Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Canon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       3       end
  

Archive 2009 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D

  
 
rowan57
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


Hey folks, i got my Phottix BP-40D Battery Grip yesterday, and am very happy with it, so i thought i would write a short review. I bought it from ebay seller Etefore (Hong Kong Supplies), who also stocks a wide range of other Phottix stuff, wireless remotes etc. I paid £50 for it, so under 1/2 the price of the Canon alternative. I believe it also fits the rest of the XXD range but you would have to check.

Shipping was fast, it was shipped within a couple of days of purchase, and with the standard shipping option, arrived in 7 days to the UK from Hong Kong. The packaging was good, the plastic pack that holds the grip was folded over to allow it to be squeezed into a smaller padded envelope, which was fine. I did not buy the batteries with it, in hindsight i wish i had.

The grip is very solid, i havent felt the BG-E2N but let me make a few observations. Once the wheel is tightened up, there is no play between the grip and the camera: (Apologies for the quality of the shots, taken with an old Canon P&S)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/3233144107_7198859f60_b.jpg

The grip adds a nice weight to the camera, despite me only having one battery in it (Long story).
The buttons all work and feel nice (I believe they are the same layout as the BG-E2N) and the build quality seems very good:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3233993030_9ea7bedd42_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3233992838_a0749b660f_b.jpg

There is no rattle in my battery door, it feels good and solid:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3233143133_c62b43546f_b.jpg

The battery bay seems good, i havent tried AA batteries in it yet, and probably wont have the need to, but it does come with the tray for however many AA's it is.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3233992606_b93e98c8bb_b.jpg

The bottom of the grip has a tripod hole as it should, and also a strap connector, same as the BG-E2N, which i wouldn't hesitate in trusting, it feels very strong.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3233991302_e130753505_b.jpg


Overall, extremely good for the price. A couple of quick notes: Online there have been reports of issues getting 6.5fps, i did a rudimentary test with a remote release and timer, and seemed to comfortably get 6.5fps, maybe people were using slow cards, had high-iso NR on, i dont know.

You have to switch the grip on to use it, but dont have to have the grip switched on to use the camera, which helps save battery when not shooting in portrait mode.

I will try and follow up in a few weeks when i have had more use out of it.

Regards
Rowan



Jan 28, 2009 at 06:55 AM
David Baldwin
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


Thanks Rowan

Looking at the images you post, then once again I wonder how long it can be before the Chinese bring out their own DSLR range.



Jan 28, 2009 at 07:10 AM
jchin
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


That seller should pay you for these great photos. Maybe you can tell them about it and see if they would send you 2 more batteries.


Jan 28, 2009 at 07:56 AM
jrscls
Online
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


I bought the BG-E2N, but you can't really tell any difference from the Phottix when looking at your pictures, other than the obvious Made in China, Phottix labels.


Jan 31, 2009 at 10:59 PM
tanglefoot47
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


I have bought their UV filters and were very happy. This grip looks great. Is there any twist


Jan 31, 2009 at 11:18 PM
n0b0
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


If there's no play between the grip and camera, I'd say it's better made than the Canon's grip. I bought one for my 450D and even after the wheel was tightened, the grip still moved, albeit by a fraction of a mm.


Feb 01, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Ariel Bravy
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


Great pics and review. Thanks. This looks like quite a viable alternative, especially considering the Canon option is not exactly perfect. I was never thrilled with my grip on the 20D.

rowan57 wrote:
You have to switch the grip on to use it, but dont have to have the grip switched on to use the camera, which helps save battery when not shooting in portrait mode.


It saves battery life? Really? Where'd you hear that?

I was under the impression it only disables the additional buttons so you don't hit them accidentally.



Feb 01, 2009 at 01:04 AM
dhphoto
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


I bought a Phottix battery for my 1Ds3 on UK ebay, it's a great deal better than the last clone I bought. Seems a decent company.

David



Feb 01, 2009 at 02:40 AM
rhorta
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


A lump of plastic, is a lump of plastic, is a lump of plastic...

Bottix did a good job indeed, it made the same (cheap) lump of plastic, but at an honest price

Ruy



Feb 01, 2009 at 06:45 AM
dhphoto
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


dhphoto wrote:
I bought a Phottix battery for my 1Ds3 on UK ebay, it's a great deal better than the last clone I bought. Seems a decent company.

