BG-E2 & BG-E2N Ergonomic

JWright wrote in post #5994277
I think the grips actually improve the ergonomics of the cameras. At least it makes them easier to hold for me...

I think the general opinion on this thread concurs with you, however, my take is that the BG-E2[N] doesn't do as much as it could.

I don't think that there is debate on whether a battery grip improves the balance, or whether having a vertical shutter release is a bonus. I think the question is why the BG-E2[N] is an oversized, misshapen, bulbous, tumor, rather than being sleek and visually integrated.

As I mentioned before, holding a Nikon D300(?) the vertical grip feels identical to the horizontal one -- same curvature of the grip, same positioning of the shutter release and control dial. Compare that to the BG-E2[N] which has is shorter in front of the grip, and deeper behind it than the grip on the body, has the control dial at a different angle and position, and has no top finger rest unlike the body.

My feeling is that Canon could have done much better with this grip.

BWAAAaahahahaha, I couldn't have said it better myself. Are you listening up Canon?

the BG-E2N really is wonderful, comfortable, and very nice to hold, I see no issues with it, I would prefer some more of that rubber grip feel to it on the rear but hey you can't have everything.

I wouldn't suggest much if not any difference between the two, in fact I see absolutly no reason why Canon would release a E2 and E2N in different molds or ergonomics. I have not used the BG-E2 but I sure love my E2N, it now lives on my 40D.

fubarhouse wrote in post #5999129
the BG-E2N really is wonderful, comfortable, and very nice to hold, I see no issues with it

I think you maybe never had the chance to hold a 1D or even the D300+Grip.
I like the BG-E2N but I don't think is wonderful at all. It could be improved a lot.

fubarhouse wrote in post #5999129
I wouldn't suggest much if not any difference between the two, in fact I see absolutly no reason why Canon would release a E2 and E2N in different molds or ergonomics.

There really is no difference between the two, other than the rubber gasket around the grips battery door. Ergonomically they're equally poor.

The grip does what it must, no more. Its shape is obviously that of an add on and does not feel a part of the camera. Also, where the heck is the "AF-On" button on the "N" version?

j-paka wrote in post #5992334
what is the main difference between the BG-E2 & the BG-E2N

edit: heard wrongly, BG-E2N got add whather shield

Anyone used an Opteka or aftermarket grip do they feel better. This thread scares me. I have a 350D with a grip and love the way it feels. I just upgraded to a 30D that should be here tonight. Once I sell my XT and some of the components like the grip.... I wanted to go out and buy a grip for my 30D...

But this is making me think about it. I don't have a camera store near me.....so I can't try things out....

Any opinions.

At the point of being flamed, moaning about how batteries are inserted into a grip? Takes me less than a minute even with the flip down lid. Doesn't make a single bit of different to operation or enjoyment of my camera. (Ok it is not a BG-E2 or BG-E2N).

I have tried it, I don't find it to be bad for my hands, it fits well in my hands and not had any issues (on a friends 40D)

The Canon grips are fine and they work well. I'd get the original before I'd get a knock-off... if the original is only mediocre, how good will the knock-off of it be? The issue with the Canon grip is the battery shape -- as was said above, the 1D battery going in from the side lets the grip be flush with the body. With the xD and xxD, it looks like a big shelf on the bottom of the camera so it can fit two batteries in side by side.

is it actually WORTH spending the extra money on a USED BG-E2N vs a USED BG-E2? (price different is around $30

saralee wrote in post #5991474
I find the battery grip help me on the 40D in finding the DOF button. Before I got the grip I always had trouble locating the DOF button.

so its a $180 solution that helps you find your DOF button?

i tried out the E2N at the store on my 40D, and its build quality was a bit shoddy compared to 40D body. at $150+, i'll pass. i wouldn't mind paying that much if it was more like the grip already on the 40D...made out of magnesium alloy and well molded (with the middle finger indent and simliar grip rubber). and where the @#$! is the AF on button? i, too, think that canon should have the bp-511's load from the side, that makes a lot more sense. however, one reason that i can come up with for its current design is so that you can insert one battery and run the camera off that. if you loaded one battery in the side, you would likely need a placeholder to keep that one battery from sloshing around inside your camera as you turned it. my personal opinion is that canon designed it to NOT fit the camera in terms of shape/design, so that people could distinguish between non-1D cameras with grips and 1D cameras with the built in grip. just another way canon drives people up the camera ladder. if canon built their batt grips like nikon, i would've bought one already.

my experience so far with batt grips is i bought a third party grip for my rebel XTi, and tried a Canon E2N (for my 40D) out at the store. to be completely honest, my Opteka XTi batt grip feels better than the Canon E2N, and only cost $100, which included two batteries. I would recommend the Opteka rebel batt grip, but I'm not familiar with the Opteka version of the BG-E2. the reason i got the rebel grip is that it helped keep my pinky onboard when the camera was horizontal. i don't have this trouble on the 40D, which has a really nice horizontal grip. additionally, since the BG-E2N is a lot larger than the rebel grip, i didn't feel as tempted to get one, since the 40D was already bulkier than my rebel. i tended to leave the rebel grip off anyway, unless i was doing portraits.

perhaps my attitude toward batt grips will chance once canon designs ones that look like they were made for the camera, and have the same functionality as the horizontal grip (AF-on button...), and makes them higher quality. i'd like to try to replace my neckstrap with a handstrap. i know there are handstraps that mount without the batt grip, but those weren't that appealing.

The main problem I have with the BG-E2N is the lack of an AF-ON button. It's like some horrible practical joke by Canon.

elysium wrote in post #6092232
At the point of being flamed, moaning about how batteries are inserted into a grip? Takes me less than a minute even with the flip down lid. Doesn't make a single bit of different to operation or enjoyment of my camera. (Ok it is not a BG-E2 or BG-E2N).

I have tried it, I don't find it to be bad for my hands, it fits well in my hands and not had any issues (on a friends 40D)

The reason isn't for speed, it's for ergonomics. If the batteries were inserted on the side the long way, the grip could be flush with the back of the body.

Definitely agree the grip could have a much better design. But it works for me.

Compared to Nikons add on grips, Canons are junk...