Anyone using the battery grip on the 20D?

dod · 31-07-2005, 18:32

If so, just wondering if you find it improves the handling? I've felt from day one that the 20 is just a touch small.

CT · 31-07-2005, 18:38

Very much so. The battery grip never comes off my 20D, and I like a weighty, chunky camera anyway.

The additional shutter button is very handy in portrait orientation too, particularly using heavy lenses.

31-07-2005, 19:03

I must be a freak of nature.

I have a 350D and while I can see it's small, it's not overly so, and it's not uncomfortable. I would like a battery grip so I have a bit more meat in my hands, but I wouldn't say that's too small.
And after getting my grips round Steve's 20D last night I can certainly tell the difference, and wouldn't ever say that's too small for me.

And I'm 6'4 and have a fair sized pair of shovels.

***Steve*** · 31-07-2005, 19:08

Steve's 20D is to small and requires the addition of the battery grip however there are still some concerns about them being manufactured well and not flexing with the added weight of larger lenses.

Marcel, you are using a small camera with a small lens both in terms of length and weight, add a large lens and use it for an extended period of time and you will change your mind.

dod · 31-07-2005, 19:09

Can't get used to you as Marcel

It's not TOO small, it's just that it is smaller than the 10D I was used too and I can tell the difference

Tie that up with the price I saw the grip at from the shop in your thread and it started me thinking

***Steve*** · 31-07-2005, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by dod

Can't get used to you as Marcel

It's not TOO small, it's just that it is smaller than the 10D I was used too and I can tell the difference

Tie that up with the price I saw the grip at from the shop in your thread and it started me thinking

If you can check serial numbers then allegedly you can get one of the later versions which look identical but have extra internal strengthening to reduce/stop the flexing and loss of contact. If not then try to ensure that you have one of the latest batches.

Buying the grip from overseas may not be the best idea as changing it could prove tricky.

dod · 31-07-2005, 19:54

good point Steve

***Steve*** · 31-07-2005, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by dod

good point Steve

Hense why my 20D is still gripless

IanC_UK · 31-07-2005, 22:13

I have a grip on my 20D been using it non stop with the 100-400 and had only 1 instance of the contact being lost, has been absolutely fine ever since ! (touch wood) ! LOL

dod · 01-08-2005, 09:11

emailed them to see what the story is, I'll let you know

CT · 01-08-2005, 09:44

No issues with mine I'm happy to say. :icon_cool

dod · 01-08-2005, 10:07

where did you buy yours CT?

CT · 01-08-2005, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by dod

where did you buy yours CT?

7dayshop IIRC, but it might have been Warehouse Express (can't find the receipt at the moment) The grip is very well made and solid IMO. If it has a fault it's that when you tighten up the knurled knob to lock the grip onto the camera, it stops very suddenly and that last turn which you expect to be able to make to tighten it isn't there. In practice you just have to give it some beans and make sure it's tightened as far as it will go.

***Steve*** · 01-08-2005, 10:48

The problems that I have read about are mostly related to the grip flexing and losing contact with the camera, thus the camera switching off.

When the 20D was brought in as a replacement to the 10D the battery grip was redesigned as the 20D is smaller and so the grip had to marry up. Canon moved the retaining screws (not the one that screws from the grip into the camera) closer to the centre of the new grip and this allowed some extra flex that was not apparent in the 10D’s grip.

The screw that attaches the grip to the camera also has been reported to work lose, the problem with that is as CT has stated in that it doesn’t do it slowly, its either tight or lose and gives no warning in between. Obviously that again adds to the flex problem and inevitably the camera and grip losing contact resulting in the camera losing power.

There are also reports of this new grip not giving correct readings for the remaining battery power. These reports are a lot fewer than for the flex problem but there are still enough for it to indicate it to be a real issue and not something that just one batch was suffering from. Obviously all you need to do is carry extra batteries (which most of us do anyway) but why Canon managed to mess up such a simple product that was previously almost perfect is still a mystery.

Ref Canon and the problem..last time I checked Canon UK had not acknowledged the issues yet Canon USA had. They issued an upgrade/modification/repair that basically placed two washers on the inside of the grip to spread the weight and reduce the flexing. I also believe that this modification has now been included at the production stage so getting a latest batch grip should be better if not perfect.

As to the battery problem, I have not managed to get any definitive answer.

