Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip Pics & Preview

[xthebillx]

Two points:

1) working professionals will write 100% of the $350 off, or at least depreciate it over several years as an asset.
2) the global exchange is incredibly different from where it was when the BG-E6 was introduced, hence a higher price.

I see higher MSRP as a good thing, as it raises the cost of entry for fauxtogs. I can always adjust rates, capture+processing, retouching fees to accommodate the cost of the new body over 2-3 years.

It costs what it costs - quit griping and make pictures!

 

[Axilrod]

Besides the crazy price Canon is asking for this new grip, has anyone noticed how poor the build quality looks in these pics?? Or is it just me? The gaps where two plastic edges come together above the switch are quite wide in this pic:
Even my Phottix 50D grip looks like it has better build quality! And can someone please tell Canon to get a designer who does not think we live in the past?? When are they going to wake up and realise that an extra 5 minutes design work to

It's just you. Did you not read what the guy had to say about it? "Better build than the BG-E6," and "feels like a 1-series body," both of which are very solid. I'm pretty sure it is weather-sealed and the gap you are talking about is probably just the lighting/angle of the shot.

It's kind of hard to judge something until you hold it in your hands, it looks solid to me and I'm sure it feels great. It has the same magnesium-alloy construction that the 5DIII itself has. Sure I don't necessarily agree with the price, but I'm sure it's very well-built.

 

[TotoEC]

I'm sure Zeikos will come out with a $120 grip before too long, and then a bunch of chinese knockoffs will appear for $60 ea. But, you are complaining about the price of the grip for a $3500 body? Seriously?

$90 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=6657.0;topicseen

And to be honest, Grip is just that... a grip. An accessory that lets you have more battery life, extra controls for vertical shooting and better weight and ergonomics when you use heavier lenses.

Why spend so much on it?

No, you are wrong! It is not just a grip. The life of the camera is hanging on this item. Take a case of a wedding photographer who has 2 cameras suspended to the BlackRapid FastenR-3 hardware. If the tripod socket is not able to carry the combined weight, then you can kiss your 5D3 and your lens goodbye!

 

[Mencho(22)]

No, you are wrong! It is not just a grip. The life of the camera is hanging on this item. Take a case of a wedding photographer who has 2 cameras suspended to the BlackRapid FastenR-3 hardware. If the tripod socket is not able to carry the combined weight, then you can kiss your 5D3 and your lens goodbye!

Come on... do you really know any photographer use a serious alternative grip like Meike, Pixel, Vello, Phottix, etc who had such problem?

 

[lonelywhitelights]

I'm sure Zeikos will come out with a $120 grip before too long, and then a bunch of chinese knockoffs will appear for $60 ea. But, you are complaining about the price of the grip for a $3500 body? Seriously?

$90 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=6657.0;topicseen

And to be honest, Grip is just that... a grip. An accessory that lets you have more battery life, extra controls for vertical shooting and better weight and ergonomics when you use heavier lenses.

Why spend so much on it?

why spend so much on it indeed! I bought a 3rd party battery grip for my 7D - to this day I have no idea what brand it is. all I know is that it cost me $60 and I got 2 3rd party LP-E6 copy batteries with it - and the batteries have performed excellently, running just as long as my genuine Canon LP-E6 - so I honestly think there's no need to spend great wads of cash on stuff that is so clearly overpriced.

sure the build quality isn't as good on the after-market / 3rd party stuff and after a year this grip has taken quite a beating, the rubber is wearing (looks even worse in these flash lit photos!) but when things are getting beat up you can tell yourself - it's ok because it only cost $60 and it's working like a total champ.

screw Canon and their over-priced accesories

 

[Razor2012]

Why are people argueing about how much others want to spend? It's their money, and they can spend it how they wish. I'm one who likes brand loyalty when it comes to certain things, and cameras is one of them. Do you put cheap aftermarket parts on your beamer or benz? :

 

[71sbeetle]

With the new battery door design I wonder if you can still put a cf card in it like previous grips I should have looked at that when I had it in hand lol oh well

 

[llcanon]

Grip is a grip and that's it. If someone can produce a $90 version of a grip, it just shows how low-tech this thing is. It's definitely overpriced. You pay for the Canon brand.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

ps. Canon could take some inspiration from Nikon when it comes to battery grips.

Agreed - Canon could force you to buy a grip to unlock a higher frame rate for the camera. That would be lovely.

Actually it would've been lovely! If it allowed 7fps as some of the crazy rumors said (per some Australia Canon rep) then I actually would be getting a grip (for the times seriously shooting sports).

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Two points:

1) working professionals will write 100% of the $350 off, or at least depreciate it over several years as an asset.
2) the global exchange is incredibly different from where it was when the BG-E6 was introduced, hence a higher price.

I see higher MSRP as a good thing, as it raises the cost of entry for fauxtogs. I can always adjust rates, capture+processing, retouching fees to accommodate the cost of the new body over 2-3 years.

It costs what it costs - quit griping and make pictures!

if some of the 'fauxtogs' weren't better than you maybe you wouldn't need to say that

 

[Razor2012]

Grip is a grip and that's it. If someone can produce a $90 version of a grip, it just shows how low-tech this thing is. It's definitely overpriced. You pay for the Canon brand.

Just like everything else in this world.

