[Review&QnA] Canon Battery Grip BG-E8
Electronics > Camera & Photo > Accessories > Digital Camera Accessories > Battery Grips
[Review&QnA] Canon Battery Grip BG-E8
About this item
- Compatible with EOS Rebel T21i, T3i or T4i cameras
- Batteries are not included
- Battery holder for 2 LP-E8 batteries
- Battery holder for 6 AA batteries
- Includes a vertical shutter release and a mode wheel
- Canon Branded Retail Package
Reviews
★★★★★
Verified Purchase
Works Great
If camera manufacturers would make SLR/DSLR cameras just a little taller and more comfortable I probably wouldn't use a battery grip. But the simple fact that a grip does just that...allows you to grip the camera much more reliably makes them worth using in my opinion. This includes both horizontal and vertical orientations. And, with the added button controls for shooting vertically, it's also pretty convenient.
Using two rechargeable batteries, I've been able to shoot well over 800 pictures before the battery indicator moved one notch. And, the brilliant ability to load six, standard, double `A' batteries if needed has saved me once already. In fact, the charge provided by the double `A' battery solution proved to last a very long time as well.
I have never tried using a third party grip and have been more than happy with this genuine, Canon brand, of grips. The mating to the camera is an extremely strong connection that has never loosened on me yet is very simple and quick to remove if needed.
Pros: Seamless integration with the camera, extremely long lasting battery life, provides outstanding gripping ability on the camera, adds extended button controls for shooting vertically, quick and easy changing of the batteries.
Cons: Slightly heavy with double `A' batteries, adds a little more overall height than desired to the camera.
★★★★★
Verified Purchase
Don’t hesitate to consider buying “Used Like-New”!
You always wonder (at least I do) when it says “like new” if it’s really going to be “like new” or if you are going to disappointed. Well I can say that I was 100% satisfied with my purchase!!! If I had paid the extra $40 for a new battery grip the only thing I would have gotten for my money is a box and packing material that I would have thrown away! Save your money!!!
★★★★★
Verified Purchase
Good, but with a clunk.
First off let me say, I love this grip, though it is not perfect. (Review based on experience with this product used on Canon T3i)
The added ergonomics, stability, and functions are nothing compared to the sheer longevity you get when doubling up your batteries. The stock Canon LP-E8 battery leaves something to be desired when it comes to battery life but when paired the heavens open up and miracles happen. Well, maybe not miracles, but 8 hours with the camera on and sleep mode disabled is something of a godsend.
Just a quick feature overview: This grip is built fairly solid, the texture on the rubberized parts matches that of the T3i body, and it doesn't feel like a cheap chunk of plastic. (Which it probably is) The battery tray (both AA and LP-E8) look cheesy, like shiny brittle plastic. <- That really has nothing to do with anything, with the tray in the grip it won't be subjected to even the mildest abuse. The exposure buttons feel a bit "poppier" than the buttons on the camera itself, not as solid so to speak. The shutter button itself is a direct 1 to 1 with the button on the camera itself, which is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART. Believe you me, the feel of the shutter button is very important from my experience, having one button have one "feel" and the other a different "feel" is a bad thing, it can throw your whole shot off. Canon did it right and made it identical in all ways to the button on the body which is simply amazing.
Instead of Pros and Cons, lets make this a bit more personal as I am by no means a professional reviewist!
Things I like!
- Double the battery life
- Vertical AV, AE Lock, Focus Zone, Scroll Wheel, and Shutter Button
- That little bit extra weight and size
- The "Battery Door" compartment so you don't lose your stock body door!
Things I Dislike!
- Something goes clunk from time to time, I have no idea what it is (I assume it has something to do with how the grip locks into the camera body)
- When shooting horizontal my pinky finger finds itself a little pressed to find a place on the grip.
To sum it up, if you desire extended battery life, this is a must. All the other features boil down to bells and whistles in my opinion.
Consider your needs as a photographer before purchasing. What do you need?
