20D battery grip

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Archive 2008 · 20D battery grip

KingIan
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p.1 #1 · 20D battery grip

So why buy one? I don't see much point in spending a little over $100 to get a case to hold my batteries. I have no problems carrying my extra batteries in my pocket. Does the grip really stabilize the camera or do something worthwhile? I shoot with a 24mm, 50mm and 70-200mm.

Oct 03, 2008 at 10:56 PM

monochrome
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p.1 #2 · 20D battery grip

It doesn't really stabilize the camera. With longer lens it's gives you more to hold onto for a more secure grip. But the main reason for the vertical grip, is to shoot vertical. Because of it size, you can use two batteries.

Oct 03, 2008 at 11:23 PM

BenV
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p.1 #3 · 20D battery grip

monochrome wrote:
It doesn't really stabilize the camera. With longer lens it's gives you more to hold onto for a more secure grip. But the main reason for the vertical grip, is to shoot vertical. Because of it size, you can use two batteries.

shooting portrait mode with the grip IMO is the real reason the grip was invented, the batteries are just an extra feature.

Oct 03, 2008 at 11:26 PM

KingIan
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p.1 #4 · 20D battery grip

I have relatively small hands and I haven't found the 20D to be uncomfortable. On the other hand I've never tried a grip. Whenever I do shoot a vertical shot I just leave my hand where it is obviously, so I have a fear that if I had the vertical button I would just forget it's there and not use it. Maybe I should just get it and see....

Oct 03, 2008 at 11:35 PM

phase
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p.1 #5 · 20D battery grip

I bought one on the off chance and I absolutely love it. I hate using my 20D without it now. Feels wrong somehow.

Having the shutter and dial by my fingers while in portrait is great as is being comfortable while shooting. Also helps me keep the body stable with longer lenses.

Highly recommended. I would buy one from the get-go from now on.

Tim

Oct 03, 2008 at 11:40 PM

monochrome
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p.1 #6 · 20D battery grip

BenV wrote:
monochrome wrote:
It doesn't really stabilize the camera. With longer lens it's gives you more to hold onto for a more secure grip. But the main reason for the vertical grip, is to shoot vertical. Because of it size, you can use two batteries.

shooting portrait mode with the grip IMO is the real reason the grip was invented, the batteries are just an extra feature.

Isn't that what I said?

Oct 04, 2008 at 12:16 AM

Tom Buerk
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p.1 #7 · 20D battery grip

I downgraded from the pro bodies a few years ago and immediately went with the grip on my 20d. Ditto what other said, the major benefit to me is for portrait shooting.

The last year or two I've been doing alot of traveling so I took it off. Haven't put it on since, and I really enjoy the smaller form factor. That's one of the benefits of the prosumer bodies in my opinion.

I think its a matter of personal taste. With the power consumption of bodies today, two batteries is not really a necessity, but that wasn't always the case.

Oct 04, 2008 at 02:21 AM

BenV
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p.1 #8 · 20D battery grip

monochrome wrote:
BenV wrote:
monochrome wrote:
It doesn't really stabilize the camera. With longer lens it's gives you more to hold onto for a more secure grip. But the main reason for the vertical grip, is to shoot vertical. Because of it size, you can use two batteries.

shooting portrait mode with the grip IMO is the real reason the grip was invented, the batteries are just an extra feature.

Isn't that what I said?

yes it was, I was simply backing it up with my opinion also. Is that alright with you?

Oct 04, 2008 at 05:36 AM

parischris
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p.1 #9 · 20D battery grip

Without buying into the monochrome versus BenV spat

, I specifically bought the battery grip for my 20D for use with my 100-400. Without the extra weight and added dimensions of the grip, I find the 20D doesn't let me balance the 100-400 enough for my liking, particularly when shooting without a mono/tripod.

Cheers

Oct 04, 2008 at 12:45 PM

rhorta
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p.1 #10 · 20D battery grip

KingIan wrote:
So why buy one? I don't see much point in spending a little over $100 to get a case to hold my batteries. I have no problems carrying my extra batteries in my pocket. Does the grip really stabilize the camera or do something worthwhile? I shoot with a 24mm, 50mm and 70-200mm.

Recently I sold my old (as new) 20D grip.

Although it does help in portrait mode I prefer the standard body in terms of size, feel etc.

Never bothered with a grip for my 5D.

Since it's fully integrated a 1Dxxx is different, but I will probably stick with the non-grip designs.

Ruy

Oct 04, 2008 at 12:59 PM

monochrome
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p.1 #11 · 20D battery grip

BenV wrote:
monochrome wrote:
BenV wrote:
monochrome wrote:
It doesn't really stabilize the camera. With longer lens it's gives you more to hold onto for a more secure grip. But the main reason for the vertical grip, is to shoot vertical. Because of it size, you can use two batteries.

shooting portrait mode with the grip IMO is the real reason the grip was invented, the batteries are just an extra feature.

Isn't that what I said?

yes it was, I was simply backing it up with my opinion also. Is that alright with you?

No problem, thought that I said it wrong, with your post.

parischris wrote:
Without buying into the monochrome versus BenV spat

,
Cheers

No spat

Oct 04, 2008 at 06:29 PM

Andre Goli
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p.1 #12 · 20D battery grip

Yeah... The grip is very usefull if you shoot portrait, and especially if you are in a low lite situation.... When I didn't have a grip, I had one hand up in the air, and just one against my body... Pretty weak if you have to shoot at low speed, especially lower than what you lens recommand... With a grip, both arms stay against your body, and you can lower the speed which is recommanded... For exemple, if you shoot with a 85mm, you should be theorically faster the 1/85 (1/80) if you don't want to risk your photo to be blury..... With the grip, I have taken sharp pix even at 1/15 that way..... But it is because I never use a tripod.... If you like it... effectively.. no need... Plus the 2 batteries.... That's awesome.... I don't like to change battery in the middle of a photoshoot... but that's me...

Edited on Oct 05, 2008 at 02:32 PM · View previous versions

Oct 04, 2008 at 06:37 PM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #13 · 20D battery grip

Oddly I mainly see in vertical orientation and find 75% of my images thus. I usually only take horizontals so I can make new wallpaper for my Cinema Display! The BG-E2 makes for a much more natural hand position for verticals and allows the use of the E-1 hand-strap. Hell, it's worth it just for the E-1. I hate neckstraps: always in the way and you look like a geek. Finally, I find I can hang onto the darn thang so much better while using a heavy lens, e.g., EF 300 4L.

I wish the BG-E2 had rubber grippy material on the battery door like the grips for my 5D and 10D did. Also, finger dents or grooves in the front would be nice.

Oct 04, 2008 at 06:47 PM

dfresh
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p.1 #14 · 20D battery grip

phase wrote:
I bought one on the off chance and I absolutely love it. I hate using my 20D without it now. Feels wrong somehow.

Same here. Wasn't sure if I was going to like it, now I don't know how I shot without it before.

Oct 05, 2008 at 04:28 AM

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