BG-E11 alternatives: which one?

[Lecaramel]

Hi,

I'm currently looking for a grip for my 5DIII. Unfortunately, I'm limited in budget for the next months and then, I'm looking for the alternatives. My 7D have a Canon grip and I'm really happy with it, but after reading several user reviews of "non official" grip, I think I can go with it for now.

The first model announced was the Pixel Vartex (some discussions are on this forum) for $78-85

I also discovered that Phottix have one.

I saw some other models, cheaper, but they doesn't look like the official one, and I prefer buying a non offcial grip which is better of course...

Then do you already own one? Do you have some advise (except buying the official one)?
Thanks!

 

[swampler]

I had the Pixel grip, but it had the battery drain issue. I returned it and got the Canon grip. Turns out the Canon grip feels a lot better in the hand. Can't speak for the other alternatives.

 

[Rat]

I considered the Pixel, which is the only third party grip with a thumbstick, but decided against it because I carry my body with a Sunsniper - that is, from the tripod screw. I didn't want to take a risk and went for the full metal body from Canon. Also happy that I didn't get confronted with the battery drain issue, although that supposedly is fixed in a new version and if you're a careful shopper, that shouldn't be a problem.

Anyway, the Pixel is an insane lot cheaper than the official one. If I used an ordinary strap (and/or if I'd had a slightly more adventurous personality) I'd probably have gone for that one. Oh, and the settings wheel is rather tight in my BG-E11, I don't like that too much - but I haven't touched any of the others so I cannot compare 'em, sorry.

 

[Lecaramel]

Thank you for your feedback!

I wasn't aware of the battery drain issue... I'll go with it and I'll contact the seller first to know if it's the new model or the old one.

Thanks again!

 

[helpful]

I have not tried any 5D3 grips yet, but I have tried all the possible options for the 7D grip, including 3rd party and Canon. The best one ever, hands down, was the latest iteration of the grip by Meike. Unbelievable, but it's actually better than the original Canon grip, after several notable improvements in design by the 3rd party manufacturer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310383635866

That is the exact seller and item that I bought. Another 3rd party grip I tried came with four free batteries, but those batteries could not be changed in the Canon charger, only in the 3rd party charger.

The two batteries that came with this grip were 100% compatible with both the 7D camera and the Canon charger.

Since the latest Meike grip is better than the original Canon grip, in my opinion, I plan to wait for the 2nd or 3rd revision of the 5D3 grip by Meike and then purchase it, based on their incredible final version of grip for the 7D.

 

[Lecaramel]

I ordered mine few hours ago, then I'll see. The vendor told me it's a new model which doesn't have the battery drain issue.
I'll test later the official grip to see the real difference, and when I'll have some extra cash, I may buy one

And thenk you for your comment Helpful. I have the official Canon grip on my 7D

 

[Rat]

I ordered mine few hours ago, then I'll see. The vendor told me it's a new model which doesn't have the battery drain issue.
I'll test later the official grip to see the real difference, and when I'll have some extra cash, I may buy one

Congrats on your purchase, I'm looking forward to hearing about the differences