Used Canon BG-E7 Battery Grip for EOS 7D

Everyone has been ranting (for the most part) about this grip. As it compliments an already outstanding product, it's hard for Canon to mess this one up. They didn't, either. In order to break things down, I'm going to talk about the grip on two different aspects, ergonomics and functionality:1. Ergonomics. 3 stars. Not the grips fault, however, more my hands' fault. I'm no grizzly bear, so my paws don't quite make it all the way around the grip. However, if you find yourself palming boulders, this will probably be your favorite new toy. When shooting vertically, my pinky finger sits right in the corner that my 7d and grip create, and it is quite the comfortable home for this finger. However, when I switch to vertical, I find that the grip is a bit too wide, and a bit too rectangular. If you look closely at the side of a 7d (the right side of it) you will see that it tapers slightly, getting thinner towards the bottom of the camera body. The grip does NOT follow this tapering line, it is much more square. After using the grip for a while though, if you have small hands like mine, you get used to this, so it's not a terrible problem. All that said, the grip itself feels just like the camera does (texture wise) and is sturdy just like the camera body. It's not just textured plastic, but an inlaid rubber grippy material just like the 7d. Plus, there's a little bar on the bottom of the grip to add either a hand strap or any other add-ons you please.2. Functionality. 4.9 stars. Shutter button, scroll wheel, on/off switch (which simply disables the grip's buttons, but still provides power for the camera when in the OFF selection), zoom buttons, and AF-On button, all work perfectly with the camera. The camera records the battery levels and battery information in the menu just like when the battery was inside the camera, and does this for BOTH batteries (pretty cool). 6-AA's are usable, but will drain in about half the time that a normal canon battery does, so I would only use this in emergencies, and use rechargeable AA's (I find these last longer, and in the long run, they are cheaper and better for the environment). Thus, you must be wondering why 4.9 stars? I've pushed the shutter button on the 7d about 30,000 times so far, and I know exactly what it feels like. The shutter button on the grip is slightly different in "springiness," if you will. Not a deal-breaker though, because that vertical shutter button makes taking portrait shots 200% easier. Also, when using a big L lens like the 70-200 f/2.8 L -- especially if it has IS and/or you use extenders -- the battery grip adds weight to the camera, thus balancing out the weight. What this means is that the center of gravity of the camera and lens together is closer to the camera, (i noticed it is perfectly over the tripod foot, making monopod/tripod use awesome) and this makes the overall feel of the camera nicer.A few quick notes, just to wrap things up:+vertical shutter release, great for those with meaty paws, optional AA use for emergencies, balances the camera.-a bit bulky and heavy (but you can just hit the gym and pump up those arm muscles), shutter release is *just* off.I'll never take this thing off, it's near-perfect. I would never buy a non-canon (third party) version, because I know canon never fails to bring the good stuff. If you have any questions please comment!

This is the second grip I own. The first one I bought was for my primary camera, the 5D MK II. Because the batteries are the same for the two cameras, I first thought I would be able to interchange the battery grip. However I wanted one for each camera so I wouldn't have to constantly switch it over to the one I was using at that particular time. Fortunately I didn't just get online and order the grip for the 5D because, though it may or may not be compatible, it would lack the M. Fn. button that is unique to that of the 7D, allowing you to quickly and easily change autofocus modes as well as any other functions that I haven't explored yet on the 7D.I was pleased with the price of the grip. I seem to remember the 5D grip costing more at the time of its purchase. The benefits of the grip go beyong the initial capability to house two batteries (or a battery cartridge containing 6 AA batteries!). I enjoy having something substantial to hold onto while handling my camera, and it provides somewhat of a shelf for your small finger to rest on. Additionally, it offers you the same controls as the camera has on the top right edge: the shutter button, the previously mentioned M Fn. button, the dial for changing shutter speed, etc., the AF-On button, the AF selection button, and the exposure lock * button, eliminating the need to awkwardly reach over the camera in a vertical shooting scenario.As I read on the review for the 5D MK II grip prior to purchasing it, the grip facilitates vertical shooting in such a way that users are more likely to take these shots and get that portrait composition that works better for some subjects and gives a unique perspective on some as well. If it's easier to shoot landscape style shots, that's what the majority of a person's pictures will be. With this grip providing you the same access to controls as a horizontal shot, you can just as easily add vertical shots to your portfolio. The grip also conveniently allows you to store the original battery compartment door inside the original battery compartment, so it will be there (not at home in a box) should you decide to remove the grip and pack light.I tend to agree with those who say that once you get a grip for one of your cameras, it'll be hard to be without one for the rest of the cameras you purchase. I have no experience with off-brand products, and I know that people say you're paying for the name on this, but I come from the school that you get what you pay for, even if that means you have to pay for the name on top of the quality. These are electronics and it is rather difficult to get your money back out of them, so I would recommend getting what you want the first time instead of coming to realize that the "just as good for less" product doesn't cut it and then paying for this name brand and using the off-brand for a paper weight. Just my two cents though, and its your money so spend it how you like!

inutile parlare della serieta' di amazzon e della velocita'.prezzo ottimo e prodotto da consigliarne l'utilizzo.lo consiglio a ntutti i ncanonisti

Que se puede decir de este grip? Antes que este tenia uno clonico y comparado, no tiene color, el tacto, el acabado y, en definitiva, el feeling es incomparable al de uno clonico. Ademas, viene en el mismo material que la camara y mantiene el sellado de esta una vez puesto.Un consejo: no os paseis apretandolo por que os lo podeis cargar, asi que ajustadlo hasta que el tornillo este duro y ya esta.Si haceis fotografia nocturna, es un elemento indispensable, ya que alarga la autonomia de la camara al doble, al albergar dos baterias. Aunque tambien puede albergar baterias AA normales, para una emergencia; pero con estas solo aguanta unas 400 tomas.

