Battery Grip - why?

I have never used a battery grip, so hence my question. I have 7D and 100-400L which I mainly use hand-held for bird shots, and which is heavy enough to carry. I wouldn't want the extra weight of a grip (at my age) - but maybe I'm totally missing something in which please pardon my ignorance.
The longer battery life isn't really an advantage for me for the type of work I do.
So you battery grip devotees out there - convince me!

There are two major arguments for them, whether you buy them or not is a matter of preference. The first is having the shutter button on top in the vertical orientation, the second is that it balances better with long lenses and is more comfortable for people with large hands.

This is one of those subjects that seems to get debated on a monthly basis...

Pixels wrote in post #10829716
I have never used a battery grip, so hence my question. I have 7D and 100-400L which I mainly use hand-held for bird shots, and which is heavy enough to carry. I wouldn't want the extra weight of a grip (at my age) - but maybe I'm totally missing something in which please pardon my ignorance.
The longer battery life isn't really an advantage for me for the type of work I do.
So you battery grip devotees out there - convince me!

battery grip is for people who dont mind the weight and need longer battery life, which you ruled both out.

some people like the extra weight to balance out the heavier lens and the ease of shooting portraits.

if those aren't your concerns then it's not for you, really no need to be "convinced".

If you take loads of portrait oriented shots you'll know why! After a time your wrist aches being twisted.

People with small cameras also fit them because they (mistakenly) think it looks 'cool' and 'professional'

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=903118

I love my grip! I have big hands so it made my camera fit better and more comfortable in my hands. The added balance is well worth it too...

NinetyEight wrote in post #10829751
If you take loads of portrait oriented shots you'll know why! After a time your wrist aches being twisted.

People with small cameras also fit them because they (mistakenly) think it looks 'cool' and 'professional'

I would like a grip on my 7d cause it reminds me of a 1d camera. so i guess it makes it look more pro.
When I briefly used the 1d mark II I liked the fact that I could shoot portrait much much easier with my 70-200 lens then on my 7d.

How does your 100-400 feel on your 500D? It might balance better with a battery grip on the camera.

I use some even larger lenses and a battery grip definitely makes a difference with the overall balance and feel.

I've just used motor drives, film winders, power boosters and now WFT and battery grips on my cameras for 25+ years. I sort of feel uncomfortable using a camera without one (but sometimes do, to save size and weight when hiking, etc. I still prefer a camera with a removeable grip... Which tends to steer me away from the 1D series.)

For me one of the biggest things is vertical controls... I shoot a lot of verticals. Sometimes when taking 2000 to 4000 shots in a day, it's also nice to have an alternative means of tripping the shutter... Otherwise my and starts to cramp up from the sheer repetition.

I don't really need the extra batteries since I carry plenty of extras in a photo vest, plus a single batt with a full charge takes a lot of shots (I use the LCD minimally and never use the built-in flash, so hardly ever see a battery getting low).

But it's entirely up to you whether you use one or not. In no way is it a "mandatory" accessory.

here we go again

The common factors that go into a grip purchase have typically been:

1) Portrait shooting is easier over long period of times
2) More battery life (but with the newer age batteries and DSLR designs, this is less of an issue)
3) Better weighted feel with larger/heavier lenses
4) Ergonomically better for your hands (ie. those that buy a rebel may put a grip on to give it a large feel in their hands, and that grip is cheaper than moving to the xxD or xD line)
5) It looks so cool and professional
6) Adding a grip allows the use of the Canon E1 handstrap (but so does buying a plate like camdapter)

You have decide whether the purchase of a grip meets any of these in your situation.

1)the extra weight helped me balance the heavier and longer lens
2)double battery life, plus I can use six AA in emergency
3)extra room for my pinky
4)extra buttons helped me shoot in portrait orientation
5)now I can tie one end of the camera strap on the grip(right hand side) so it doesn't get in the way. Before the grip I hated the strap got all tangled up or dangling in my face when I shoot in portrait orientation.
6)I rather have the Quick release plate on the grip than scratching up the bottom of my camera

My Sigma 150-500 used to hang off my 350D, now with the larger and considerably heavier 7D I can't say that it has made one iota of difference to holding or balance and I suspect that adding a grip and an additional battery would only serve to make the combo even heavier. If I need more battery capacity a spare in the bag is much simpler in my opinion. As for pose value, not interested.

The grip doesn't allow for direct AF point control with the joystick in portrait orientation. That trumps every possible benefit to me. Besides, it's quicker to change to portrait if you don't have to take your hand off the camera, and the grips are huge FAT and chunky and don't feel nearly as nice as the REAL grip.

picturecrazy wrote in post #10829882
The grip doesn't allow for direct AF point control with the joystick in portrait orientation.

Actually, it's your short thumb that prevents that.

The main reason I got a battery grip for my 40D is that I can load it with AA batteries, which in turn I can buy at the next fuel station (just in case the 24 pack I carry around runs out).

Or in other words: I do something stupid and end up with all empty batteries out of the house I'm not screwed.

I usually run around with the grip mounted but only one battery inside.

i never use the vertical controls. The opteca grip I got misses some anyway.