Canon vs. Generic Vertical Grips

[Anh Nguyen]

Hi,

I have been in the market for a veritical grip for awhile and havent made the leap yet due to the current price of the Canon BG-E2 (about 169.95 last I checked) I have been looking around eBay and there are three brands that are usually being sold. They are Canon, Targas, and Opteka. The Targas and Opteka are normally around for anywhere from 90 to 110 dollars Buy it Now and sometimes with 1 or 2 batteries included.

My question is what are your recommandations and if you own any of these brands.. your thoughts, comments, and concerns. How much did you purchase your grip for and what you seen any good deals anywhere? Lastly, how does the functions compare to the Canon? Oh and also the 70 dollar premium, is it just for the name brand or the quality is obvious?

Thanks,
Anh

[TeamSpeed]

Please search for Opteka, there are many threads in this forum that discusses the Opteka knock-off. There is a thread still on the first page.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=275799

[athomefun]

This is just me, I would go for the Canon one. I dont know if the others are as good or better but I bought the Canon one and I am very very happy I did. Plus if and when I ever want to sell it, the Canon one will hold its value better I would think.

[ronmayhew]

I went to the opteka web site and I couldn't find anything on a grip for the 20D/30D.

Also searched B&H.

Does anyone have a link to a seller?

[Headcase650]

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Battery-Canon-Digital-Camera/dp/B000MFEDHO/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0/105-9063281-8323636

[TeamSpeed]

This is just me, I would go for the Canon one. I dont know if the others are as good or better but I bought the Canon one and I am very very happy I did. Plus if and when I ever want to sell it, the Canon one will hold its value better I would think.

Not really true, either the resale is the same or better. You will lose about $20-25 when you go to sell, and the Opteka saves you $70 up front.

[Throlkim]

I actually have some obscure german brand grip for my 400D, and I've had no problems with that at all. Cost me less than half the price of the canon one, and came with two higher power batteries.
I'm assuming the shutter button might be slightly nicer on the Canon branded one, but it's not worth an extra £60 to me :|

[Anh Nguyen]

Look what I found on the Amazon Product Description for the Opteka grip...

Product Description
Opteka is proud to be allowed to use the same factory and mold as Canon uses for their BG-E2. Opteka is one of the world's leading producer of high-performance batteries and accessories. Opteka believes there is no limit to the potential of portable power - and as a company they will always strive to find innovative and efficient ways to power your life in the future! The Opteka 30D / 20D grip holds 6 AA Batteries or 2 BP-511 batteries. This provides a extremely extended shooting time. The vertical shutter release also makes shooting with the camera in a vertical position just as comfortable as shooting horizontally. Compatible with the Canon EOS 20D Digital SLR Camera & 30D Digital SLR Camera only.

Basically these are pretty much the same product.. and you save 90 dollars upfront retail because amazon is selling it for 79.95 and B&H is selling the Canon for 169.95... hmmm

[Headcase650]

Look what I found on the Amazon Product Description for the Opteka grip...

Product Description
Opteka is proud to be allowed to use the same factory and mold as Canon uses for their BG-E2. Opteka is one of the world's leading producer of high-performance batteries and accessories. Opteka believes there is no limit to the potential of portable power - and as a company they will always strive to find innovative and efficient ways to power your life in the future! The Opteka 30D / 20D grip holds 6 AA Batteries or 2 BP-511 batteries. This provides a extremely extended shooting time. The vertical shutter release also makes shooting with the camera in a vertical position just as comfortable as shooting horizontally. Compatible with the Canon EOS 20D Digital SLR Camera & 30D Digital SLR Camera only.

Basically these are pretty much the same product.. and you save 90 dollars upfront retail because amazon is selling it for 79.95 and B&H is selling the Canon for 169.95... hmmm

The opteka isnt using the same mold, it has the battery door on the side while the canon is in the back, the description is misleading. That doesnt mean the opteka is bad but it is different.
Im thinking about getting the opteka as all the bad reviews of the canon grip when used with the 20D have put me off.

[Anh Nguyen]

The opteka isnt using the same mold, it has the battery door on the side while the canon is in the back, the description is misleading. That doesnt mean the opteka is bad but it is different.
Im thinking about getting the opteka as all the bad reviews of the canon grip when used with the 20D have put me off.

What bad reviews have you heard?

[Headcase650]

When the 20D was first introduce along with a new grip everyone was having problems, camera freezing up, shutting down, full batteries indicating as low then shutting down etc. Canon did a recall, issued new grips some said it fixed the problems others said their problems continued and most agree the thing doesnt fit to well with more play between it and body than any of the previous grips like the 10D and 300D's grips. I think it just suffers from a bad design.
To me I would think the optica should be better than the canon design feeling much more solid.The fact that the battery door is in the end should make it more rigid rather than the door opening up the entire back of the grip. It would be nice if someone could compair the 2 side by side for feel and fit.

[Anh Nguyen]

Right on.. What about comments people have made about the shutter release feeling "different"?