Battery grips.

Who has one?

Should I get one?

Thoughts please.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-LCD-Timer-...1%7C240%3A1318


I am thinking this one

Hmmmm, my natural cynicism makes me wary of non-original equipment, especially on ebay, but it looks like a well priced and usefully featured bit of kit.

I think I will be a wuss and go for Canons own battery grip for my 450D if there is a decent deal in the sales though.

I never thought I would ever do enough to flatten a battery in one session, but I have quickly found out it is very possible.

the maxim 'you get what you pay for' is a fairly reliable deciding factor IMO.

I had a genuine canon grip @ £95, and have recently shelled out £220 for a Nikon one.

One has to realise that a digital camera contains a fairly sophisticated pile of electronic wizardy. Personally I would avoid the grey and vanilla market just for piece of mind. I know of camera circuitry being buggered up by 3rd party ancillaries.

That said, I'd never be without a grip battery pack.

I used to have one on my last camera, on balance I would say spend the money on a spare battery. There is less weight to lug about and you have a backup should you forget to do a recharge.

bazza

Here I have to go with Bazza have used both but would rather carry a spare or two although I don't find either of my present cameras heavy on the battery unless I use lots of flash. Mind you not used a grip since the 35mm days so perhaps those for digital are more comfortable but I am always looking for a camera that I can handle so extra weight is not an option for me, if you are doing pro work then may be matters are different.

i use a grip and carry looooads of spare batteries too... wouldn't be without it.. but its all personal opinion. i often don't have muc time to change batteries at a race and a grip will last all day and a bit more.

I find that a camera fitted with a grip gives a better balanced feel when using longer or heavy lenses.

So I like grips not because of the extra batteries they hold but because of the better handling.

Steve

I got a grip for Christmas, haven't had any call to use it yet but pleased I have it

I think grips are a complete waste of money (read the rest of the post before replying), mainly because they offer so little for their cost.

I like the extra shutter button for portrait shots, not that I have any problems without a grip, and I can change battery no problem, in fact I normally change the battery at the same time as the memory card, to minimise impact. My 30D will do 800-1000 shots with a new fully charged battery (no flash)

If battery grips were £30, i.e. a reasonable price, then I would say yes, get one without thinking about it, but when they are over £200 quid (depending on the model of camera you have) then no way, I'd rather put that money towards a new lens.

Some people say battery grips help balance the camera with a longer lens, well if I have a long lens on, generally I am using a tripod, and the lens is mounted on the tripod.

There really is bugger all electronics in a battery grip, and the fact that they are so grossly overpriced means I will not buy one.

Spend a few quid on an extra battery and save the rest of your money for something useful, a new flash or something.

Alan.

after reading reading all the replies I have decided to buy extra batteries, thanks for all the input.