If you're a casual shooter, do you want the extra weight? Do you need the vertical buttons? Will your large hands make using this grip uncomfortable? Will it fit in your current camera bag when attached to your camera? (Which is something I never considered until I had to do it)
This product is very sturdy, reliable, and makes a long day of shooting a lot less stressful. If this is something you want then buy with confidence! If you are unsure whether you need it or not, stew on it, it's a great product, but it also serves a particular market. Just don't buy it to make your rig look cool.
★★★★★
Verified Purchase
Perfect addition
I always thought a grip like this would be nice with all my previous Canons, but I finally scraped together enough to splurge on one. It IS pricey, but, now that I have it, I wish I had one sooner!!!
I am not a photographer...I take pictures. I have lots of dogs and I LOVE taking photos as they all play together. I set the camera on continuous shooting and in an average session I may take 500+ photos, but only keep 5 or so. I use the camera vertically often but always feel like I am about to drop it.
The grip came yesterday and I am absolutely wishing I had one long, long ago! The camera feels secure and is easy to grip vertically, and those extra buttons are perfect!!!
I think it looks a bit clunky, but I am sure I will get used to that and I was pleasantly surprised that alot of weight wasn't added.
The only problem I have, albeit minor, is re-learning were the viewfinder is as it is now about an inch higher when the camera is used vertically. Not a big deal.
The extra battery power is nice, I guess... I have NEVER come up short on battery life before, but it's always good to have extra!!!
★★★★★
Verified Purchase
Great addition to my photo arsenal.....
I won't name the manufacturer, but I originally bought a version of this Canon accessory at about a third the cost. Well, sometimes you get what you pay for. After using the 'knockoff' battery grip for about a month I gave up. It worked okay on occasion, but was functionally limited and developed a crack in it's housing. Not from a drop, mind you, but from normal use alone. I decided to bite the bullet and pony up for the Canon battery grip. In short...a very good decision. Not only does the BG-E8 grip exhibit the same quality and feel of the camera (t2i) body, but it fits the camera perfectly and carries many of the camera's functions to buttons on the grip. I particularly like the 'portrait' shutter button on the grip and the ability to hold the camera in portrait position with a firm and hand-friendly grip. And of no small importance, I am really smitten by the fact that I now have two battery packs powering things. I shot hundreds of exposures last weekend and barely put a dent in reserves. I don't doubt that I could shoot for hours without having to install fresh batteries. I'm really happy with my purchase.
★★★★★
Verified Purchase
9 months old and still used!
Good products deserve good reviews and this product has earned our endorsement. My wife and I operate a photo business on the side, and this is one of the purchases that we made to supplement our main camera.
Here are the pros and cons:
Cons:
- A few of the other reviews mentioned weight as a factor in battery grips, and that's one of the things my wife mentioned when we got this too. When you're working an all day job, weight is an important factor especially when doing outside shoots. She did notice that she got tired after 5 hours of holding it, but this weight is also piece of mind you are carrying with you. This is the only con that was worth mentioning.
Pros:
- The battery grip fit on the first try and was compatible with all our battery packs. It also fit my wife's hands well enough (she has medium-sized hands) for her to continue using and she never had to change her batteries over the 2-3 day shoot.
- The rubber contour of the grip also helped during the summer shoots esp. for sweaty hands.
The other reviews on this product were very helpful to us, and we wanted to say thanks for the piece of mind they offered. I also suggest that you go to the Canon site, and any other photography retailer and check out their reviews as well.
★★★★★
Verified Purchase
Good fit and build quality
After reading the reviews of some third-party battery grips and some of the difficulties others had with them, I decided to go with the official Canon grip. I'm glad I did! It's comfortable, adds some extra heft to my camera, and makes taking portrait orientation shots much easier. It's a perfect fit on the camera and is very sturdy.
What really sold me on this was the AA battery cartridge included. Granted, it's unlikely I'll ever need that as two of the rechargeable Canon batteries in the grip will last quite a while, but it's a nice option to have just in case. While AA batteries won't provide full power to the camera, (the instructions state it won't shoot as fast in continuous shooting mode, for example) it's still good to have a backup option.
