I had never used a Canon Battery Grip

[rpcrowe]

I have always stayed away from battery grips because of the extra weight they entail. However, I received a Canon BG-21 grip with my new Canon 6D Mark-2 and I love it! I am a rather large man and the camera + battery grip really fits my hands quite well. It "seems" that I am able to a note steady grip with the grip than with just the 6Dii alone.

I have not tested any camera/lens combination with and without the grip but it just seems like my hold is more steady.

This is especially true when I am using a long lens like the 70-200mm f/4L IS or the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS ii. However, the EF 35mm f/2 IS pairs very well with the 6Dii and battery grip. The balance is perfect and that combination is a joy to shoot...

I can foresee that the above combination will develop into one of my favorite camera/lens combinations.

[Shadowman]

Have you had to adopt a new camera holding style? Whenever I handhold with a heavy telephoto I have to brace the gear on my shoulder after a few hours of carrying the added weight.

[zen]

After resisting for several years, a friend finally persuaded me to try a grip on my 5d3. So I bought one, mounted it, inserted the batteries. After three shots, I took the dang thing off and back in the box it went. It's now on the shelf for whoever has an interest in it. Although I still have the 5d3 as a back-up, I'll not remount the grip, nor do I plan to get one for the 5d4. Just too big, heavy and ungainly for me. Good luck with yours Richard.

Zen

[James G]

When I switched to digital (a long time ago now), I started with the Canon EOS 300! I fitted a battery grip then because it improved the balance of the camera for me. Eventually I upgraded to the 7D and tried using a battery grip but found it rather unbalanced things for me. I now have a Canon 5DsR and the 7DMk2 and even with a 600mm long lens on, find the ergonomics ok without any battery grip.

Shooting at air shows several times this year I ended up swapping batteries several times during the day without losing any 'photo possibilities', but was very aware of the eventual strain on my shoulders and wrist from many hours of panning and focussing. If I'd used a battery grip I would have saved maybe two changes of battery (longest day was four), but I think the additional weight over the course of the day would have been very noticeable.

Actually, now I come to think about it, there was probably more risk of 'losing' shots when changing cards since swapping a CF and SD card takes longer than changing the battery. (Though I am a bit anal and keep all my cards in secure storage cases rather than carry them loose )

[Manfred M]

The main reason I went to a battery grip is that a very high percentage of my work is with the camera in vertical / portrait orientation. With the battery grip / additional controls for use in that orientation, I find holding and using the camera is a lot less awkward and I can hold and shoot from a mechanically stronger, more comfortable position.

Not to mention I always have a spare battery along with me.

[Donald]

My main reason for having the grip was that it allowed me to then a fit a wrist strap which, when fitted, holds my hand comfortably in place. I hate neck straps. The wrist strap works really well with the Spider Holster. I feel like a real gun-slinger!

[Tronhard]

I have, at last count 11 Canon DSLR bodies, and every one of them has a battery grip. There were several reasons for me doing so - first I could be away for days without a chance to charge a battery, then there were the portrait mode controls, and finally the balance - most of my lenses are fairly heavy and the grip (for me) puts the balance back towards the body and not lens-heavy.

[DanK]

I'm the odd one out: I never have used a battery grip. I'd like the easier control for portrait orientation, but my gear already weighs more than I want, and I have never needed the extra battery capacity. I always carry a second battery but rarely actually use it, and I have never run the second down to zero. I have to admit that the weight is more of an issue for me now than it was when I was younger. I can certainly carry all the stuff, but I notice it a lot more.

I do have a wrist grip that works without one; one came with my Cotton Carrier vest. I like it but rarely use it because I have too many things competing for that one connection.

[pschlute]

Have you had to adopt a new camera holding style? Whenever I handhold with a heavy telephoto I have to brace the gear on my shoulder after a few hours of carrying the added weight.

I have one of those OpTechUSA attachments which connect to the neckstrap via clips, and the lens barrel via a velcro ring. I find this useful not when shooting, but when walking around with the camera/lens at my side. It means the camera mount is not carrying the full weight of the lens, and neither am i having to support it.

[rpcrowe]

I "tried" an of brand battery grip fr my second DSLR, a Canon 350D, brcause the camera was juts to small for my hands. However, I detested this camera and got rid of it without ever giving the battery grip a decent try.

The reason that I have a battery grip for my 6D Mark ii is because a BG21 Canon grip came with the 6D Mk ii package from B&H,

I got the 6D2, BG2 battery grip, two extra 3rd party batteries and extra charger, Canon Pixma Pro 100 printer and 50 sheets of 11x13 Canon paper for around $1,300 USD after rebate, with no shipping or taxes...

[Tronhard]

I got the 6D2, BG2 battery grip, two extra 3rd party batteries and extra charger, Canon Pixma Pro 100 printer and 50 sheets of 11x13 Canon paper for around $1,300 USD after rebate, with no shipping or taxes...

You certainly get some great deals in the US... I am envious. I am quite frustrated with Amazon: they made a major song and dance about Amazon Global, a site specializing in selling to foreign purchasers. So I tried to buy several items from US vendors on the site, only to be told they don't ship overseas!

I put a battery grip on every DSLR I get, it has become second nature to me now. I recently got the Canon EOS M5, which is a small MILC and has no battery grip - I had withdrawal symptoms!