Comments on: When NOT to Use a Battery Grip http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/ tips and tutorials for digital nature photography Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:18:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John Cena http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/comment-page-1/#comment-41200 John Cena Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:38:42 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2897#comment-41200 Weak arm sir... weak arm..... Weak arm sir… weak arm…..

]]> By: Dennison Uy http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/comment-page-1/#comment-25478 Dennison Uy Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:30:17 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2897#comment-25478 I personally prefer shooting without the grip for the same reason that Steve gave here. It tires the muscles. It might not be as "stable" as one with a grip, but when you shoot a lot you get used to it and eventually you can take more steady shots. I personally prefer shooting without the grip for the same reason that Steve gave here. It tires the muscles. It might not be as “stable” as one with a grip, but when you shoot a lot you get used to it and eventually you can take more steady shots.

]]> By: Vic Berardi http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/comment-page-1/#comment-22943 Vic Berardi Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:57:52 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2897#comment-22943 To add to Steve's reasoning, I'd like to mention that not using a battery grip for birds in flight isn't only a balance issue but also an issue of speed and efficiency. When I'm photographing a raptor in flight I usually have less than a second to get off as many shots as possible. Turning the camera with my finger on the trigger at all times is far faster than turning the camera and moving my finger to the alternate trigger button on the battery grip. It also allows me to quickly shoot the raptor at angles in between 0 and 90 degrees. It may not sound like much time will elapse but for me personally it makes all the difference in whether I get a good shot or not. To add to Steve’s reasoning, I’d like to mention that not using a battery grip for birds in flight isn’t only a balance issue but also an issue of speed and efficiency. When I’m photographing a raptor in flight I usually have less than a second to get off as many shots as possible. Turning the camera with my finger on the trigger at all times is far faster than turning the camera and moving my finger to the alternate trigger button on the battery grip. It also allows me to quickly shoot the raptor at angles in between 0 and 90 degrees. It may not sound like much time will elapse but for me personally it makes all the difference in whether I get a good shot or not.

]]> By: LOUIE http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/comment-page-1/#comment-22926 LOUIE Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:44:28 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2897#comment-22926 Add another vote to "opposite" side. I guess I've been shooting for so long, I'm used to the heaviness. I do have a small point and shoot I use for personal projects, but I admit they're difficult to hold still and get a clear shot with nothing to weigh it down for me. Add another vote to “opposite” side. I guess I’ve been shooting for so long, I’m used to the heaviness. I do have a small point and shoot I use for personal projects, but I admit they’re difficult to hold still and get a clear shot with nothing to weigh it down for me.

]]> By: Jamie http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/comment-page-1/#comment-22925 Jamie Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:15:25 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2897#comment-22925 I'm about to buy one. Mainly for the reason that it makes my camera look bigger aka I look cooler. I’m about to buy one. Mainly for the reason that it makes my camera look bigger aka I look cooler.

]]> By: Michael Smith http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/comment-page-1/#comment-22678 Michael Smith Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:16:30 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2897#comment-22678 It's an interesting idea Steve. I love my battery grip for all the reasons you and the others have mentioned, but there are a couple times when I do like to take it off and photograph without it. One of those times is when I'm going hiking and want to keep things as light as possible. One hike I went on I removed the battery grip and threw on a cheap 28-105mm kit lens and hit the trail. The combination made for a very light weight kit for a nice long hike. I have taken it off on several other hiking occasions for the same reason, less weight in my pack. Another time I take the grip off of my camera is when I'm setting up on a tripod and triggering the camera remotely. When I'm doing this, I'm generally using one of those cheap $30 tripods from a department store and the extra weight on top can make things pretty unstable. For most of my serious shooting, I'm leaving the grip on, but there are times when I'm willing to sacrifice the extra power and versatility in order to lighten my load. It’s an interesting idea Steve. I love my battery grip for all the reasons you and the others have mentioned, but there are a couple times when I do like to take it off and photograph without it.

One of those times is when I’m going hiking and want to keep things as light as possible. One hike I went on I removed the battery grip and threw on a cheap 28-105mm kit lens and hit the trail. The combination made for a very light weight kit for a nice long hike. I have taken it off on several other hiking occasions for the same reason, less weight in my pack.

