I'm deciding whether to get a vertical grip or not for my next camera. I like the feel of cameras with the grip on there but I'm just not sure if I'll use it much as I like traveling with my camera often and smaller is better in that case.
I'm also considering investing into the RRS quick release system and I'd hate to get both the grip and the L-plate and end up not using the grip and having to buy another L-plate for shooting without grip.
Any suggestions? I haven't shot with vertical grips much (only played around with friend's). Should I borrow a friend's camera w/ grip and shoot with it to see if I'll like using the grip permanently?
I'm not a huge fan because the camera will rock around on the trip when mounted on a tripod. It's not a lot of movement, but it's just enough to be very frustrating.
If I want to travel light I leave it behind otherwise I do like using it. For me the weight isn't really much of a problem but for some house parties of friends I leave it off because it does attract a lot of attention when its on which causes repetitive questions on what kind of camera, why it's so big, if I'm a pro, asking me for a card for the pic (when I tell them I'm not a pro just a hobby of mine) etc. etc.
I got my verticle grip for the xt - loved it so much it was a decider when I got the 1D MKII (grip is part of the body). The difference between the 40D + grip at the time and the price I was getting on the 1DMKII was no contest.
The grip was a must-have, my portrait shots now equal my landscapes - easily.
Love em, but every Canon (factory and 3rd party) grip I've used has eventually given up the ghost. I don't think I've had one last more than 15,000 shots.
I've had one on every dSLR I've owned (10D/20D/30D/40D/5D/XT/XTi) and of course the 1 series where it is built in. Every dSLR body I've ever owned as above has always been outfitted with either a Kirk or RRS L bracket as well. Indispensable in my opinion. The XT/XTi with a grip and L bracket is a neat little package too Never had an issue with any grip.
My use is not in your poll. I have it for My D200 and ALWAYS use it for sports since I shoot a lot of verticals and the extra battery life is convenient. I NEVER use it when not shooting sports. I do not like having a larger/heavier camera.
When I had my 20D, I bought the BG-E2. I kept it for the 30D & 40D. I'm 6'4", and have large hands. Using the XXD bodies without a grip, was not exactly comfortable for me. When I bought the 5D, although it was a tad larger, I still bought the BG-E4. Sometimes, I would use the body without the grip, but most of the time, I used the grip.
Since I used the grips' 98% of the time, I invested into Mark II N bodies. It is rare, but at times, I do wish, I had a lighter body = minus the built in grip, like the old 1 Series Film Bodies.
Ben Horne wrote:
I'm not a huge fan because the camera will rock around on the trip when mounted on a tripod. It's not a lot of movement, but it's just enough to be very frustrating.
I agree. The D300 grip is considered one of the best, but is unsteady on tripod and adds real bulk to the rig (even beyond a D3). The Canon 1Ds, by contrast, is rock-solid. If a vertical grip is desired, make sure it's integrated.
I hate how all the Canon add-on grips have a different profile from the landscape grip built into the camera. At least on the XXD and 5D, the profile is bulkier and less contoured than the built-in grip, and the relative position of the top of the grip and shutter release to the viewfinder is different portrait vs. landscape. It felt so different and alien in my hand that I stopped using mine and sold them. I know that the thicker profile allows you can cram two batteries in there, or the wi-fi, or whatever, but I would much rather have an add-on grip like the ones Sony make, which have the (nearly) the same profile and relative position to the viewfinder as the built-in grip.
The Canon1D series with the built-in vertical grip and shutter release is great. Use it all of the time. Thought it would be clumsy but it is not, is great.
i have it on my D300 and love it.
i don't have that awkward "elbow in the air" when i'm in a hurry to catch a shot.
the only thing about mine is the shutter button is VERY sensitive.
if i don't turn it off when i'm changing lenses it often times take a burst of lense-less pictures.
When I bought my camera and bought a longer lens everyone said "ohh you'll need the grip, it helps balance things much better!" So I bought one, but all it did was make the entire package heavier. I have never used the thing and am in the process of selling it back to B&H along with some other stuff.
And like nguyenhm16 said, the grip was a lot wider than the actual camera grip so in addition to the added weight it's not comfortable to hold onto at all due to its size and shape.
I did not vote, but can state that I don't like the vertical grips unless absolutely needed for high fps speed or some other feature. The whole point of a small, lightweight body is lost with a grip.
I have no use for holding the camera vertically with a grip. It is easier to grip the body normally and turn my wrist, which may seem odd to most people.
Never had an issue with any grip.