Pumble

I've enjoyed using a grip on my last two cameras, a D50, and then a 7D MkII. I've always looked to the 3rd party accessory market to save some money on accessories, especially grips. I recall paying some $75 for a Vello grip for the 7D MkII v the Canon grip being over $200. I've reasoned there's no real tech in the grip, they both hold two batteries and have the same button functionality.

I bought the EOS-R last year and really enjoy using the camera, the pictures it produces are unreal. At the same time, I am amazed that there does not appear to be anyone making a grip for it other than Canon. Vello has one for the EOS-RP but not the EOS-R. I get that they need to recover the cost of making a mold, but I bet there are a lot of EOS-Rs in the market. I am confident there will be 3rd party grips available for the R5 and R6. Anyone know why there's nothing for EOS-R?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I don't shoot Canon, but I'm buying an international OEM version of a grip for one of my cameras at about the same cost of an aftermartket grip. Maybe that is the way to go if possible? It's not like an imported camera or lens costwise and warranty wise...

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The $249 Canon BG-E22 grip for the EOS R has far more functionality than the Vello BG-C18 for the EOS RP (which Canon doesn't offer a grip for)

Look at the BG-E22 and you'll find a full set of controls for use when holding the camera vertically. The EOS R and the Canon grip for it "communicate" via a bunch of additional contacts.

The EOS RP isn't designed to accommodate a grip. The camera itself doesn't have any of the necessary electronic contacts. As a result, the Vello grip for it only has a single control.... a shutter release button. AND, to utilize that an external wire using a mini RCA plug needs to be connected from the grip to the camera's remote release socket. The Vello grip lacks any other controls, so is a lot cheaper to make and sells for only $58. They probably just slightly modified a grip they were already making for some other Canon camera that uses the same battery as the RP (LP-E17?). I've noticed some other 3rd party grips made this way for cameras that aren't designed to accommodate a grip... with only a shutter release button and the rather clumsy external wire that might be all too easily unplugged by accident.

There have been "issues" with 3rd party grips. I've always avoided them and just "paid the price" for the OEM Canon grips and, over they years, used them with over a dozen different DSLRs

With one exception Canon OEM grips have worked flawlessly. The only one that didn't... the very early BG-E2 originally sold with the 20D... simply would lose contact with the camera occasionally, when it loosened slightly. Once I knew what was happening with it, all that was needed was a quick re-tightening of the grip. Latter production of the BG-E2 solved the problem... it only occurred with early production, below a certain serial number.

I've heard far more problems that seemed to trace back to issues with the less well designed and poorly made 3rd party grips. Those problems have been everything from rapid battery drain to early failures of controls to causing the camera to throw off an error code to poor fit and more. No thanks!

BTW, I am also careful about 3rd party batteries. Until recently, there hasn't been a cheaper 3rd party replacement for Canon LP-E17. But I see one is coming soon. What I haven't been able to find out is if those are like some other 3rd party batteries, incompatible with the Canon chargers (and vice versa). For example, the Canon LP-E6/E6N has been widely copied by 3rd party "clones". BUT those must never be charged in the Canon OEM chargers and don't give full status "info" in the cameras.... Except for one offered by Watson, who seem to have figured out a way to emulate the firmware in OEM battery, which makes their #B-1544-2 work identically to the Canon LP-E6/E6N (don't yet know if there is the same cross-compatibility with the new LP-E6NH).

Pumble

Thanks for the reply. While I heard of issues with 3rd party grips, the cost difference is a huge incentive to try them. The Vello one you describe is clearly not worth it, sounds like simply a piece of plastic molded for the bottom. I had a Meike grip for my 7D MkII and it had the joystick, every button, and the thumbwheel on it. It also sported a 2ghz wireless shutter trigger. All for less than $75 and it worked perfectly. https://meikeglobal.com/products/meike-mk-7d2-professional-battery-grip-for-canon-eos-7d2-7d-mark-ii-dslr-cameras-as-bg-e16

Hence, I suspect there is a huge profit made on an OEM grip. I also notice that used Canon grips for the R are simply not available, I suspect when one is available, it's sold right away, others looking to save on them just like me. Just wasn't sure if anyone heard of a cheaper solution.

Haydon

From a 10 second google search.

Canon BG-E22 Battery Grip $139.99 "brand new".

https://www.cpricewatch.com/product/06723/Canon-BG-E22-Battery-Grip-price.html?streetprice

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I always laugh when people suggest that huge profits are being made off of OEM grips and long lens replacement hoods.

I also thought one of the advantages of mirrorless was smaller and lighter...

