I got a new BG-E4 for my 5D. I was playing around with it and realized with the grip controls turned on, neither shutter button gives a focus confirmation from pressing half way. Pressing either shutter button takes the shot no matter how much it is pressed.
If I turn the grip controls off, the shutter button on the cam works fine. A half press get focus lock.
What gives on this? Is this normal behavior? Am I missing something very obvious?
I normally press halfway to get focus and wait for the apex of the moment to get the shot.
Nope, BG-E4 shutter and other control should work exactly the same as the main controls. I'd do a reboot, clear PRAM, let rest 15 minutes and try again. Sometimes the operating code gets scrambled. Happens to my cellphone, cameras, computer and iPod every once in a while.
The focus confirmation / lock / tracking in any mode, One Shot, AI Servo, AI Focus does not operate when pushing the shutter halfway using either the camera shutter button or the grip shutter button. The grip is installed on the 5D with the grip controls turned on. With the grip controls turned off, the shutter button on the camera operates normally.
I have removed and re-installed the grip. Removed and re-installed the batteries. Powered on with the grip control switch on as well as off. The contacts on the camera as well as the grip are clean and grease free.
I did not remove the system battery as recommended by Gochugogi.
Sometimes you just get a dog of a grip. The shutter button on my grip started misbehaving, firing only occasionally, yet the shutter button worked fine on the camera while the grip was attached. Sent it in to Canon and they replaced some mechanism attached to the shutter button. It still performed erratically, so they replaced it for me. So far, it's been okay.
I had the EXACT problem with my brand new BG-E4 grip I just purchased last week here in Sydney - Australia. I took it back to the store today and got an exchange and have no more problems...so far.
