3rd party grips for 5D mark 2

does anyone have any experience wit h3rd party grips and batteries for the 5D mark 2? it looks like everyone goes for the original canon version?

i'm thinking of going the phottix route as its the equivalent of 200 dollars cheaper here in the Philippines.
Thanks!

I know some aftermarket batteries and grips don't show the battery usage level and wil make the camera prompt you it's using a non-canon battery at first boot up

I had a Phottix on a 40D, Canon one on a 5D and bought another Phottix for my 5DII.

I also have a pair of their batteries/charger along with a pair of Canon batteries.

I think I've used the Canon ones, twice, so far.

I have nothing bad to say about Phottix grips.

bohdank wrote in post #9956520
I had a Phottix on a 40D, Canon one on a 5D and bought another Phottix for my 5DII.

I also have a pair of their batteries/charger along with a pair of Canon batteries.

I think I've used the Canon ones, twice, so far.

I have nothing bad to say about Phottix grips.

does the phottix grip allow the camera to tell you how much battery life is left?

I believe the aftermarket grips are functionally the same. They do not have the rubberized texture on them, and the shutter button isn't the same feel as the shutter button on the 5d mkii. The biggest difference is that the Canon grip is made from the same magnesium alloy material as the camera and also is weatherproofed to the same standards. This is the main reason the canon grip is not only more expensive than the aftermarket ones but also more expensive than canon grips for other models.

here's a fairly detailed article describing 2 of the aftermarket grips in comparison.
http://www.photography​bay.com …-e6-vs-third-party-grips/

james_in_baltimore wrote in post #9957333
I believe the aftermarket grips are functionally the same. They do not have the rubberized texture on them, and the shutter button isn't the same feel as the shutter button on the 5d mkii. The biggest difference is that the Canon grip is made from the same magnesium alloy material as the camera and also is weatherproofed to the same standards. This is the main reason the canon grip is not only more expensive than the aftermarket ones but also more expensive than canon grips for other models.

here's a fairly detailed article describing 2 of the aftermarket grips in comparison.
http://www.photography​bay.com …-e6-vs-third-party-grips/

thanks for posting that article.... it definitely clears all things up for sure.

james_in_baltimore wrote in post #9957333
I believe the aftermarket grips are functionally the same. They do not have the rubberized texture on them, and the shutter button isn't the same feel as the shutter button on the 5d mkii. The biggest difference is that the Canon grip is made from the same magnesium alloy material as the camera and also is weatherproofed to the same standards. This is the main reason the canon grip is not only more expensive than the aftermarket ones but also more expensive than canon grips for other models.

here's a fairly detailed article describing 2 of the aftermarket grips in comparison.
http://www.photography​bay.com …-e6-vs-third-party-grips/

The Canon 5D2 is weather resistant, not proof. On top of that, I think you lose "weather resistance" status when you put on the grip due to the spacing between the grip and body.

JayStar86 wrote in post #9957276
does the phottix grip allow the camera to tell you how much battery life is left?

Yes.

As far as weather resistance... it's been splashed by surf, drizzled on for > 2 hrs at a time and last weekend fell lens first into "soft" wet ground when I toppled over my tripod. Neither the camera nor the grip have a problem.

i'm from the philippines as well.

i use the phottix on the 5DII, i didn't want to spend for the canon version because i wasn't sure if i'd keep the grip.

anyway, for half the price of the canon, it does pretty well being a vertical grip. but as a counter balance, not, because it's a lot lighter than the canon version ... good thing or bad thing depends on you.

it does sometimes cause the jog dial (or whatever that's called, near the shutter button) to not work.
[only encountered this twice in 6 months]

I dont know for a 5dII but My opteka grip for my T1i is excellent quality!

thanks for the reply guys! i'll try them both out and see which feels better.
im hoping i like the feel of the phottix! haha

If you are on a budget the Phottix premium is a good grip. Specifically the unit I got (others might be different) for the 5dm2 was not as good as the orginal Canon but was still usable and worked well.

1) main problem, my unit flexed a bit (5dm2 body quite heavy) and there was a gap between the camera body and grip, once I tried to tighten the grip to eliminate this gap and the camera would not turn on.

Original canon (for the 5dm2) has a magnesium chassis to match the camera and is much stiffer and fits perfectly.

2) Phottix plastic is softer not as good, shows scratches and marks easily, build quality not up to canon standard. No textured rubber surface on the battery compartment door like original canon, therefore gripping not as good.

However the Phottix is the best of the non OEM grips in my opinion and for such a good price compared to the original who can complain.

Maybe a tolerance issue in the manufacture of the grip. I use mine on a tripod and if there was some loosness/flex the camera would "droop", which it doesn't.

Mine is on as tight as possible, using your hands to do the tightening. It's never come loose even though it's seen some serious temperature swings.

I had the Opteka grip for my T1i and I loved it. So, when I upgraded to the 5DMKII, I had no worries about getting the Opteka grip for that camera. However, once I got it, I noticed that it felt more cheaply made (even versus the T1i one!) and I was especially worried because I use a R strap that would connect directly to the grip. I'm returning it and I'm now considering spending the insane amount of money to get the Canon one. I'm just too concerned that without good build quality, it'll break apart while I'm walking around, since all the weight will be on that grip!

Function-wise, the Opteka grip seemed to work fine.