Get a Grip.
Written: Nov 03 '03 (Updated Nov 09 '03)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Vertical grip and camera controls for portraits, dual battery slots, excellent ergonomics.
Cons: Adds significant size and weight to the camera.
The Bottom Line: A must own accessory for the D30, D60 and 10D cameras. Dual camera controls improve overall ergonomics, dual battery slots are invaluable during long shoots and in cold weather.
|
|
|
| aashok's Full Review: Canon BGED3 Battery Grip for Canon D30 |
Take a look at another image of the BG-ED3 installed on the 10D camera, on my profile page.
What is it?
While point-and-shoot cameras have gotten smaller and sleeker (Minolta Dimage XT, Canon SD-100), SLR cameras are still quite large. This is because they have a modular design, which allows for virtually unlimited expandability with original and third party manufactured accessories. Interchangeable lenses and external hot-shoe mounted flashes, can significantly add to the bulk and weight of a camera body. This makes a secure camera grip, all the more important.
Thankfully the major camera manufacturers have listened to the needs of professionals and photography enthusiasts, by including a sturdy grip on most new model SLRs. This grip allows for a secure, stable and functional hold on the camera while shooting in landscape mode. However shooting in portrait mode was still quite uncomfortable with an unwieldy SLR camera. This time the manufacturers responded by including both a vertical and horizontal grip on their professional model cameras. For the consumer / prosumer models, they offered an optional add-on grip.
The BG-ED3 battery grip was made to provide a portrait-mode grip and camera functionality for the EOS D30, D60 and 10D
Digital SLR cameras ONLY. It is not compatible with any of Canons 35mm cameras, or the new EOS digital Rebel 300D.
How does it install on your camera?
The install is quite easy and should not take more than a few minutes.
- Open the main battery compartment cover and take it off the hinge.
- Remove the main battery.
- Store the battery compartment cover in the slot provided on the BG-ED3.
- Slide the BG-ED3 into the camera’s battery compartment and screw it securely into the tripod socket.
- Insert either one or two BP511 batteries into the BG-ED3, and you are all set.
How does it work?
The BG-ED3 has duplicate camera controls that improve the ergonomics of shooting in portrait mode. They include:
- A shutter release button that can be accessed with the index finger.
- A main dial wheel to adjust the various camera functions.
- An auto exposure / flash exposure lock button.
- A button to manually select the focusing point.
- A sliding button on the front that de/activates the portrait mode camera controls.
- A dual slot battery compartment that accepts up to two BP511/512 batteries, or one DR-400 DC coupler.
- The BG-ED3 also has a tripod socket at the bottom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHAT’s HOT.
Convenient portrait mode shooting.
The additional set of camera controls allow for fast and seamless transition from landscape to portrait mode, and back. The quick control dial on the back of the camera can still be accessed with the thumb.
Dual battery slots.
With only one battery in the camera, I can usually take up to 350 shots. But with dual batteries installed, I can take more than 700 shots without recharging. This includes generous use of the built-in flash and LCD monitor for viewing images. In colder weather, the battery performance might be lower. This is common to most rechargeable batteries. When two battery packs are inserted, they are both used in parallel. The battery with the most voltage is used first.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHAT’s NOT.
Increases camera size and weight.
Once installed, the BG-ED3 will increase the camera height by approximately 1.75 inches, and the camera weight by 11oz (w/o batteries). Most people might find this unwieldy and uncomfortable, especially on longer shoots. I however prefer the added size and weight. The larger size allows me to hold the camera in numerous different ways. The increased weight helps me stabilize the camera while shooting with a long telephoto lens.
Battery compartment cover / Tripod issues.
When mounted on a tripod, the battery compartment cover cannot be fully opened to insert the DC coupler, or change batteries. The tripod has to be disconnected before you can change the batteries or insert the DR-400 DC coupler. While this is a minor flaw, Canon engineers did not fully test the design.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The BOTTOM LINE.
This is a must own accessory for the D30, D60 and 10D cameras. The dual camera controls improve the ergonomics while shooting portraits. The dual battery slots are invaluable during long shoots, or in cold weather. The added horizontal grip enables stable and secure handheld photography. And if that’s not enough, it will at least make you look like a real professional ;)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read my other related product reviews:
Canon EOS 10D digital SLR camera.
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II lens.
Sigma 28-200mm Macro lens.
Samyang 650-1300mm Super Telephoto lens.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
aashok
|
 - Top 200 |
|
Member: Ashok
Location: The BIG Apple
Reviews written: 77
Trusted by: 194 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.