Battery Grip for Weddings?

For my Canon 30D I bought a Battery Grip to avoid the arm in the air

shinaniggins for portrait shots, and to have a built-in 2nd battery.

 

But also, a friend who's son-in-law has been a wedding photographer for some

time, told me about how with a bigger camera comes more respect from

enthusiasts, who get out the way when a bigger camera is used!

 

I'm going off the idea of using it now though because of the extra size. I can

easily fit the 30D without grip into all sorts of camera bags - including the

hotel safe when on holiday/vacation! Which helps ofcourse when carrying 2

cameras. Less weight, the thing doesn't feel 100% attached to my thinking.

While I'm sure it won't detach even with a heavy lens it plays on my mind -

plus on a tripod it does seem to wobble a bit (yes it is tightened correctly).

 

Maybe I'm being picky? Is it all about the size of your camera infront of the

guests with their similar sized cameras (minus battery grip)? Or what you do

with it? ;-) But for me it doesn't seem worth the hassle - what are you

experiences either way?

Look at the following thread.

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Ksvd

 

You should do what fits your needs and shooting style. Using a vertical grip to pump up your standing in guests' eyes should be at the very bottom of your reasons to use one, if it has any place on a list of reasons at all.

Nadine - it might be on the very bottom, but I know photographers who care more about their appearance than the quality of their pictures, unfortunately :-(

Most guest seem to have better cameras then I ever have around my neck........I use the grip for weight/support. I shoot a lot of slow shutter speeds and need that firm grip and the extra battery doesn't hurt to have along.

I used a battery grip. But, I stopped using it because I use a bracket and when I would go vertical the camera would lose power. This happened quit a bite. So, I do not use the battery grip. If I did not use a bracket I would use a battery grip.

Anyone can buy equipment. You just need the money or credit.

 

Photography is about the person creating the images. Can you feel it?

If anything it is the size of a 2.8 lens and sun shade that will get more attention as a pro than the battery grip. I like the grip for the extra battery, vertical shutter release, and the balance on my 70-200 lens. Maybe one or two guests might notice the grip but that is no reason to buy one.

If camera size intimidates you, you shouldn't be shooting weddings. Who gives a damn what you have or what a guest has. You're end results should be why they PAID YOU to be there, not uncle Bob.

I have one, and I love it. Got it for the extra battery life and the vertical shutter release. I suppose it does look cool too... but that's not why I use it!

EDDY :: make sure you have the "updated" grip > if your are speaking of the EOS BP

I might be missing the obvious, but if the bulk of the grip is an issue whilst on vacation etc, why not just take it off for these occasions?

I'm too lazy to carry around extra batteries in the bag so to have one already in the camera is great. The camera is so much easier to operate with the grip. Especially since i tend to change focus points a lot. It also feels much sturdier to have the grip on. I think it's because i use a 24-70 a lot and it is kind of heavy. Without the grip it just feels off balance.

Thanks for the link Nadine.

 

My comments about size - rather than what you do with it were tongue in cheek really. But as far as practicalities go, if people get out of your way that will obviously remove a possible problem getting a shot. The big lenses would do more to help here is something I agree with though - it's a good point. I haven't had a problem yet, but being new to this I don't want any future problems so asked for opinions.

 

What it really comes down to is the grip is not part of the camera and I find that slightly uncomfortable and distracting - I probably won't use it again.

i found mine to be not worth the hassle of the extra weight. and, it had the annoying (heart-stopping, actually) habit of losing electrical contact with the camera at critical moments, requiring removal and in-the-field cleaning of contacts, etc.

 

now, i wear a vest and stick an extra battery or two in one of its pockets.

"But also, a friend who's son-in-law has been a wedding photographer for some time, told me about how with a bigger camera comes more respect from enthusiasts, who get out the way when a bigger camera is used!"

 

that's true. but, a 'take-no-prisoners' style of grabbing candids works even better -- even with a pocket-sized point-and-shoot camera.