Customer Reviews

Canon BGE1 Battery Grip for use with the Digital Rebel Camera

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

 

 

If you just the Digital Rebel kit and don't want to spend too much money on accessories, this is not for you. A single battery has enough power for a trip or even a few days vacation.

But if you are a powerful user, will buy more lens, especiall the heavy L lens, a 550EX flash which is also bulky, I would say this is must for you.

With 10oz grip and 2 extra batteries (seach on e-b-a-y for cheap generic ones), the camera feels more comfortable and stable. Even with 550ex attached to it and a 70-200 4L lens on, I still feel it is well balanced. And 2nd group of button is really convenient for portrait. Of course, 2 batteries always have more power.

If I remove it, with 550ex flash on it, I really feel awkard to hold it.

So if you just have the kit, forget about it. If you have external flashes (550ex or 420ex at least), L series lens, don't hesitate, buy it.

With the battery packs that are available for the Digital Rebel having a grip just for more power is shear over-kill. Not that it is a bad thing, it's just that most people don't have enough flash memory to even take advantage of one battery, much less two. A 512mb chip holds around 150 photos on the best JPEG setting, a single battery will last you more than 400 photos! Unlike many other digital camera's the Rebel sips power even with a lot of photo review, so don't feel you need this add-on for a day of shooting. On the other hand if you like a nice solid feel to your camera and have big hands and find most digitals a little toyish, then you'll love the extra grip and weight the battery grip provides.

I bought this as one of the first accessories for my Canon Digital Rebel / 300D. The grip is a total workhorse. It holds two batteries. With 80% charge on each battery, a 4 second image review on the LCD, and using the flash about 50% of the time, I took 1200+ pictures before the bar faded a notch on my battery indicator. A MUST if you're going to own the dRebel.

I love this grip. As a professional photographer I often shoot for long hours and carry chargers to keep my batteries full. I got this and it has extended the time I need to break to recharge which makes my clients happy. If your a professional or need more charge then definately this is for you. It offers a shutter as well as other controls making it easier to use your digital rebel. Five stars is all I could put but would put more if I could.

If you're going to buy just ONE accessory to your Digital Rebel then you're looking at it: it HAS to be this one. Additionnally to longer shooting time (batteries not included) it gives a great sense of balance and ease of vertical use. Yesterday I grabbed a friend's digital rebel without the grip and it felt like a toy in my hands. This is a MUST.

This battery grip is very comfortable, it gives stability and a second set of controls with a shutter release button for shooting vertical snap shots. The grip also holds 2 batteries for twice the lenth of battery life. I purchased 2 after market batteries for $10.00 each @ Ebay that work just fine. Another thing..it makes the camera look sharp. If the price is acceptable for you then go for it. You'll be very happy with your purchase. Good luck!

This grip is fantastic. It gives your digi reb all the bulk that it was missing out of the box. The vertical shutter release are quite useful, in fact, I wish i would have bought my camera with the grip because it is difficult to retrain yourself to use the second set of shutter controls.

Also, the camera quickly converts back to gripless in about 15 seconds, because the original battery door has a secure little spot inside of the grip.

Also, it makes your camera feel and look a lot more "pro".

Yeah, yeah the extra battery is overkill but this baby's best feature is the ergos.....the easy to find & use buttons when you take vertically oriented pix. No fumbling to find stuff. The grip also makes holding the camera more comfortable.

Go ahead, get it! You won't regret it.

I use this unit EVERY time I shoot. It makes a good handhold as well as a lifesaver in putting two batteries available to double the normal life span. Being a professional photographer these are very important qualities. This unit matches all expectations, but what else would you expect from Canon?

Purchased over 18 months ago - the BGE-1 Battery grip has become a permanent fixture on my Digital Rebel. The ability to power the Digital Rebel with a second battery gives me the insurance I need to NEVER look at the power bar at any event I shoot.

Things I like about the Battery Grip:
1. Second battery means never having to worry about power.
2. Portrait photography - which I do much of -- becomes less of a chore with secondary shutter controls available in the "portrait" position.
3. Great balance - using the 420EX Speedlight and a series of telephoto lenses - the grip brings better balance and lessens hand fatigue by bringing a lower center of gravity to a long lens shooting assignment.
4. Shooting portraits- using an aluminum "L/U" bracket to put the speedlight higher than just using the "hotshoe" mount - the battery access is blocked when screwing the bracket to the camera tripod mount. The Battery grip enables access to both camera batteries in all situations.
5. "The look for public access": When tricked out with an "L" series telephoto, a battery grip and a BG-15 eyepiece extender - one rarely needs to show credientals while covering all but the most secure public or private events. You are "in the business".

Things I'd like to see improved:
1. Plastic battery door feels flimsy.
2. Extra weight and size is not needed for the casual photographer.
3. Use of battery extender grip disallows use of a standard Canon camera case.
4. Would like similar features to its Rebel XT battery grip counterpart- ability to use AA batteries in lieu of a second Canon battery would be great! Four AA Ni-Mh's are cheaper than even the Canon knockoff recharagables.