 

[Loswr]

Actually it would've been lovely! If it allowed 7fps as some of the crazy rumors said (per some Australia Canon rep) then I actually would be getting a grip (for the times seriously shooting sports).

The point is, Nikon's 'requirement' for the grip to allow the higher frame rate is a completely artificial limitation in the firmware - you can hack their cameras such that the higher frame rate is achieved without the grip, ergo, Nikon is restricting that feature merely to force users to pay more for another product. Canon allows the camera to shoot at it's maximum frame rate without any add-on.

I mean, it's not like Canon would ever impose an artificial limitation on a camera model via firmware like that. Never, ever. Not even once.

 

[ideaworx]

Two points:

1) working professionals will write 100% of the $350 off, or at least depreciate it over several years as an asset.
2) the global exchange is incredibly different from where it was when the BG-E6 was introduced, hence a higher price.

I see higher MSRP as a good thing, as it raises the cost of entry for fauxtogs. I can always adjust rates, capture+processing, retouching fees to accommodate the cost of the new body over 2-3 years.

It costs what it costs - quit griping and make pictures!

+1 +1

 

[kitaoka]

I just received my battery grip and I will say that I am very impressed with the quality. I purchased the 5DIII as the 1DX I have on pre order just won't seem to arrive. In any event with the battery grip the 5 now feels very similar to the 1DIV. I sorely missed the portrait grip as I sold my Mark III and replaced it with the 5D.

Although it could never be as solid as a 1D body, it more than suits my needs. LOVE the extra joystick on the grip and I'll look forward to having that as well on the 1DX. Also there was some mention of the on/off switch on the grip. The 1D Mark III and IV both have an on/off switch for the portrait grip and I find it valuable. I carry my rigs inverted using Sypder Holsters and being able to turn the portrait grip on and off prevents me from taking inadvertent hip shots!

 

[Wideopen]

Just got mines earlier today. I love it! ;D Very well solid built.

 

[thure1982]

It would be awesome if it could take 1D X/IV batteries (or something similar since it looks about the same) so one could have two batteries instead of four in the camera-bag.

 

[Chris Burch]

I just received my battery grip and I will say that I am very impressed with the quality. I purchased the 5DIII as the 1DX I have on pre order just won't seem to arrive. In any event with the battery grip the 5 now feels very similar to the 1DIV. I sorely missed the portrait grip as I sold my Mark III and replaced it with the 5D.

Although it could never be as solid as a 1D body, it more than suits my needs. LOVE the extra joystick on the grip and I'll look forward to having that as well on the 1DX. Also there was some mention of the on/off switch on the grip. The 1D Mark III and IV both have an on/off switch for the portrait grip and I find it valuable. I carry my rigs inverted using Sypder Holsters and being able to turn the portrait grip on and off prevents me from taking inadvertent hip shots!

Would you consider getting a second 5D3 instead of the 1DX you have on pre-order? I'm in the exact same boat as you but don't have the new grip yet. I'm now tossing around the benefits of having 2 of the exact same cameras hanging at my side (with the same batteries and accessories) versus having a 1DX and one 5D3...the extra $3K is certainly a factor too.

 

[pwp]

The 1D Mark III and IV both have an on/off switch for the portrait grip and I find it valuable. I carry my rigs inverted using Sypder Holsters and being able to turn the portrait grip on and off prevents me from taking inadvertent hip shots!

Would you consider getting a second 5D3 instead of the 1DX you have on pre-order?

Hip shots with the 5D3 & Spider Pro? I have the twin holster belt. With the 5D3 & BG-E11 on the left the shutter gets bumped constantly. Shifted to the right the release is on the outside, so no hip shots. Switching it off can mean missed shots if you reach quickly for the camera, go to shoot vertical & there's no action. Damn! Missed the shot! I have a 1D4 on the left holster and the button is just positioned differently enough not to trigger every time you take a step.

Here's my BG-E11 mini review. It's big.

With the grip attached the 5D3 is taller, thicker and around 30 grams heavier than a 1D Mk4. The 1D Mk4 with battery is 1375 grams and the 5D Mk3 with BG-E11 & two batteries is a beefy 1406 grams. I used to pack the old 5D as a lighter weight option. I'm surprised. After shooting with both cameras, the Mk4 feels compact by comparison. I have used 1-Series bodies or added grips to APS-C and 5D bodies since the beginning of time. The 5D3 with BG-E11 has the disconcerting characteristic of the rear quick control dial being a noticeably further from your thumb in portrait mode than in landscape mode. I can't reach it without altering my grip. This is an ergonomic negative. But I'll get used to it.

It's an ergonomic positive though to have the joystick right there on the grip. It quickly becomes easy to find, making focus point selection quick & simple. Now if only we could see the black focus points! (see black focus points thread)

Will I cancel my 1DX pre-order? Almost certainly. A BG-E11 on the 5D3 makes for a very strong workable package that is not prefect, but what is? It's a far more significant upgrade over the 5DII than many people give it credit for. I give it an 8.5/10

PW

 

[Razor2012]

Just picked mine up. Quality is very good IMO, I'm happy.

 

[Lecaramel]

Razor: then after few days, how is your feedback? how is the grip material, the surface aspect, how the buttons and joystick are responding?
My 5DIII is on its way for my home, then I'll be glad to know before ordering one!