Chinese Alternative BG-E11 for 5D III not as bad

[FunPhotons]

Really? Based on an earlier discussion I (after waiting a few years gong back and forth on the issue) bought a off brand grip for my 5DMKII. Maybe the 5DMKIII Chinese grip is different, but this one sucked. The buttons are cheesy, the on-off doesn't have a click registration, and the shutter doesn't feel nearly as good as the original. It didn't register the second battery until I jiggled it around.

I sent it back and bought the Canon version. Better.

[MazV-L]

By using a non-Canon grip you risk voiding the warranty on your 5Diii if something were to go wrong. I, for one, would not be prepared to take that risk, I'd rather pay the extra for the Canon grip and have the peace of mind that it's 100% compatibility guaranteed.

[keithfullermusic]

My buddy bought an off brand grip for his 50D that was literally 1/4 th price of Canon's.  He has had it for over a year and loves it.  I think it's absurd to pay what canon is charging for that thing.  It doesn't do anything other than hold batteries and add a couple of buttons.  If there is amazing weather sealing and all that jazz, and you need it then get it.  I would venture to say that 90% of users won't need that feature.

If the off brand doesn't work, then obviously don't buy it.  But if it works fine, then why spend all that money?  It doesn't affect image quality.  Canon knows that there are plenty of people who think that just because the Canon name is on it then it has to be better.  They also know that a lot of people think that non-Canon stuff means your pictures will look like crap and your camera will explode.  Because of this, they get away with insane prices on certain products.

I bet half these people would spend $90 on Canon shoelaces if they said they have great weather sealing and perform better than non-Canon shoelaces.

[Bennymiata]

I bought a Canon grip for my 60D, and within a week it broke.
Had a hell of a time tryingot get the damed thing off the camera!
So, I then bought a Zeikos grip for a third of the price of the Canon, and it has worked perfectly for the last 18 months or so.

I'll be getting my 5D3 in a month or so, and I'll be buying another Zeikos grip for it, whenever they come out.

[cliffwang]

My buddy bought an off brand grip for his 50D that was literally 1/4 th price of Canon's.  He has had it for over a year and loves it.  I think it's absurd to pay what canon is charging for that thing.  It doesn't do anything other than hold batteries and add a couple of buttons.  If there is amazing weather sealing and all that jazz, and you need it then get it.  I would venture to say that 90% of users won't need that feature.

If the off brand doesn't work, then obviously don't buy it.  But if it works fine, then why spend all that money?  It doesn't affect image quality.  Canon knows that there are plenty of people who think that just because the Canon name is on it then it has to be better.  They also know that a lot of people think that non-Canon stuff means your pictures will look like crap and your camera will explode.  Because of this, they get away with insane prices on certain products.

I bet half these people would spend $90 on Canon shoelaces if they said they have great weather sealing and perform better than non-Canon shoelaces.

+1
I think a grip is just grip.  There is no high-tech thing in the grip.  Some ebayers might sell cheap build grip, but some companies make really good one.  Check Zeikos's grip and you will like it.  I have Zeikos's grip on my 7D and Canon's grip on my 5D2.  I can tell you that I don't feel any quality difference.

[Taemobig]

Just pre-ordered it, if its ok...I'll keep it. If it sucks, I'll probably just give it away to a friend.

[Musouka]

Perhaps a cheaper grip to ease the mental anguish we suffered due to the $500 more we paid than D800 owners?

At least Canon is not asking for $616 (MSRP) for their grip 

That said, the current market prices seem to be the same for both Canon's and Nikon's (around $430).

[stu_cj]

I bought a Canon grip when I bought my 40D new. Within a few months the teeth on the gears sheared and it's now permanently fixed on. Apparently it's a common problem. How can off-brand quality be any worse than that ? I would have no issues about buying a considerably cheaper alternative.

[Axilrod]

I got the BG-E11 for my 5DIII but the Zeikos grip for my 5DII has had absolutely no problems at all.  Just because they are cheaper doesn't mean the manufacturer doesn't care about making a quality product, because if word got out they were garbage then no one would buy them.  Grips aren't rocket science, and I would have given the $90 a shot had it been available prior to the BG-E11.  The BG is nice, but I think I probably would have been just as satisfied with the cheaper one. 

[iaind]

I have ZERO interest in grip.

My 2cents; If I can afford mrk III, I would buy legit grip + battery. Why take that risk on Chinese grip???

If were all like this IBM would still be selling us 5000$ computers that ran at 5 MHz. Not to mention how much we might be paying for prescription drugs!  Seriously the OP contradicts himself - he has zero interest in buying a grip but he would buy a canon one - does that add up? This guy who hijacked this conversation needs to take it elsewhere, I'm interested in this grip and when i might be able to buy one.

I'm sure you don't mind driving this car...

Especially when you light up the rear wheels

[Mencho(22)]

Well, I've got an unofficial info from the seller that they will probably start shipping the grips on Thursday or Friday, a few days before what they've said on their listing.

Good to know this company Studio Lighting Pro fulfill its promise.

Moreover, all of us who trust on them and pre-ordered early payed USD90 for the grip including the shipping charges. Now you will have to pay USD 98 if you want one, for what I know the manufactured upgraded the MRP.  I can't wait to get mine 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140755377672&ssPageName=ADME:L:EOISSA:US:1123

So hurry up if you still want yours 

[vuilang]

all this debate is to save $250?.
if you have the $.. do it. If not, Move on-------