canon 5d mk3 battery grip

[ard-tullaich]

Any one here upgraded there battery grip for a canon 5d mk3 from a copy to an original canon BG-E11 battery grip.
What are your thoughts? Was it worth the upgrade ?
What was it like used on a tripod.
How does it feel compared to a good third party grip?

 

[modchild]

While I can't answer your question directly as I've still got a Meike grip on my 5D3 I can give you a bit of insight on genuine Canon grips. The Meike grip has worked flawlessly with my 5D3 and has been used quite a few times on a tripod with a Sigma 24-70 f2.8 HSM and a Canon 24-105 f4L with no hint of any problems.

I got a 70D body recently and was looking for a grip for it, but as it was so new there was no 3rd party grips available, so the wife ordered a Canon grip for my birthday present. It fits perfectly onto the body and works perfectly but TBH if there had been a Meike version out when I got one I would of got that instead. The build quality of the Canon is fantastic, and I got mine for around £160, but TBH I don't think I could say it was worth 4 times as much as a 3rd party one. I know other people who swear by Canon grips but I've had 7 bodies that have had Meike grips and have never had a problem with any of them. I got a Pixel grip for my 5D3 when it was first available but that suffered from the battery drain problem so I replaced it with a Meike.

 

[MWHCVT]

I have a meiki grip on the 450D and while it works exactly as a OEM grip does the quality is not the same...I've go a genuine grip on my 5D3 and the difference in materials i clear...the rubbers on the 450 Grip are starting to come off no such issue on the 5D3 grip...both of my grips spend a lot of time on a tripod...it's not been an issue for either of them

 

[ard-tullaich]

I have a meiki grip on the 450D and while it works exactly as a OEM grip does the quality is not the same...I've go a genuine grip on my 5D3 and the difference in materials i clear...the rubbers on the 450 Grip are starting to come off no such issue on the 5D3 grip...both of my grips spend a lot of time on a tripod...it's not been an issue for either of them

Thanks for your replies.
Is the body of the canon grip all metal covered in rubber or is it plastic with metal plates top and bottom for mounting camera and tripod?

 

[Gaz J]

If youre buying the grip to leave on the camera all the time I have to admit I cannot get the point of buying a £2000 camera and putting a cheap grip on it. The 3rd party grips I have seen dont look anywhere near the OE quality.

 

[ard-tullaich]

If youre buying the grip to leave on the camera all the time I have to admit I cannot get the point of buying a £2000 camera and putting a cheap grip on it. The 3rd party grips I have seen dont look anywhere near the OE quality.

I totaly agree but I have not been impressed with canon grips in the past except the PB-E2 i have on my 1v, since then they have just been brick shaped and bulky. Why cant they make the grip the same as the PB-E2 ergonomically. Or the same profile as my 1d mk4 .

I know the new grip for the mk3 is slightly more ergonomic but its still way to deep front to back. I remember ordering the grip for the 20d when it was released and was so disappointed when it arrived . I never used it and its still in its box.
So i was wanting to hear first hand experience before i blow 200+ on some thing i won't use.
Why does it have to feel like your holding to different cameras?

 

[Houston1863]

The BG-E11 grip for the 5D3 is IMHO far more ergonomic than the BG-E6 was for the 5D2. The grip for the 5D3 just feels like it's a natural fit and is very comfortable, making the entire combination feel almost light actually. I had thought I would use the gip on occasion but now I leave it on all the time and it's a great bonus when shooting in portrait orientation.

Whether to go third party or OEM is entirely the choice of the camera's owner I suppose. I've been recommended the Meike one by a fellow member. When I was using my 5D2 back in October 2010, it developed an Error 99 fault which Canon traced to the grip. Had I been using a third party grip, I'm not entirely sure if Canon would have carried out the repairs under warranty. I glanced at the work sheet which totalled something in the region of £480 if I recall correctly. I look at getting an OEM grip to be worthwhile because you just never know if a fault may develop so it's like an insurance policy. £200 is a lot less to pay than near on £500. It's still a pretty expensive accessory though


My 2c

 

[stu.artd]

Thanks for your replies.
Is the body of the canon grip all metal covered in rubber or is it plastic with metal plates top and bottom for mounting camera and tripod?

It's a full metal frame within the plastic surround. There's a photo here.

 

[Gaz J]

The shape and size is dictated somewhat by the battery carrier shape. I find it extremely comfortable but I have got quite big hands and find a camera without a grip too small. Having been fortunate enough to own 1 series cameras for several years I just prefer the feel of that size body especially with bigger lenses.

 

[Houston1863]

The shape and size is dictated somewhat by the battery carrier shape. I find it extremely comfortable but I have got quite big hands and find a camera without a grip too small. Having been fortunate enough to own 1 series cameras for several years I just prefer the feel of that size body especially with bigger lenses.

Seconded and although I was quite happy initially to use the 5D3 without a grip, I soon discovered that with one, you have a better hold on the camera and in either orientation too.