Manufacturer vs Third Party accessories

I just picked up a new camera yesterday (5d4), which means I'll need to pick up a new battery grip too. In such cases, I've always gone with genuine manufacturer parts, so a canon one. However, I'm noticing that other companies also make these accessories, normally for much less, and I'm wondering if they are any good or if I should stick with the canon ones. I've noticed the same for extra batteries. Haven't considered using non-Canon made ones before, so am really curious to hear what you all think.

Thanks

Hrm,

Depends on you. You picked up a 5D4 at launch, so I would think you're after top notch so you'd want the Canon grip to go with it, regardless of cost.

I've used 3rd party grips and all have been totally fine. I also have Canon grips for my 5D's. I can't tell the difference honestly in terms of real world performance of break down, etc. They've all done well. Some $20 grips I have that got used tons are still working. I'm sure there are horror stories with 3rd party grips, and horror stories with Canon grips. But I've yet to have one of those for either.

Batteries however, I will definitely attest to saving your money with. Get some Wasabi's or STK's for cheap, they're literally just as good.

Very best,

I think once you go third party, you have to do a much more thorough check on the product quality. The real difference between OEM and third party is that third party is that 3thrid party main driver is price and many cut a whole lot of corners while others still try to maintain some level of quality. It's impossible to lump all 3rd party manufacturers into the same bucket. Some will be good, some horrible, and others everywhere in between.

I'd stick with Canon grips. I've never had a problem with Canon. Some minor issues with 3rd party grips, on a few bodies.

For batteries, all I can say is check out each 3rd party vendor as it relates to the camera you are putting those batteries in. I bought Wasabi's for my 60D. They are excellent (same battery in my 70D/6D). When I went to get spares for my 1DIV, NO 3rd party batteries got good reviews. I bought 2 Canon batteries for the 1DIV. Expsenive? No. I didn't have to replace my 1DIV because of malfunctioning battery.

As for getting the 5d4 at launch, I've been using a t2i and it was time to upgrade. Once I decided on 5d, I figured I'd go all the way to the 4, but did seriously consider the mk3. That said, both of my lenses are L's, so I do like quality and longevity. From what I've seen so far, it sounds like Canon grips, and maybe Wasabi batteries, but since I only need 1 extra battery, the savings may not make that big of a deal.

Anyway, thanks for the input, it's been helpful.

I have a 3rd party grip for my 6D. It's kinda' cheap in construction but it works just fine.

If you are hard on your bodies then definitely buy the factory unit.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #18190620
I have a 3rd party grip for my 6D. It's kinda' cheap in construction but it works just fine.

If you are hard on your bodies then definitely buy the factory unit.

Totally agree. I was doing corn harvest shoot with 6D/17-40 and an aftermarket grip. While bouncing around on outside of a combine, my cheap grip flexed enough to separate from, and shut off, my 6D. It took me a day to figure out what the hen had happened. I immediately bought a Canon grip. No further issues. If you are hard on your setup, buy Canon grips.

I don't use grips anymore. I bought a 1DIV. Much better feel.

The 5DV is a weather sealed body. You will want to ensure that any grip you get is also weather sealed.

Dan Marchant wrote in post #18191163
The 5DV is a weather sealed body. You will want to ensure that any grip you get is also weather sealed.

Getting ahead of yourself, Dan?

Does anyone make a grip for the 5D4? (other than canon obviously)

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18191259
Does anyone make a grip for the 5D4? (other than canon obviously)

Amazon seems to have a few up after a quick search. Didn't look for long, but the few I did see didn't seem to have any reviews.

Personally I have no problem using third party gear from brands that get solid reviews. The canon gear is not without its own flaws and issues that generate some negative reviews after all, so a handful of negative reviews against lots of solid positive reviews tends to not throw me off from Third Party kit.

Third party players generally don't worry me. What does worry me are counterfeit products. "Name brand" products are 'too good to be true' prices. Third party manufacturers still have to conduct the quality control to make sure that people aren't viewing their product as garbage, but the counterfeiters don't and can put anything in there. The outright scammers who will take your money and give you nothing or obvious fakes (plastic shells with weights inside) are annoying, but not terrible. The real danger in counterfeit products seems to be those that try to make it 'just good enough' that you'll chalk up any problems to user error for a time so that the counterfeiter can take your money and have time to clear out and cover their tracks. Those are the kind of thing that can destroy gear and hurt people (in the case of battery related stuff.)

Looked on Amazon, ther eis a new 3rd party grip for 5D4, mucg have just come out (I was looking about three weeks back and nothing)

"Pixel Vertax"
No review for the 5D4 model, but 4 stars for the brand. That 4 stars came from 3 reviews, two five star, one 1 star DOA.

For $80.00 bucks I might try it. I got the OEM grip for the 5D3 but only used it for one extended senior portrait shoot. A few weeks back was doing the same annual shoot a year later with the 5D4 and really wished for the portrait grip. But, for something I will use maybe twice a year, I don;t want to spend another $350.00 on a Canon grip. My 5D3 is sold, but the Canon 5D3 grip remains on a shelf with no one interested.

Doesn't the mk3 and mk4 use the same grip? I seem to remember reading that somewhere. Or maybe it was the same batteries. I've read so much now that my mind is getting leaky.

craigat wrote in post #18191708
Doesn't the mk3 and mk4 use the same grip? I seem to remember reading that somewhere. Or maybe it was the same batteries. I've read so much now that my mind is getting leaky.

No, 5D3 and 5Ds are the same.

Oh how I wish. Frankly the 5D3 grip SHOULD fit 5D4 AND 7D2, I was convinced I could hack it to fit my 7D2,.. but never had the guts to cut.

I have a Vivitar grip for my 5DII and it is total crap (OK, maybe a little strong, but it's really not good), but the Vello I have for the 5DIII is nearly as good as the Canon grip. The difference is that the joystick doesn't quite have the same feel and it is a little harder to move the AF point around without accidentally pressing it to re-center.

For the 7DII I got a Canon grip becasue I knew I would use it gripped most of the time. Since then I have gotten used to using grips and use the Vello on my 5DIII most of the time, but I haven't felt the need to change to the Canon grip.

Still glad I have the Canon grip for the 7DII becasue moving the AF point around for wildlife needs to be as fast and accurate as possible. On the 5DIII, I'm not likely to miss a shot if I don't get to the focus point quite as quickly, not not an issue.