EOS5D MKII Battery grip question

Just bought a 5D MKII (first FF) as per my (old) post mentioning saving up for this.

Still have my 350D which I really rate (1st dslr), but its had a hard life, scratched, worn (not the glass though) mush on the sensor, and fluff on the eyepiece or focus screen that I just don't seem able to get rid of, But will continue to use it.

I have a battery grip on it which I really found useful, the 350d is a small lightish body to carry so a grip is not hard to carry as well. Plus it takes in an emer, 6 x aa's.

Because I found it so useful, I am considering a battery grip for the 5DD MKII, though it's a heavy camera. I don't (after getting it and a 50mm f1.4) have much dosh left ( saving again, for a 24 - 105 NEARLY THERE)

I am looking at either a "Neewer Battery Grip For Canon Eos 5D Mark Ii 2 Slr Digital Camera Bg-E6 Bge6 " Amazon search phrase

OR
an "Opteka Battery Pack Grip / Vertical Shutter Release for Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera" Amazon phrase again

They are £30 and £71 respectively.

Does anyone here have either of these and would be kind enough to rate it?

It would not be on the camera all the time (like it is on the 350D) but is the sort of attachment I've got used to using and find handy.

Cannot really justify £200 ish for a genuine Canon one, especially since the 5D MKII has been out for a while.

Are either of these worth a punt?

Some may say "Carry a spare bettery or two in your pocket" but having had an accident with a battery and some loose change... (Yes, It did have a cover, but the change knocked it off)
Thanks McP

I had an Opteka grip on my T1i with no problems. My 60D wears a Polaroid grip with no problems. One nice thing about dealing with Amazon is their generous return policy. Once you get it, make sure all the buttons on the grip AND THE CAMERA work properly. Done.

I bought my 5D2 used with the Canon grip so I can't speak to either of these aftermarkets. I will say though that my grip never comes off. I like that I can spin the body for vertical shots with no effort, I like the heft of the camera with the grip installed, and I like that my pinky finger isn't left hanging off the bottom of the body. Of course, having the grip means having the combined battery capacity which is doubly nice. I spent nearly a month in Thailand around Christmas and New Years, took probably 5000-6000 shots, and never once bumped into low batteries. Brilliant!

Mike

Thanks TSchrief.

I was hankering towards the Neewer (it's had more positive write ups - and more this year (UK Amazon) For the money I may just take a punt. Will update this post with a follow up as and when I get one.
Rob

I never buy after market stuff it's to big a risk to put on such an expensive camera.

I have a Zeikos ZE-CBG5DII Multi-Power Battery Pack for Canon 5D Mark II on mine for a couple of years now and have not had any problems at all. This grip goes for about $60.00 on Amazon.

I have a third party grip (not Opteka--though I have some Opteka gear)...I have found that it does its job ok, but has a plastik-y feel compared to the real (read: expensive) 5D II grip. The only concerning thing about my grip, is that it has badly joined seals. Obviously it is not weather proof AT ALL. Additionally, it comes loose occasionally and has to be re-tightened.

Overall: Third party grips will do their job but don't expect cannon quality.

shadowcat wrote in post #15718438
I never buy after market stuff it's to big a risk to put on such an expensive camera.

I don't think there are very many shooters in your group. I have used two different brands of aftermarket grips, Opteka and Maxtech batteries, a Sigma lens, a Tokina lens, several C/Y lenses (Vivitar and Yashica) with two different brands of adapters, several older manual (non-Canon) flashes and had no problems whatsoever. Aftermarket manufacturers wouldn't stay in business long if somebody didn't patronize them. I did send back one Opteka grip because it didn't work properly. I am sure that happens with Canon stuff from time to time, also.

I had a Meike grip on my 5D2 and was very pleased with it. So pleased in fact that I've since got Meike grips for a couple of 7D's, a T2i which has since gone on my wifes T4i, a 60D and now my 5D3. Excellent build quality and superb functioning and I've never had any problems with any of them.

Have you thought about buying a USED Canon grip? I'm not sure what they go for in England, but in the States (eg: on POTN) you can get them for around $150 all day long in mint condition. May be something to consider...

I haven't had any experience with the aftermarket ones, but I love the Canon one. Yes, it does make the camera bigger and heavier, but that doesn't bother me. If you liked having the grip on your 350D you'd probably miss it on the 5D.

You may want to look into a used Canon BG-E6 grip, also. They usually go for $100-150 depending on condition. I know thats still more than third-party, but its an option to save money versus new. While most people seem to have no problems with the myriad aftermarket ones, there have been some reports here-and-there of some interfering with the operation of the camera (buttons not working properly, locking up, etc.). Also--and I could be totally wrong--but I believe the Canon grip is made out of magnesium (or other metal) similar to the body making it one solid unit, while some/most/all(?) of the third-party ones are just plastic. I don't if that matters but it's worth thinking about.

For an item like this, personally I feel better about having an accessory attached to the camera that is designed for it and perfectly matched to it. That's just me, though.

Thanks for all the input. Still not got any definite thoughts on this. I may punt for the Neewer to see what it's like |(not a huge amount) then I'll do what I did for the camera (save for a while, I'll get there in the end) Hey it may even go down in price, I know the camera did.

I have three Meike grips. One on an XS, T3i, and 6D. Never a problem with any of them. About $45. on Amazon, but sold by New Harbor. Quick delivery and have not had a problem with any of them. Highly recommend.

If it were me, I'd also get the Canon grip.... especially considering what they sell for used. I haven't had any experience with the 3rd party grips mentioned (my 5DII has an OEM on it), just have had too many problems with miscellaneous non-OEM stuff over the years.

If anything, substitute a 28-135 IS for the 24-105 to save a big chunk of money. That would way more than offset any add'l cost of an OEM grip. Between those two lenses, you will be hard pressed to see any difference what-so-ever in your images. In fact the 28-135 has less vignetting at the wide end, though it's a little softer all the way out at 135mm (beyond what the 24-105's reach). Just stop it down a bit there. It's also got nearly equal AF speed and accuracy, pretty much the same close focusing ability, and similar IS performance. The main diff is that the L is slightly wider (but not as long) better built and sealed against dust/moisture, and likely to be more durable over the long haul (except you can buy 3 or 4 lightly used 28-135s for every one 24-105). Both lenses tend to get "zoom creep", though it's probably more common with the 28-135 (fix it with a rubber band or do the better DIY fix which is detailed on several websites).