Opteka Battery Pack Grip / Vertical Shutter Release for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS, XSi and T1i with 2 LP-E5 Batteries (3600 mAh Total)

by Opteka

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• ASIN: B001HK4LWA
• Item model number: OPT-BG-XSI-KIT
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (145 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 6, 2008

Product Description

Opteka is proud to be allowed to use the same factory and mold as Canon uses for their BG-E5. Opteka is one of the world's leading producers of high-performance batteries and accessories. Opteka believes there is no limit to the potential of portable power, and as a company they will always strive to find innovative and efficient ways to power your life in the future! The Opteka BG-RXS holds 6 AA Batteries or 2 LP-E5 batteries. This provides a extremely extended shooting time. The vertical shutter release also makes shooting with the camera in a vertical position just as comfortable as shooting horizontally. Compatible with the Canon Digital Rebel XS, XSi, and T1i (450D, 500D & 1000D) SLR's only. This package includes 2 LP-E5 Batteries for Maximum shooting time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best accessories for your Canon Rebel XSi (450D), February 23, 2009

By 

S. Ong "mutiny" (Queens, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka Battery Pack Grip / Vertical Shutter Release for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS, XSi and T1i with 2 LP-E5 Batteries (3600 mAh Total) (Electronics)

Many will tell you that the best accessory you can buy for your camera is a flash while some would say a remote. When it comes to battery grips, questions such as "would I really need the comfort to shoot in portrait for macro photography?" would come to mind. Often times, it's what deters us from buying a grip... the uncertainty of whether we will need it or not. Not sure which specific field in photography I'm getting myself into, I was hesitant. But after going to Hawaii for my honeymoon, it turns out that shooting comfortably in portrait for any type of photography was very important.

In this package, having two battery packs is just a bonus. Having an option to hold your camera in portrait position without getting a CTS (carpal tunnel) is the very reason why I bought one.

And so, my research for the ideal (or as close to perfect as possible) battery grip began. Everywhere I looked, reviews pointed to the Canon and the Opteka grips. The quality for both grips seemed to be unrivaled. Then there are others with LCD displays along with other fancy schmancy features. All their reviews seemed to conclude that crappy, thin plastic with plastic (non-rubber) grips couldn't compensate for the price or the features. The annoying play on the shutter button and scroll wheel was where many drew the line. So for me, it was Canon vs. Opteka.

Naturally, the next criteria was the price. After all, who doesn't want the cheapest of the best grips. While Canon's is well over the $100 mark, the Opteka which is said to be the closest to Canon-quality is only $65! As an added bonus, it includes two batteries for only $80 ! Not only are the two batteries included for only an additional $15, they are 1,800mAh as opposed to the 1,080mAh OEM battery. The next step didn't take much thought --I ordered one.

Upon receiving the item, I can tell you that the build is indeed very "OEM-like". Though I have never owned the Canon grip, it doesn't take a genius to compare the materials used on the grip to that of the camera body. It's no wonder people say it's no different from the Canon one. The grips are virtually cut from the same sheet of rubber. The thickness of the plastic also seems very much like the camera body. Aside from the Canon/model branding, there is probably no other difference. And to my surprise, the package also came with an extra battery pack for AA's! Let me say that no matter how professional of a photographer you are, two 1,800mAh batteries will last. Think how long your current OEM 1,080mAh battery lasts (provided that it was broken in properly). Now imagine how long two (not one, but TWO) 1,800mAh would last. But if for some reason you went on a vacation, you forgot to charge, forgot the wall charger, but happen to bring the AA battery pack, just buy six AA's and you're back in business. It's an unlikely situation but that extra option given to you just makes you feel that much more special when buying this product.

But back to the grip... the width is very wide compared to the XSi grip. Opteka's grip feels like a 50D as opposed to a 5D/1D, but it still makes your camera feel like a professional, full frame camera. The shutter button is placed perfectly and has zero play. The scroll wheel is a little shallow and tricky to turn but once again has no play whatsoever. Overall, the grip feels solid and well built. I have no regrets. I even keep the switch on the bottom grip on "ON" all the time so that I can shoot in portrait on the fly.

You won't regret this purchase.

70 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Be Careful! WARNING, September 29, 2009

By 

2oakes (Eaton Rapids, MI United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka Battery Pack Grip / Vertical Shutter Release for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS, XSi and T1i with 2 LP-E5 Batteries (3600 mAh Total) (Electronics)

This is a wonderful grip - works real well and enhances the usability of the camera.

Mine was DOA, but experimentation showed that somehow the Li-battery tray was faulty as the AA tray worked fine.
As 47th Street won't pay return postage, I was determined to see if I could fix it, rather than pay and wait.

***WARNING***

(Photo in product image section at the top of the product page)

The soldering and placement of the circuit strips inside the tray is VERY poor. On mine, the positive and negative circuit strips were actually TOUCHING, shorting the batteries, potentially leading to equipment damage, or maybe even a fire. One bump and your camera could be toast.

I would recommend opening the tray (seven easy, but tiny screws) and checking, just in case. I slotted in some small pieces of electrical insulating tape between the strips to keep them apart. Don't worry, there is nothing in there that is easy to damage.

Apart from that, its great!

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Addition to The XSi, October 25, 2008

By 

David K "Complimented Chef" (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opteka Battery Pack Grip / Vertical Shutter Release for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS, XSi and T1i with 2 LP-E5 Batteries (3600 mAh Total) (Electronics)

Having been a long time owner of the Opteka Rebel XT grip, I figured I'd give this a shot to accompany my new EOS XSi. The grip has the same shape, feel, and functions as the Canon brand (at a fraction of the price), and I am pleased to report that the Opteka XSi grip has exceeded my expectations.

The grip offers primarily power management advantages along with improved camera handling options at the cost of some weight and bulk. With two of the standard rechargeable batteries in the grip, recycle times for the flash are noticeably quicker. It also adds the option of accepting AA batteries in a pinch.

The two LP-E5 batteries included with the grip are high-capacity and of good quality.

I would recommend this grip to a friend.