Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip for Canon SLR Cameras (Black) Review

 Rating: 4,5 of 5 stars====================Product price: Check new Price in amazon====================Buy with Secure Transaction Amazon now…====================
Product DescriptionThe Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip is an optional battery grip with improved ergonomics designed specifically for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. It allows users to load a choice of one or two LP-E6 battery packs. With two packs, the already-impressive battery life is doubled, compared to using a single LP-E6 pack in-camera. This is especially useful when taking advantage of the camera's movie mode or Live View mode - operating modes that use more power. In addition, with the included battery magazine, you can also run the camera off six AA batteries. The BG-E11 also provides full vertical shooting controls, which can be independently turned on or off as the photographer needs to enhance camera handling, especially for shooting vertical pictures. It has a large number of operating controls as well: shutter button, Main Dial, multi-controller, AF point selection button, AE lock/FE lock button, AF start button, and multi-function button.

Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip for Canon SLR Cameras (Black)

Customer Reviews:* First off, this is the first Canon made battery grip I've purchased, all my previous grips have been knock offs made by Zeikos, which I feel offered a better value than the canon grip. So what made me change my mind this time and shell out the bucks for Canon's priciest grip to date? Two things - first, the construction - this grip is made of the same magnesium alloy as the 5D's body where the previous ones were made of plastic. Second, Canon changed the orientation of the batteries to load from the side instead of the rear. So now the palm of your hand rests on the solid metal portion of the grip vs. the battery door on the older models. This brings a much more solid, one-piece feel to the grip and brings it in line with the MarkIII's upgrade in construction over the MarkII - It's nice not having the battery door creaking under your palm as you squeeze.The side loading batteries *should* have allowed Canon to improve the ergonomics of the grip to be more like the 1D series cameras too, but this is where I think they missed the mark. The old, rear loading grips were always a bit thick because they had to be as wide as the batteies are long. Because of this, the rear the grip where your palm would rest, would protrude in addition to the forward grip area. This made the grip thicker feeling than a 1D and was a bit much for those with small hands. So now with the batteries loading from the side, just like a 1D, the grip should now be able to be dimensioned just like a 1D grip - but it's not. This version still protrudes as much in the rear as the old models. I absolutely love the vertical grip on my 1D and was really hoping this new grip design would bring my 5D to the same level but it doesn't.So is this a bad product - absolutely not. Extra battery life and improved vertical shooting ergonomics and controls are still there and the much improved quality of construction has made me comfortable with the decision to go with the Canon branded version. Most should be very happy with this grip. * I count on extended grips for most of my DSLR's. I like the more secure grip options. And unlike some, I find the added weight stabilized the camera more and keeps some of those 'border-line' images sharp. Lighter cameras are only better while you carry them. Heavier cameras shoot sharper.Unlike my other system (Nikon), Canon prices the grips appropriately.This one from Amazon came packaged well, and works perfectly. It differs from the one for the 5D2 in that the battery slides in from the long axis into a small door on the left-hand instead of using a wide door under the camera back that the 5D2 grip has. I don't see any real reason for the difference, but it doesn't look like an issue either way.I've heard from other shooters trying to save money by purchasing off-brands, and then having intermittent problems.I make my living from photography, so if getting the shot is important to you as well; buy the Canon brand.