Do I need a grip?

[fishyone]

I've read on here how having a grip is helpful for a little extra weight on the camera to help stabilize it when using a long lens. I have a 20D and bigma that I take to parks, etc. Almost always am hand holding and wondered if the grip would help or if it would be just more weight for me to lug around.

[Reefbone]

Jeez! Get a grip why don't you ! Sorry... I just had to say that. :)

Ok... In my uninformed position ( IMUO) on your question.

It is my understanding that with a long lens (handheld) your supporting the camera from the lens and not the body. You will naturally find the balancing/center point with your hand. IMUO the counter weight theory is bogus. I think you would just be adding weight.

The Pro's for a grip I have seen are:
1) It makes the camera easier to hold.
2) Has a Shutter release for vertical shots
3) Oh Yea... extended battery life.

I personally never saw anything about a grip being a counter weight for a long lens. If we were pros or even experianced I might say go for it. However I might think the best way to improve our shooting is going to be practice.

You have some very nice pictures on your site BTW.

[Blue S2]

The grip is a little more weight...but it changes things. Some people like the change, others dont. You won't "cradle" the lens in your hand anymore. Your hand is in a more upright position. I feel there is better support because my wrist is straight now instead of bent. It ands more camera for your right hand to hold onto when needed. It makes portraits so much easier. Balance is added to the camera against large lenses. Personal preference really.

[Jason77]

i didn't find there was that much of a difference in weight. what i like most is the added sturdiness. now, my pinky doesn't curl up underneath the camera and neither does the bottom of my palm. as a result, i'm better able to keep the camera steady while pressing the shutter. being able to have a firm grip while shooting vertical is also very nice.

[iddie]

i think that the battery grips makes the camera feel more whole i guess. Its feels better in my hands with the grip then without it. And it is easier to take vertical pictures more comfortably. I would reccommend the grip, or spend that money for some good glass.

[coorz]

Depends on the camera and size of your hands me thinks; my XTi handles much better with the grip. But on a 5D it might get a bit too bulky!

[PhotoJourno]

May ye go with the grip and be fruitful....

Bigma also alows you to tie the back of the camera to a pickup truck, just to keep it balanced. Nah, actually I love my Bigma. Wish I could walk around with it at 50mm, then it would make the perfect walkaround lens.

Grip is nice, but not vital. Specially since with 500mm, I have to assume you are using a tripod on the Lens mount, or at least a monopod.

[TeeJay]

Go with the grip - you won't regret it. It will make the whole set-up that much more stable in your hands. You'll wonder how you ever managed without it!

TJ

[Jim G]

I went for the grip and never regretted it - I find the camera weird to use when I take it off. I seem to do way more vertically oriented shots than horizontally oriented so it's a huge help to me.

[fishyone]

Thanks for all the replies. I never even wanted a grip till I was with my sister at a wedding and the photog had a 10D w/ grip. My sisters thought my camera looked wimpy next to it. Stupid reason to get a grip I know, but now you all have given me an real reason to need a grip.

Reefbone, thanks for the kind comments.

[gcogger]

I'm firmly in the 'NO' camp :) As it is so much to do with personal preference I'd suggest you try one before spending any money. There's a thread here with many people commenting:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=274599

[SoundsGood]

now, my pinky doesn't curl up underneath the camera...
This is one reason why I considered getting a grip for my XT. The other reason is that I think I'd really like having the portrait orientation shutter button.

But... I'm waiting to see if the 40D comes out soon. If it does, and if I upgrade to it, I think the larger sized body will take care of the "floating pinky" problem. I guess I'll have to just deal with not having the portrait orientation button, since I don't want anything larger than the 30D body size.

[Blue S2]

You must have small hands. I have a 5D which has a larger body than the XT and without a grip, I have 2 fingers hanging off the bottom.