Canon BG-E2N Battery Grip for Canon 20D, 30D, 40D & 50D Digital SLR Cameras (Retail Package)
by CANON
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon BG-E2N Battery Grip for Canon 20D, 30D, 40D & 50D Digital SLR Cameras (Retail Package)
Customer Review: Get a grip, you need one of these.
Summary: 5 Stars
Ever since I bought myself a battery grip for my EOS 400D (Rebel XTi), which I've since sold to help me save up for a 5Dmk2, I've had to have a grip on every camera I now own. Even my Minolta 600si 35mm film camera has one now.
I find the use of a grip to make switching between horizontal and vertical painless and simple, and above all, very comfortable. If you shoot a lot of portraits as I do, the battery grip gives you a feeling of control, unlike when holding your right arm above your head. More control means steadier hands and that translates to less camera shake and thusly... better photos.
The other benefit to this battery grip, is that when you're using a telephoto lens, they tend to get a bit front-heavy, and the added weight of the grip with two batteries in it, tends to compensate somewhat for that; that is subject to the various sizes of lenses, of course).
I really like how the two batteries in my camera allow me to keep shooting for hours on end. I recently shot a wedding which began outdoors and later ended up indoors due to rain. It was an afternoon wedding which began around 2PM and lasted until about 9PM. My batteries were about ¼-full by the time it was all over and I had realized I had shot 800+ images, 20% of them using an external fill flash mounted to the camera, then a remote transmitter to fire two remote flashes during the ceremony 70% of the time (and no flash 10%). All I can say is... AMAZING battery life with this grip.
Have never needed to use the optional (yet included) AA battery tray, but I do keep it just in case.
One good feature that I noticed, which is unlike the Canon BG-E3 Battery Grip for EOS Digital Rebel XT Camera for my previous EOS 400D (Rebel XTi), when the battery grip is accidentally left on, it does NOT drain the battery on the camera. The BG-E3's batteries were dead within hours after doing this. I presume this issue was fixed and my BG-E2N and higher models no longer drain the batteries.
Trust me, get a grip, you'll be happy you did.
Customer Review: Well Worth the investment 40D!
Summary: 5 Stars
Picked this up from Willoughby's through Amazon and was very pleased with price, packaging, and quick turnaround. Retail packaging and was in perfect condition.
I didn't know what I was missing in terms of "grip" on the camera until I put this on... wow what a difference for stabilization and free hand control! The additional weight with extra batteries is not noticeable to me. I also really enjoy the additional buttons on the corner for portrait, no more "over the top portrait grip" , it allows you to hold the camera in portrait as if it were the normal position.
The battery design which can allow for either 2 BP511As or using the tray for 6AA cells is well designed. the 6aa tray fits snug, nothing feels loose. Great back up if I actually shoot/drain my two BP511As. in spite of all the great designed features, I would have gotten this item for a simple, more practical reason. If I had a battery leakage, I would rather have it happen in the grip rather than my Canon 40D's body. Yes I know remove the batteries after use, but just as an additional insurance policy against unlikely events, that gives me additional comfort if I forget to take out batteries.
A word of caution about removing the battery cover on the 40D for installation.
As most guys do, I glanced at the instructions, took out the grip and expected a straight forward install, expecting there to be some easy latch release on the cameras attached battery cover. And I was wondering where I was going to store the cover once removed.
I went back and re-read them in detail before trying to remove it. you have to "carefully" pull the cover off exactly the way the instructions illustrate. And the cover stores in a special area on the grip that fits inside the cameras existing single battery holding area. So you will not have it loose in your bag, and can replace it on the spot if the grip needs to come off for any reason. I don't think I will be taking mine off anytime soon :) !
Customer Review: If you own one of these cameras buy this now!
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I have done photography as a hobby for 9 years. A few years ago I bought one of these for my Cannon EOS Elan 7n, and I completely fell in love with it. So, naturally when I recently bought my Cannon 40D I had to have one. In fact it was the second thing I picked up after the camera box and before I even picked up a lens.
First let me say that it is terrible to be outside somewhere and have a battery go dead in your camera. That happened to me a few times. The nice thing about this is that it can hold 1 or 2 of the standard Cannon batteries.
The major draw back to any boot is that it will significantly add weight to your camera. Do not doubt for a moment that the camera will not gain a couple pounds from this thing.
In my opinion the biggest advantage to having a boot, is that it can hold normal AA batteries. That is correct. I carry around a bunch of rechargeable AA batteries around with me. Any time that my battery goes dead, I can take the boot grip AA adapter, fill it with AA's and replace the Cannon Battery. Another nice thing is that no matter where you go, if there is a convenience store or gas station you can usually find AA batteries.
In addition to this it will have a focus button on the bottom corner of the boot for vertical pictures. This way when you rotate your camera for the vertical shot the focus button is on the top of the grip where you are used to having the focus button. The shot feels just as natural as a horizontal one There is also an on/off switch to turn on/off the focus button. I just leave it on all the time. I can see turning it off if you put the camera into the camera bag, but switching the switch in a crucial picture moment would be bad. So, I just leave it on.
Overall I would say the added extra weight is acceptable considering the ability to use AA rechargeable batteries in the camera. The added vertical shot focus button is a nice addition too. I just know that I will never own another camera without one.
Customer Review: This makes an excellent camera even better.
Summary: 5 Stars
The only thing missing from the Canon EOS-40D is a battery-pack/vertical grip, and this fills that void nicely. You'll find it more comfortable when shooting vertically-oriented photos for long periods (portraits, or perhaps sports like basketball) and the extra power it provides can keep you shooting for long periods.
It's a perfect complement for a camera that beats the competition in terms of features, image quality, and price. For only a little more than the Nikon D80 or a little less than the Nikon D200 (both of which are headed for the remainder pile) you get a rugged camera with a superior 3-inch color LCD, faster shooting rates, automatic dust removal, a Live View mode that other vendors are scrambling to equal, and other killer features. I really like the new paged menu system, a distinct improvement over the continuously-scrolling menus of the Canon 30D.
Overall, this camera is easier to use, and while battery pack/grips are also available for the Nikon D200 and D80, this one seems more secure and solid.
The only other thing you'll need is a good guide to using the camera. I really like what I feel is the best book available on Canon digital camera line right now:Canon EOS 40D Guide to Digital Photography. The 40D, a decent lens, this grip, and a good book are all you need.
Customer Review: Useful, well-thought out product but consider the weight it adds
Summary: 5 Stars
Canon's Battery grip is a useful, well-thought out product. As an example of how well thought-out it is, when you remove the battery compartment cover, there is a small slot in the grip to put the cover so that you don't lose it.
The grip allows you to go so long without charging the batteries that sometimes it can be hard to remember to charge them. I have never used up the batteries in a single day. It also helps balance the camera when using a heavy lens such as the 70-200 2.8 IS. It feels good in my hand as well.
The only thing to consider before you buy it is the weight it adds. Combine the 50D, with two batteries, the grip, and the 24-70 2.8 and my wife does not like to help it for more than a few shots. Although, I won't knock off a star for the weight because that is not a flaw in the product just something you want to consider.
By the way, the first one that I bought the portrait shutter button did not work. When it first arrives, check to ensure that the portrait shutter features work so that you don't only possibly discover it after the return period.