Battery grip, is it necessary ?

Not to hijack, but does the grip for the XTi have a spot to store the battery door?

walsh416 wrote in post #10428217
Not to hijack, but does the grip for the XTi have a spot to store the battery door?

I think so, as the grip for my T1i has

walsh416 wrote in post #10428217
Not to hijack, but does the grip for the XTi have a spot to store the battery door?

Yep it does, BG-E3, it is the one that I have on my XTi.

To me the pro and con is a very stable way of shooting the vertical orientation with the extra set of controls in the other corner and the excess weight. On a long hike I would take it off.

For $65 - a grip is well worth it in addition to extra batteries.
You'll have to remove the battery door (easy and takes 2 seconds), take out the battery, plug in the grip, and tighten it with the round "thing". Then open the grip and put 2 batteries in. Finally, then you must have to go and shoot

I love the grip-mainly for the stability it gives(I also use the handstrap and quick connect necckstrap).The handstrap glues the camera to my hand and helps make everything secure,I feel that I gain 1/2 stop due to the extra balence and support,that is why I grip my cameras.

Shooting in portrait orientation and it is much more comfortable and stable in my hands in both camera orientations, which helps in framing with longer lenses and shooting at lower shutter speeds. The 2nd battery capacity is not something I profit from nor use. I get 1000+ shots out of a 5DII battery which is plenty for 1 shoot.

Each to his own, but I never had battery life issues with my 40D. I had a spare for the rare occasion when I ran out of battery. I don't recall ever actually needing the second one. I just ended up rotating them for better life. So, with all that said I never saw the point of adding a grip and increasing the size and weight of that model. YMMV - IMBCFOS

Like others, I like the vertical orientation of the controls. I also like the extra heft the grip gives me. I'm a big guy, and and I really like having a lot to hold onto when I'm shooting.

I am still looking for the "secret spot" for the body battery door on my grip.

^^ Me too!

but damn, the bg e8 seems really overpriced. Where do you guys get your grips? I am just not inclined to pay up 150 eurs for a piece of plastic.

they're useful.. but not "necessary." I like them when just shooting around town and at home, but I used it on some long hikes on vacation and it just wasn't needed for the amount of weight/heft that was added. Stupidity on my part to bring it hiking.. doh!

I consider it necessary but it depends on your preferences. The added size helps with grip and the added weight does help with stability as well. And of course the relocated buttons in portrait mode are a godsend as well. If you have small hands or want a smaller/lighter camera then I would skip it otherwise I find them a great addition.

The grip is a personal preference. Things to ask yourself to determine whether or not you want a grip...

1. Does my camera body currently feel small without a grip>
2. Would I gain an advantage using 2 batteries?
3. Is the added weight a help or hindrance?