Battery Grips

One of the camera's I am looking at comes with a battery grip.

Can someone explain the advantages and disadvantages to me..and added weight wiould be a distinct disadvantage at the moment.

Thanks.

A battery grip usually carries two batteries, so usually twice the available shots. It has release buttons in the base making portrait oriented shots easier and more comfortable. It helps to stabilise your hold on the camera. Usually has IR remote release built in and a power in socket to use it in the studio with mains tansformer and lead. Those are the upsides for me. As for extra weight, yes it is slightly heavier, but the better balance doesn't make it feel that way. My opinion? Get it! lol

Edit:

Doesn't mean you have to have it permanently attached to the camera

Thanks for that Grumps.

...and it makes people think you are a pro tog lol they can make your camera look quite the beast

That thought never crossed my mind Azz........................

Nobody would admit to that but I'm sure a lot of folk get a grip to make their camera look full sized.

As per Grumpy's post - there are genuine advantages and as he said - you can always remove it if you want to go lighter.

I just got used to having mine on my 40D all the time and it makes it quite intuitive switching between it and my 1D.

Mine being an Olympus E510, it makes it look like a midget on steroids! So no misconceptions there, lol

But it does improve the handling of the camera and I would miss it massively now.....

I have one and would not be without it.

MAKES ME LOOK COOL.

lol, tut!

You're a photographer!

ha ha i like to look cool as well, went out last night looked cool but forgot to put the memory card in the camera.....