Customer Reviews

Canon BG-E5 Battery Grip for Canon XSi Digital SLR Cameras (Retail Package)

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ostensibly, the goal of a battery grip is to extend the amount of power you have for your camera. This grip does that, but simply buying an additional battery pack (which you'll have to do anyway if you want to use the grip that way) would do the same job, wouldn't it? It would - but the grip does a whole lot more:

This battery grip transforms an already excellent camera (the Canon 450D -- or Rebel XSi as it is called in the US) into a great one. First of all, the grip is excellently designed, and people with medium to large hands like me can get a much better handle on the camera which, although nicely shaped, was a bit to small for my liking. Now, with the grip, this is transformed into a natural fit (it now feels similar to the Nikon D70, which I thought to be more comfortable to hold than the 450D). The advantages of using this grip are many:

First of all, you have double the amount of battery power available (provided, of course, you purchase an additional battery pack. The package does not contain any batteries). The grip is designed to hold one or two of the 450D's battery packs at the same time. You do not have to use two packs. If you do, the packs do not have to carry the same amount of charge, and both packs are drained simultaneously. Even better, Canon has designed the grip to house a sled-like device they call 'magazine'. This magazine holds one or two battery packs. The nice thing, however, is that it comes with a second magazine designed to hold 6 AA batteries. In a pinch, this can bridge the gap until you can re-charge the packs. Also, you can replace the magazine with an adapter to connect your camera to a normal power outlet (this is not included in the package). The magazine slides in from the left side (as seen from the camera's back), making exchanging the magazines slightly awkward for right-handed people.

The grip is designed to slide into your camera from below, replacing the battery pack (you'll have to remove the battery cover for this), and is secured in place with a screw. If there is room for improvement, then it would be here: I'd have liked a rubber environmental seal to better protect the camera's now permanently open battery housing.
The grip almost doubles the weight of the camera, making it much better balanced with many of the larger lenses (e.g. the EF 100 Macro lens). Even better, when shooting in portrait orientaton, the grip provides its own shutter, aperture, AF lock and AF select buttons as well as another selector dial. To prevent accidental use of these buttons, the grip is also equipped with an ON/OFF switch (this switch will not operate the battery power). This is in addition to the large, separately molded grip now provided for this orientation. The bottom also houses a replicated tripod socket, and a mount for the handstrap. The latter is very useful, as I have found myself shooting more in portrait orientation, and have now set up the camera to use this as the default orientation.

The few small flaws I've found are this: I would have liked the ability of the grip to be able to also provide power to my (external) flash. Even more than that I would have welcomed a charger for the whole grip. Currently, you have to remove the battery packs from the magazine, charge them separately, and then re-insert them into the magazine, then insert the magazine into the grip. Also, you have to remove the camera's battery cover from the camera -- this forces you to carry the cover with you seperately should you want to use the camera without the grip. Finally, I would have preferred a slightly better environmental sealing than the rudimentary one that is provided. All things considered, though, these are small annoyances compared to the much better handling and feel the grip brings to the camera.


To sum up:
This grip truly incrases the 450D's already great features. I like the fact that I can choose to use one or two packs, and even swap them for AA batteries in a pinch. The whole assembly feels much improved, and shooting in portrait orientation has been immensely enhanced (both in feel and simplicity). I recommend this grip for anyone who wants to get more out of this camera, and especially for those who find themselves shooting often in portrait orientation.

I already loved my Canon XSI, but this grip has really made the camera even more special.

Having the power of two LP-E5 batteries is a confidence booster to keep on shooting. If you're reading this, you already know how long one lasts, having two... I'd guess for my usage it'd be good for 1200 shots or more. Your mileage may vary on how much you use the LCD, flash, IS lenses, Live View, etc, but if one is good enough, two is great! I've never even seen the battery indicator go down a bar when shooting with this grip and two LP-E5's

For me, the battery power of one battery has always been more than enough. I often am in remote areas when I shoot, so the fact this grip will comes with a "sled" that accepts six AA batteries adds a comforting level of assurance that even if I run out of juice, a quick stop at any gas station in the country and I can pick up some AA's and get back to shooting if need be.

