Battery Grip - Genuine or 3rd party?

I'm wanting to get a battery grip for my 650D, but i'm not totally sure how much i will really use it.

A genuine Canon BG-E8 battery grip is about £110 on ebay, but a third party one with the same functions and 4 free extra LP-E8 batteries is only £37.99!

Whats your take on this?

I used an aftermarket one, and I have no complaints. The OEM is not worth the extra cost to me.... at least not 4 times as much. You can save your money and get something else, a bag, memory cards, etc.

I\'ve had both and both work just fine. I went with the 3rd party for the 5d3 and it works great.

Using a third party grip on my 600D, had no problems with it. You can obviously tell it's third party, grip and the plastics feel different, but it's still hard plastic, and it still feels rugged enough. As long as you don't subject it to any extreme bumps it'll hold up just as well.

I wasn't ready to spend 4-5 times what the third party grip cost to get an OEM locally.

Oh, if you want to go middle of the road for costs and pricing, there's Vello. This would have been my next stop if the third party had failed.

Some people prefer OEM and some prefer 3rd party. Some had bad experiences with aftermarket and some haven't. It's all personal preference and whether or not you're comfortable with the quality of 3rd party. Obviously, pricing will also play a major factor in decision.

FYI, I would never buy "genuine" items on eBay. They have all the looks and logos of the real thing but its 98% of the time, its fake and its coming from Hong Kong. If you want genuine items, go to a local authorized shop. If you're going to buy "genuine" items on eBay, you're better off just buying 3rd party items.

I use a Luma Cinch strap and often shoot off a monopod or tripod. I want an OEM grip to ensure the highest level of quality and durability. I wouldn't want my $4K camera and lens combo to take a tumble because I skimped $150 on the grip.

leftnose wrote in post #15489074
I use a Luma Cinch strap and often shoot off a monopod or tripod. I want an OEM grip to ensure the highest level of quality and durability. I wouldn't want my $4K camera and lens combo to take a tumble because I skimped $150 on the grip.

They all mount the same.

I do only use OEM grips but I sincerely don't think using a 3rd party would increase any risk.

The screw whole where a tripod plate mounts to on a battery grip is my concern. Just like Leftnose said, Id hate to have a $40 piece fail when I could have spent $250 on a OEM version and saved my $4000 setup. When my 5d3 is not on a tripod, I use a Black Rapid strap which also connects to the camera through the bottom tripod mount. Thats a lot of weight swinging around on that small nut surrounded by plastic. I hope that plastic is reinforced!

Lichter21c wrote in post #15489094
They all mount the same.

I do only use OEM grips but I sincerely don't think using a 3rd party would increase any risk.

A few third party grips I've seen have plastic tripod sockets. Furthermore, how strongly reinforced are the sockets on other grips? The OEM Canon grip for the 5D3 has a magnesium body just like the camera and you can bet the tripod socket and strap lug are more than secure.

Am I being paranoid? Probably. But, again, the price difference between OEM and third party isn't so big that I would want to take the chance.

Frank H wrote in post #15489372
The screw whole where a tripod plate mounts to on a battery grip is my concern. Just like Leftnose said, Id hate to have a $40 piece fail when I could have spent $250 on a OEM version and saved my $4000 setup. When my 5d3 is not on a tripod, I use a Black Rapid strap which also connects to the camera through the bottom tripod mount. Thats a lot of weight swinging around on that small nut surrounded by plastic. I hope that plastic is reinforced!

But we're not talking about 4000 dollar set ups. OP is talking about a 650D. From your gear list even you're using a third party grip on your 550D.

I've had two different third party grips for my T2i. The first and least expensive disintegrated within a year. The second grip didn't match the aesthetics of my camera, and the rubber coating seemed to be poorly adhered to the body of the grip, so I returned it.

I now have an official BG-E7 on my 7D and couldn't be happier.

Im in the only OEM camp for my grips, but on my 5DII i had a genuine that broke and purchased a cheap one on ebay and soon went back to genuine and just gave the other grip away.

I have a genuine on my 5DIII and I prefer them. Thats just me.

Rewind wrote in post #15489734
But we're not talking about 4000 dollar set ups. OP is talking about a 650D. From your gear list even you're using a third party grip on your 550D.

Doesn't matter the price. You don't know the Op's circumstances, maybe the 650D cost a lot for him. Buy cheap buy often.

I have had great luck with third party grips twice now. both really well built and function as described.

dexy101 wrote in post #15490665
Doesn't matter the price. You don't know the Op's circumstances, maybe the 650D cost a lot for him. Buy cheap buy often.

Well for how much i use the camera i'd say it was a cheap camera purchase!

I bought a 70-200 f/4L to go with it, but i think the extra grip would be handy