pay more money in order to be able to use AA batteries that last not even half the time of an original Canon battery. My battery can take around 1500-2000 images before going below 15% capacity, i bought an extra one, this means i can take roughly 4000 pictures with both my batteries for an extra cost of $45.
So a valid argument can't really be the AA batteries, if the battery grip could take two Canon originals inside, then it would be a great argument.

The other option people buy a batterygrip is for stability/heavier camera. But arent tripods/monopods used for this?

And then there is the third options.. the one that some will never admit, that using a battery grip makes the photographer look more "professional".


So, to sum it up.. why?

In my case its to make the body bigger. I have big hands and it works better. The ability to use AA batteries in an emergency is useful.

Grips can hold two original Canon batteries, at least my 5D II and 7D grips do. There's also battery magazines that can hold up to 6 AA batteries that you can use instead if you so wish, I haven't seen a use for this personally.

I like grips because I can have two batteries inserted, but also because the camera becomes more comfortable to grip when hand-held.

koffikapp wrote in post #14820012
Grips can hold two original Canon batteries, at least my 5D II and 7D grips do. There's also battery magazines that can hold up to 6 AA batteries that you can use instead if you so wish, I haven't seen a use for this personally.

I like grips because I can have two batteries inserted, but also because the camera becomes more comfortable to grip when hand-held.

So there are battery grips that can hold two original batteries? I dident know..
Does this work with all EOS cameras? 600D, 60D, and so on?

bent toe wrote in post #14820013
So there are battery grips that can hold two original batteries? I dident know..
Does this work with all EOS cameras? 600D, 60D, and so on?

Yes.

bent toe wrote in post #14820013
So there are battery grips that can hold two original batteries? I dident know..
Does this work with all EOS cameras? 600D, 60D, and so on?

Yes, I assume all (original) grips can hold two, as this is one of the main features of a battery grip (hence the name).

There's a number of advantages to a grip, a number that have been mentioned already.
Capacity for an additional battery and the ability to use a commonly available battery format for that oh sh.. moment.
Makes the camera bigger for those with bigger paws.
Balances out the camera for the bigger lenses. A nicely balanced heavier setup is easier to shoot with than an unbalanced lighter one imo.
It allows you to shoot naturally in portrait orientation as you have the shutter and back button focus buttons + on the grip.

For me it's as much about the vertical controls (when needed) as anything else. On my EOS 3 I never removed the grip and on my 1D Mark II I couldn't. I have a Rebel XTi and no grip for it but I wanted to keep it small. On the 5D3 it's a case by case basis but since I got a good deal on the camera with the grip, it's nice to have when I need it. Shooting in portrait without a grip gets uncomfortable and tiring after a while. The only L bracket I have for tripod use mounts directly to the camera, not sure if I'll get one for it with the grip. If I'm out and shooting in tripod mode I don't usually need the grip (and vice versa).

You also get better balance with bigger lenses when you have a grip.

I keep the AA battery pac filled with Eneloops so I know if I ever use that much juice to drain the 2 Canon batteries I will have the 2nd spare battery pac very close to fully charged. I doubt very seriously I will ever get down to the AA batt pac just due to my normal usage when out shooting.

I'm kind of amazed more people don't know there are vertical controls on the grip. A lot of these threads start with the same thing of "it does is let you use two batteries or AA batteries so just pack another battery" like they read part of the product description but not the whole paragraph. As far as price goes, let's just say, "Thanks, China." There's a variety of options to buy.

I have to admit I ignore the controls on my grip. If I'm shooting portrait format my right hand stays exactly where it was, only my left hand slides under the lens. I find it comfortable but I know many don't.

The ability to swop out the Canon batteries and use AA's saved my bacon at the French F1 Grandprix some years ago. It was Sunday, all the shops were shut, my battery charger would not fit the french sockets and both batteries were as dead as the Dodo. But I could buy AA's from a local newsagent. Since then I always carry a loaded "cassette" of AA's in my bag.

I like the grips on all of my cameras but especially on the 5D3, the little joystick is awesome to have! It also balances out the camera with the bigger lenses which I like as well and I always forget to charge my batteries too ...then there are days when I travel around for weeks and leave the charger, camera is still good to go on 2 OEM batteries!

Just for the batteries it would not make sense. For me if you shoot sports where you may need to switch back and forth quickly and comfortably between landscape and portrait orientation, it becomes essential.

I think I paid about $40 for mine (for the T2i) and it came with 2 aftermarket batteries. For me that was a bargin and it makes the T2i much more comfortable to handhold.

This is anecdotal but I believe the extra mass and grip area helps me reduce shake as well.

Battery grips are a must have for portrait shooting. The controls in portrait orientation is a the huge bonus.