Where this accessory really shines is in balance, handling and control of the camera.
The XSI is very small and light for a DSLR. I often shoot with quite heavy lenses that make the camera feel VERY front heavy and off balance. With two batteries as low as they can be with the grip on, the camera is feels a little better balanced with a heavy lens attached.
Handling feels much better with the grip as well in the standard landscape orientation. No more is my right pinky just hanging out in space, it can now help grip the camera. I have medium sized hands and had found the standard XSI grip just a bit small for my liking, this fills in the gap and it feels quite natural.
Control is the key selling point. If you have felt uncomfortable shooting in portrait orientation, this is your relief. It keeps you from having your right hand across your face in portrait orientation. You have shutter, selection wheel, AE lock, AF Point, and Exposure Compensation buttons in a very similar place for both portrait and landscape. This can't be understated as I can now just flip the camera and do everything by feel when switching from landscape to portrait. Changing settings when shooting in portrait before always meant I had to take the camera away from my eye and switch it back to landscape to look down and work the controls on the same axis I was used to, then switching the orientation back before bringing the viewfinder back to my eye. With this grip, the controls are close to where you're used to them being even when the camera is oriented 90 degrees off.

Compared to the price of the camera itself, this is a cheap accessory, and one I've found quite useful. There are some things that I don't like about it however:
The grip adds about 1.75" to the height of the camera. That means it doesn't fit well or at all in some camera cases with the grip on.
There is no ISO button on the grip. I hate this as I always want to change the ISO to get it as low as I can for a given shot. Without the button for it on the grip, I've got to take down the camera and make the change where I'm used to changing it without taking my eye off the viewfinder while in landscape.
I wish you didn't have to remove the battery door, it's one more thing to loose. **Correction, please read my update at the bottom of this review!**
Purely aesthetic, but I'd like the grip to follow the lines of the camera better.

All in all, my biggest gripe is that it doesn't have an ISO button. That being said, it's been a great accessory that has made me like my XSI even more. At the Amazon price of $130, it's a steal! If you would like to shoot longer (with an extra battery that is not included,) would like a backup power option for AA's, or would like to shoot in portrait orientation more comfortably, you need this.

Hope this has helped with your decision.
KO

Update 9/23/09:
User D. Andrews states that the grip will store the battery door while in use. I tried it out and D. Andrews is correct. The battery door will store on the shaft going from the grip to the battery terminals in the camera body. There's even an icon for it on the battery grip if you look carefully. Very good call D. Andrews! Thank you for the correction!
KO

This is a great item and a must have for the XSi. I got the XSi to pair with my 40d as a back-up and also for a small, compact dSLR for my fiance to use when helping me on photo shoots. The grip isnt necessary for everyone, but considering that just about every lens I use regularly is larger or the same size as the XSi, the grip definately makes me feel more comfortable. Adds more size to the camera with minimal weight. I am just waiting for Canon to release the battery magazines for it so that I can buy some spares. Also allows for my hands to fit comfortably on the camera instead of having to jam them in. Still doesnt feel right using the Canon 70-200 2.8L with this and the XSi though...

The added height and bulk of this "grip" give the camera a solid feel, while also giving you twice the power reserce. The included "AA" battery carriage is a great plus if your rechargables run dead.

The Rebel XSi without it's battery grip, for me, is like holding an undersized light weight DSLR. It just does not feel good in the hands of a person who likes something more substantial.
The Battery grip BG-E5 along with its new longer lasting battery system totally transforms this camera. It now feels comfortable, more substantial and more in tune with the other upper end cameras in canon's line up. This camera, is an ideal global travel camera along with the Canon G9, which I also own. They share the same SD card. The battery system is a different story however, but it is not inconvenient to take the two different battery chargers, as they are both light weight and very portable.
I have battery grips for all my canon cameras and they make a huge contribution in enabling long reliable shooting sessions.
This battery grip is not compatible with the former Rebel XTi but its grip houses the older batteries that are compatible with the G9. These two Rebels along with the G9 make for an affordable camera system that can give the user unlimited possibilities for creative photography.
An appropriate wide angle lens on one body and a flexible telephoto lens on the other, will allow quick and easy coverage of every situation.
If you are a Rebel XSi owner and are wanting a more substantial feel to the camera, then this is a must have item. I am very happy with the performance and the stream line appearance it gives to the XSi. The Battery grip BG-E5 is another first class canon product!

