Pumble

Sorry to hear but it sounds like the Vello, the only 3rd party grip for the EOS-R. Mine does the same thing and I thought it was defective and now know that its a design issue with the grip and not me. I notice when I leave the batteries in the grip, rather than the two batteries finding a float level and staying there, it appears something is actively but slowly drawing current and it discharges both of them. There are times when the camera does not recognize the grip too. I took it off and the camera operates normally. Not sure what Vello has produced but it simply has some problems with it. I'm thinking of returning it.

I was wondering why (as I noted), it is the only non-Canon grip on the market. I suspect there will be more than one offering for the R5, R6 and RP bodies given their popularity. I hope Vello fixes the issues.

The grip sold by Canon for the R5 and R are $350 and $250 respectively. I've seen them used on KEH fpr $189, Vello's brand new is $89. They are a piece of plastic with no electronics in them other than the buttons that operate in parallel to those on the camera. For those that bash someone for using 3rd party accessories, I know of no one who has their entire bag of gear sold by the OEM whether it be an lens, light, flash, filter or even a remote trigger. My goodness there is a lot of 3rd party gear sold and people love the choices available. Perhaps if the OEMs sold their accessories at a more reasonable price, they'd corner the market and people wouldn't look to others for a more reasonable offering. I'm sure when enough people start yakking to Vello, they'll stick 2 (5 cent) diodes in the grip to prevent the batteries from the constant float down to zero.

Pumble

This has nothing to do with the mirrorless technology. I use my R on one battery for an entire day plus and am never concerned about the battery. I carry a spare just in case but have never had to change a batter mid shoot if I start with a full charge. This has to do with the Vello grip, mine does the same battery discharge thing and I've stopped using it.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

My Vello grip has an on/off switch on it. "On" enables the "extra" buttons on the grip for "portrait" orientation, which I hardly use, so mine is "off" over 95% of the time. I still use the camera buttons. I primarily bought the grip to hold a second battery. I suppose if the grip switch was on it would drain the batteries faster.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Then why didn't you properly title your gripe post as: Gripe about Vello 3rd party battery grips

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

'Cause he's "upset" with the batteries not lasting long.

goldstar46 Loc: Tampa, Fl

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papamuski

Can you be a little more clear... You stated:
.... "I use a generic battery grip with two Canon batteries.."

Question 1 ~~ With two batteries, just how many 'shots' did you get (avg) per day with 2 batteries?
Question 2 ~~ Did you only take two batteries?

Also -- You also said:
.... "the camera did not recognize my battery grip and shut me down multiple times to protect itself from damage due to non-Canon electrons... "

Question 3 ~~ Do you think that had something to do with it?

I use the R5 with Single Batteries at a time and get 600-850 images per shoot. YES, Canon batters are going to run 'less' in the "R" series because the cameras are mostely "Electronic" in nature over any given DSLR... BUT, I will tell you that when I first got my R5, I used my older 5D Mk IV batteries for 4 months before I ever took at the new LP-E6NH

Also, I also always carry more than one set of batteries.. Right now, I am on a road trip, spent the day yesterday at Duke University Chapel and Gardens, and carried 4 batteries with me for my morning shoot... Alway take 'extra' with me just for insurance...

In closing, you said the following:
.... "I am very frustrated with Canon and ready to trade in my gear for that of a company that respects the needs of a serious photographer...."

So, you spend $4K to $5K on your Camera and Lens BUT, you buy a 3rd party, Chinese Battery Grip??? Hummm..
Do you think your problem just might be with the "Non-Brand" battery grip and Not the Canon brand stuff?

Just my personal observation...


Cheers
George Veazey

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

First off, you admit that you are using a 3rd party battery grip. If it's not made by Canon, then it's not Canons fault that it's not compatible. I hope you agree with this.

Second, you are the one that decided to purchase a mirrorless camera body. They are well known to eat batteries because of the LCD and the electronic viewfinder. You can manage the battery life with practice like turning off the LCD and using the viewfinder as often as possible. Also, don't chimp. Chimping is looking at the LCD after taking your picture. This eats batteries.

This is the one huge reason that I have not jumped ship from DSLR to Mirrorless. My Canon 7D mk II and 5D Mk IV will go all day on one battery and usually take more than 1000 images on a single fully charged battery. AND . . . I always carry a spare battery just in case. That said, if you wanna keep your EOS R, which I'm sure takes fine pictures, get spare batteries and keep them with you, manage battery life, don't chimp, and turn it off when not using it and get rid of the battery grip and if you really want one, get the Canon grip.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I was initially very frustrated with the older Sony batteries for their a7II. Even though I bring three for any day's shoot with the Sony body, I usually don't even have to change to the second. I easily fill a 32GB card with RAW and change the card before I need to change the battery, about 1100+ 24MP images. How you might ask?

