Do you like your grip? (5D2)

I just ordered a 5D2 and not the grip. One of the reasons I went with the 5D2 was its smallish size. Does the grip enhance performance in any way?

I used to own a 1vHS and liked being able to remove the grip, but with the grip on the camera was much faster.

For me its kinda bulky.Before the 5DII I used Pentax K10 and K20D cameras.The grips for those were more compact, more solidly attached with no flex whatsoever, and you didn't have to remove the battery or battery door off the camera to attach the grip.I wish Canon would have adopted a similar approach with its mid range dslr's.

If I had it to do over I probably would not order the grip for my 5DII.When griped with a big lens on my tripod, the rig is as bulky, and actually heavier than my 4x5 field camera , and with inferior image quality for the kind of stuff I like to shoot (still life and landscape) This has had me contemplating just getting rid of the whole enchilada and just sticking with my 4x5, and T2i for snaps, however without the grip, on my Nodal Ninja 5 pano head, the possibilities for some very high resolution mosaics, in a somewhat compact package, without the cost of sheet film has kept me from abandoning my 5DII.

It seems to me if you have really big hands, and shoot mostly hand held, the 5DII grip might be advantageous.I know with my T2i its battery grip makes the whole camera feel better ->for me<-, but on my 5DII its grip makes the camera feel too bulky ->for me<-, and too flexy when its tripod mounted with big lenses.The genuine Canon grips themselves are of pretty decent quality in materials and build, no complaints there.Probably best to see if you can find a local dealer to mount up a grip for you so you can test drive it yourself

C

my grip is off my camera now like 80% of the time.

i put it on when i use it extensively for a day or a shoot... then i take it back off when i get back home

Wouldn't leave home without it. Never worry about not having enough battery life, good balance on longer lenses and on tripod with longer lenses. i almost alwars have the RRS Perfect Portrait brackets on - you can carry camera gripped with one hand (like a handle) all day. Resting on its side, the lens is supported freely.
Cheers,
John

Tapeman wrote in post #11302857
Does the grip enhance performance in any way?

Only it you're going to be shooting a lot in portrait orientation. Otherwise it's big, bulky and adds unnecessary weight.

I love having a grip. Its always on the camera. However im not very happy with the perticular aftermarket grip i have. I might purchase a canon one of these days.

The extra battery power is pretty much secondary, for me.

I don't have long hands, actually, but I can hold the camera a lot steadier with a grip and it's more comfortable when shooting for hours on end. Also better balanced with just about any lens.

The only time I take it off is when I travel to save weight and space. All my cameras have been/are gripped.

timnosenzo wrote in post #11303239
Only it you're going to be shooting a lot in portrait orientation. Otherwise it's big, bulky and adds unnecessary weight.

I never know when, or if I will be needing to shoot in portrait orientation, but I always want the capability to do so, I don't just shoot in portrait orientation when I'm taking a portrait, it's a tool that I want in my toolbox at all times, and, whilst I can use it without a Grip, the fact that I always use a Grip means my buttons are always in the same place and I don't even have to think about making adjustments because my shutter button is now on the top left of the camera, or bottom right, as for 'big and bulky', I guess so, 'All the better to hold you with my dear', as the big bad wolf might have said!

Ukuleleman wrote in post #11305703
I never know when, or if I will be needing to shoot in portrait orientation, but I always want the capability to do so...

Certainly you can shoot in portrait orientation without a grip.

Ukuleleman wrote in post #11305703
...the fact that I always use a Grip means my buttons are always in the same place and I don't even have to think about making adjustments because my shutter button is now on the top left of the camera, or bottom right...

Swapping between having a grip on or not has never caused me to not know where the buttons are on my camera. Honestly it's not even something I need to think about. YMMV of course.

Obviously grips are a personal choice. This argument has been had quite a bit on this forum, and there really is no right answer. You'll hear a lot about big hands and balancing big lenses and "looking pro" and whatever.

Personally I don't really care for them, but at times I find them to be a necessary evil. Some weddings I use them, some I don't, and I never use them for personal work. You'll find some people that screw them the first day they have their camera and never take them off. My suggestion would be to try one out first and see if you like it.

It's all a matter of preference. I would recommend going to a camera store and testing out how it feels. I personally love the grip on both my cameras. With the XTI, it was just mandatory because the thing didn't fit my hands without it. For the 5DMKII, it was just easier since I shoot a lot of portraits and don't have to bend my wrist awkwardly to hit the controls. Try it out and see if you like it.

I love mine and cannot get rid of it for a few reasons.

1 - i shoot a lot in portrait orientation, and its much more comfortable.
2 - i often use "Da Grip" explained by Joe McNally. YouTube it, its great.
3 - long lenses balance much better.
4 - I use hhe canon handstrap, and it only works on gripped cameras. Its an amazing way to hold the camera and illuminates the need for a neck strap.

Ive thought about taking it off before, but because of these reasons i find it necessary.

My grips are always on my 5DMII and 5D. I have better control/balance of my cameras when they are on. I shoot in portrait mode 90% of the time, and the grip feels more comfortable. I also like the extra battery time. I guess that it is a matter of personal preference.

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #11306458
4 - I use hhe canon handstrap, and it only works on gripped cameras. Its an amazing way to hold the camera and illuminates the need for a neck strap.

Ive thought about taking it off before, but because of these reasons i find it necessary.

illuminates or eliminates? first thought was it illuminates, as in draws attention to the need to have a strap.

Eliminates. My ipad changes my words to mean what i don't want to mean.

I use the hand strap with my cotton carrier (engagement sessions I only use the belt holster unit). I love not having anything hanging on my neck.

No i don't like my grip. I love it! I won't shoot gripless ever again.