I purchased this item to add to my Canon Rebel XSI. It fit perfectly and worked immediately. I really enjoy the extra grip for I have a large hand and need it. Also it enables one to take vertical pictures with ease, and the double battery feature means I never run out of battery power all day long with using the flash extensively. In fact it runs for days of use. I recommend this to anyone who purchases the Canon Rebel XSI

I bought this Canon BG-E5 because of reading review in Amazon that said this grip will transform the camera. Immediately after I use it, I feel it is definitely true. This battery grip transform the camera in several ways:

First, it become taller and heavier, but feel more solid like pro camera.

Second, now my fingers do not have to cramp in the tight space. Although I have a relatively small hand and thin fingers, I feel a lot better.

Third, it has additional shutter release button, so you can use it for vertical/portrait shots. This is extremely helpful especially when you shoot portrait a lot. Now, the vertical grip become more comfortable than horizontal one.

Fourth, it comes with two kind of magazines which is interchangeable. First is 2 slot for regular Canon XSi's battery, and the other one is for regular AA batteries.

Fifth and the last one is the added weight and size of the camera make it more balance when you equip it with longer or heavier lens.

Who is this for? This battery grip will be helpful for anyone who used Canon Rebel XSi especially who fond of taking picture in portrait orientation and have some long or heavy lenses. It is also for anybody who go to long travel or lengthy photo shoots because they have magazines for batteries especially regular AAs.

I don't see a point on buying battery grip for Canon 40D/50D (heavier semi-pro camera) but for XSi, it is very valuable, especially the price point is relatively cheap compared to battery grip for bigger camera.

I recommend to get it right away. They are reliable and I got a very sweet deal last time.

For sample pics and other reviews and tips please visit [...]

Great product and really transforms your xsi into a great camera. Here's the scoop on the seller Amazon is using. A Brooklyn, NY-based outfit that almost exclusively sells "Grey Market" FOREIGN goods WITHOUT U.S. warranties! There was NO CANON USA PAPERWORK in this grip package - only foreign-listed cards. That means if you need warranty work on this device, Canon USA WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE TECHNICALLY THIS IS NOT A CANON USA PRODUCT. I wish the folks at Amazon, all good people really, weren't so busy that they couldn't have taken the time to research this. I'm disappointed and although I will keep this grip ( I have no choice I need it now for two gigs upcoming this weekend) you can be sure I will be more watchful here on Amazon.com. Amazon customers need to watch out for ANYTHING sold by the above seller and INQUIRE UP FRONT as to the whether it is a Canon USA Product or a Canon Grey Market import from overseas. DISAPPOINTED IN AMAZON! ***UPDATE**** 8/26/08 It appears now that Amazon is selling this grip directly. I do not know if it is the Grey Market version but I would e-mail them to check.

A great add-on for your product. Doesn't add too much weight, and it feels well made.

I just wanted to clarify something for future buyers of this item: you get TWO trays. One tray holds two canon LP-E5 batteries, and the other tray holds 4 AA batteries. That wasn't made clear to me before my purchase (i thought you could use the power sources simultaneously).

I bought this grip hoping to improve how the small Rebel feels. Like others who have written before, it totally changed the way my camera feels. My pinky has somewhere to go now, instead of dangling from the bottom of the camera. I also like that in a vertical position there is a shutter button and other controls because now my hand doesn't have to reach the shutter button on the camera in an awkward position. And finally, it helps the consumer-level camera feel like a pro-sumer camera because it looks bigger and feels heavier. Oh, and the battery life is great, too.