holding an xti with grip

this question has been nagging me for some time. been embarrassed to ask it, but what the heck...

i have an xti and have tried it with a battery grip. i like the feel of having a grip, but can't really figure out where to put my left hand. i have always held a camera with my right hand on the right side of the cam, index on shutter and thumb on the *. left hand usually supports the lens, with part of the palm maybe supporting the bottom of the camera too. i like the addition of the grip, but with a short lens (i.e. kit lens or my 85 1.8, my left hand goes where? do guys with a grip hold the camera on both sides of the camera with both hands? with a longer lens, then i can put my left hand beneath it, but not too sure with the short ones because the grip gets in the way.

i know some will say, the solution is to get a 40D. i tried it the other day, and man, was that feel nice. i kind of regretted doing it LOL! but it is beyond my budget, and camera body change is not in the agenda.

looking forward to your responses.

I have the BG-E3 grip on my XTi, and when hand holding the camera with a shorter lens, I cradle the lens with the thumb and forefinger of my left hand, my other three curled into the palm and the bottom front edge of the grip resting on the bottom of my palm. Hopefully I'm making sense!

about the same as above.

When I have a smaller lens on, I usually use my other hand to get the peoples attention. Since I usually and taking pictures of larger groups of younger children. I think my 70-200 2.8 has been fixed to my camera for at least three weeks now. So I don't use a fixed and or small lens that often.

Your left hand should cradle the lens (whatever size) and support the majority of the weight of the camera and lens. As far as proper left hand placement, your left hand should be able to balance the weight of the camera and lens. Your right hand should just be there to steady it and activate the shutter and other functions. The grip shouldn't make any difference. You could rest the grip on your pinky/ring finger and use the thumb and index to focus the lens (if on MF). Why should you go out and buy another camera just because it doesn't feel comfortable? If holding the grip is such a hassle, lose the grip. You'll have the same issues with a non-gripped 40D that you have with your XTi. On a side note, after having my grip for so long, trying to use my camera without it seems very odd and awkward to me.

i didnt say i would change body, i just said the 40D felt great in terms of size and build. but im happy with my xti. just looking for different tips, especially with regards to the grip.

Lose the grip, and all will be well

Seriously, if the grip is making the camera more awkward to hold, why use it? If you like the extra battery life, just put another battery in a pocket. I guess the only problem would be if you really want the extra portrait orientation shutter release...

Let the grip rest on your left hand palm, closer to the wrist than the fingers. Your fingers can then just reach up and hold the focus ring.

I really find that it is easier to have my left hand hold all the weight of the camera while my left just triggers the shutter and "moves" the camera where I want it.

If the grip feels uncomfortable, get rid of it. I haven't got grips on any of my cameras except the 1D3, and unfortunately, that doesn't have a "no grip" option. It's what I like the least about it. You know how to hold the camera; a grip won't make that better.