Battery Grip (Page 2): While in Canada and Alaska a few years ago one of my matched Minolta 9,000's went out. I contacted Minolta and got the sobering answer "We do not even make parts...

Bob Curtis Loc: Bay City, TX

While in Canada and Alaska a few years ago one of my matched Minolta 9,000's went out. I contacted Minolta and got the sobering answer "We do not even make parts for them any more!" At that time I began to really search for a camera which would handle my Minolta lenses as I had several. I came across Sony who had bought out Minolta and got their Alpha 500 with the vertical part included. This did not change my way of thinking as my Minolta's already had the vertical part added on. Happy day - everything worked to perfection! Since that time I have purchased another Minolta Alpha 700 with the Vertical battery compartment and it is even better!

Bob Curtis

bhfranklin Loc: Boston Area / Cape Cod

Chip wrote:

I am looking to get a battery grip for my Canon xti. I cannot find any reviews on any of the sites I have found. Has anyone had any experience with the BG-E3 battery grip from Canon and are they really worth the money?m Or is it better just to have more batteries and change them when needed?

Does anyone know of a battery grip for my Sony alpha 55?

dirty dave

I got one for my 50d canon after one wedding using it I took it off. It makes the camera too heavy and your neck too sore. It is easier to carry a spare battery in your pocket. Of course if you want to make your camera look bigger and more inpressive then it will do that. And as for helping you shoot vertical it does do that too, but to me it not worth the weight.

PNagy Loc: Missouri City, Texas

I have never bought one of the 1D series cameras, therefore all my cameras could accommodate a battery grip. I fitted each one with such, including the 20D, 40D, and the 7D. Whether it is Canon or third party, they have all worked very well.

thg3 Loc: La Quinta, California

Tina wrote:

I purchased the Canon battery grip initially with a previous Canon camera but, then I found a less expensive aftermarket brand Zeikos. I read their reviews and was content with my purchase.

Tina, was the body of the Canon Grip made of plastic like the Zeikos or is it made of metal? I also have the Zeikos and like it...

yhtomit Loc: Port Land. Oregon

I love my battery/vert grip,but I take it off whilst tripodded.I found it was a source of vibration.Cheers.

digicamking Loc: Raleigh, NC

Chip wrote:

I am looking to get a battery grip for my Canon xti. I cannot find any reviews on any of the sites I have found. Has anyone had any experience with the BG-E3 battery grip from Canon and are they really worth the money?m Or is it better just to have more batteries and change them when needed?

Battery grips are well worth the money and especially so if you have big hands because it makes a better grip for your camera. Also they give you more battery power and if I am not mistaken they will also allow you to use AA batteries in a pinch which are aveailaable most anyplace in the world.

PNagy Loc: Missouri City, Texas

Digicaming: Right you are about battery grips giving you the replaceable battery option. All of mine have come with a cartridge/adaptor for that purpose. I have never used it, though, because even a phalanx of batteries does not come close to the capability of a lithium ion battery. It would be a life savor in a pinch, however.

JohnnyRottenNJ Loc: Northern New Jersey

I have two Nikon cameras, a D300 and a D7000. I bought a Vivtar grip for my D300 and a Bower grip for my D7000. Both work great. The only thing missing that I can see, is the much higher Nikon price tag. And you are right, there is nothing that makes taking vertical (portrait style) photos more comfortable for the photographer than the battery grip. The Bower grip just came out a few months ago for the D7000. It comes with it's own battery, a tray for AA batteries and you could even use a spare EN-EL15 battery in the third tray. The Vivitar grip for the D300 only uses AA batteries, or the second tray uses the EN-EL3e Nikon battery.

rob s Loc: La Mesa, CA

I have used an aftermarket grip on my 500D for the last two years. I use ENELOOP low drain AA rechargeables, (from Ritz), exclusively. These seem bulletproof. Long lived and do not drain down at all even if unused for weeks. These are also used in my strobes.
I recommend this approach highly. It's very cost effective and the battery pack with 6 of these AAs gives nearly 2,000 pictures.
Compare this with the reviews at the bottom of this page http://www.adorama.com/IBYLPE6.html?EmailPrice=T . Aftermarket batteries are generally not a good gamble and a single genuine Canon battery will buy the grip, ENELOOPs and the charger. The big plus is the very low cost to add more batteries and their use for strobes etc.

frmckee

check out a web site called Link delight limited. got my conaon t2i grip for under 40 bucks, it also came with a protective view cover the back and an extra battery cart.holder for AA batts.Love the grip, matches my camera perfectly,they did not dissapoint.

JustBNme Loc: The Darkside...

Chip wrote:

I am looking to get a battery grip for my Canon xti. I cannot find any reviews on any of the sites I have found. Has anyone had any experience with the BG-E3 battery grip from Canon and are they really worth the money?m Or is it better just to have more batteries and change them when needed?

I just purchased the Canon battery grip for my T3i last month. I got from a seller in Hong Kong and it is the real Canon battery grip. When I had my xti I bought a Targus battery grip for it and it was great. I used it for a couple of years and when I sold the camera to my sister, the grip was and still is working great. As some of the other posters noted it does add some weight with the extra battery but it also adds shooting time and better balance when using heavier lenses.

rowandjr Loc: New Jersey

Chip, There are after market grips. Vello is one B&H has them. I bought one for my T2I and are very satisfied and it cost about $50.00 and very well made not junk.

PJT Loc: Sarasota,Florida

I was told that there are only several manafactures of aftermarket battery grips . They are packaged under different brand names however the enternal and external components are basically of the same manafacture,
For the heck of it look on E-bay you will see what I mean.
Buying from 3rd party overseas merchants can be little iffy.
I myself would research anyone selling aftermarket anything.
Again I would reccomennd buying from a reputable dealer and buy Cannon.
Remember this
Caveat Emptor !
Hope this helps 8-)

MissLauraLee Loc: Indiana

I purchased the Zeikos battery grip and it works well! makes my camera a little heavy....but its good