Another time I take the grip off of my camera is when I’m setting up on a tripod and triggering the camera remotely. When I’m doing this, I’m generally using one of those cheap $30 tripods from a department store and the extra weight on top can make things pretty unstable.

For most of my serious shooting, I’m leaving the grip on, but there are times when I’m willing to sacrifice the extra power and versatility in order to lighten my load.

]]> By: Steve Berardi http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/comment-page-1/#comment-22572 Steve Berardi Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:43:28 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2897#comment-22572 @Erik / Benbe / eman / Zack - I understand that with the principle of inertia, that an object with a greater mass requires a greater force to be moved. But, I also know that when you're holding a heavier object, your muscles will get tired more quickly. And, when your muscles get tired, it becomes a lot harder to keep that object still. So, I guess I should have said to avoid the battery grip when you're holding your camera and lens for an extended length of time. If you're just taking a few shots here and there, yeah, keeping the battery grip on probably makes more sense. But, if you're going out for the whole day to photograph hawks that are flying above you, I think your arms will get tired pretty quick (at least mine do, heh).. having a little less weight on the camera will help slow that tiredness down :) @Matt - I would hope that everyone thinks twice before they listen to someone :) I do think that removing the battery grip can help in some situations though (when you need to handhold a camera with a long lens for an extended amount of time). @Erik / Benbe / eman / Zack – I understand that with the principle of inertia, that an object with a greater mass requires a greater force to be moved. But, I also know that when you’re holding a heavier object, your muscles will get tired more quickly. And, when your muscles get tired, it becomes a lot harder to keep that object still.

So, I guess I should have said to avoid the battery grip when you’re holding your camera and lens for an extended length of time. If you’re just taking a few shots here and there, yeah, keeping the battery grip on probably makes more sense. But, if you’re going out for the whole day to photograph hawks that are flying above you, I think your arms will get tired pretty quick (at least mine do, heh).. having a little less weight on the camera will help slow that tiredness down :)

@Matt – I would hope that everyone thinks twice before they listen to someone :) I do think that removing the battery grip can help in some situations though (when you need to handhold a camera with a long lens for an extended amount of time).

]]> By: Matt Farias http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/comment-page-1/#comment-22521 Matt Farias Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:09:25 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2897#comment-22521 Well I do agree with that the extra weight can wear you down during a long day of shooting but I don't have one of those monster lenses that you use. After training myself to stay steady with the grip I would be hard pressed to go back and have my elbow flopping around in the air again. I appreciate the suggestion but I think your readers and followers should think twice about removing the battery grid just because of weight, you are also asking us to abandon the technique we use to photograph with as well. Well I do agree with that the extra weight can wear you down during a long day of shooting but I don’t have one of those monster lenses that you use. After training myself to stay steady with the grip I would be hard pressed to go back and have my elbow flopping around in the air again. I appreciate the suggestion but I think your readers and followers should think twice about removing the battery grid just because of weight, you are also asking us to abandon the technique we use to photograph with as well.

]]> By: Zack Jones http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/comment-page-1/#comment-22503 Zack Jones Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:15:36 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2897#comment-22503 I'm going to side with Erik, Benbe, and eman. My experience has been that cameras with battery grips feel more stable when shooting hand held with a long lens such as the 400 f/5.6 plus having that extra shutter release is SO nice when you rotate the camera from horizontal to portrait mode. I will agree with you regarding the extra heft of a 5D with grip, two batteries, and L-Bracket though and wouldn't care to use that combination with the nifty fifty or some other lightweight lens. You can always lighten the load a little by removing the L-Bracket and one battery. I’m going to side with Erik, Benbe, and eman. My experience has been that cameras with battery grips feel more stable when shooting hand held with a long lens such as the 400 f/5.6 plus having that extra shutter release is SO nice when you rotate the camera from horizontal to portrait mode. I will agree with you regarding the extra heft of a 5D with grip, two batteries, and L-Bracket though and wouldn’t care to use that combination with the nifty fifty or some other lightweight lens. You can always lighten the load a little by removing the L-Bracket and one battery.

]]> By: eman http://photonaturalist.net/when-not-to-use-a-battery-grip/comment-page-1/#comment-22497 eman Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:55:04 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2897#comment-22497 I am going to chime in with others and say that my experience also has been just the opposite. I am going to chime in with others and say that my experience also has been just the opposite.

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