got a grip... feels like a whole new camera!

Eryk, that grip might end up changing what bag you buy! Don't forget to consider that! My 5D with grip and tripod plate is almost 7" high and has made finding a case I like and one that fits a real problem!

I absolutly love my grip got it for christmas and hasnt came off.

I took the grip off for a few days when I needed to go light and man I missed it.

The camera was light but it's more comfortable with the grip on.

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2466397
Feels real now, eh?

that was actually the first thought i had upon holding it! its noticeably sturdier. i've handled a 30d and i'm not sure if i would put a grip on that as it seemed to feel ok but the xt certainly benefits from it.

eryk, i don't know what to tell you... you can get to opteka grip for the same price as the nifty. how much do you like ramen? hell, that stuff's good right out of the package if you get too lazy.

Jason77 wrote in post #2467609
eryk, i don't know what to tell you... you can get to opteka grip for the same price as the nifty. how much do you like ramen? hell, that stuff's good right out of the package if you get too lazy.

hahaha! thats awesome.
well right now i carry my gear in a bag stuffed with clothing. works, but isnt the best thing.
however ive really wanted a grip since day one! ohh decisions.

Blue S2 wrote in post #2466446
On a 5D, the grip is almost necessary I think. Any lens heavier than a 50 1.8 makes the camera very front heavy. I personally found it hard on both of my hands to hold the camera with a lens like a 24-105L for a length of time. The grip helped balance it out a bit, and also give my left hand a more natural angle of support to hold and focus from. It makes the camera huge, but every time I take it off...I put it right back on because of how bad the camera feels without it!

Are you trying to support the camera with your right hand? Personally (and I've spent a fair chunk of the last 2 days with my 20D and 5D wearing various lenses from 24-105 IS, 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8 IS, and 100-400IS, and no grip) I think it feels just fine. You need to support the camera/lens with your left hand; having a grip will unbalance it with shorter lenses. This will also give you a more stable configuration, helping minimize shake.

I support it with my left hand. The problem I have is that leaving the camera flat on my palm and controlling focus is pretty uncomfortable to me. With the grip, the base of the grip wrests slightly back on my palm, and my fingers are free to work the focus or zoom.

Haha, the other problem I just had, that I forgot about is my long fingers... I just took my grip off... If I am holding the camera with my left hand, no grip, lens/camera connection over palm, and thumb, first finger on the focus, the my other fingers on that hand are extremely annoying! Basically I can reach over with my middle, or ring finger and hit the shutter and basically turn the dial almost while still holding the focus ring.

Blue S2 wrote in post #2466446
Any lens heavier than a 50 1.8 makes the camera very front heavy. I personally found it hard on both of my hands to hold the camera with a lens like a 24-105L for a length of time. The grip helped balance it out a bit, and also give my left hand a more natural angle of support to hold and focus from. It makes the camera huge, but every time I take it off...I put it right back on because of how bad the camera feels without it!

I have had the 350D and now the 5D and wont be without a grip either. I definitely like the extra feel and weight it gives. I feel more steady with the addtional weight.

Received my Opteka for the 350D 2 days ago, I think it's a fine piece of accessory. but after using the camera without the grip for 1 year already, it did take some getting used to, especially the extra height because I was used to supporting the camera and lens with my left hand, now it feels a little harder to operate the zoom when the lens hood is attached, and the other getting used is the weight. But it helps hugely with portrait shots, the main reason I got it for..

The Big Brown Truck just delivered my Opteka grip for my XT this afternoon . Put it on right away but have not had a chance to really try it out yet. My first impression is that it does make the camera feel more substantial and it fits my club hands much better. I think that I am really gonna like having it.

I really want a grip for my 20D but I'm just pondering if it'll be ok for me to hold it?

I have quite bad arthritis in both my hands. Makes the camera feel heavier than it is (if that makes sense)

Its heavier, thats a fact...but the weight of the entire camera is better distributed now. It won't seem so lens heavy since you will hae a better grip on the camera and some more weight to the rear.

This isnt a problem with light lenses. Try a 24-70 on a camera with a grip, and then take the grip off. Major difference.

If I had major hand problems, I would probably stick to lighter lenses personally and not worry about the grip.

I too got one for Christmas, and I couldn't belive the difference it made even in landscape orientation! The extra space at te bottom of the original grip leaves plenty of room for my pinky to help grip along with the other 3 fingers. I was worried that the wife would not like the chunkiness of the grip (she will be my second shooter at weddings once I get my 30d in the spring) but she loves it! I'm gonna hate to have to pay Canon for the name brand version for the 30d since Opteka doesn't make one...

Great accessory!

michaelsink -

Opteka just started making a 20D/30D grip. It is a Targus branded grip:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …EG&addedTroughT​ype=search

This is for your information only, I have no experience with this grip. However, with the reviews I have seen on the Canon grip, and given that I am coming from a film camera that has one of the best grips I have ever seen, I am debating this one.

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Ryan