Detecting Counterfeit BG-E6

Hi all,

I am looking into buying a used BG-E6. This seems to be one of the few grips where buying the original grip is undoubtedly worth it, since it has an Mg-body as opposed to the (otherwise excellent) third party grips with a plastic body.

However, there are quite a few good counterfeits of the BG-E6 out there (see e.g. http://*******/61m2a or http://*******/KruR8) so the seller might not even be aware that he is selling a fake grip.

I am wondering how I can identify a truly original Canon BG-E6. One thing that comes to mind is weighing the grip. However, I found confusing quotes for the expected grip weight. How heavy is the Canon grip supposed to be?

Any additional ideas on how to identify a fake (short of X-raying it...)?

weight of the genuine one is very similar to the fake grip

Check out this thread on identifying a fake grip

https://photography-on-the.net …ighlight=fake+c​anon+bg-e6

Within that thread is another thread with lots of information. https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1051523

Thank you very much guys for the two links - reading them right now.

I found a seller on a local forum that sent his grip in for a checkup prior to selling it and I asked my CPS representative to double check whether the grip was with Canon and he promised to call me back in a few hours. I should be safe this way.

And just to give you some context: I have been using a Chinese grip that I ordered directly from Hong Kong for about a year and it never gave my troubles (and it was drop dead cheap). But: I never dared to attach a SunSniper/Blackrapid strap to it. With the used BG-E6 prices tumbling over here (due to the arrival of the 5D3) it is finally time to go for the real thing.

We tried 3rd party grips, once. The savings were just not worth the headaches. We now only buy Canon parts....it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

There are times when 3rd party is the way to go..not with this one however

One thing you might notice when you get it.... For some reason the genuine Canon BG-E6 doesn't have a serial number. I found that out when I went to register mine with CPS. Had to make up a fake serial number (can't register anything there without a serial number, even tho the BG-E6 is on their list). Every other grip or power booster I've used has had a serial number. AFAIK, only the BG-E6 doesn't. I confirmed this with someone at CPS, too.

I'm sure my grip is genuine though... It was bought along with the camera when both were quite new on the market... There's no way anyone would have had time to produce a copy. No 3rd party grips or batteries were being offered for at least another 3 to 6 months. At that time, sellers were charging a premium for the then-new LP-E6s, too, and they were in such short supply. A couple spares cost me about $20-25 each over the list price and I had to order them in from Canada (I'm in the U.S.).