For the most part, I don't review images. Yes, I check focus here and there in the viewfinder and check exposure / highlight warnings. But, for about 99.8% of the work, I just compose and shoot. I have the LCD set to the minimum time display and the auto-off to the shortest period. There's plenty of time at home on the computer to do review.

Pumble

Hmm, I'll try it with the switch off, I just assumed that was to enable the buttons, not draw any current from the battery. Seems bizarre that something is drawing power when not in use. I got mine for the portrait use, saves on the wrist action lol.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

I'd be willing to BET BIG BUCKS the our "victim" would rather have paid the extra cash for a real battery grip rather than lose all of those great shots he missed. You get what you pay for.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

It powers the grip electronics to enable the buttons.
If it's on ALL the time, even in the camera bag, it's always powering the grip electronics.
I only turn my grip on when I want to hold the camera in portrait and use the grip buttons.
HOPEFULLY, this is why your batteries drained, especially if you do not turn the grip off when in long transport or storage (ie. in the bag).
Just a thought.....

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

While I think folks have been pretty harsh with some of their replies, I also believe and expect that as cameras get more sophisticated and profits for manufacturers get more elusive, there is very likely to be a trend of the designers including product "keys" or other limitations that prevent non-OEM accessories from being used on cameras. In fact, that is already being seen with batteries in a few cases.

I am sorry that you had a disappointing experience in Iceland. It does hurt to lose the opportunity to miss shots that you have worked hard for, especially if there may not be another opportunity to get them. Unfortunately, we are limited here to discussing how to avoid a repeat. With that in mind, here are some thoughts.

First...it always makes me cringe to hear people talk about how they use third party grips and have never had a problem. While it is great to hear good reports, that is certainly not a universal experience. As optimists, most of us tend to latch on to good news and dismiss bad reports as coming from a person who didn't know what he was doing or just suffered some bad luck.

Despite what folks think (and have stated in their replies here and in other posts), battery grips are quite complex electronic devices that are deeply integrated with the camera when installed. If they include camera controls, they must include means to identify themselves and the function of each of the individual controls, and they must have a way to encode the activation of each control and impress the signal on the camera signal bus. In addition, they must include circuitry to select one battery or the other (if there are multiples) and to connect the selected battery to the camera bus. So no, they are not simple plastic gadgets that just screw on to the bottom of the camera. Further complicating the situation is that most manufacturers consider the design and function of their various camera interfaces as privileged information, and therefore do not publish the operating specifications. So third party makers are left to "reverse engineer" the application using a number of processes, from destructive examination of an OEM device to connecting meters and oscilloscopes and other types of analyzers to the terminals and trying to deduce what happens in operation. That process sometimes works and sometimes falls short.

Everyone is correct that most of us use one or another (or a selection of) third party accessories on our cameras. And in many cases, that is right and proper. Flash equipment that utilizes either the PC connector or the two basic connectors on the hot shoe have never been a problem for me or anyone that I know. Just watch the trigger voltages. But I have had significant problems with at least two different third party battery grips, and I personally know at least four other people who also have had problems. In one case, the grip, made by a well-recognized manufacturer, caused my camera to heat up excessively. For that reason, I no longer even consider 3rd party grips made for any camera by any manufacturer.

I firmly support the right of every person to make whatever choices that they choose to make concerning whatever they purchase. But with that right has to come the understanding that there are risks with the integrability of 3rd party products that simply don't exist when buying OEM products, at least not to the same degree. So you don't get to exercise the right without being willing to assume the risk. So please fully test your setup before your next trip or outing. Make sure you know and understand its characteristics and limitations. And plan accordingly.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yup, agreed, and I'm extremely pleased with my Vello grip on my Canon.
Works perfectly.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

As I( said before, a battery, when working is using up. When you use Manual, the time you spend setting up each shot is using up you battery. A lot of long set-ups and reviewing your shot will eat up your batteries. Look at your photo procedure, that might help.

Capn_Dave

I have purchased Vello Grips for my Canon DSLR cameras and have never had a problem. When I got the R5 and R6 I discovered there are no third grips for these cameras and that is a current search. I bit the bullet and bought the grips for the R5 and R6. The OP never mentions which camera he owns. So guessing it is a Vello or other third party grip is simply speculation.