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Product Description
The EG-E7 Battery Grip is dedicated strictly to the EOS 7D, and permits one or two LP-E6 battery packs to be installed. With two packs, the battery life is doubled, compared to using a single LP-E6 pack in-camera. Especially for extended use of the EOS 7D's movie mode or Live View, the BG-E7 is an outstanding accessory. The BG-E7 provides full vertical shooting controls, which can be independently turned on or off as the photographer desires.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
173 of 174 people found the following review helpful
By C. Franz
Why would you need a battery grip? When over a year ago I purchased the battery grip for my 450D ("XSi) I was surprised by how much more I got out of my camera by simply adding a battery grip. It's not the fact that you have twice the amount of battery power - simply getting a second battery pack will do that, and since the grip comes without any batteries, you'll have to purchase that anyway.
No, the best thing about a battery grip is that it literally allows you to get a better grip on your camera. Now, the 7D is somewhat larger than the 450D, and thus this may not be as important to people with smaller hands. But there are more than one reason to add the grip to the 7D: it transforms this great camera into a truly outstanding one:
- first of all, the grip significantly enhances the 7D's handling. Since it is added to the bottom of the camera, it adds some height, making the camera fit your right hand much better. But that's just the beginning. The grip has near-perfect molding (at least for my hand), making holding the 7D so much more comfortable.
- I shoot lots of portraits, and the grip adds shutter button, and main camera controls to the portrait orientation. Being able to hold the camera upright comfortably alone is worth the price of this grip. Again, the mold for this orientation is near perfect.
- (this may look obvious at first, but is often overlooked) you can remove the grip. The reason why I point this out is because with the grip installed, the 7D is very similar in size to the 1D. But if for some reason size or bulk is at a premium, you can take the grip off - something that is impossible with the 1D
- The grip is by no means light, and adds almost 50% of weight to the camera. This is a mixed blessing. The added bulk is noticeable, and on longer field excursions may add some discomfort. On the other hand, it balances the camera better with many of the heavier lenses. The added bulk will prevent you from shooting single-handedly in most situations, as steadying the camera with a mounted L lens now requires significant strength. That being said, the added bulk also makes it less susceptible to small movements, something I discovered to my advantage when shooting with a (non-IS assisted) macro lens.
Energy-wise, the grip is quite cleverly engineered: you can either load one or two battery packs into the grip, and the packs do not have to be charged evenly. You can, therefore, simply take a pack from the grip, load it into the camera, and discard the grip. After a while you can then reload the slightly more drained pack into the grip, and continue shooting with the grip. You can also replace the packs with 6 AA batteries for emergencies. Be carful, though - AA batteries get drained significantly faster than a normal battery pack, and the battery display will not correctly reflect charge status when you use AA.
The grip mounts from below into the 7D's battery bay and tripod mount. The tripod mount is replicated on the bottom of the grip, so you don't lose mountability with the grip installed. Unlike the BG-E5 (the grip for the EOS 450) this grip has much better weather sealing, making me much more comfortable using the 7D in weather. Also like the E5, this grip's 'On/Off' switch does not control power but activates and de-activates the additional (portrait orientation) controls. Battery Pack are conveniently loaded from the back, and do not require a magazine like in the BG-E5. AA batteries do need to be inserted into a magazine first, though.
Although near perfect, the are some minor quibbles I've found:
- there is no way to charge the whole grip with batteries loaded. You have to take the packs out, charge them individually, and then put them back into the grip. Since you can use the grip with only one pack installed this is an inconvenienca rather than annoyance, but still...
- the grip cannot provide power to external flashes. If there is one thing Canon should improve than it is this. I do realize that this would require re-designing the grip - but having a flash feed from the grip would be a godsend, as the batteries in the flash unnecessarily increase bulk.
- the grip's shutter button seems more sensitive than the one on my 7D, causing me to accasionally shoot where I wanted to aquire lock. I would have preferred if both shutters felt the same.
- A battery charge tester in the grip that is usable without turning on the camera (or for that matter: without being installed) would be a welcome addition (the camera *will* tell you the remaining charge)
Summary:
The battery grip turns the already great 7D into an exceptional camera. Especially if you shoot portraits a lot, this grip will immediately let you wonder how you ever got by without it. Although the improvements in handling are not as dramatic as with the BG-E5 (for the EOS 450/500), I feel it is still significant to warrant purchase. As a 'bonus' feature you get the option of doubling battery power, and even use AA batteries in an emergency. As a whole, I recommend this battery grip to anyone who wants to get more out of their (already great) 7D.
