5d3 - Would you recommend a grip?

I debated about getting the Canon grip for the 5D III. I finally did get it because the price was right at $240. However, it sits in the bag and doesn't get used much.

A 1-Series body feels entirely different in my hands than a gripped camera. The one good thing about the 5D III grip is that it is the closest to the feel of a 1-series body.

If the 5D III grip price wasn't right, I would have passed.

I had a grip on my 5D2 for years. It turns out that I would always grab my 7D when I am running out the door, because it was smaller and grip-less. Even when I have 2 5D2, one gripped and the other not, I would always reach for the gripless body. With the 5D3, I have decided to go gripless and I love it. The battery life on the 5D3 is so incredible, I have no idea why I would ever need 2 batteries. I do carry my spare in my pocket, but I have yet to need to change the battery for a wedding. The last weeding I shot, I got 1800 shots out of it, and I had 9% battery left. I did heavy culling of images in camera, deleting and rating images. The battery life is incredible.

professorman wrote in post #15790969
I had a grip on my 5D2 for years. It turns out that I would always grab my 7D when I am running out the door, because it was smaller and grip-less. Even when I have 2 5D2, one gripped and the other not, I would always reach for the gripless body. With the 5D3, I have decided to go gripless and I love it. The battery life on the 5D3 is so incredible, I have no idea why I would ever need 2 batteries. I do carry my spare in my pocket, but I have yet to need to change the battery for a wedding. The last weeding I shot, I got 1800 shots out of it, and I had 9% battery left. I did heavy culling of images in camera, deleting and rating images. The battery life is incredible.

Too darn funny

Your the first guy that hasnt complained about the 5D3 battery life

javierz0509 wrote in post #15789047
i am in love with the grip, without it i feel naked.

This all changed when I got a steady girlfriend.

I have 2 5D3 and one with grip and one without. Sometimes I want the grip and othertimes don't.
But when I use heavy lens, I always grab the one with grip.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #15791197
This all changed when I got a steady girlfriend.

lefticia ?

mwsilver wrote in post #15790037
Hmm! You've spent $3000 or more on a camera body and you're planning to add a cheap $50+ 3rd party grip that has to operate electrically and mechanically with it? I know some third party grips seem to work well and are praised by their owners as just as good as Canon's, but some are not and there have been many documented mechanical and electrical issues over the years. If I could afford to make that sort of investment, I would get the real deal. If I couldn't afford the Canon grip right away, I'd wait until I could. I'm sure many here will disagree, but when I'm in a position to buy top of the line anything I never buy bargain basement accessories to go with it. By the way, I believe one of the reasons the Canon grip is so expensive is that its made of magnesium like the body.

Your points are good. Here's what I think, though. I have two grips on two now-old Canons...and, to be honest, the third-party grip has held up better than the Canon! I cannot verify the materials used in the construction, though.

But if I can save $200.00, I'm going to save $200.00...

I started out non-gripped, but when I take vertical shots it just didn't feel right.
Then I got the grip.
Boy is the difference night and day!
The grip does add a little weight but it's worth the ergonomics when taking vertical shots.

josephandrews222 wrote in post #15791618
Your points are good. Here's what I think, though. I have two grips on two now-old Canons...and, to be honest, the third-party grip has held up better than the Canon! I cannot verify the materials used in the construction, though.

But if I can save $200.00, I'm going to save $200.00...

To each there own. I'm not saying that all 3rd party grips are error prone, as you know from your own experience. But its like buying an expensive car and repairing it with off the shelf parts rather than OEM parts. Sometimes, maybe often, those off the shelf parts are the equal of the OEM parts, but not always. After spending a lot of money on an expensive car i wouldn't want to potentially damage it or jeopardize its performance in any way by using cheaper parts to save some money.

Back to the 5D III, my feeling is if someone can afford it, he probably can easily afford the Canon grip as well. I recently read of someone who was planning on buying a 5D III and was asking if he could use his old 18-55 Rebel kit lens with it. Why bother? All the bits together make up the total experience. In my mind its all part of a integrated system and things should be done right from the start. In for a dime, in for a dollar!

The main reason I bought a grip (for a 40D) was for the shutter button since I shoot a lot of HS Sports. Since that body, I purchased one for my 7D and 5D. While I only need it for sports, I leave it on all the time.