Hope that helps?

dod · 01-08-2005, 10:51

Thanks.

7 day shop £119 out of stock
warehouse £149 in stock

I can wait

**stepheno** · 08-08-2005, 07:47

I just got one from Jessops, £149. I thought about 7day but wanted to be able to return to shop if a problem. However, so far so good and does everytrhing it says on the tin (fingers crossed). To me it now seems to make the camera "complete" - as if there was something missing before - the weight, balance and handling is certainly better for me.

regards

31-07-2005, 18:32	#1 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	Anyone using the battery grip on the 20D? If so, just wondering if you find it improves the handling? I've felt from day one that the 20 is just a touch small.

31-07-2005, 18:38	#2 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	Very much so. The battery grip never comes off my 20D, and I like a weighty, chunky camera anyway. The additional shutter button is very handy in portrait orientation too, particularly using heavy lenses.

31-07-2005, 19:03	#3 (permalink)
Marcel Posts: n/a	I must be a freak of nature. I have a 350D and while I can see it's small, it's not overly so, and it's not uncomfortable. I would like a battery grip so I have a bit more meat in my hands, but I wouldn't say that's too small. And after getting my grips round Steve's 20D last night I can certainly tell the difference, and wouldn't ever say that's too small for me. And I'm 6'4 and have a fair sized pair of shovels.

31-07-2005, 19:08	#4 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 15,960	Steve's 20D is to small and requires the addition of the battery grip however there are still some concerns about them being manufactured well and not flexing with the added weight of larger lenses. Marcel, you are using a small camera with a small lens both in terms of length and weight, add a large lens and use it for an extended period of time and you will change your mind.

31-07-2005, 19:09	#5 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	Can't get used to you as Marcel It's not TOO small, it's just that it is smaller than the 10D I was used too and I can tell the difference Tie that up with the price I saw the grip at from the shop in your thread and it started me thinking

31-07-2005, 19:54	#7 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	good point Steve

31-07-2005, 22:13	#9 (permalink)
IanC_UK Feet under the table Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northampton Posts: 2,137	I have a grip on my 20D been using it non stop with the 100-400 and had only 1 instance of the contact being lost, has been absolutely fine ever since ! (touch wood) ! LOL

01-08-2005, 09:11	#10 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	emailed them to see what the story is, I'll let you know

01-08-2005, 09:44	#11 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	No issues with mine I'm happy to say. :icon_cool

01-08-2005, 10:07	#12 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	where did you buy yours CT?

01-08-2005, 10:48	#14 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 15,960	The problems that I have read about are mostly related to the grip flexing and losing contact with the camera, thus the camera switching off. When the 20D was brought in as a replacement to the 10D the battery grip was redesigned as the 20D is smaller and so the grip had to marry up. Canon moved the retaining screws (not the one that screws from the grip into the camera) closer to the centre of the new grip and this allowed some extra flex that was not apparent in the 10D’s grip. The screw that attaches the grip to the camera also has been reported to work lose, the problem with that is as CT has stated in that it doesn’t do it slowly, its either tight or lose and gives no warning in between. Obviously that again adds to the flex problem and inevitably the camera and grip losing contact resulting in the camera losing power. There are also reports of this new grip not giving correct readings for the remaining battery power. These reports are a lot fewer than for the flex problem but there are still enough for it to indicate it to be a real issue and not something that just one batch was suffering from. Obviously all you need to do is carry extra batteries (which most of us do anyway) but why Canon managed to mess up such a simple product that was previously almost perfect is still a mystery. Ref Canon and the problem..last time I checked Canon UK had not acknowledged the issues yet Canon USA had. They issued an upgrade/modification/repair that basically placed two washers on the inside of the grip to spread the weight and reduce the flexing. I also believe that this modification has now been included at the production stage so getting a latest batch grip should be better if not perfect. As to the battery problem, I have not managed to get any definitive answer. Hope that helps?

01-08-2005, 10:51	#15 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	Thanks. 7 day shop £119 out of stock warehouse £149 in stock I can wait

08-08-2005, 07:47	#16 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,431	I just got one from Jessops, £149. I thought about 7day but wanted to be able to return to shop if a problem. However, so far so good and does everytrhing it says on the tin (fingers crossed). To me it now seems to make the camera "complete" - as if there was something missing before - the weight, balance and handling is certainly better for me. regards

08-08-2005, 09:12	#17 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 15,960