Eigentlich wollte ich zur 7D dieses Mal keinen BG anschaffen, da das Gehäuse doch schon recht schwer ausgefallen ist. Als ich die 7D aber mal 2h am Stück in der Hand hatte, stand mein Entschluss fest, doch wieder einen BG zu kaufen, und die zusätzlichen 340g in Kauf zu nehmen. Erst mit BG und der Handschlaufe E1 kann man die Kamera wirklich entspannt über längere Zeit in der Hand halten, ohne zu verkrampfen. Ein anderer Rezensent schrieb schon, dass die 7D erst mit dem BG-E7 vollständig wird. Ich kann das nur bestätigen, ohne den BG fehlt einfach etwas. Und das Gesamtgebilde wirkt wie aus einem Guss. Das Handling verbessert sich nicht nur im Hochformat spürbar, sondern gerade auch mit aufgesetztem Blitz oder größeren Objektiven. Allerdings sollte man sich bewusst sein, dass man dann eine ohne Objektiv bereits ca. 1.2kg schwere Kamera mit sich herum trägt. Ein Tragegurt ist für mich keine Alternative, da er fast immer stört und besonders auf dem Stativ für unangenehme Begleiterscheinungen sorgen kann (Umreißen). Selbst der viel gelobt OpTech-Tragegurt liegt bei mir nur im Schrank.Ich hatte originale Canon Batteriegriffe schon an der EOS 350D, 400D und 40D. Diese waren immer komplett aus Kunststoff, und man musste sie schon reichlich fest anschrauben, damit sie halbwegs wackelfrei saßen. Und gerade das feste Anschrauben hatte bei viele Nutzern Nebenwirkungen, weil das wichtigste Zahnrad des Getriebes aus Plastik war, und öfter mal brach. Beim aus Metall hergestellten BG-E7 hingegen ergibt sich ein 100% wackelfreier Sitz schon bei nur leichtem Anschrauben. So hätte ich mir das bei den anderen Griffen vorgestellt. Der BG-E7 sitzt wie angeschweißt. Man kann die 7D damit auch auf dem Stativ nutzen, ohne den BG wie z.B. beim BG-E2N aus Stabilitätsgründen abnehmen zu müssen. Offensichtlich legt Canon bei den einstelligen EOS mehr Wert auf exakte Passform als bei den kleineren Modellen. Einzige Schwäche ist ein minimal knarzender Batteriefachdeckel. Vielleicht gibt sich das noch im Gebrauch. Ach ja, und der Hochformatauslöser ist in der Tat etwas empfindlicher als der Hauptauslöser. Aber immerhin ist er im Gegensatz zu den vielen Nachbauten mit einem hochwertigen Federkontakt-Auslöser bestückt, und nicht mit einem billigen Mikroschalter.Im Menü meiner 7D wird sogar per Symbol angezeigt, dass der Akku nicht mehr im Gehäuse, sondern im BG sitzt. Man kann sogar erkennen, ob er rechts oder links gesteckt ist. Das einzige, was dem BG-E7 zur Perfektion noch fehlt, ist ein zweiter Joystick.Positiv:- Wirklich PERFEKTE Passform- Handling- fast alle wichtigen Bedienelemente auch im Hochformat- Befestigung für die Handschlaufe E1Negativ:- leicht ambitionierter Preis- knarzender Batteriefachdeckel- kein 2. Joystick- Auslöser etwas empfindlicher als der Hauptauslöser- Gesamthöhe ist im Minitrekker AW und Flipside 300 grenzwertig, passt aber nochAngesichts der Erfahrungen mit den anderen Canon Batteriegriffen gebe ich 5 Sterne und volle Kaufempfehlung.

i bought the bg-e7 along with the 7d. it may be obvious but these items work and fit seamlessly, even to the point where there is a compartment in the grip to store the camera battery compartment cover once it has been removed to attach the grip. it is the first time that i have bought a camera with the option for a battery grip and i am delighted with both items. while i am most definitely not a professional photographer, just having the additional security of a second battery on tap (and ready to go without digging around in the wife's handbag for it) and missing that one great shot is worth every penny.is it better than any of the cheaper options? well to be honest i haven't tried them so i can't comment on them, but the build of the bg-e7 is awesome, if not a little less rounded than the camera grip itself, making it a slightly chunkier feel, but its not an issue as i am a chunky kind of guy with chunky fingers so it fits in the hand really well, and definitely worth every penny. having spent the money on a 7d, in my opinion there was no point in settling for anything less than the original item.i haven't had great use for the camera in the last few weeks since i bought it, so my time spent with the grip has been little more than getting to familiarise myself with its functions. so far though it seems to enhance the balance of the camera, yes, it does make it a little heavier but if i was really concerned about weight, i wouldn't have bought a 7d anyway and all of the additional buttons on the grip all seem to be at your fingertips when you need to use them.overall, i wouldn't use the camera without the grip, if not for the additional battery life, then for the additional balance and control when shooting portrait. scores 10 out of 5, just like the 7d, yep, 10 out of 5 any day!

Comme toujours l'élément pour moi indispensable à un reflex ! A moins de toujours faire du paysage on apprécie la prise en main avec le grip et la possibilité donnée de pouvoir accéder aux fonctions principales naturellement sans plier sa main dans tous les sens lors de prise de vue verticale (portraits...)!Le grip est livré avec le porte pile (6 LR6 AA). Il fonctionne sans problème avec une seule batterie en attendant l'achat d'une seconde.Bonnes Photos !