★★★★★
Verified Purchase
Increased number of photos/video time without much increase in weight...
I was hesitant about getting a battery grip for my T5i for fear of having a noticeable increase in weight of the camera; however, upon installation, the overall balance and feel of the camera was amazing and greatly improved! I am now looking forward to being able to take 2,500 to over 3,000 pictures before having to charge the batteries. Also, it will obviously increase the length of video time available before having to change/charge the batteries. The great feature with a battery grip is that you don't have to remove it from a tripod in order to change the batteries. This alone is worth investment, that is, if you use a tripod a lot for photos and/or videos. I did, however, need to get a different camera bag, and the Tamrac 5603 System 3 Camera Bag works perfectly and is big enough to fit the camera with battery grip, an additional lens, and small flash.
★★★★★
Verified Purchase
Awesome addition to a great SLR!
I purchased the BG-E8 batter grip for my Canon T2i right before a recent trip to Hawaii, and I could not be happier with the performance, durability, and functionality of the battery grip. I've always found the T2i to be a very light and small camera, and wished that I could get a better grip on the camera. With this battery grip, my hands fit amazingly comfortably on the camera. The additional controls on the grip came in really handy when I used the camera in portrait mode. More importantly, with 2 LP-E8 batteries in the grip, I never, ever ran out of power--even on the all day excursions to the volcanoes which started at 8 AM, and ended at 11 PM. The fit and finish on the grip is perfect, and matches the T2i, perfectly. If you have a Canon T2i, do yourself a favor and buy this grip.
★★★★★
Verified Purchase
Avoid the cheap alternatives and their headaches
I'm 6'3, so my hand used to practically wrap around my T2i, but the BG-E8 Grip eliminated that issue, and provided me with a comfortable way to shoot a variety of angles with my camera. No more awkward grips and maneuvering of the camera to take a different shot, now the grip lets me move the camera with a sense of security that it won't slip from my hand during the move. The Canon battery grip itself works great, the extra battery extends the shooting life of the camera for a day out, and the additional buttons to control the shutter etc make using the T2i even more fun than out of the box. I would recommend staying with the brand-name product as the reviews I've read, as well as friends who've tried the cheaper alternatives, all indicate to me that they are hit and miss regarding functionality and quality. Some work, some don't...this works!
Question & Answer
Question :
Does this battery grip have a strap slot at the bottom, near the tripod mount?
Answer :
Yes, it does have a strap slot at the bottom, near the tripod mount. The grip works great feel it was a great purchase. Hope you do too.
Question :
Does it have a tripod screw in the bottom?
Answer :
The Battery Grip by Canon Does have a Tripod Screw on the bottom and can easily be attached to a Tripod.
Question :
Is this a true Canon product or a knock off? On Canon Website the cost is $187.
Answer :
Hi there! this is a Canon original one! =)
Question :
canon t5i
Answer :
Not sure, I purchased the Canon BG-E8 my T4i.
Question :
Will this fit on canon 700D!?
Answer :
Yes, it fits perfectly.
Question :
Does this come with a canon usa warranty?
Answer :
Yes if purchased from Authorized Canon Dealer.
Question :
The website state that this product is compatible with the T3i and T5i, but it does not say anything about the T3 or T5. Is this product compatible wi
Answer :
It is not compatible T3 or the T5. It is compatible with the T2i, T3i, T4i, and T5i. The batteries are different also
Question :
does this work with the t7i?
Answer :
But it, try it, if it doesn't work, return it. Or just do a search on Amazon or Google for "t7i battery grip" and that should yield many options.
Question :
Does this accurately display battery usage when attached to the camera? (Canon T2i)
Answer :
If you mean the camera shows the accurate battery usage, yes it does. Because this battery grip does not have any LCD display in it.
Question :
does it matter what brand of batteries you use with this battery grip? like Energizers, Duracell, or even rechargable batteries
Answer :
I use both CANON and KAPAXEN brand rechargeable batteries and even simple Duracell AA's and haven't noticed any difference in battery life.
Comments
Post a Comment