Help with battery grips

Hi guys,

I am looking at buying the BG-E5 for my 450 d. Just wondering how these work, if they are reliable, how they affect performance of the camera. Also are they a genuine canon product, or are they aftermarket. Final question - are aftermarket batteries bad for your camera in anyway, has anyone got first hand experience with these, especially the LP- E5.

Thanks, hope you can make head or tail of all this!!!

Have you look thru the Battery grip.. why? thread?

The BG-E5 has been discontinued AFAIK, so if its used it is potentially authentic. Aftermarket batteries are fine, there is sometimes issues with the "Canon" branded knock-offs but there are plenty of authentic third-party makers brand batteries that are very affordable.

The three big reasons for a grip:

Longer battery life with 2 batteries
Those who shoot portrait mode a lot
Better handling and feel in the hand for us big handed fools

Maybe some speed performance but thats possibly anecdotal

I have used an Opteka battery grip from Amazon on my T1i (uses same one as XSi, 450D) for over two years without a problem. It never comes off my camera. I used an aftermarket battery too, but can't recall the manufacturer. I just went by Amazon reviews. It worked fine, too.