Battery Grip... when did you really need it?

I didn't buy one for the battery life. I bought it so my pinky has somewhere to go.

Okay, contrary to the most, I didn't get the battery grip primarily for the grip but for the battery life. The battery drains particularly fast when I'm doing tethered shooting in my home studio. The extra battery power is also very helpful when I'm shooting sports in burst mode, although it doesn't seem to drain as fast as tethered shooting. The rest of the time, I'd much rather have the grip off. My recent trip to a zoo with the grip on was a pain due to extra weight. I try to have it on all the time because of disconcerting reports that the plastic parts tend to break when taking it on and off the camera body frequently.

I would never take off my grip. Battery life, balance, size, portrait controls. Why take it off

second shutter button for portrait orientation is the big draw for me.

that and everyone thinks you're a pro photographer! LOL

For my pinky, balance, handling... I leave it on most of the time unless i do not really need it and need to shred some weight off.

Much thanks to all your info was very helpful!

I have owned the battery grip for every DSLR camera body I have owned and never once did I do it nor need the extra battery power. In fact most of the time I only used one battery in them. That being said I ultimately ended up liking the reduced weight, size and the increased stability when tripod mounted of the camera bodies without grips. So I got rid of all my grips and probably will remain gripless until I get a 1D body someday. The only time I felt it was nice to have was when shooting a lot of portrait hand held shots. But I dont do much of that so for me it wasnt an issue.

every time i shoot, with my large hands my finger falls off the bottom on my 20's without it, i have 2 fingers dangling on my m8's 350..

i also don't like pulling my arm up above my head when i'm shooting portrait mode..

It not only gives me "peace of mind" having the extra battery. In case one of the runs out of juice or it fails. It also balances better with the heavy lenses (85L, 70-200f2.8IS and 100-400L). It also helps a LOT when using a heavy telephoto (400f/2.8, 600L) to balance it and when using portrait mode -- a must!.

I have always gripped my cameras as well, mainly because the DSLRs I've owned feel and handle much better.

Another benifit I enjoyed once was when my batteries unexpectedly died in the field, I was able to slide in some spare rapid charged AA's using the included adapter.

Thanks guys! I haven't made up my mind yet but the info is very helpful. I do have two pretty heavy lenses and maybe the balance would be nice. I don't do a ton of portrait shooting but that could easily change at any given time. The extra bulk might deter me but I will bounce it around a bit and see.

I got mine to add weight to my camera. Everytime the mrs goes to pick it up, she thinks again and puts it down .. and I give a little sigh and say "phew" under my breathe.

People think I am a pro *LOL*

Mine is on and off the camera. It all depends on what I am shooting. For a trip to the zoo or a festival. Ungripped. For an event and serious shooting..Gripped...
It certainly make portrait orientation easier.

I have a grip for both my 400D & 40D, they never leave the camera. I shoot a lot with fairly large lenses, 17-55 F2.8, 70-200 F2.8, 400 F5.6, and without the grip the balance isn't the greatest. Big lenses realy need a big body to work well, at least for me.

I also shoot a fair bit of sports, and that's about 80% portrait orientation so it is defiantly important there.

The extra battery life is just a added bonus, on my 40D I have never had to replace the batteries when out shooting, even after over 1000 shots.

LOL Canonymous!