Why a battery grip?

About 90% of my shooting is in portrait orientation, often long sessions... that's the only reason I got a grip. The longer battery life is rarely anything that I take advantage of. It also adds additonal weight to the whole rig.

When travelling, it also adds weight to my camera bag (carry on). With weight restrictions what they are on International flights, I end up having to carefully choose what I leave behind.

A grip is not for everybody and should be way down on the list of things to buy, imo.

Grips- its often a marlboro man thing.

You can find yourself on the slippery slope to ordering one of those photog vests with all the pockets.

End up looking like a photojournalist from a war zone when wandering around Surbiton on a wet afternoon.

Just say no.

With the excellent Live View facilities of the 5D2, I've changed the way I work to use Live View for all of my tripod shooting. That may involve keeping the LCD on extensively, which also means burning a lot of electricity.

BigBlueDodge wrote in post #7632965
Three reasons.

1. More shots between battery charges - You'll EASILY get 1000+ shots on a single battery charge using a grip with 2 batteries. It's also a benefit if you use IS lenses, which draw their power from your battery.
2. Balance & Feel - is used to balance out the camera for larger lenses, provides more surface area to hold, and provides a more intuitive hand placement for portrait shots
3. Gripped camera's are known to make photographers sexier to people of the opposite sex. Without the grip, you are "Uncle Bob taking snapshots". With the grip, you are "Ricardo, exotic glamour photographer".

I would venture to guess that most photogs buy a grip for reason #2 over reason #1. I bought a grip hoping #3 would come true

Yes! #3 work! I go to clubs with just my grip, I gotz to scrape da ladies off!

mishymama wrote in post #7633215
What lens would you suggest for a newbie who needs a zoom (soccer, t-ball, ballet recital, first communion, etc. inside and out) on a budget with 4 kids.

Without knowing a ballpark dollar amount, its a guessing game. Its usually worth saving for longer, and getting a higher quality lens. Good glass lasts a lifetime, while camera bodies come and go.

fann wrote in post #7633086
If you do any sort of portrait photography, its a godsend.. makes taking "vertical" shots much easier.

ya it does until you realize that your stupid grip doesnt have and af start button vertically if that is how you focus, and have to resort to gripping it non vertically. stupid canon.

OK...so grip or no grip is a preference and I will deffffinnnnitely try one out at my local store before committing. I thank you all for your help and for the bits of comedy. My 4 year old just yelled from the play dough table to ask what I was laughing at. This is great.

RiaGurl wrote in post #7637447
ya it does until you realize that your stupid grip doesnt have and af start button vertically if that is how you focus, and have to resort to gripping it non vertically. stupid canon.

The only grip that doesn't have buttons matching the camera is the BG-2N with the 40D and 50D. I don't know if one of those buttons can't be re-assigned as AF-On buttons in those cameras (as they could with earier cameras).

mishymama wrote in post #7633215
What lens would you suggest for a newbie who needs a zoom (soccer, t-ball, ballet recital, first communion, etc. inside and out) on a budget with 4 kids.

For your skill level and use, the EF-S 55-250 will best suit you. It's the best combination of long reach, wide focal range, image quality and price Canon makes. The 70-300 and 75-300 telephoto zooms Canon markets have a fairly poor reputation. I couldn't comment on the quality of the Sigma and Tamron equivalents.

Don't you guys think that the 55-250 will be a little slow for ballet and first communion (if it takes place inside a church)? I'm not suggesting the OP go out and buy a 70-200 f/2.8 IS off the bat, but I just wouldn't want them to buy the lens expecting great indoor pictures, then be very disappointed. I know the OP specified a zoom, but maybe a fast prime a la 85 1.8 is in order? Foot zoom FTW!

Of course this is all assuming no flash can be used...

If you shoot with your kitlens or the nifty then you probably won't even need/want a grip, but when you get into heavier lenses, it will be a world of difference.

I know it did for me, surely the extended batterylife is nice, but I definitely bought the grip for balance.

If you want a grip check out dealextreme.com, I got mine there for my XSI, cost 70$ with shipping and I don't think the quality could be any better + it has the * button and all the feature you would hope for.

It is really much more confortable when you use a flash and long lense

If you shoot a lot you will enjoy the grip. I now have a grip for all of my xxD bodies. The nice thing is you can shoot all day without having to worry about batteries-- and when you shoot portrait there are controls---
Get out and shoot and worry about the little things later!

mishymama wrote in post #7633005
Thanks, I am not sure any of these would be good reasons for me to get one at this time. Thanks so much for the info!

After PS and a pair of Oakley Gascans It will be my next purchase. And although #3 might sound stupid, it actually has a lot of truth to it. If you walk in with a 1D (built in grip) or a XT (or any other SLR w/o a grip, the 1D to the average person will look a lot more professional which = more business.

BigBlueDodge wrote in post #7632965
Three reasons.

1. More shots between battery charges - You'll EASILY get 1000+ shots on a single battery charge using a grip with 2 batteries. It's also a benefit if you use IS lenses, which draw their power from your battery.
2. Balance & Feel - is used to balance out the camera for larger lenses, provides more surface area to hold, and provides a more intuitive hand placement for portrait shots
3. Gripped camera's are known to make photographers sexier to people of the opposite sex. Without the grip, you are "Uncle Bob taking snapshots". With the grip, you are "Ricardo, exotic glamour photographer".

I would venture to guess that most photogs buy a grip for reason #2 over reason #1. I bought a grip hoping #3 would come true

#3 Should be good enough reason. lol.