Rebel XTi and battery grip

Curious to know about the battery grip. Good investment for this? I just got a XTi and have a Canon speedlight flash, thinking of adding it to my camera. Thoughts??

Unless your hands are of a size that your camera handles comfortably now, I highly recommend a battery grip.

The grip really improves the handling, feel, and appearance (not important to some) - and it's nice to have the extra battery power if you need it. A grip also makes shooting portrait mode much easier.

I have the Canon BG-E3 for my XTi. Many members here also use and recommend the Opteka grip at a lower price.

If you don't wish to purchase a spare battery, you can slip 6 AA batteries in the spare sleeve and keep that in your bag for backup power.

Here's a pick of an XT sans grip and XTi w/grip.

It's like getting a brand new camera for $140. you can't go wrong! The feel is SOOO much better!

-Derek

it does feel quite good i havent got large hands (or at least i don't think so ) but they are big enough not to fit on the xti/400D without a grip.

I use a 3 rd party one bought of the bay and it has never failed me yet. I shoot in portrait orientation quite a lot and do use it.

The extra power is just a bonus.

It came with my kit and I'm glad that it did. If I want to be light for travelling, I just take it off but most of the time it is attached to my 400D.

beepclick wrote in post #5551874
The grip really improves the handling, feel, and appearance (not important to some) - and it's nice to have the extra battery power if you need it. A grip also makes shooting portrait mode much easier.

This was the selling point for me. Whilst the 400D was big enough, it just felt unbalanced with flash and a larger lens. It was a worthy upgrade which I was happy with.

The added buttons helped a great deal.

Buy it, they're awesome. Then go pick up some Sterlingtek batteries.

gives a truly different feel to the camera. highly recommended! pick up the E1 strap too

I like the BG-E3/E1 combo too...

Huck wrote in post #5551713
Curious to know about the battery grip. Good investment for this? I just got a XTi and have a Canon speedlight flash, thinking of adding it to my camera. Thoughts??

It gets my vote every time. One of the best bits of kit I purchased for my 400D. I bought an original Canon grip and it improves the feel of my camera. I use two rechargeable batteries and have two more charged and ready to go in my bag.

As derky82 says it is like getting a new camera.

It doesn't make the camera feel too big for me and doesn't unbalance it either. I especially like the fact that in portrait mode I have the additional control buttons where I want them and don't have to fumble around awkwardly for the camera buttons.

Go on buy one.... I'd only recommend the original though. Very sturdy and well built as you would expect from Canon.
Reaperman

Without a battery grip this camera (XT, 350D) would be far to small for my hands. With the grip it's well balanced and very hand holdable for me. Shooting vertical is so much simpler and this is how I shoot the majority of my photographs. The added power from the extra battery is great as well, and as said above, the ability to use regular AA batteries can be a great asset when you're traveling.

Unless you have really small hands or want the camera to be as light and small as possible I absolutely think you should get the grip. I can only agree with the other people, as far as handling goes it's like getting a new camera.

Go for the grip, you won't regret it. I have the Canon BG-E3 on my Rebel XT.

thunnus wrote in post #5556290
I like the BG-E3/E1 combo too...

that isn't the canon hood is it?
i cant see the flocking on it.

That's a third party hood, the Canon one has the markings "Canon EW-83J Canon inc Made in Japan" and a red dot under the EW-83J. Honestly I don't really understand why people would pay $1000 for a lens and don't spend an extra $50 or so for a real Canon hood — but that's just me.

Molnies wrote in post #5560388
That's a third party hood, the Canon one has the markings "Canon EW-83J Canon inc Made in Japan" and a red dot under the EW-83J. Honestly I don't really understand why people would pay $1000 for a lens and don't spend an extra $50 or so for a real Canon hood — but that's just me.

I actually purchased the hood months prior to buying the lens. I rented the 17-55 for a trip to Hawaii. Wanted a hood but didn't want to fork out $50+ since it was just a rental. The lens+hood combo performed well enough and when I ended up buying the lens, I decided to use the hood I had.

After using my $5 knock-off hood for about six months now without any issues, I personally think $50 for a piece of plastic is a bit ludicrous, flocking or not. But hey... that's just me. Sorry for the thread jack!