Generic Battery Grips...Bad idea?

[SuperJ]

Hey guys,
Ive been looking into getting a battery grip for my 40d. I went years without one on my 20d and after borrowing a friends camera equipped with the BG-e2 im sold. The question is whether to just buy the canon brand one or go generic.

Heres one listed on Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Battery-Vertical...QQcmdZViewItem

Im not opposed to spending the extra cash for the real deal....im just wondering whether its really necessary?

Thanks

Jeff

[SpeedingSphere]

I read about them when considering my purchase, and I'm glad I went with the canon brand. It feels so sturdy and secure to the bottom of the 40D. It also has enough weight to balance out my larger lenses. I heard the knock-offs are lighter, flimsier, tend to snap and crack in odd places, and dont make good battery contact. :-P

[Jimmy B]

Go with the canon.
Jimmy B

[SuperJ]

Thanks guys. Just ordered the canon.

-Jeff

[SpeedingSphere]

Let us know how you like it! It's awesome!

[rovowen]

I have a generic brand on my 20D and a Canon on my 40D. That should tell you how I feel about the generic. It works but the Canon grip is so much better.
If you can afford the canon grip buy it.

[artbob]

I have the Targus battery grip for the Rebel XTI it works great. Makes the camera feel heaver and more comfortable in my hands.

The build is sold and not flimsy by any means. cost 97.99 at Walmart. it came with emergency backup module for 6 AA battries. It's just like the BG-e2 grip'

[almo]

I have a no name Chinese grip on my 30D. It was a thrid the price of the canon. They are pretty much indistinguishable from each other. They used the same mold, same grip rubber, and it has all the same buttons in the same places, with the same markings. If I didn't tell you it was 3rd party you would never know. This being said, not all 3rd party grips are made equal. I did a lot of research and reading before I found mine. And, the main reason I got it over the Canon was price. I didn't have the money for the Canon, I had the money for this one, and I have not regreted it.

There is only one big difference between the one I have and the one from Canon: The battery door on mine is on the end, like the 1D series. I have had 2 Canon grips in the past and the back door was always and issue for me. It would pop open all the time, and it was very flimsy, I felt. The door on this one is small (Same as the one on the camera), sturdy, and uses a slide lock, so it won't suddenly pop open. Plus I can open it on a tripod mount. If I was looking into a new grip, I think I'd look at these guys before I looked at Canon again.

The company is called YXTM, but I have not found a website for them. I got it on eBay.

[fx101]

You will get lucky sometimes and get a decent third party grip, but usually I'd steer away, especially from the chinese companies (although it appears almo got lucky). I've seen people get good adorama brand and targus and hoodman grips but other than that stay clear.

[almo]

You will get lucky sometimes and get a decent third party grip, but usually I'd steer away, especially from the chinese companies (although it appears almo got lucky). I've seen people get good adorama brand and targus and hoodman grips but other than that stay clear.

I am sorry to disagree, but it was not luck. I did my research before I bought this grip, going as far as to contact others who had bought them in the past. I was armed with knowledge, not luck. Well, I suppose some luck is involved in every electronic purchase, but if you do your homework luck plays avery small role.

[fx101]

I am sorry to disagree, but it was not luck. I did my research before I bought this grip, going as far as to contact others who had bought them in the past. I was armed with knowledge, not luck. Well, I suppose some luck is involved in every electronic purchase, but if you do your homework luck plays avery small role.

What I meant to say is that statistically speaking the chances of you getting a quality chinese brand battery grip are very low. Naturally, research plays an important role. But if the poster is not as well researched as you are, it might not be such a good idea to "just buy" a random grip on the internet. Sometimes information is just not available on these brands.

[almo]

What I meant to say is that statistically speaking the chances of you getting a quality chinese brand battery grip are very low. Naturally, research plays an important role. But if the poster is not as well researched as you are, it might not be such a good idea to "just buy" a random grip on the internet. Sometimes information is just not available on these brands.

On that you are absolutely right. My objection was the asertion that I got lucky.

When I suggested my grip, I was suggesting MY grip. I would nver say just go get any old Chinese, or for that matter, any third party grip.