to get a grip or not get a grip?

You wouldn't be asking the question if you had ever used a grip with your camera. As far as I am concerned the grip should be part of the camera purchase. I rely on my grip to give me something to hang on to, especially with my "L" bracket from RRS mounted on the camera (which it always is). The camera simply feels "incomplete" without the grip attached. If for no other reason, the grip allows me to power my 40D with two batteries instead of one. The grip should be a top priority as soon as you are investing in higher quality glass, if not before. The Canon grips are expensive, but less than an "L" lens that you destroy by accidentally dropping a grip less camera body.

TheHoff wrote in post #5892938
The finish has totally rubbed off of my BG-E4 (5D grip) where it swings against my jackets or jeans. Looks like hell, but that is cool. It does show it isn't made to the same quality level as the camera body. I've been going without lately -- nice for weight but I can't balance it as well when shooting from the hip.

I really wonder how/why your camera is swinging against your jeans.

I just picked one up and I love it. Makes shooting verticals a pleasure. Have not tried it on a tripod.It makes sense not to use a grip when using a triopod.

I got the grip for my 40D ... wouldn't be without it.

It is, though, a Canon afterthought. It looks like a janitor at Canon told the engineers that they forgot to design a grip. The engineers, being very busy getting the 40D ready for release, asked the janitor to do the design.

The Nikon D300 grip, on the other hand, is an integral part of the original design of the camera and looks like it (and also costs about $100 more than it's Canon counterpart).

I would be willing to pay an extra $100 for a Canon grip if it was as nice as the Nikon version.

Canon grips were much nicer in the 1V days for example where it was a well engineered piece of magnesium (I think) and felt good and solid. It fit the 1 and 3 and aside from being somewhat bulky (big battery being a part of that) it was a great accessory. If the 40D cost as much as the D300 and its grip did too I'd expect a nicer grip but Canon does seem to have a think about just offering really basic grips on all their non-1 series cameras. I haven't tried a 5D grip so I don't know how it's built.

It's all personal preference.

I used to have a grip for my two 5D's and sold it after a year because I never used it. There have since been only a tiny handful of times when a grip would have been handy (i.e. long exposures on cold nights), but certainly not enough to justify owning one (I don't like to own gear that's not being used frequently). I have never missed a shot because I don't use grips.

For me the added weight, bulk, and "professional" look of the camera was not worth the minor and seldom used benefits that a grip brings. My backpack already weighs 25lbs, the gear just barely fits in, and the cameras are already too big and imposing (with L lenses) without adding grips to the mix. As far as balance, I have never felt that any of my lenses were unbalanced when used with the gripless 5D.

I would even go as far as to suggest that SOME people (although I'm sure not in this forum) make reasons why they like their grips when, if the truth be told, they just want their Rebels, 20/30/40D, and 5D cameras to look like 1 series models. If that's the case then great, power to them, but for me grips are more a hindrance than an aid to my photography.

I recently got the grip for my 5D to help balance out the 85L that I also recently got. It makes the camera feel so much better and is much easier to hold steady when using a big heavy lens like the 85L or a longer lens like the 135L. My other lenses were already pretty well balanced but having the extra length to put my pinky on helps stability with all of them while the difference is not as dramatic as it is with the 85L. It has not come off since I got it and I dont mind the weight/size but I can forsee taking it off in certain situations to remain slightly more inconspicous or to travel smaller and lighter.

After having the grip for a while and using it more !!!!
I have been rethinking. At this point the grip has been off the camera more than it has been on. As other have said, it is truly a personal preference. The grip adds more weight. Does not fit in the case as easy and it some cases the camera does not handle as easy.
On the plus side, Its a dream to shoot vertical. The battery is nice and convenient. It does balance the larger lenses better.

So for me the jury is still out .

Thats funny because I haven't taken it OFF the camera since I have gotten it. It just feels more balanced, secure, and stable while holding the body.

I love the grip on my XTi as I shoot portrait just as much as horizontal.

I've never killed the battery and the camera felt fine before I got the grip, but I take way more pictures in portrait now and feel that my compositions are better because of that.

I feel much more comfortable with my 30D with grip than without. However, I find it hard carrying the camera with a long lens and grip. If I put the strap around my neck or put it on my shoulder the camera points straight out instead of tilting down because of the grip. If I put it on my shoulder and turn it around it points down like it should but then when it bumps onto my hip it snaps random pictures or changes settings...

So, how do you carry a gripped camera with say a 70-200?

/Per

reason for grip # 284: I can recharge the AA batteries in my truck with a cheap cigarette lighter plug in charger.

birdfromboat wrote in post #6138412
reason for grip # 284: I can recharge the AA batteries in my truck with a cheap cigarette lighter plug in charger.

Or you can recharge the Canon lithium batteries with a cheap, multi-voltage (100-240VAC/12VDC) charger from Sterlingtek.

I've had a grip on all my Canon bodies. It just feels better to hold, adds a nice weight and not that its really important but it makes your camera look good (except for the 40d... the grip doesnt seem to look right on it)

I just lost a BG-E2 the other week on my backup 20d body while on location and after years of it being on, the 20d felt a little naked. With that said, if anybody is selling a used but in good condition BG-E2, please PM me. thanks