XT/XTi Grip + Large Lens Users....

Question for everyone that uses these together. What position do you set down your camera in when not using it? I recently got a chance to try a grip on an XTi and like the feel of it, extra battery life, and all the pluses that go with it. One thing bothers me though. The grip would put the bottom of the camera and the lens on a uneven plane to set down on a flat surface.

With a small or wide angle lens, the grip is wide enough to stand it upright anyway. With a larger lens like a 70-200, the camera will tip forward laying on the front edge of the grip and the front of the lens. If you lay it down on the usb compartment side, it is better but still seems a like what might be a negative situation causing stress points. This also might be even more difficult with a flash on. Looking for comments and opinions how others feel about this. Thanks.

i put my set up (same as yours) down on its left side temporarily..I dont find that it's causing stress on the camera and or lens....it seems to work perfeclty for me

Although I dont have a large lens (70-200 or even the 24-70) I do have the 85 f/1.8 which is somewhat heavy, I put mine on its side (where the video output is). Due to the fact that I have a qr plate and it tends to tip forward with the 85 on.

Thanks for the responses. I guess the side is pretty much the only option to set it on as I was thinking. I have never used a grip before and thought that part might be trouble at worst and inconvienent at best but maybe if I got used to it, it wouldn't be too bad. I think I would be setting the camera down and picking it up often for what I do. I may be making too much out of the stress issue. I have a tendency to worry and overthink things sometimes.

If you have a non-petal style hood you could always place the camera/lens combo on the hood. I do it with my XT/Grip/70-210. Just make sure it is a good level surface (like a table). Actually I also store my XT/Grip/Tamron 28-75 with hood reversed, lens cap on like this as well.

I sometimes sit mine on its back with the lens facing up

You guys are scaring me. Especially the one that sits it on the hood

mwt wrote in post #2940003
You guys are scaring me. Especially the one that sits it on the hood

Why does that scare you?

In2Photos wrote in post #2940038
Why does that scare you?

Because I have learned over the years that any time you sit something down that you don't want broken or scratched ,there is always someone that isn't paying attention to what they are doing that will show up out of the blue and will kick it ,step on it or knock it off whatever it is sitting on.

mwt wrote in post #2940068
Because I have learned over the years that any time you sit something down that you don't want broken or scratched ,there is always someone that isn't paying attention to what they are doing that will show up out of the blue and will kick it ,step on it or knock it off whatever it is sitting on.

That could happen to the camera regardless of its position.

In2Photos wrote in post #2940101
That could happen to the camera regardless of its position.

Not if it is around your neck or in your bag

am_pitbull_ terrier......doesn't that scratch your lcd when you lay it on the back? I suppose it wouldn't if the surface was soft in one was available. Or doesn't the surface hit it?

In2photos......I might be willing to set it down that way in a very temporary moment but the top heavy nature of that would make me a little nervous anyway. I never would have thought of that. Sounds like it works for you, though.

mwt.....I take it you temporarily set yours on the side too?

It sounds as though many people have them and never take them off so they must not have problems with this. Just something I am not used to and old habits do die hard.

I've wondered about this too.

When I had my xt with grip - I always set it on it's side. I don't know what the guys with one series bodies do. I am guessing we are probably being too anal and the stress from sitting the camera where it rests at an angle on the lens is not enough to cause any harm.

i always leave mine just tipped forward. i think the metal mounts are strong enough to take it.

If I absolutely have to set it down yes I do sit it on its side and if it is going to be there for a while i never take my eyes off it for more than a second