No, the best thing about a battery grip is that it literally allows you to get a better grip on your camera. Now, the 7D is somewhat larger than the 450D, and thus this may not be as important to people with smaller hands. But there are more than one reason to add the grip to the 7D: it transforms this great camera into a truly outstanding one:
- first of all, the grip significantly enhances the 7D's handling. Since it is added to the bottom of the camera, it adds some height, making the camera fit your right hand much better. But that's just the beginning. The grip has near-perfect molding (at least for my hand), making holding the 7D so much more comfortable.
- I shoot lots of portraits, and the grip adds shutter button, and main camera controls to the portrait orientation. Being able to hold the camera upright comfortably alone is worth the price of this grip. Again, the mold for this orientation is near perfect.
- (this may look obvious at first, but is often overlooked) you can remove the grip. The reason why I point this out is because with the grip installed, the 7D is very similar in size to the 1D. But if for some reason size or bulk is at a premium, you can take the grip off - something that is impossible with the 1D
- The grip is by no means light, and adds almost 50% of weight to the camera. This is a mixed blessing. The added bulk is noticeable, and on longer field excursions may add some discomfort. On the other hand, it balances the camera better with many of the heavier lenses. The added bulk will prevent you from shooting single-handedly in most situations, as steadying the camera with a mounted L lens now requires significant strength. That being said, the added bulk also makes it less susceptible to small movements, something I discovered to my advantage when shooting with a (non-IS assisted) macro lens.
Energy-wise, the grip is quite cleverly engineered: you can either load one or two battery packs into the grip, and the packs do not have to be charged evenly. You can, therefore, simply take a pack from the grip, load it into the camera, and discard the grip. After a while you can then reload the slightly more drained pack into the grip, and continue shooting with the grip. You can also replace the packs with 6 AA batteries for emergencies. Be carful, though - AA batteries get drained significantly faster than a normal battery pack, and the battery display will not correctly reflect charge status when you use AA.
The grip mounts from below into the 7D's battery bay and tripod mount. The tripod mount is replicated on the bottom of the grip, so you don't lose mountability with the grip installed. Unlike the BG-E5 (the grip for the EOS 450) this grip has much better weather sealing, making me much more comfortable using the 7D in weather. Also like the E5, this grip's 'On/Off' switch does not control power but activates and de-activates the additional (portrait orientation) controls. Battery Pack are conveniently loaded from the back, and do not require a magazine like in the BG-E5. AA batteries do need to be inserted into a magazine first, though.
Although near perfect, the are some minor quibbles I've found:
- there is no way to charge the whole grip with batteries loaded. You have to take the packs out, charge them individually, and then put them back into the grip. Since you can use the grip with only one pack installed this is an inconvenienca rather than annoyance, but still...
- the grip cannot provide power to external flashes. If there is one thing Canon should improve than it is this. I do realize that this would require re-designing the grip - but having a flash feed from the grip would be a godsend, as the batteries in the flash unnecessarily increase bulk.
- the grip's shutter button seems more sensitive than the one on my 7D, causing me to accasionally shoot where I wanted to aquire lock. I would have preferred if both shutters felt the same.
- A battery charge tester in the grip that is usable without turning on the camera (or for that matter: without being installed) would be a welcome addition (the camera *will* tell you the remaining charge)
Summary:
The battery grip turns the already great 7D into an exceptional camera. Especially if you shoot portraits a lot, this grip will immediately let you wonder how you ever got by without it. Although the improvements in handling are not as dramatic as with the BG-E5 (for the EOS 450/500), I feel it is still significant to warrant purchase. As a 'bonus' feature you get the option of doubling battery power, and even use AA batteries in an emergency. As a whole, I recommend this battery grip to anyone who wants to get more out of their (already great) 7D.
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
I have been buying all the battery grips for my Canon cameras (10D, 20D, 40D, and now 7D). This is the latest grip I bought for my new 7D. It was also the first accessory I purchased.
Pros:
* Overall GREAT accessory - very useful
* Significantly improves handling and feel of camera
* High build quality and feel
* Improved battery life with two LP-E6 lithium batteries
* Can take 6x AA batteries instead of the two LP-E6 batteries
* Includes a place in the grip to put the battery door so it doesn't get lost
* Well designed with control buttons and knobs
* Makes you and your camera look like a PRO!
Cons:
* It costs a bit of money, but considering the price of a 7D, it worth the added cost
* (minor) Shutter button does not have the same feel as the one on the body - it's easier to activate/more sensitive
Pros:
* Overall GREAT accessory - very useful
* Significantly improves handling and feel of camera
* High build quality and feel
* Improved battery life with two LP-E6 lithium batteries
* Can take 6x AA batteries instead of the two LP-E6 batteries
* Includes a place in the grip to put the battery door so it doesn't get lost
* Well designed with control buttons and knobs
* Makes you and your camera look like a PRO!