Pumble

Thanks, but in another 20 second look into the URL shows that the $140 price is a scam. You fill out a form and the response is a new price of $179. You look closer and its from an authorized dealer on ebay who lives out of the country. The other ebay prices are typically grey market, not that those may be bad but I don't want to have a controversy on a product like this. Caveat emptor. If I'm going to give money away to unknown scams, I'd rather just donate it to a charity.

Pumble

I'm always glad to be a source of fun. But in reality you couldn't tell the difference in these products here other than lining the OEM pocket with extra cash. Having owned the $79 version, seems to me that the $130 isn't in the quality of the plastic, so not sure why there is such a difference other than a huge profit. It isn't like Canon is making these in the US...

$79.95 - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1116606-REG/vello_bg_c12_battery_grip_for.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

$209 - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1081811-REG/canon_9130b001_bg_e16_battery_grip_for.html

I didn't buy mirrorless for weight or size, I bought it because it's the emerging technology, it fit my needs and it was the right price to enter the FF genre. Canon has a grip for the R, but it's $250. Notably they have one for the new R5 too, but it's $350. The accessory market is sure to beat that price by at least $100. Can't speak to lens hoods but my guess is like anything in the accessory market and a similar pricing differential.

Haydon

It's not a scam. I've bought several items from them with a manufacturers warranty. A EF 24-70 2.8L II, EF 100 2.8L Macro & 70-200 2.8L II. I'm a CPS Gold member and all those lenses registered with Canon without an issue. They get around MSRP by a pass through. Email them and ask. They don't openly reveal a seller. I'd suggest a little more detective work before making an accusation like that.

Orson Burleigh Loc: Annapolis, Maryland, USA

EOS-R Grip?
Been using EOS cameras off and on for thirty years without having once thought that Canon’s perfection of auto-focus might have led to the establishment of a select in-group association of adepts with a ritualized fraternal handshake. Must be that I’ve been left off the list again

CPW

Hi Pumble,

After another reader alerted me to your post here, I found your inquiry from yesterday afternoon and can confirm we quoted you a price of $139 (as advertised on our site) for a brand new Canon BG-E22 battery grip sold by an authorized Canon dealer, free shipped to your door, with no sales tax, and a 1-year Canon USA warranty.

I'm not sure where you saw that "new price of $179" ... it was definitely not in our reply.

Regarding the out-of-country comment: yes, occasionally our street prices can take advantage of the unique situation where both Canon Canada and Canon USA supply the same product (with the same warranty valid in both countries). When there are currency fluctuations, the pricing imbalances create great opportunities for savings. If you're not comfortable with this, please stick with the great USA authorized dealer options we offer.

I hope this clarifies things.

Best regards,
Gordon of CPW

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

We could get into the development costs and volume of sales but I doubt it would change either of our opinions. I guess the real gift is to live in a world with so many choices... Happy shooting!

Pumble

As I reviewed, the next cheapest price in the original link from your site was a Canadian dealer for $179, I seem to have wrongly assumed it was the same place as they're both in Canada.

In the response, without revealing the vendor, you wrote "please reply and provide your name, phone number, and billing/shipping address. I would forward this information to the store to get your order started, and let you know who the dealer is at that time. Your transaction would be directly with the store..." You also noted that it is brand new and "They are a reputable dealer (the source of several of our group buys and deals)." IMHO and I may be wrong, there's something amiss when this price for a new product can't be found anywhere else and the foreign vendor name has to be hidden. CPW must earn a commission on the referral, otherwise I can't imagine what's in this for CPW?

In the end, it raises alarms of concern with today's multiple methods of phishing information for nefarious purposes. Maybe this is liegit, and it maybe ok for others to deal this way, but I'm not comfortable with this model.

Pumble

Thanks for the reply. You're right I doubt it would change my opinion unless you tell me they lower the margin on the camera body to encourage sales and try to make up the differential on the accessories. But then again, the 3rd party aftermarket houses have design and volume issues to manage too.

I agree with you that we are so fortunate to have the gift of choice. Same to you, enjoy our wonderful craft.

CPW

Thanks. No, it is not the same dealer as the grey market dealer listing on eBay at $179.



Canon has a "minimum advertised price policy", which prevents authorized dealers from openly advertising discounts below the minimum advertised price. Our street price service connects you to dealers that are willing to sell below the MAP (but are not allowed to publicly advertise about it).



Yes, dealers support our site in return for the business we send them.



I understand your concerns, and respect that it's your decision, based on your comfort level.

Alternatively, you can always try to replicate our prices by calling Canon dealers and asking them if they're willing to deal or match. It also helps to build a network of contacts at Canon dealers who are willing to give you the best prices. That's essentially what we've been building over the last ten years, but we definitely don't hold patent over the method -- feel free to use the technique to make your own deals.