To grip or not to grip (poll)

My question or (poll) is to see what everyones thoughts are on grips for your cameras for event photography, wedding , parties etc.

too bulky for me. don't like it.

the battery lasts me over 2000 shots, so changing it once per wedding is no big deal.

You take 2000+ shots with one body at a wedding???

I never got the grip thing. If I don't need the battery life (and I don't), why would I want the buk and weight on a camera that I'm going to hold up for 8+ hours a day? Oh, and pay a bunch of $'s for the privilege?

Some want something more substantial to hold onto and I get that, but it's certainly not me.

I like the grip for numerous reasons.

#1. There is more distinction between who is the professional photographer. A grip really makes your camera look more impressive to a client and I feel that is a good thing when they just shelled out a lot of money to hire you and you aren't walking around with a camera that resembles the same one that Uncle Charlie is using.

#2. The obvious reasons for having the grip, extended battery life, and the vertical use of the scroll wheel and shutter button.

#3. I think the camera feels more balanced when you have a heavy lens on the front of it. Without the grip it tends to feel a bit front heavy to me.

BTW...Shouldn't this be in the talk forum? Just sayin...

CosmoKid wrote in post #11039547
You take 2000+ shots with one body at a wedding???

i don't like grips, but i will attest to being able to nearly exhaust a battery in one wedding. it's whichever camera the 85L is attached to. that thing is like the lamborghini murcielago of lenses. a work of art in itself and provides amazing results, but it probably holds the title for worst in class when it comes to efficiency.

CosmoKid wrote in post #11039547
You take 2000+ shots with one body at a wedding???

Yep, we the 7D I go over 2000 shots per battery.

Im with Helloagain on this issue.

people are very visual, while they may have seen your work and know how good it is, which is the reason why they hired you. they might feel a little uneasy when they see you with a dinky camera.

I also like the convenience of having the vertical controls, its less awkward to take a portrait style shot without my wrist and arm being over my head.

people use what they use and like what they like.

Yes, I got a grip for my new 7D. I like the extra surface area and support, and I like the vertical controls

For weddings, events - I definitely go the grip. I should add - I compose ALOT of my shots vertical.

i recently took the grip off while on trip to shoot landscapes as i wanted to travel as lightly as possible. last weekend, while shooting a wedding, i had forgotten to re attach the grip and all day long I was missing it. Its also the first time in a long time I've had to change batteries during the wedding day.

Only thing I dont like about the grip, is when holding it portrait, I have to stretch further to reach the dial on the back of the camera compared to when holding it landscape.

I love the grip when I need it!

I take it off when I don't. It's not an all or nothing thing. Sometimes I'm traveling lighter and want as light as possible. Other times I like the vertical shutter. And sometimes I just like appearing a little bigger which most consumers think equally translates to "more professional", hah!

Gotta have a grip. It's so much easier to hold the camera vertically with the grip. I started with one on my XTI because the camera was too small for my hands without it, but I got one for my 5dmkII as well because I just had to have those vertical controls.

Svetlana wrote in post #11039246
too bulky for me. don't like it.

So, you'd never own a 1 Series body then?

philwillmedia wrote in post #11044155
So, you'd never own a 1 Series body then?

nope, not yet... I'm getting there...

had to come back to this one...the size does not matter, really. I have never had a grip and people would still comment on how huge my camera was. They don't know the difference anyways. They have seen your photos, know what you're capable of with the gear you have. A grip will not bring you more clients, your creativity and marketing skills will.

helloagain36 wrote in post #11039636
I like the grip for numerous reasons.

#1. There is more distinction between who is the professional photographer. A grip really makes your camera look more impressive to a client and I feel that is a good thing when they just shelled out a lot of money to hire you and you aren't walking around with a camera that resembles the same one that Uncle Charlie is using.

[...]

I'm going to get a grip now so I can be a professional too.

Most of the people I see with grips are the ones that are not professionals but the wannabe's, the Uncle Charlie's. I carry an extra battery in my pocket, much lighter and easier.