 Great addition to an already fantastic camera |
| Review Date: February 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: K. D. Odom, Norfolk, VA |
I already loved my Canon XSI, but this grip has really made the camera even more special.
Having the power of two LP-E5 batteries is a confidence booster to keep on shooting. If you're reading this, you already know how long one lasts, having two... I'd guess for my usage it'd be good for 1200 shots or more. Your mileage may vary on how much you use the LCD, flash, IS lenses, Live View, etc, but if one is good enough, two is great! I've never even seen the battery indicator go down a bar when shooting with this grip and two LP-E5's
For me, the battery power of one battery has always been more than enough. I often am in remote areas when I shoot, so the fact this grip will comes with a "sled" that accepts six AA batteries adds a comforting level of assurance that even if I run out of juice, a quick stop at any gas station in the country and I can pick up some AA's and get back to shooting if need be.
Where this accessory really shines is in balance, handling and control of the camera.
The XSI is very small and light for a DSLR. I often shoot with quite heavy lenses that make the camera feel VERY front heavy and off balance. With two batteries as low as they can be with the grip on, the camera is feels a little better balanced with a heavy lens attached.
Handling feels much better with the grip as well in the standard landscape orientation. No more is my right pinky just hanging out in space, it can now help grip the camera. I have medium sized hands and had found the standard XSI grip just a bit small for my liking, this fills in the gap and it feels quite natural.
Control is the key selling point. If you have felt uncomfortable shooting in portrait orientation, this is your relief. It keeps you from having your right hand across your face in portrait orientation. You have shutter, selection wheel, AE lock, AF Point, and Exposure Compensation buttons in a very similar place for both portrait and landscape. This can't be understated as I can now just flip the camera and do everything by feel when switching from landscape to portrait. Changing settings when shooting in portrait before always meant I had to take the camera away from my eye and switch it back to landscape to look down and work the controls on the same axis I was used to, then switching the orientation back before bringing the viewfinder back to my eye. With this grip, the controls are close to where you're used to them being even when the camera is oriented 90 degrees off.
Compared to the price of the camera itself, this is a cheap accessory, and one I've found quite useful. There are some things that I don't like about it however:
The grip adds about 1.75" to the height of the camera. That means it doesn't fit well or at all in some camera cases with the grip on.
There is no ISO button on the grip. I hate this as I always want to change the ISO to get it as low as I can for a given shot. Without the button for it on the grip, I've got to take down the camera and make the change where I'm used to changing it without taking my eye off the viewfinder while in landscape.
I wish you didn't have to remove the battery door, it's one more thing to loose. **Correction, please read my update at the bottom of this review!**
Purely aesthetic, but I'd like the grip to follow the lines of the camera better.
All in all, my biggest gripe is that it doesn't have an ISO button. That being said, it's been a great accessory that has made me like my XSI even more. At the Amazon price of $130, it's a steal! If you would like to shoot longer (with an extra battery that is not included,) would like a backup power option for AA's, or would like to shoot in portrait orientation more comfortably, you need this.
Hope this has helped with your decision.
KO
Update 9/23/09:
User D. Andrews states that the grip will store the battery door while in use. I tried it out and D. Andrews is correct. The battery door will store on the shaft going from the grip to the battery terminals in the camera body. There's even an icon for it on the battery grip if you look carefully. Very good call D. Andrews! Thank you for the correction!
KO |
A must have...
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| Review Date: May 14, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Daniel B. Phillips, Cedar Falls, Iowa |
| This is a great item and a must have for the XSi. I got the XSi to pair with my 40d as a back-up and also for a small, compact dSLR for my fiance to use when helping me on photo shoots. The grip isnt necessary for everyone, but considering that just about every lens I use regularly is larger or the same size as the XSi, the grip definately makes me feel more comfortable. Adds more size to the camera with minimal weight. I am just waiting for Canon to release the battery magazines for it so that I can buy some spares. Also allows for my hands to fit comfortably on the camera instead of having to jam them in. Still doesnt feel right using the Canon 70-200 2.8L with this and the XSi though... |
Battery grip BG-E5 makes the Rebel XSi feel entirely different.
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| Review Date: June 2, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Peter E. Lewin, Calgary, Canada. |
The Rebel XSi without it's battery grip, for me, is like holding an undersized light weight DSLR. It just does not feel good in the hands of a person who likes something more substantial.
The Battery grip BG-E5 along with its new longer lasting battery system totally transforms this camera. It now feels comfortable, more substantial and more in tune with the other upper end cameras in canon's line up. This camera, is an ideal global travel camera along with the Canon G9, which I also own. They share the same SD card. The battery system is a different story however, but it is not inconvenient to take the two different battery chargers, as they are both light weight and very portable.
I have battery grips for all my canon cameras and they make a huge contribution in enabling long reliable shooting sessions.
This battery grip is not compatible with the former Rebel XTi but its grip houses the older batteries that are compatible with the G9. These two Rebels along with the G9 make for an affordable camera system that can give the user unlimited possibilities for creative photography.
An appropriate wide angle lens on one body and a flexible telephoto lens on the other, will allow quick and easy coverage of every situation.
If you are a Rebel XSi owner and are wanting a more substantial feel to the camera, then this is a must have item. I am very happy with the performance and the stream line appearance it gives to the XSi. The Battery grip BG-E5 is another first class canon product! |
Great option for Canon Rebel XSI
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| Review Date: August 12, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Dennis Finnan, Grand Junction Colorado |
| I purchased this item to add to my Canon Rebel XSI. It fit perfectly and worked immediately. I really enjoy the extra grip for I have a large hand and need it. Also it enables one to take vertical pictures with ease, and the double battery feature means I never run out of battery power all day long with using the flash extensively. In fact it runs for days of use. I recommend this to anyone who purchases the Canon Rebel XSI |
Transform your XSi/450D
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| Review Date: March 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Enche Tjin, Philadelphia, PA |
I bought this Canon BG-E5 because of reading review in Amazon that said this grip will transform the camera. Immediately after I use it, I feel it is definitely true. This battery grip transform the camera in several ways:
First, it become taller and heavier, but feel more solid like pro camera.
Second, now my fingers do not have to cramp in the tight space. Although I have a relatively small hand and thin fingers, I feel a lot better.
Third, it has additional shutter release button, so you can use it for vertical/portrait shots. This is extremely helpful especially when you shoot portrait a lot. Now, the vertical grip become more comfortable than horizontal one.
Fourth, it comes with two kind of magazines which is interchangeable. First is 2 slot for regular Canon XSi's battery, and the other one is for regular AA batteries.
Fifth and the last one is the added weight and size of the camera make it more balance when you equip it with longer or heavier lens.
Who is this for? This battery grip will be helpful for anyone who used Canon Rebel XSi especially who fond of taking picture in portrait orientation and have some long or heavy lenses. It is also for anybody who go to long travel or lengthy photo shoots because they have magazines for batteries especially regular AAs.
I don't see a point on buying battery grip for Canon 40D/50D (heavier semi-pro camera) but for XSi, it is very valuable, especially the price point is relatively cheap compared to battery grip for bigger camera.
I recommend to get it right away. They are reliable and I got a very sweet deal last time.
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