David


Actually, I take that back. My 'backup' battery has lost 55% of it's charge in just over a week. So Phottix has gone down a bit in my estimation

David



Feb 01, 2009 at 07:03 AM
hwy101
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


I also bought a BP-40D Battery Grip and a wireless remote along with other items from the same place. I was surprised by the quality considering the price and all items were just as Rowan explained. The only thing I found not to be up to par was a hood for my 100 2.8 Macro, it is loose. Overall happy with the place though.


Feb 01, 2009 at 09:43 AM
anthonygh
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


I bought a 40D off ebay recently and it had this grip...it wan't until I removed it from the camera that I noticed.

I have a 10D with the Canon grip and both are equally solid...almost as solid as the grip on my 1V.

There is a slight styling difference however...the Canon has a'textured' surface on both back and front of the grip....and a space to store the detachable camera battery door which has to be removed when fitting a grip. I believe the latest Canon grip can take AA batteries as well.

However...at the price...this is a bargain.



Feb 01, 2009 at 11:36 AM
rowan57
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


Ariel wrote:
It saves battery life? Really? Where'd you hear that?

I was under the impression it only disables the additional buttons so you don't hit them accidentally.


I think i just assumed. I figure even just disabling those extra buttons must save a teeny-weeny bit of power at least.

Cheers
Rowan



Feb 01, 2009 at 01:44 PM
rowan57
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


dhphoto wrote:
Actually, I take that back. My 'backup' battery has lost 55% of it's charge in just over a week. So Phottix has gone down a bit in my estimation

David


David, it might be worth dropping Etefore an email about it, he seems like a decent guy and he may send you a new battery or something along those lines.

Regards
Rowan



Feb 01, 2009 at 01:46 PM
rowan57
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


hwy101 wrote:
I also bought a BP-40D Battery Grip and a wireless remote along with other items from the same place. I was surprised by the quality considering the price and all items were just as Rowan explained. The only thing I found not to be up to par was a hood for my 100 2.8 Macro, it is loose. Overall happy with the place though.


I think unfortunately with the non official products, there is always likely to be more sample variation, i use a different ebay store for hoods currently because i know they fit nicely. pm me if you would like the name.

Cheers
Rowan



Feb 01, 2009 at 01:48 PM
rowan57
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


anthonygh wrote:
I bought a 40D off ebay recently and it had this grip...it wan't until I removed it from the camera that I noticed.

I have a 10D with the Canon grip and both are equally solid...almost as solid as the grip on my 1V.

There is a slight styling difference however...the Canon has a'textured' surface on both back and front of the grip....and a space to store the detachable camera battery door which has to be removed when fitting a grip. I believe the latest Canon grip can take AA batteries as well.

However...at the price...this is a bargain.


The only thing that is different is the texture not being on both sides. The Phottix does have a battery door compartment (Next to the battery compartment shaft) and it can also take AA's, you may not have been provided with the cartridge necessary.

Cheers
Rowan



Feb 01, 2009 at 01:49 PM
rowan57
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


n0b0 wrote:
If there's no play between the grip and camera, I'd say it's better made than the Canon's grip. I bought one for my 450D and even after the wheel was tightened, the grip still moved, albeit by a fraction of a mm.


I don't exactly want to rip the grip off the camera but after messing with it for a while, i can certainly say that with my copy, there is NO play between it and the camera.

Cheers
Rowan



Feb 01, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Gochugogi
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


rowan57 wrote:
I don't exactly want to rip the grip off the camera but after messing with it for a while, i can certainly say that with my copy, there is NO play between it and the camera.

Cheers
Rowan


My BG-E2 had a tiny bit of play on my 20D. I didn't have any ERROR99 problems but my lenses are small and light (biggest is EF 300 4L USM). Oddly the same BG-E2 is super snug and tight on my 40D and 50D. Feels like it is part of the body. Apparently Canon improved the underside of the XXD cameras.



Feb 01, 2009 at 02:32 PM
jrscls
Online
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


There is no play between my Canon grip and 40D, but I certainly wouldn't call it sealed by any stretch. If you look close enough, there are gaps in the seam between the body/grip.


Feb 01, 2009 at 02:45 PM
rowan57
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · BG-E2N Alternative - Phottix BP-40D


I wouldnt call the Phottix sealed either, but then the 40D isn't weather sealed so it doesnt really matter i guess.

Cheers
Rowan



Feb 01, 2009 at 05:08 PM
1
       2       3       end




FM Forums | Canon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       3       end
    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.