Battery Grip Question

I just recently got a battery grip and just ordered two additional batteries so I can have 2 sets. I had to recharge the batteries for the first time last night and after the left one charged, I charged the right just to find out that it's full. Does the grip drain the left battery first then the right?

What camera?

IIRC the grip on my original 5D drained one then the other.... Seems like the one on the 7D draws from both (I charged them last night, both were about half).....

You can usually check the meter in the menus (on later and higher model cameras) which will tell you how much power is left in each battery

If you have 2 sets of batteries, you must plan on shooting a LOT (and I mean a LOT). In all the airshows I've shot, I've never used a second set of batteries, usually shooting over 75GB of RAW too... On the 1D III and later cameras, I've never drained the first battery, those last forever.

If you want, carry a single spare, the grip works with only one battery in it too. That saves some weight when you want the grip (which I can't think of a reason to take it off) and you don't need a lot of battery power.

Mark H

I don't shoot that much and thats why I don't really pay attention to the battery meter but nice to have a set of batteries for emergencies. I didn't realize that the grip can take just one battery.

MT Stringer wrote in post #9928136
What camera?

I have a 30D.

The grips on my 20D and 50D drain the left hand battery before the right hand battery..

MNGUYEN wrote in post #9928855
I don't shoot that much and thats why I don't really pay attention to the battery meter but nice to have a set of batteries for emergencies. I didn't realize that the grip can take just one battery.

I have a 30D.

When I shot mostly with a 20D, I had 4 batteries, then upped it to 7 when I bought the 40D. When shooting a soccer tournament (or any other all day event), I would change out the batteries half way through the day so I wouldn't get caught in a bad moment when the action was hot.

The MK III and the 7D have additional info available that displays number of shots and battery percentage remaining. The batteries have chips in them that communicate with the camera. I don't know about other late model bodies.

Mike