Battey grip for 350D

I am thinking of getting one but I can't make my mind up how useful they really are. Is it enough to justify the price above other items I want at the moment such as ext tubes?

What do you guys think?

Would you say the battery grip is:

A) A luxury
B) A must
C) Can't live without one...why are you messing about?

Oh and considering it holds a battery that you would have been carrying anyway how much extra weight is it?

Ta

i would not be without mine. it makes the camera more balanced in my big hands, and it makes my camera better to hold when I have a large lens on it. You can also put two battery packs in it and it will last for ages, with two batterys in mine I can get over a 1000 photos before I need to charge them.

So don't think about getting one just go and get one and enjoy the feel of it.

g_robins wrote in post #2608034
i would not be without mine. it makes the camera more balanced in my big hands, and it makes my camera better to hold when I have a large lens on it. You can also put two battery packs in it and it will last for ages, with two batterys in mine I can get over a 1000 photos before I need to charge them.

So don't think about getting one just go and get one and enjoy the feel of it.

I second that. Could not live without it.

My grip almost never gets taken off my 350D. Just feels wrong when it's off. Definitely helps with balance with larger lenses. My hands are not the biggest and the grip fits them well. I also really like the portrait controls being there on the grip, it's more comfortable using them instead of having your hand over the top.

I'm a little biased though as I came from a Pentax ME-Super with a motor wind so I am used to the shape.

BR

Wardie

Tubes will extend your shooting capabilities. A grip will be a convenience item. Your call. I don't use grips on my cameras; don't want the bulk, and I have large hands.

The day I tried a 350D with a grip was the day I ordered mine.

My grip never leaves the camera. It helps balance out the camera, especially using a larger lens. Also, having the second set of controls makes using your camera in portrait orientation a snap. If budget is an issue I'd highly recommend the Opteka grip, 95% of the performance for 50% of the price.

I will simply answer B, because I never use my 350D without it !

Ciao,
Laurent.

A must, because of:
- comfort when shooting vertical
- reduce number of times to change batteries

(b) Highly recomended especially when using the camera for a long time (like a full day at the motor racing) , and also with long lenses. Makes the camera much better to handle. The only time mine is off is when I want to travel light.
Richard

I never taken mine off for any reason. Find the camera to be easier to hold and shoot.

Where's a good place to purchase one?

With out a doubt "B". The handleing and length of time I can shoot between battery charges is well worth it. Also after shooting all those years with motor drives on my film cameras just makes it feel "right".

B defo and thanks to b1gdaddy i bought one
I am getting used to mine,easier hold on camera.

Siejones try this place i got mine from here and at £89 i think its a bargain

http://www.ajpurdy.co.​uk/

Mine never comes off my 20D. When I first picked it up, I thought it would just be a convenience item, but in addition to being massively convenient (my hands are just big enough that without it, my pinky wraps underneath the grip in horizontal mode, which I never really liked) it will seriously help your stability if you're handhelding with a long lens and taking verticals. Leaves your hand in a natural position, so you're not having to crane your arm.