Battery Grips

[MattF]

Hi,

I am seriously considering getting a BG-E5 for my 450D to balance it out better, as it does seem a bit front heavy with a longish lens on. However, ~£100 for a bit of plastic seems a bit much, so can anyone suggest an eBay one that would have very good build quality, same functions for less money?

Or would just going for the Canon be better?

Cheers,
Matt

[gazedd]

i've been told that copies/cheaper options can cause the camera to throw up faults. I bought a second hand Canon on which serves me very well.

Pay the money for genuine i would say.

[Graham_P_Clarke]

I would recommend a grip but buy Canon, some secondhand will make it cheaper

[ratzz]

I was looking into this a while ago on eBay, and found a couple for my 400d, but I think the 450d has a different battery pack(?), maybe they'll have some for the 450d.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170274244739
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=110304092155

HTH

[MattF]

I was looking into this a while ago on eBay, and found a couple for my 400d, but I think the 450d has a different battery pack(?), maybe they'll have some for the 450d.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170274244739
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=110304092155

HTH
Thanks for those sellers. This one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Battery-Grip-for-Canon-450D-Rebel-XSi-BG-E5-New_W0QQitemZ110316012198QQihZ001QQcategoryZ162046 QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
Looks exactly like the real BG-E5 just without the Canon logo.

Does anyone have any experience on the quality of these? :shrug:

[Dangermouse1964]

Try here he sells very good grips at low prices and they are 100% compatible with the camera model yoy choose
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Fotobyte-uk-Pro-Photography-Shop
I bought one for my D200 and it is perfect even the grip is rubber and not plastic lookalike

[crt-d]

I have tried both 3rd party and original Canon grips. Personally the Canon grips are in a different league when it comes to quality.
There are some very fancy 3rd party digital display grips, which I have not tried, but I would not buy anything else except Canon, unless someone can show me an aftermarket 3rd party grip that has the feel and quality of the Canon

[fabs]

Grips are so much more than just a bit of plastic. They also allow you to use a camera "normally" in portrait orientations and allow the use of 2 batteries which will last longer than when used separately. They can also improve the fps. Not bad for £100. I would always advise getting one of the same brand as the camera in order to resolve any possible compatibility issues.

[matt_wright]

I got an official canon grip for 450d of ebay, new for £69 inc delivery, paid for on wednesday, arrived on friday! the seller was Imagingdivision, but i had a quick look and there is none on there at the mo, mite be worth keeping a look out on their page!

[MattF]

Thanks for the advice people, but I took a chance and ordered a Phottix grip as they seem to be rated pretty highly, along with their other 3rd party equipment.

I will review it when it arrives, so it provides a useful resource for others in my situation.

Again, thanks,
Matt