BG-E2 QUESTION

I recently bought a BG-E2 from my coworker (used it with a 20D) for my 40D. When I open the battery cover, it doesn't flip open (pop open) like my brother's BG-E4 on his 5D. I have to tilt the camera backwards for it to open up. I was wondering if this is normal?

Also, I've been playing around with it and I've noticed that sometimes the camera doesn't read any battery at all. But once I push the open slider/button on the BG-E2 a couple of times and turn the camera on, it finally recognizes the battery.

I know for a fact that he takes good care of his equipment (grip is in pristine condition aside from a few marks), so is it normal for these quirks or am I fooled by the condition of the grip?

It may be an older one where there were problems with flexing.

From what I've read about the flexing though is that sometimes the connecting pin loses contact which in turn makes the camera think the battery is dead. I've read that taking the grip on then off temporarily fixes the problem. But when I try that it still doesn't work. I have to slide the open button for the latch/door. I'm hoping it's not a problem with that slider/button and the door.

BTW, it usually happens after opening/closing the door after fidgeting with the batteries (taking them in or out or swapping them).

So... now the camera won't turn on at all with the grip on. I took it off and used the batery itself and it worked. I also tried using the grip with AA batteries, did not work.

Ok, it's weird. The camera started working after I took off the grip, changed from my 50mm to 10-22mm, put the grip back on, battery, turned it on.

Any ideas guys?


EDIT. That worked ONCE. I switched back to the 50mm then it worked. Then I opened up the battery compartment on the grip, closed it and didn't work once again.

Tried doing any combination of swapping lenses, etc. None of these methods are working!

are you using Canon batteries?

Yes I am using canon batteries.

UPDATE: Now without the grip, I am consistently getting an ERR 99 message .... ANY IDEAS?!?!?!? AHHHHHH

Try popping all batteries out of the camera for about a half-hour (there's another small battery in the battery compartment).