Battery Grip For Canon 30D

[qwaker]

I have an old canon 30D and am going to be taking a long trip later on this year, I'm having problems with the battery when it's cold so my first thought was to buy a spare battery but now I'm thinking that a battery grip would be a better idea as it takes AA which you can get from pretty much anywhere (I may not have access to a plug socket for days on the trot during my trip).

Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with the canon BG-E2? Is it worth it or are the cheap knockoffs on ebay any good? They seem to be 1/4 of the price!

Thoughts?

Thanks.

[RobDickinson]

Just buy a couple of cheap 3rd party batteries? 30D is about the age for the batteries to die and you'll need to replace anyhow.

AA's wont last nearly as well, emergency situations only.

But then if you need/want a grip anyhow go for it, 3rd party ones are OK, theres even one with an inferomiter built in I think!

[jamesb300]

I've just bought a genuine Canon BG-E2N for the 30D. Amazon was about the cheapest I could find it at around £126 at the time. I didn't really consider a copy, but am very happy with it and it feels really solid to add to the feel of the 30D. It comes with an adapter in it so you can either use 2 of the Canon rechargeable packs (the BP511 IIRC) or 6 AA size batteries I think. I'm running with the 2 Canon packs. On the downside, if you are on a trip, there is a fair bit more bulk and weight there.

BTW, you may also see the non 'N' version around, the BG-E2. Canon 'facelifted' it recently with the N, by improving the waterproofing around the battery opening, and one or two other minor things.
James.

[Bee_Jay]

I ran one (non-N) on a 20D for over 4 years - really improves the handling as well as battery life.

Never really tried the AA adapter, though many reports on the web of them only lasting for 10-20 shots!!! Seems they are only for real emergencies - try googling the topic or looking in the DPReview forums - it has been discussed a lot.

[plg101]

It;s excellent - well made, plus you gain the extra controls for portrait shooting. 2 batteries in, and you are looking at upwards of 700 shots, depending on flash, etc. Recommended.

[b2tus]

Big thumbs up from me also for the Canon grip. Bought it for my 30D on ebay from Hong Kong. IIRC, it cost around £80 and arrived within 7days. ..excellent service.

I use it mostly in Kenya on safari trips where power supply can be a problem in the bush...normally I use the 2 batteries in the grip plus the AA standby set-up. Frankly speaking, have never had to use the AA batteries backup as I find that I get a good 1000 shots out of the grip setup, particularly when I use manual focus.

Well recommended and it does improve the handling of the camera no end....plus as someone else said, you have added benefit of the portrait mode controls.

I would not risk the copy grips if you can afford a real Canon one particularly if like me, you are taking shots in the middle of nowhere of totally unpredictable subjects.