Cons:
* It costs a bit of money, but considering the price of a 7D, it worth the added cost
* (minor) Shutter button does not have the same feel as the one on the body - it's easier to activate/more sensitive
45 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
The new Canon 7D DSLR is advertised to be weatherproof to more or less the same standard as the 1D series cameras. I must say that I am very pleased with this camera in general and its weather protection seems to be excellent. Indeed I have taken my 7D out into rainy, windy, cold weather and used it all day without protection from the elements.
Unfortunately I cannot say the same for the Cannon battery grip BG-E7.
I purchased a Canon BG-E7 for my new 7D and without much thought about it, I expected the same kind of weather protection as the 7D itself. No!
I found that the BG-E7 and my 7D to which it was mated quit working after just a couple of hours outside in wind and rain. I removed the BG-E7 and dropped a battery directly into the 7D and like the proverbial Timex watch, the 7D kept on ticking despite the rain and wind.
The BG-E7? It still does not work. I'm going to send my BG-E7 in for 'repair'... but since the basic design of the BG-E7 to 7D physical interface seems to be lacking in sealing, without a redesign of the BG-E7, I doubt if there is anything that can be done to fix the BG-E7 so that it can be used outside in severe weather. We'll see...
My advice? If you are planning to be active with your 7D photographing outside in bad weather do not use the Canon BG-E7 battery grip!
Unfortunately I cannot say the same for the Cannon battery grip BG-E7.
I purchased a Canon BG-E7 for my new 7D and without much thought about it, I expected the same kind of weather protection as the 7D itself. No!
I found that the BG-E7 and my 7D to which it was mated quit working after just a couple of hours outside in wind and rain. I removed the BG-E7 and dropped a battery directly into the 7D and like the proverbial Timex watch, the 7D kept on ticking despite the rain and wind.
The BG-E7? It still does not work. I'm going to send my BG-E7 in for 'repair'... but since the basic design of the BG-E7 to 7D physical interface seems to be lacking in sealing, without a redesign of the BG-E7, I doubt if there is anything that can be done to fix the BG-E7 so that it can be used outside in severe weather. We'll see...
My advice? If you are planning to be active with your 7D photographing outside in bad weather do not use the Canon BG-E7 battery grip!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Longer Shooting Time, Better Portrait Shooting, Additional Weight
Need I say more? I like that Canon designed it with a space provision for the camera's battery door so you don't need to remember where you put it. Read more
Published 4 days ago by 44r0n m4nu3L
5.0 out of 5 stars
gift for my husband
I got a good deal on this one. I bought this for my husband for his new camera. And it definitely works great.
Published 20 days ago by Jeanne Marapao
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Battery Grip
Canon Product, Top of the line, Top dollar. There's really no explanation needed. It's got the same rubber gripping that the Canon 7D has, and it is made with the magnesium alloy... Read more
Published 21 days ago by supersplurge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Canon BG-E7 Battery Grip
This is one Canon product that I didn't mind paying the "Canon Brand" price for. After spending $1,200 on my Canon 7D with its magnesium body I could not comprehend putting... Read more
Published 1 month ago by apg231
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well Rounded Grip
I had seen many reviews of this product on line and the reviews that were given did not do justice to this product. This grip fits perfect, is not loose or sloppily fitting. Read more
Published 1 month ago by R. A. Wechter
5.0 out of 5 stars
well made
I went with the canon brand after reading reviews on build quality from after market versions. This grip has the same build quality as the 7d. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Karlhe Schoenberger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great addition
Excellent product. Works well with my 7D. Easy to use and great secondary controls. Would definitely recommend to anyone needing extra battery life.
Published 1 month ago by alonzo brandon
5.0 out of 5 stars
I hate reviews, but they did what they were asked of and did it well.
I hate reviews, but they did what they were asked of and did it well.
Also were very fast. got them when send I would.
Also were very fast. got them when send I would.
Published 1 month ago by D. Logan
5.0 out of 5 stars
canon 7d grip
this is a great camera grip works great its a must for big hands i would recomend to a freind
Published 2 months ago by Mary A Ross
5.0 out of 5 stars
Battery grip for the 7D was a wise purchase!
There's nothing worse than a battery going dead in the middle of an event you're shooting. With the battery grip and an extra battery, I won't have to worry about it!
Published 2 months ago by Marianne Blair
