Potentially dumb Question: BG-E2

I am looking at adding one of these to my order, as I have had the equivalent on my EOS50 and EOS30, and loved it, if anything for the vertical grip and the fact that I have quite large hands.

Now I know that as well as providing a vertical grip (hopefully with more controls than just the shutter and exposure lock I have on my other grips!) this allow you to use a second BP-511 for extra capacity (not that I have any reason to think that I actually need that much battery life!), what I have heard is that you need to load it with two batteries to work? Is this true?

Also does it come with a second battery, and are there any issues putting different ‘types’ of batteries in the grip at the same time, i.e. a Genuine Canon, and a el-cheapo (which incidentally I have had no issues with!).

Lastly, has anyone bought one of these and felt it was a waste of time???

I know full of questions with few actual answers!

Read the forums -- there are many many complaints about this battery grip, and one post (can't remember if it was on this forum or a different one like Fred Miranda or Rob Galbraith forums) seemed to say that his Canon store told him it was being withdrawn from the market.

It does/did NOT come with an extra battery, but it came with an adapter into which you could put AA batteries in an emergency (it eats them up way to fast to be economically feasible as any long-term usage).

Hopefully they will replace it with something better built, without the problems this one had.

From everything I've read -- DON'T BUY IT!

I have a BG-E2. No real problems with it to speak of. People will find something to complain about with just about everything. I do find myself tightening it down once and a while, but aside from that the fit is good, and I can switch it on and off and put the battery cover back on in seconds when I want to be compact.

My only real complaint is the way it switches from one battery to the other, so that when the battery display on the camera shows low, I'm never really sure if I have any battery life left in the other battery until it actually switches and shows full again. I'm 99% sure you do not need to have both batteries in for it to operate, but don't quote me on that, and yes, you have to buy the 2nd battery seperately.

It works with only one battery. But if you're using an original BP511, not the new BP511A (even if you have 2x BP511 in), it shows a false low-battery wanrning. Putting the same battery back in the camera without the grip shows full power. Most disconcerting, to say the least.

After listening to all of the chatter on all the boards I went out Saturday and bought a BG-E2 for the 20D that I have had for a month or so. I installed it at the store and went directly to a shoot. Just fine, no problems. I had to catch myself once or twice reaching over to the original shutter button (habit ).

My copy went onto the body without trouble, and stays nice and snug. The biggest lenses I used on my first shoot were the 24-70 L (somewhat heavy) and the 70-200 f4L (long). I had no trouble with the grip separating from the body, although these are not the monster lenses that supposedly cause the separation issue.

I installed just one battery, and used the camera all day long. The ability to use the grip with a single battery was important to me. The instructions specifically state that the other alternatives to the BP511-A can be used in the grip. I don't know about using different capacities at the same time or different makes. The instructions say that when two batteries are installed, the camera draws on both. I don't know what happens if they are different capacities or if there is a big difference in the state of charge of the two.

My bottom line is that it is working out for me.

Have Fun,

I got mine a few days after I got the camera. Put it on and have never had a problem since. The only thing I dont like about it is that it feels quite plasticy. not solid like the BG-ED3 (10D grip). Functionalliy wise, its great, no problems, but if Canon were to re-release a better more solid version of the BG-E2 I would probably get it.

I've had mine on since the day my 20D was delivered and haven't experienced any of the problems other have mentioned. Like CoolToolGuy, I habitually reach for the camera body shutter button when shooting portrait - for me it's a hard habit to break.

It flexes more than BigEd, but it's not a deal breaker. If you pull down on the grip a bit over where it goes into the camera it will break contact and shut down the camera. I just did the little shim-trick and now it's fine. Word has it that they are re-doing the grip, but I'll believe that when I see it.

These comments about loose contacts remind me of SLR's past where folder pieces of paper needed to be put behind batteries to maintain contact etc. You would think they would learn by now.

I think I will add this to my order, unlike some of the newer users of the battery grips, I am used to the vertiacl grip now, and will probably try to use the non exsitant shutter if I don't have one!

A bit overpriced for what you get though, more than twice what my BP-300 cost!