Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Opteka Battery Pack Grip / Vertical Shutter Release for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS, XSi and T1i with 2 LP-E5 Batteries (3600 mAh Total)
59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
One of the best accessories for your Canon Rebel XSi (450D)
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...
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
Be Careful! WARNING
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.
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)
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.
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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)
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!
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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)
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.
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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)
I was hesitant for quite awhile, whether to get Canon original grip or Opteka's. Decided to give Opteka grip a shot. I literally loved it as soon as I mounted it on my XSi. Very good build quality, all the buttons and the wheel work great (actually I like the feel of Opteka wheel better than camera's). On the tripod it is absolutely solid. Long story short- every single aspect of it is screaming: Save money without quality compromise!
If you considering canon vs. opteka grip (as I did), think no longer! You've found it!
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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)
The Opteka battery grip for the Canon 450D is a very good investment. Considering you are getting 2 decent batteries, it is almost like the grip is free. The grip is made from the same mold as the Canon but much, much cheaper. The installation is quick and easy. All the buttons are there and it makes the XSI DSLR "feel" much more substantial. Even the rubber-like texture really makes it like the real deal.
Get it, you won't regret it!
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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)
I was worried about the quality and feel of this grip given the very low price (as it also comes with two batteries). Glad to say my fears were unfounded. The grip is just as good as the original from Canon, but a lot cheaper (and unbranded). The only downside is the control wheel. It's not as good as the one in the Canon grip as it feels "cheap". Aside from that, the grip is excellent, almost as if it were the Canon one without the brand and with another wheel.
Worth mentioning is that the two LP-E5 batteries included have a capacity of 1800 mAh each, giving you a total of 3600 mAh . The original canon LP-E5 battery has a capacity of 1080 mAh, so it's actually like having 3.5 canon batteries. How good they are? Well, after 2 weeks and hundreds of shots (with flash) and messing around with the camera the battery meter still shows full capacity.
Getting the grip and the two batteries (or three if you think Canon capacity) for less of the Canon grip alone is a great deal. Worth more than the cheap feel of the wheel in this grip for me. Definitely would buy another Opteka grip and highly recommend it. If you want perfect quality though, and don't mind shelling out the extra cash you can always get the Canon grip and a couple of these batteries.
Rated 4 stars just because the control wheel does feel cheap and it's the only thing from keeping this grip from "perfect".
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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)
The Opteka Battery Grip is nearly identical to the Canon Grip sans the Canon logo. In fact, I believe Opteka may manufacture this grip for Canon as an OEM? Whatever the relationship between Opteka and Canon, this Opteka battery grip is a wonderful value. For little more than the price of a Canon LP-E5 battery, you receive a high quality Opteka battery grip and two excellent 3600 mAh batteries. Now if I could just find a lens manufacturer that provided Canon "L" quality lens clones at a similar value.
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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)
Great bang for the buck deal. The grip is really nice for the most part, I'd rate this closer to 4.5 than 4. It had a weird rubber odor that rubbed off on my hands when I first received it, but after using it for a while, the smell has gone away. The dial/buttons on the grip feel a little bit cheaper too, but they work flawlessly and that's all that really matters.
I've had this for over a month now, and I snap almost a thousand photos a week - it's still showing full battery life. For the price, you just can't beat this.
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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)
I agree with everything said before. I began shopping for a battery grip for better battery life, more comfortable shooting when using a lens like a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, and finally because the XSi feels small in my hands. The Opteka battery grip fills all that and more. You can't beat the price, especially with two batteries that work great. I shopped around for comparisons of the Canon and Opteka grips, and the only complaints I found were about the shutter release being difficult to use and the batteries not working properly (but this was the battery grip for the XT/XTi). I have had neither of those issues so far, and visually, and structurally the only thing difference that is noticeable between this and a Canon battery grip for the XSi is the "Canon" logo.
For the price, I could not be happier, especially because - as one website put it, I have enough extra money to get a nice 50mm Prime Lens when compared to the Canon one. It feels absolutely great, especially if you have larger hands like I do and the XSi feel small in your hands. It also adds a bit of weight, which you would think would make a camera worse, but it makes it so much better to operate. If you are considering a battery grip for your XS/XSi and can't decide between this and the Canon - let me tell you again, the Opteka battery grip is the way to go.
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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)
I use this on my Canon XSI. It is excellent. The grip is comfortable and the batteries last a long time. There is simply no need to spend more money.
The only 'issue' I ever had is that once in a blue moon (2 times over the past year and a half with regular use) the buttons to activate the shutter on my camera will not work. Typically both the buttons on the grip and the camera stay functional all the time. the only thing I need to do is switch this grip off and back on (1 second fix) and everything clears up.
It could be a glitch with the camera - I have never used any other grip on it. This is the only reason why I gave 4 stars instead of 5...
Great product, great price.
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