Fake BG-E11 vs. Orginal - A Comparison

So I bought a fake BG-E11. It is - all things considered - a very, very accurate copy of the real thing. I got suspicious, because the grip looked brand new although it was priced and advertised as used. It is a shame that the maker didn't simply put his own brand logo on the thing, because it is actually nicer than the third-party Pixel/Vertax grip I own too.

If you want to check whether you too got a fake I suggest looking for these subtle differences:

- metal insets in the interior are missing (top side) or looking different (matt in the real deal, shinny in the copy)
- no rubber seals on the battery cartridges
- weight (genuine 372g, copy 322g both with installed battery cartridges but without batteries)
- the exact structure of the fake leather coating
- the additional pouch (this is the most obvious but might be missing if you are buying something that's supposedly used)
- stiffness - I was able to squeeze the copy when applying pressure without installed battery cartridges for approx. 0.5mm - 1mm, the genuine grip is solid as a metal slab
- the serial number on the fake was fading after using the grip for a day (I blurred the serial number on the genuine grip)

Given the fact that this thing is such an excellent copy I highly suggest you do not purchase a grip from anything else than a top reseller (preferably certified by Canon) - at least if you expect to get the real thing.

More pics.

Comparison pics of the interior, please excuse the bad lightning.

The battery cartridges - not the rubber seals in the cartridges grip.

And finally, the weight comparison and pictures of the little pouch.

Maybe they are both "real" Canon grips, one superseding the other?

joemusic321 wrote in post #16854043
Maybe they are both "real" Canon grips, one superseding the other?

Very unlikely. Typically when it comes to accessories, its never updated or improved unless there was a major flaw. The cost of the materials compared to the machining, plates and tooling is too costly. Lack of metal parts is a big indication that its a fake.

The weight difference is due to missing parts and cheaper plastic material. Without actually weighing it and comparing, no one would really know.

And why would the bag need to be changed if the item is the same size? That's another indication that its a fake.

As for OPs question why manufacturer doesn't slap their label on it..price. Pass it off as "OEM", charge a premium and it flies off the shelf quicker because people think its from Canon.

joemusic321 wrote in post #16854043
Maybe they are both "real" Canon grips, one superseding the other?

Very unlikely (as 1KIND mentioned) - it clearly has no MG-chasis/core and Canon more or less hints (I've never seen an official comment from them) that the real BG-E11 has an MG-core.

Furthermore adding sealing is probably not something they would've done in a silent revision.

Just wondering if the new fake grip suffers the super-sensitive joystick issue like the other 3rd party grip does?

I don't have the genuine, only the Meike one. The joystick always goes super-sensitive when the grip is turned on. A slight gentle tap will move the AF.

virsago_mk2 wrote in post #16857143
Just wondering if the new fake grip suffers the super-sensitive joystick issue like the other 3rd party grip does?

The joystick is definitely more sensitive than the joystick on

- the camera
- the genuine BG-E11
- my third party Pixel/Vertax grip

It's the most sensitive of the three, but still controllable. The on-camera joystick and the genuine BG-E11 joystick are about the same so they feel perfect. I never liked the Pixel/Vertax joystick: To hard to move and no diagonal movements possible.

Thanks for the respond, but I still feel that it didn't answer my question correctly.

If you could, just try these 2 kind of test.

1. Try scrolling the menu using both the on-camera joystick & grip joystick with the grip attached & turned on.
2. Now try scrolling the menu again using the on-camera joystick but without the grip attached.

Normally without the grip you have to press the joystick firmly to scroll the menu / move the AF point.

But when the grip attached & turned on (in my case the Meike grip), a very slight gentle tap on the joystick can initiate the scrolling or moving the AF point.

The Pixel grip also had this issue before. So I just want to see if the new fake grip finally fixed this issue or not.
If it does, then I might consider to buy these.

virsago_mk2 wrote in post #16857933
Thanks for the respond, but I still feel that it didn't answer my question correctly.

If you could, just try these 2 kind of test.

1. Try scrolling the menu using both the on-camera joystick & grip joystick with the grip attached & turned on.
2. Now try scrolling the menu again using the on-camera joystick but without the grip attached.

Normally without the grip you have to press the joystick firmly to scroll the menu / move the AF point.

But when the grip attached & turned on (in my case the Meike grip), a very slight gentle tap on the joystick can initiate the scrolling or moving the AF point.

The Pixel grip also had this issue before. So I just want to see if the new fake grip finally fixed this issue or not.
If it does, then I might consider to buy these.

You'll have issues regardless unless you buy OEM. Fakes or aftermarket accessories, companies are just out to sell and won't fix any issues. Sometimes its just rebranded. The only issue I've heard of them fixing is anything related to battery drain. Other than that they won't fix buttons and joysticks. The same issue can be found on Nikon aftermarket grips too.

Its the price you pay for aftermarket products. These companies just want to sell and get it out and make money. Never expect OEM quality for the price you pay.

I purchased a counterfeit grip from eBay. It was labeled as new in an open box. It took me a while to prove it to myself but eventually I did. It took me a while to convince another buyer from the same seller.

Once you have a real one in your hand, the fake is obviously substandard.

virsago_mk2 wrote in post #16857933
1. Try scrolling the menu using both the on-camera joystick & grip joystick with the grip attached & turned on.
2. Now try scrolling the menu again using the on-camera joystick but without the grip attached.

Normally without the grip you have to press the joystick firmly to scroll the menu / move the AF point.

But when the grip attached & turned on (in my case the Meike grip), a very slight gentle tap on the joystick can initiate the scrolling or moving the AF point.

Are you implying, that attaching a grip changes the sensitivity of the built-in, main joystick? I have not observed this behaviour on any of the three grips (genuine, fake, Pixel/Vertax) I have/had.

DerDembo wrote in post #16860114
Are you implying, that attaching a grip changes the sensitivity of the built-in, main joystick? I have not observed this behaviour on any of the three grips (genuine, fake, Pixel/Vertax) I have/had.

Yes, exactly.